The banquet ended, and Xavier offered to escort Yaelle home. She felt it was troublesome and refused at first. But he said someone had seen them leave together, and if he didn't send her off, he might get punished if she got hurt on the way.
She didn't know about this. It seemed the mistress had many gaps in her memory and didn't know many rules here. What he said might be true, so Yaelle agreed to his offer.
She let Attendant Sean and the others ride ahead in her carriage while she followed in his. Since she didn't bring Maxim, Xavier sent his medicine boys Jason and Nathan to sit outside the carriage.
The carriage moved slowly toward her home. The two inside sat upright, very different from their relaxed mood at the banquet. The small space made the atmosphere feel a little intimate.
Yaelle felt awkward and tried to start a conversation. "Doctor Xavier, thank you for escorting me today."
"It's nothing. No need to be polite." Xavier answered calmly but was actually pleased inside. He liked Yaelle more after seeing her talent today. He wasn't good at expressing it, so after that, they fell silent again.
Suddenly, the carriage jolted, and Yaelle leaned forward, nearly falling on Xavier. She was startled and quickly sat up straight. Xavier glanced at her and asked softly, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She lowered her head, feeling even more embarrassed.
Then the carriage stopped. Xavier got out first and gently offered his hand, saying, "Please get out." Yaelle looked at his hand, paused briefly, then placed hers in his. After stepping down, she realized they had arrived at her residence.
"Well... I'll go inside first." Yaelle smiled at Xavier.
"Okay." Xavier nodded.
"Goodbye." She said and turned to enter her home.
Xavier watched her disappear behind the door and smiled slightly. He told the driver to take the carriage home. Jason and Nathan came into the carriage. Jason was only fifteen, curious about everything.
Today, while waiting for the young master, he saw him bring a lady and wanted to ask questions. But the noble lady was nearby, so he didn't dare. Now that no one was around, he quickly asked, "Young master, how was the banquet today? Did Lady Yaelle and you get along well? Will she become our mistress in the future?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't. Nothing's decided yet."
"Okay, young master." He felt a bit disappointed not getting the answers he wanted.
The carriage rocked as it arrived home. Xavier cleaned up and told Nathan, "Go find out about Lady Yaelle's situation today. Don't let others know." He didn't say this on the carriage because Jason was a chatterbox who might spill secrets. Nathan was calm, reliable, and trustworthy, so Xavier preferred to send him. It wouldn't be good if rumors spread.
That evening, when Madam Xu was called to eat together, she asked again, "Son, did you meet any girl you like today?"
She wasn't meddlesome but worried. Her youngest son would turn twenty by year-end. Though their family wouldn't force him into the army for being single, she still felt anxious. Her older sons had all married, and this youngest was especially cherished since she had him when she was thirty.
"Hmm... There is someone I like, but I don't know the details yet. I asked Nathan to find out."
"Really?" Madam Xu smiled happily. "What's her name? What's she like?"
"For now, I only know her surname is Xia. Her father is gone, and she's with her brother. She seems kind, polite, and talented." Yaelle's impression in his heart was very good.
"Then she must be a very good girl. Do you know how she feels about you?"
"I'm not sure." He felt a bit down. He didn't even know how to ask her about it. He blamed himself for being too focused on studying medicine.
"This isn't urgent. Wait for Nathan to come back and ask carefully. As long as there is no big problem, it's fine. You can't ask too much from a woman."
"If you were too picky before, she would have married someone else long ago. At least now you have a target." Xavier said, "I just can't stand those women who have nothing but still expect men to support them and boss them around."
"They all have bad tempers and get stuck looking at handsome men like they're someone important. I think it's lucky for them that I noticed you." Xavier was very unhappy.
"Why should I support someone like that and still take her attitude, just for the sake of an uncertain child? Ridiculous."
"Women are rare now, and the policies to protect them are complete. Even if they make mistakes, unless it's treason, there's rarely any serious punishment. Most of the time others take the punishment for them."
"The worst that could happen is being sent to the military camp, have two or three kids, and then they're forgiven. That's why some women have become arrogant and reckless. It's not surprising."
"I understand, but I don't want to marry that kind of person. After marriage, life depends on the wife's mood. How can I expect someone like that to give me the life I want?"
"You have your own thoughts. Just decide for yourself."
Nathan returned before dark. After Xavier sent everyone away, he asked, "Did you find out anything? What's the situation?"
"Young master, I asked around nearby. When Lady Yaelle's mother was alive, they were very close, and she spoiled her. Yaelle had a good temper growing up."
"No one mentioned anything about beating or selling servants. Especially these past two years, she has been quiet and doesn't go out much. Her brother Michael is also a kind person."
"But there's one thing. She is engaged."
"Engaged? When did that happen? Isn't it not allowed in her current situation?" Xavier was deeply shocked.
"She's still so young, yet already engaged."
"I heard it was a childhood arrangement. Their mothers were close friends. The children often played together and got along well, so they agreed to it."
"Who is the other person? What's he like?" Xavier wanted to know who was that lucky.
"He is the son of the Xianchen family. He's quite well-known in Qingyun City, already 18 and passed the exams. They might marry at the end of this year."
"Maxim is also not young anymore. He's waited for a long time and can't afford to delay."
He really was famous. Xavier had heard of him too. A refined and talented young man.
He and Yaelle made a fitting pair. He felt envious of Maxim. It seemed like even fate favored him.