Chapter 196: Chapter 196: Gift

The Queen’s attitude was puzzling, but it didn’t affect the normal operations of the Fifth Research Institute and the S-Class Shelter.

In other words, Her Majesty the Queen’s displeasure hadn’t yet had any real-world impact.

Everyone simply pretended nothing had happened and went about their work as usual.

However, Lu Xiao had become wildly popular in aristocratic circles. This time, it wasn’t because of her unconventional insistence on having only one partner. Instead, it was because many families had discovered that the S-Class males recovering and being discharged from the S-Class Shelter all had something to do with Lu Xiao.

In other words, all of this had started after Lu Xiao began her post at the Fifth Research Institute.

After learning the truth, the families who had spoken ill of Lu Xiao behind her back or had past frictions with her were filled with regret.

Duke Green went so far as to call her two young daughters, who had been much more behaved recently, before her for another scolding. Now, whenever the Duke went out, everyone looked at her with pity.

After all, her family also had an S-Class male. If they hadn’t offended Lu Xiao, perhaps they could have pulled some strings. But as things stood, Duke Green could only watch as others forged connections, completely unable to do so herself.

As for the females who had gossiped about Lu Xiao behind her back, they were even more remorseful. ’If only we’d known she was so capable, we wouldn’t have spoken so recklessly.’ Now, even the thought of asking her for a favor made them feel guilty.

Unlike them, Duke Leslie didn’t have such a heavy conscience. She hadn’t offended Lu Xiao so terribly. While everyone else was scrambling to connect with Lu Xiao, she had already paid an early visit to Duke Cecilia at the Duke Galli Odello Mansion.

As soon as Cecilia saw her enter, she spoke bluntly, “If you’re here about that young male of yours, don’t even start. Xiao Xiao has made her position clear. Don’t bring it up again and upset her.”

“Must I only have one reason for visiting?” Duke Leslie replied. “I came to thank Xiao Xiao. My Regal’s condition is quite good now, and I know exactly who to thank. I couldn’t see it before, but I certainly do now. How could I not come to express my gratitude? I didn’t want to disturb her at work, and I was worried she might refuse me, so I decided to come speak with you while she was out.”

“Your thought is enough. Xiao Xiao isn’t the type to care about such formalities. If you overdo it, you’ll only make her uncomfortable.” Although Cecilia hadn’t spent a great deal of time with Lu Xiao, she had a good sense of her personality.

“I know, but I must express my gratitude. This is for her… it’s ownership of some of our family’s medical enterprises. It’s nothing extravagant, just a thank-you gift for Lu Xiao. I know with your backing and her own abilities, she certainly isn’t short on money. But since this is her field, it would be wonderful for her to have her own research institute. Please, don’t let her refuse it.”

Cecilia could see that Asina genuinely wanted to befriend Lu Xiao. Besides, Asina’s character was quite decent.

And for Duke Leslie’s Mansion, a medical institute was truly not a significant asset. So, Cecilia accepted it. “In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony.”

Seeing Cecilia accept the gift, Asina broke into a happy smile. “Why stand on ceremony? We’ll have plenty of need for Lu Xiao’s help in the future, I’m sure. I’ll definitely be bothering you again, so I hope you don’t get tired of me.”

“Just as long as you don’t try to play matchmaker for Xiao Xiao again. That would be for the best!”

“Heh, that was just a one-time impulse. Don’t worry, it won’t happen again!”

Asina and Cecilia chatted for a long while, and Asina even stayed for lunch before returning home.

When Lu Xiao returned from work that evening, Cecilia handed her a folder. After looking through it and realizing what it was, Lu Xiao couldn’t help but exclaim, “Grandmother, this is far too valuable! I can’t accept it!”

Even if it was nothing to Duke Leslie’s Mansion, it was still an enterprise worth tens of millions. To Lu Xiao, it was an incredibly precious gift.

But Cecilia said, “Just accept it. Duke Asina would never allow herself to be on the losing end of a deal. She’s giving you this because she wants to befriend you and forge a connection. It would be worse if you didn’t let her.”

Lu Xiao understood that among the powerful, relationships sometimes needed to be bound by mutual interest.

Since Cecilia had put it that way, Lu Xiao couldn’t well refuse. “Alright then. Grandmother, if you have the chance, please thank Duke Asina for me. And tell her not to worry about Regal. I will do my utmost to treat him.”

“Good.” Cecilia was relieved to see that Lu Xiao understood. She sometimes worried that Lu Xiao’s personality would make her averse to such political maneuvering.

It seemed that while the young woman was strong-willed, she was not without tact—a truly rare combination.

The more time she spent with Lu Xiao, the more pleased she became. “When you have some free time,” Cecilia said, “I’ll show you the family’s enterprises. It’s about time you learned about them.”

Lu Xiao’s heart skipped a beat. ’What does Cecilia mean by that?’ she couldn’t help but wonder.

After dinner, Lu Xiao went back to her room and messaged back and forth with Ares for a while. She did a quick mental calculation. ’Ares has been gone for half a month already. Time flies.’

Just as she ended her call with Ares, a voice invitation from her Aunt Selena popped up.

Lu Xiao answered without thinking, and Selena’s cheerful voice came through. “My dear Xiao Xiao, do you remember our date? I’m coming to pick you up tomorrow morning.”

Lu Xiao then remembered. During a meal, Selena had told her to keep the weekend free so they could go out and have fun. ’My aunt really is a woman of her word.’ Not wanting to refuse the kind offer, she smiled and replied, “Okay, Auntie. I’ll be ready and waiting for you.”

“That’s my girl. Dress up nicely. Tomorrow, your aunt is going to show you a good time.”

Selena’s words filled Lu Xiao with anticipation for their outing tomorrow.

To be honest, despite having been in the Empire for so long, she had rarely gone out just for fun.

She was more than happy to have some time to relax.

She laid out her clothes for the next day, then went to the bathroom to wash up.

At this moment, inside the Earl Lu Ge Wei Mansion, the old butler stood at the doorway. He listened to the sound of shattering from within, his expression perfectly calm.

Ever since Duke Cecilia came and severed Lu Ge Wei’s ties with Lu Xiao, Lu Ge Wei would fly into a rage at home every time news of Lu Xiao’s successes reached her.

After all, Lu Ge Wei’s reputation throughout the aristocratic circles was now in tatters. The better Lu Xiao’s reputation grew, the more pathetic Lu Ge Wei appeared. Even those who were once on good terms with her had now cut all ties.

As for why? They were, of course, afraid that Lu Xiao would hear of their association with Lu Ge Wei and hold it against them.

For someone like Lu Ge Wei, who was obsessed with saving face and valued such vanities above all else, this kind of intangible blow was the most devastating of all.

But who was there to blame? Hadn’t Lu Ge Wei brought it all on herself?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep