Adair glanced at Rod, saying, “It seems your brother hasn’t told you yet. He asked me to be your teacher for a while. Well, I haven’t played this role before, so if I don’t do well, you can dismiss me.”
“How could that be!” Rod replied excitedly. “I have so much to learn from Adair! So, Adair will be coming with us back to the capital?”
“That’s right. Although we plan to walk slowly, that would be too time-consuming. Some matters are better investigated directly in the capital.”
Adair’s words were ambiguous, and Rod couldn’t quite understand. Still, he believed he would eventually comprehend.
As they walked, the scene ahead suddenly became lively. It wasn’t from disturbances at the baron’s residence, but from soldiers escorting the baron’s people, herding them into a centralized location.
These people included the elderly, children, servants, and former wives. Each looked dejected, lacking their previous arrogance. They had lost their greatest support, the baron.
Rod felt a pang of sympathy, almost pitying them: “If Baron Quentin hadn’t done those things, the baron’s residence wouldn’t be in this state now.”
“Baron Quentin’s fall isn’t solely his fault. It’s the result of many people pushing him step by step into the abyss. Those in his residence are partly to blame, and others are the ones you saw in the accounts, doing black market deals with Quentin.”
“But isn’t this because of Quentin himself? If he hadn’t associated with those people and could control his greed, he could have…”
“Then he wouldn’t be Quentin. Give up those fantasies, Rod. Not everyone wants to be a saint, which is why saints are so precious. Human nature is inherently chaotic. If you really want to prevent such things, don’t try to make everyone a saint. Instead, find ways to control people’s desires. Don’t rely on others’ self-control. You should actively suppress their desires.”
“Is that possible?”
“Why not? Laws are created by rulers to suppress evil and are enforced by the state’s power. Because of laws, people fight but don’t harm each other excessively, and although there are conflicts, they don’t resort to weapons. Although there are rich and poor, they don’t plunder randomly.”
“But there are still people like Baron Quentin and the Golden Fort.”
“Laws are made and enforced by people, and people are imperfect. If those enforcing or amending the laws become lax or lead by example in violating the law’s authority, then the law loses its effectiveness and becomes a tool for the powerful to oppress the innocent.”
Rod pondered, “So, a ruler shouldn’t be lax or make mistakes?”
“Ideally, yes, but that’s not realistic. Rulers are human and will make mistakes. So, in addition to relying on laws, a ruler should have a heart that can hide and contain evil. Since evil can’t be avoided, confine it to the dark corners, preventing it from affecting the world in the light. This is something you lack, Rod. Your fixation on right and wrong, good and evil, will make you lose sight of your original purpose and lead to extremism.”
Adair patted Rod’s shoulder and said, “I’m tired of all these empty words. Let’s get practical. As your future teacher, I’ll assign you your first homework.”
Rod acknowledged Adair’s role and asked, “What does the teacher want me to do?”
“I want you to sort out the relationships and transactions among the people mentioned in the accounts you just reviewed. Give yourself a week. Don’t just connect them; analyze the background of their transactions. You don’t need to go too deep. Can you do that?”
Rod nodded firmly, “I can, Teacher!”
Adair watched Rod, who had regained his determination, return with growing expectations for the boy’s future.
Adair turned to Ye Xi behind him and said, “I have a feeling he will become a great emperor someday.”
Ye Xi seemed uninterested: “Maybe.”
Adair had no intention of discussing this further with Ye Xi and revealed the real reason for sending Rod away.
“According to the bet, I lost. I ended up relying on your power.”
“The bet?” Ye Xi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled faintly. “You won. You indeed used your own wisdom to overthrow the bandits and the lord, even though things changed midway. That was partly my doing. And the bet was really just your way of seeking my recognition. I recognize your courage and audacity.”
Adair stared, disbelief evident in his eyes. “Really?”
“Really,” Ye Xi confirmed, then looked troubled. “But I can’t clearly define what you meant by ‘taking the relationship further,’ although I want to fulfill the bet.”
Adair scratched his head. “No, no problem. No need to force yourself. I was just talking. The main purpose was to get your recognition.”
“Hmm…” Ye Xi rested her chin on her hand, then snapped her fingers. “Well then, I’ll become your maid first.”
“Huh?” Adair looked at Ye Xi, confused by the connection.
Ye Xi honestly explained, “I’m not sure how to get closer, but there’s an example to follow. During my time at the marquis’s residence, I became friends with many people without even realizing it, although I’m not sure why. It proved to be an effective method.”
“Is that so? But weren’t you already my maid?”
Adair reflected on the past month of Ye Xi’s dedicated care, which felt like being cared for by a mother.
Ye Xi shook her head. “No, you can tell by how I often called you ‘trash,’ ‘pervert,’ ‘walking cannon.’ Although that’s true, I didn’t serve you as a maid but took actions for convenience. But you seemed satisfied. Now, as your maid, let’s think about how to address you. Sir? Young Master? Lord? Master? Master? Perv? Walking Cannon? Demon King? Of course, I can add ‘pervert’ before any of these titles if you’d like.”
Adair felt something was off. “Wait, the first few titles are fine, but what are those last few? If you call me those, I’ll be socially dead!”
“Hmm~” Ye Xi covered her mouth, feigning surprise. “I thought you’d be more open after that night of naked running. Plus, I know some people like being called ‘pervert’ by a beautiful girl. Although I’m a guy inside, this body is a real beauty. Don’t you get excited?”
“I’m a noble young man and won’t fall so low!”
“Master pervert~ Lord pervert~ Young Master pervert~ Big pervert”
Adair was caught off guard by Ye Xi’s relentless tease. He took a deep breath, looking uncertainly at the vibrant maid before him.
Ye Xi placed her hands in front of her, her cherry lips curved into a crescent moon, her bright eyes sparkling with joy. Combined with her tidy maid uniform, she looked like an angel!
“Trash Lord, Bug Lord, Perv Lord~”
This angel continued to sing in a pure, melodious voice, occasionally blinking at him.
Is this flirtation? The usually cold Ye Xi making such adorable gestures? What a shocking contrast, truly a teasing devil.
Adair’s body trembled slightly as he reminded himself: Stay calm, this is just a small scene. Too naive to think he’d be excited by a beautiful girl’s insults! He underestimated himself!
Adair didn’t realize his body had betrayed him until Ye Xi pointed at his nose, and he noticed two streams of red liquid flowing.
Adair blushed, coughing, “I’ve been so busy lately, I didn’t drink enough water. I must have a sore throat.”
“Is that so?” Ye Xi didn’t press further but said kindly, “Then, Master, please rest well. Your health is important.”
Oh! What a radiant smile, what warm concern. They say after the rain comes the rainbow, and thorns precede the rose.
Adair deeply understood this truth. He took a deep breath and seriously told Ye Xi, “Call out a few more times?”
Ye Xi tilted her head, confused.
“I mean, ‘Master,’ using the tone from before. That’s a command from your master.”
“Of course, Master. Master, Master, Master, Master, Master…”
“Stop, stop, stop.”
Adair’s breathing quickened, and he felt dizzy with happiness, overwhelmed by its suddenness.
Thus, Adair issued his first command as a master: “Tonight, give me your legs!”
“Hm?” Ye Xi’s small mouth opened slightly, “Master is quite bold, expressing such desires so openly.”
“Huh?” Adair froze, realizing Ye Xi’s words. So many people?
He turned to see Kelly and a few soldiers, along with Rod, staring at him in shock.
Adair gasped, “When did they arrive?”
Ye Xi smiled, “From the moment you said, ‘I’m a noble young man and won’t fall so low,’ they’ve been there.”
Adair was stunned, asking dully, “Why didn’t I notice?”
Ye Xi covered her mouth, laughing, “Because I kindly shielded your senses, letting you express your true desires without restraint. By the way, I didn’t expect you to still remember my mention from last time.”
Adair felt hopeless, realizing he had been manipulated!
“Some things aren’t what they seem on the surface.”
Adair tried to salvage his image in Kelly’s and Rod’s eyes with weak words.
Kelly sighed, “Cough cough, I won’t interfere with Adair’s preferences, but please be mindful of the impact. After all, I heard you’re to be the prince’s mentor.”
Rod reassured him, “It’s okay, Teacher. I know the more talented someone is, the more eccentric they tend to be! I won’t look down on you, Teacher!”
Adair knew his once-respected image in Kelly’s and Rod’s eyes was now ruined!