Chapter 298
That would be directly hypnotizing the floral suppliers and the invitation makers, from whom we could obtain some information about the guest list.
Aside from these, there are four or five other ways to get the list.
“Don’t worry, it’s just a small matter.”
Aivina patted her chest, assuring Xia'er that there would be no slip-ups. Then, a spark of excitement flickered in Aivina's eyes as she asked, “Shall we practice a bit in advance?”
“Practice what?” Xia'er asked, puzzled.
“Practice being a maid,” Aivina replied matter-of-factly. “Being a maid isn’t as simple as it sounds, and the rules vary from household to household. If you don’t practice beforehand, others will see right through your disguise.”
Aivina scanned Xia'er, who was leaning against the sofa, and shook her head seriously. “Right now, you don’t look the part at all. Anyone who sees you would think you’re just pretending… What kind of maid has such an expression and demeanor? If someone didn’t know better, they’d think you were some young lady.”
To further persuade Xia'er, Aivina continued, “Besides, most of my servants have seen your true self. You need to perfect your disguise to fool them as well.”
That… does make sense…
Xia'er nodded reluctantly.
After all, she didn’t plan to simulate anything in the near future; she intended to take some time to restore her mental state, and acquiring the list would take a while. With nothing else to do, it seemed that aside from reading, the only option left was the “practice” Aivina mentioned.
“Alright then.”
Xia'er nodded, going along with Aivina’s wishes.
Seeing Xia'er agree, Aivina couldn’t contain her excitement and quickly stood up, maintaining a serious expression to hide her delight.
“Great! I have nothing planned for tonight, so I’ll teach you.”
With that, Aivina turned and headed for the door, not giving Xia'er a chance to object.
At the end of the hallway, Nia was leaning by the window, gazing at the sunset, her mind blank.
Having lived through many years, she had developed a habit of zoning out to pass the time, as if she were a true knight statue.
The sound of the door opening at the end of the hallway broke Nia’s trance. She turned to see Miss Aivina striding toward her.
“Is there something you need, Miss Aivina?” Nia asked, stepping away from the window.
“Could you fetch me a new maid’s dress?” Aivina said quietly.
It seemed she didn’t even want her personal maid to do this, but rather entrusted it to Nia.
A maid’s dress?
Nia was momentarily taken aback, unsure of why Miss Aivina needed such a thing. But soon, she recalled that Xia'er was still in Aivina’s room.
Sigh…
Nia could almost picture the assertive Miss Aivina forcing Xia'er into a maid’s dress and then instructing her, but she merely sighed inwardly and said, “Yes, Miss Aivina, just a moment.”
Nia went downstairs and returned in less than three minutes, carrying a tote bag containing a complete maid’s outfit.
Aivina snatched the bag and hurriedly turned to leave, while Nia, still contemplating what to say, only realized what had happened once Aivina closed the door.
At that moment, Nia felt a mix of emotions—somewhat relieved yet complicated.
Aivina had grown up before her eyes, and Nia was glad that Aivina had found someone she could open up to. Yet, she worried that Aivina might do something to hurt Xia'er, ultimately leading to her own pain.
But these personal matters were not something Nia could interfere with… She could only let the young ones sort it out themselves.
Nia returned to the window, opened it, and let the gentle breeze wash over her as she resumed her daydreaming.
As it turned out, Nia’s worries were unfounded.
At that moment, Xia'er, now dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit, was adjusting her skirt and pulling up her white stockings. She looked at Aivina and said helplessly, “It’s a bit big.”
“I’ll rush order a custom fit for you tomorrow,” Aivina replied, observing Xia'er as she bent down to adjust her dress, nodding to herself.
My Xia'er looks good in anything.
“Ahem.”
Aivina cleared her throat, forcing her smile to fade as she sat down on the sofa and said, “Let’s get started. First, just go with your instincts… pour the tea.”
Xia'er obediently approached the table, recalling how maids poured tea, and after serving Aivina a cup, she stepped back, hands clasped in front of her, looking down at Aivina.
At that moment, Aivina lifted the teacup to her lips, took a sip, and then glanced at Xia'er, only to find her staring blankly, seemingly intent on waiting for Aivina’s next command.
“A maid shouldn’t stare at her mistress. Besides being silent and respectful, it’s also important to maintain proper decorum. Remember to be polite, keep your head down, and don’t look your mistress in the eye unless permitted.”
After saying this, Aivina turned her attention back to the table, elegantly sipping her tea.
“Understood, Mistress.”
“Pfft—”
Xia'er’s soft voice broke the moment, causing Aivina to jump, and she sprayed her tea in a most unrefined manner.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
Aivina set down her teacup, her face flushed red, unsure if it was from choking or something else. She turned to Xia'er, taking a moment to catch her breath before saying, “Who… who taught you to call me that?!”
Perhaps due to her embarrassment, Aivina’s voice sounded a bit irritated.
“Uh… didn’t you just say ‘don’t stare at your mistress’?” Xia'er replied, looking confused, not understanding why Aivina was so flustered.
“Remember, you… you’re employed at the manor, earning a weekly wage, not a slave. Just call me ‘Miss,’ got it?”
Aivina fixed her gaze on Xia'er, stammering as she spoke. She appeared angry, but in reality, she was trying to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks.
But she had to admit, when she heard Xia'er address her that way, a flicker of excitement stirred within her for reasons she couldn’t quite grasp.
Now, Aivina regretted correcting Xia'er so quickly; how wonderful it would have been to hear her call her that in a softer, more obedient tone a few more times…
“Understood, Miss.”
Xia'er kept her head down, patiently responding, as if she had quickly settled into her role.
Next, Aivina put Xia'er through a series of tests. Although Xia'er had never been a maid, she had seen plenty of them and was quite adept at household chores herself.
After adjusting a few minor etiquette and address issues, Aivina found it hard to pick out any flaws in Xia'er. Anyone who looked would think she was a capable and beautiful maid.
Being too beautiful… was also a problem.
But that was easily solved with a bit of makeup.
In less than an hour, Aivina realized she had nothing left to teach. Standing before Xia'er, who was looking down, she racked her brain for ideas.
Directing Xia'er felt exhilarating, and she didn’t want it to end so soon. What to do, what to do…
Aivina was almost certain that if she missed this opportunity tonight, she wouldn’t have another chance to command Xia'er from such a lofty position.
“Aivina, I still feel like I don’t quite understand.”
At that moment, Xia'er’s voice was like music to Aivina’s ears, giving her a chance to continue.
“What don’t you understand?” Aivina asked, slightly lifting her chin as she looked at Xia'er. “I can help you.”
“Thank you so much, Teacher Aivina.”
Xia'er wore a harmless smile as she asked, “It’s just that when I watch my own movements, it’s hard to feel where I might be going wrong…”
“Could you please demonstrate?”
When Xia'er called her “teacher,” Aivina’s heart skipped a beat.
When she heard Xia'er finish speaking, she paused for a moment, staring blankly as she asked, “D-Demonstrate?”
In front of Aivina, Xia'er began to remove her black-and-white maid outfit, extending it toward Aivina with a smile, saying, “Sorry for the trouble.”
“Teacher Aivina.”
As Aivina looked at the outfit Xia'er offered, she began to regret her hasty agreement… It seemed she had committed too soon.
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