On the next day, Wen Xinya woke up at 9:30 AM.
She stared at the spot beside her on the bed to see that it was already empty. She remembered that Si Yiyan returned at three or four in the morning and she was still in a daze then. Upon feeling the depression in the mattress, she subconsciously turned over and hugged him before easing herself into a comfortable position to continue sleeping.
She only woke up in the morning.
Wen Xinya stretched her back. Just as she was about to wake up, she caught sight of a small box sitting on the bedside cabinet.
Wen Xinya grabbed it to see that it was made of pearls and golden cedar wood. There was a carving of a large snake on it, which had two wings and long scales.
The large snake resembled the legendary flying snake in Chinese mythology. Legend had it that it was the sedan belonging to Lady Nüwa. However, the flying snake was not mentioned in the mythologies about the seas and flying snakes did not have long scales.
Hence, it was just a peculiar-looking beast.
It had already been a week since Wen Xinya arrived in Russia and she had also gained some knowledge about the nation. Scaly snakes were the symbol of Duke Moville’s Residence.
Wen Xinya opened the box to see that there was an invitation card made of ivory. It was shiny and smooth and exuded a gentle glow. There were also Russian words carved on it, and the carving of the scaly snake on the bottom left corner was resplendent.
Ivory had always been one of the rarest materials in the world, and she felt that the duke was being too extravagant by using ivory.
At this moment, the door of the room was pushed open and Liu Yanhua, who had gone missing for a week, entered slowly. Upon sight of Wen Xinya sitting on the bed, she smiled and exclaimed, “Missy, you’re awake!”
Wen Xinya nodded and asked, “What’s up with this invitation?”
She knew that Si Yiyan must have placed it on the cabinet this morning because she did not see it yesterday.
Liu Yanhua answered smilingly, “This is an invitation from Duke Moville’s Residence to invite Ninth Young Master to a banquet tonight. He would like to bring you along.”
Slightly taken aback, Wen Xinya said with a slight frown, “Tell me more about Duke Moville’s Residence!”
She had already known previously that Si Yiyan had other intentions for taking her to Russia and she had guessed that there was something important for him to handle, and that was the invitation from Duke Moville’s Residence. However, she was not sure of the exact date because Si Yiyan did not mention it to her. She did not probe either and instead continued to tour around the place happily with Si Yiyan. After all, they did not have much time to be alone together. Hence, she treasured the vacation dearly.
Liu Yanhua explained, “Russia is a nation that doesn’t have a strict system or rigid rules. As long as you’re wealthy, you’ll be able to enjoy the finest things in life. Of course, status is important too, especially that of a Duke. There are few dukes in Russia now who still hold an extraordinary position and status in the nation, which allow them to live in glory and enjoy a life of riches. Apart from them, the remaining ones are just insignificant and have already long lost the glory that they enjoyed during the Industrial Revolution. Yet, they’re still trying their best to struggle and keep their position and live like a prestigious family.”
Wen Xinya knew quite a fair bit about that. She heard that one could become a duke in Russia so long as they had enough money.
Liu Yanhua continued, “Duke Moville’s Residence is one of the rare true-blue elites. However, they are still a far cry from real dukes despite possessing a significant amount of power and authority.”
Wen Xinya said, “Even so, they still have a significant position in Russia, don’t they?”
Old institutions die hard. Those century-old families were a perfect example of that saying and, although they were no longer as glorious or powerful as they used to be, they still could not tolerate minor mistakes.
Liu Yanhua nodded hesitantly and exclaimed, “Yes!”
“Got it!” Wen Xinya thought about yesterday when Gu Yuehan and two of Lucifer’s directors were discussing it. Although Xu Xianghu was able-bodied but simple-minded, he was definitely fierce and menacing. He was also deceptive. She could not tell his true abilities at all. However, his brown eyes were clear and she knew that he was intelligent.
“Yanhua, did I bring my Athena?” She could sense a different atmosphere.
Now that she was picking up marksmanship well, she began to keep her guard up higher, because of Si Yiyan’s position and status in Russia. Hence, she secretly got Liu Yanhua to bring the gun that Si Yiyan had given her along with them. Although Si Yiyan did lack guns, she still needed the help of Athena. During critical junctures, it would definitely save her.
Liu Yanhua said, “I brought it according to your instructions. But you don’t have to worry, Missy. I’ll accompany you and Ninth Young Master to the banquet tonight. I’ll protect you.”
Si Yiyan had already made the arrangement beforehand.
Wen Xinya nodded and said, “I’m just trying to be safe as much as I can.”
After giving it some thought, she felt that it was probably not as dangerous as she had imagined. Otherwise, Si Yiyan wouldn’t have brought her along with him and even took Liu Yanhua along. However, she decided to be more careful. She knew that she would be Si Yiyan’s only Achilles’ heel during times of danger and she definitely wouldn’t allow herself to burden him.
Seeing how careful and worried she was, Liu Yanhua chimed in. “Missy, don’t worry. Ninth Young Master has already arranged everything. You won’t be in a dangerous predicament. No one in Russia dares to touch Ninth Young Master.”
Wen Xinya placed the invite back inside the box and asked, “Where’s Ninth Young Master?”
In fact, she was not sure if anyone would touch her, though they dared not do so to Si Yiyan. In the eyes of Russian men, women were just playthings. Why would they care about her place in Si Yiyan’s heart? So what if he cared about her? She would just become his Achilles’ heel.
Liu Yanhua said, “Ninth Young Master has gone out to attend to some matters regarding Lucifer. He wanted me to tell you that he will be back before the banquet and that you don’t have to be worried because he’ll be there.”
Wen Xinya felt much more relaxed and her face was no longer as tensed up.
Liu Yanhua said, “Missy, just freshen up. Breakfast is ready. Ninth Young Master has arranged for you to find out more about Russia’s upper-class etiquette as well as the things that you have to take note of. Ninth Young Master said… that you don’t have to force yourself.”
Since she was Lucifer’s future lady in-charge, no one would dare to criticize her even if she embarrassed herself.
Wen Xinya nodded and thought to herself, Si Yiyan has really made careful considerations. He probably didn’t mention this to me earlier because he wants me to focus on having fun.
