Aether naturally couldn't refuse Ningguang's command, and besides, taking care of her daily life, this kind of command was not inappropriate.
It was just…
Aether looked at the two pristine jade feet already placed in the basin, and for a moment, he was distracted.
He had originally thought that bringing Ningguang the foot-washing water would be the end of it, but he hadn't expected the task of washing her feet to fall upon him as well.
Did Ningguang's secretaries usually do this job?
Aether felt a bit confused, but he didn't voice his doubts directly.
In reality, Ningguang certainly wouldn't normally ask Baiwen or her other secretaries to help with such trivial matters. At most, she would just have a maid bring the water and then have someone pour it out after she finished washing.
However, Ningguang had a somewhat special impression of Aether, and since Aether had proactively come to inquire, Ningguang subconsciously had this idea.
Simply put, it was more of a whim; Ningguang herself didn't know why she would make such a request.
But since she had already said it, Ningguang would not retract her words.
Anyway, she could just enjoy the daily life of other Liyue wealthy individuals…
Ningguang thought this, holding a book in her hand, but no matter what, she couldn't focus on reading it.
In all her life, it seemed no one had ever washed her feet before, and this person was Aether, whom she valued quite highly. Ningguang only felt strange in her heart.
Aether's movements were very gentle, as if he were holding some fragile treasure.
Ningguang felt an urge to wiggle her toes due to this unusual yet not unpleasant sensation, but she worried that Aether might think she was uncomfortable, so she endured it.
For Aether, on the other hand, the feeling was completely different.
Honestly, Ningguang was practically giving him an opportunity; Ningguang's small feet felt incredibly good to the touch, and Aether honestly felt there was no need to wash them at all.
Aether had never done anything like this before; rather than helping Ningguang wash, he was more like playing with them in his hands.
For a moment, Aether truly couldn't bear to let go, almost not wanting to release them.
It wasn't until the water gradually cooled that Aether finally came to his senses, quickly withdrew his hands, and then slowly stood up.
"Um, good, good night…" Aether picked up the basin and said to Ningguang, a little embarrassed.
He had been somewhat lost in thought and hadn't paid attention to the time; most people wouldn't wash their feet for so long.
However, to be fair, Ningguang hadn't given him any reminders, allowing him to do as he pleased…
Aether looked up at Ningguang's cheek; despite being obscured by the book and despite Ningguang's expression remaining calm, the blush on her face was impossible to hide.
It was clear that Ningguang's heart was far from calm.
"Mm, good night, have a good dream." Ningguang slightly raised the book in her hands.
This allowed her to cover most of her face, but while the movement seemed unintentional, it actually made her appear somewhat guilty.
Aether smiled faintly; Ningguang's reaction like this should be a good thing for him.
After all, Aether still harbored not-so-pure intentions towards Ningguang.
Aether carried the basin and slowly walked out of Ningguang's room.
And it was only after Aether left that Ningguang, who had been covering her face with the book, finally lowered it and slowly sighed.
"What's wrong with me…?"
---
Aether lay on his bed; back in his room, he was going to spend a solo night, alone in bed, something he hadn't done in a long time.
However, Aether could still adapt; although his physical condition was a bit troublesome, he had already gained some advantages from Ningguang today, so he wouldn't be unable to endure a whole night.
Thinking this, Aether subtly clenched his hand, as if he could still feel the soft, boneless sensation from earlier.
One look was enough to tell that Ningguang must maintain herself very well in all aspects; he just wondered about other areas… *cough*.
"No, I can't think about these things. I should check Ningguang's schedule for tomorrow." Aether quickly shook his head, pushing the strange thoughts aside.
Reaching into his embrace, he pulled out the schedule Ningguang had given him earlier.
Although Ningguang said that arranging the schedule wasn't difficult, Aether had never had similar experience, so it was better to do some preparation beforehand no matter what.
"Hmm, does Ningguang really have so many things to deal with?" Aether looked at the paper in his hand with some surprise.
There were dozens of matters, big and small, some that needed to be handled urgently, and some that could be postponed.
Aether didn't quite understand the specific meaning of most of the items, but some were concise.
For example, having lunch with a certain wealthy merchant; this person spent tens of millions of Mora just to have this one meal with Ningguang.
Although Aether had heard that some people were willing to spend a fortune to meet Ningguang, he had never imagined that someone would truly be willing to fork out tens of millions of Mora.
This was not a thousand gold, but ten million gold.
Thinking about how easily he had met Ningguang, Aether felt a sense of unreality.
"Hmm, but this matter can be set aside."
The lunch meeting wasn't particularly important, and the Liyue merchant's status didn't seem very high; Aether could completely postpone this matter.
"Hmm? Discussing land transaction deadlines with Keqing…" Aether paused slightly when he saw the name Keqing, then quickly remembered that she was another of the Liyue Seven Stars, whom he had met once when he first arrived in Liyue.
This matter seemed quite important; perhaps he should prioritize it.
It wasn't that he wanted to see Keqing; the world is vast, and land issues are definitely very important… Yes, that's right.
Aether nodded and looked further down the list.
"Crux Fleet returning to port soon…" Aether's interest was immediately piqued again; he had long yearned for the Crux Fleet, and it was said that Captain Beidou was a legendary woman.
Ningguang had a meeting scheduled with Captain Beidou, and this matter also seemed very important, as it didn't even require Aether to arrange it; in Ningguang's schedule, it was something that *must* be done tomorrow.
That is to say, if Ningguang were to take him with her tomorrow, he should also be able to meet Captain Beidou, right?
Aether suddenly grew excited; after hearing Beidou's legends for so long, could he finally meet her in person…?
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