Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Visitor

By now, Lu Xiao had composed herself. From Cecilia’s words, she could tell the old woman was teasing her: “Not at all. I just didn’t expect you to agree so easily. I thought I’d have to pass some kind of test.”

“And you think there wasn’t one? The test began the moment you walked through the door. You did very well, though. A person’s character can’t be faked.” Cecilia was never stingy with praise for those she approved of, but her tone quickly shifted. “But don’t get happy too soon. The Gallodro family can be your backer, but not without expecting something in return. I hope that one day, when you’ve become powerful, you’ll remember to give back.”

From the moment she heard those words, Lu Xiao began to genuinely like the silver-haired old woman before her.

Cecilia was clearly different from the other females in the Empire. She was a woman of considerable depth.

The smile on Lu Xiao’s face became much more sincere. She didn’t offer a lengthy promise to express her loyalty, saying only two words: “I will!”

After all, words are often empty. What truly matters is what one does when the time comes.

Cecilia was very pleased with her meeting with Lu Xiao. Once the important matters were settled, her gaze drifted to the gifts Lu Xiao had brought.

She recognized the tea, of course, but it was the other, more exquisite box that piqued her curiosity. “What’s in that box?”

Lu Xiao followed Cecilia’s gaze, then smiled as she rose and walked over. “It’s a pair of figurines I chose that symbolize good fortune and happiness. I thought you might like them.”

While speaking, she opened the box and took out a pair of chubby, white cat figurines. They were posed with their little bottoms in the air, as if they were snoring.

The two little things weren’t very large. In addition to being decorative pieces, they could be held and fiddled with in one’s hand.

As expected, Cecilia couldn’t help but reach out for them. “These are just too adorable. What made you think I’d like them?”

“Because you’re a very adorable person, Grandmother!”

Cecilia hadn’t expected Lu Xiao to be so blunt. After her initial surprise, she couldn’t help but laugh heartily. “No one has ever called me adorable. You’re the first. Excellent, just excellent! You are quite a girl!”

The butler standing outside the door heard the laughter from within, and a look of surprise crossed his face. He had served the Gallodro family for so long, and this was the first time he had ever heard Her Grace, Cecilia, laugh with such abandon.

’It seems this Lady Lu Xiao truly has a way with people.’

Just as Lu Xiao and Cecilia were chatting, the Duke Gallodro Mansion received another visitor.

It was Asina, Duchess Leslie.

When the old butler opened the door, a flicker of surprise showed in his eyes. “Good day, Your Grace, Asina.”

“Good day. Is Her Grace, Cecilia, at home?”

Asina was much younger than Cecilia, though still in her forties. She was so well-preserved, however, that she looked to be in her early thirties.

The old butler escorted her inside, but stopped before the door to the main hall. “If you would wait a moment, Your Grace.”

“Go on,” Asina said, not one to make things difficult. ’After all, this is the Duke Gallodro Mansion,’ she thought. ’I came here with a goal, so a little humility is in order.’

After the old butler went inside, he announced that Duchess Leslie had arrived.

Cecilia was somewhat surprised. ’What is she doing here? She didn’t even send word.’

As she said this, her gaze fell on Lu Xiao at her side. Her heart gave a little jump as a thought occurred to her. “Let her in.”

While the butler was gone, Cecilia turned to Lu Xiao. “You may not have met Duchess Leslie, but you have met her eldest son—Admiral Fred, one of your father’s most capable men.”

The sudden mention of Admiral Fred made Lu Xiao recall something. She had indeed heard about his family background before. No wonder the name “Leslie” had sounded so familiar.

’So that’s the connection. Speaking of males related to Duchess Leslie, I haven’t just met Admiral Fred. Regal is one of her children, too.’

Soon, the old butler led Duchess Leslie into the room.

The moment she entered, her eyes landed on Lu Xiao, and she smiled. “It seems I’ve come at a bad time. I apologize for interrupting your meeting with a young guest, Your Grace.”

“What guest? She is my granddaughter, Lu Xiao. Xiao Xiao, greet Duchess Leslie.”

“Good day, Duchess Leslie.” Lu Xiao rose and greeted her graciously, showing no signs of shyness.

Duchess Leslie, who had been observing her, couldn’t help but smile. “So, you’re Lu Xiao. I’ve been hearing your name quite a bit lately, and now I finally have the pleasure of meeting you. You really are a special young female. I hear you currently have only one side husband. My Fred is an Admiral serving under your father, and I understand you two worked together recently. You must know each other to some extent. What do you say to making him your main husband?”

Lu Xiao was taken aback. ’Duchess Leslie just walked in and she’s already making a play for me, and bringing up that old proposal again, no less.’

Lu Xiao quickly composed herself and smiled. “Thank you for the generous offer, Your Grace, but you may not be aware of the full situation. My father also tried to set us up before, but I have no desire to take a main husband. I made my intentions clear when I first met Admiral Fred, and he was very understanding. So, I’m afraid I must decline your kind proposal.”

“But that was before you knew each other. Now that you’ve spent time together and are acquainted, are you telling me my Fred can’t compare to that side husband of yours?”

That last remark was not nearly as friendly as her previous ones.

Lu Xiao’s brow twitched.

“Besides, what female in the Empire nowadays doesn’t have multiple males in her household? Aren’t you tired of having just one?”

By the time Duchess Leslie finished speaking, Lu Xiao had already sat back down, poured herself a cup of tea, and begun to sip it slowly. All trace of her earlier deference was gone.

Cecilia took in the scene, lifting her teacup for a token sip. In reality, she was hiding the smile that was involuntarily forming on her lips.

Duchess Leslie also sensed the shift in the atmosphere. ’Even if I came here with an agenda, there’s no reason for them to be sitting while I’m the only one left standing!’

’It makes me look like a subordinate.’

With that thought, Asina immediately sat down as well. “Even your grandmother here has five males in her household!”

Hearing Duchess Leslie use her as an example, Cecilia finally lost her patience with the woman’s foolishness. “Your Grace, Asina, was there a particular reason you came to visit today?”

“Oh, it’s nothing terribly important. I just think Lady Lu Xiao is a fine match, and I wanted to arrange something for that good-for-nothing son of mine. If Lady Lu Xiao is willing, the Leslie family and the Gallodro family would become in-laws, wouldn’t we?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep