"you……"
The little queen's heart, which had just relaxed, clenched again. After uttering a single word, she could say nothing more, and looking at the small collar in front of her, she hesitated to reach out her hand.
Rather than the so-called imprinting of a mark, this was the thing she resisted the most. The moment the word "slave" was uttered, she knew with her toes that this scene would happen.
But in the end, she was also an empress, and she carried an indelible pride in her bones. Even when it was just the two of them alone, she couldn't just change her mind.
Not to mention having to wear a collar... Just thinking about it made her feel incredibly ashamed.
so.
“Mr. Xu… no matter what, I… I am still the Empress of the Empire…”
After hesitating for a long time, she decided to try, blushing and stammering, "If I really wear something like this, it will arouse suspicion... don't you think?"
A white dress paired with a black choker—anyone who isn't blind would probably notice her in a second.
"Oh, so you're going to back out?"
Xu Shi's face suddenly turned cold. He sat down, crossed his legs, and stared at her, saying, "If this were five minutes ago, you might have had the right to refuse, but now... you don't."
"Or do you want me to whip you before you'll do it obediently?"
The voice wasn't loud; Xu Shi had never been one to speak loudly. But anyone could clearly hear the sudden chill in his tone, and the unquestionable authority unique to those in positions of power.
"I...I didn't..."
Dongfang Xiao hurriedly explained that she was genuinely afraid that Xu Shi would pull out a leather whip and hit her the next second. She even unconsciously took a few steps back and bumped into the desk.
"If there is no such thing, then why disobey the master's orders?"
Xu Shi showed no mercy whatsoever, raising an eyebrow and pressing closer, "Do you know what happens to disobedient, naughty children?"
"I……"
Dongfang Xiao didn't know, but she guessed what it probably was.
Xu Shi's hawk-like gaze made her increasingly afraid. Her throat bobbed, and finally, she could only grit her teeth and stammer, "...Master, Master..."
As she spoke, she picked up the collar on the table, reluctantly unfastened the clasp, and prepared to put it on with a feeling of humiliation.
"...Fine, considering it's your first time, let's leave it at that."
Just then, Xu Shi once again pressed her hand at just the right moment. "I've thought about it, and it's true. It's easy for people to see through us... You don't have to wear the collar for now, and you don't have to call me master in front of outsiders."
"……oh."
The little empress couldn't remember how many times she had felt relieved, but undeniably, Xu Shi's understanding had made her feel a little more grateful.
She didn't even want to imagine what it would be like if she actually appeared in front of everyone wearing a collar and kept calling Xu Shi "master".
"Then... what should I call you from now on?"
She even asked the question on her own initiative, seemingly seeking reassurance.
Hearing her ask that, Xu Shi's brows gradually relaxed, and he once again revealed his usual satisfied smile.
The so-called "training" is actually a gradual process, like boiling a frog in warm water. Pressing the spring too tightly is not a good thing. The ultimate goal is to gradually lower the bottom line of what she can tolerate. As long as this goal is achieved, that's enough.
Just like he had done before, long before all of this had even begun, he had already replaced "Your Majesty" with "Miss Dongfang". The only time he called him that again was only in a joking and teasing tone. Respect? Not at all.
In this way, when she is asked to call him "master" again, the little slave girl, or rather, the little empress, will have much less resistance in her heart.
The fact that she changed "朕" (the imperial "I") to "我" (I) just now is the best proof of that. That should be the limit she could bear in a short period of time. After adding a little more pressure, no matter how unwilling she seemed, at least she had already gotten through this hurdle in her heart.
She even starts considering how to address people now; she's already learned to share her master's burdens, which is fantastic!
Look, she made us thank you.jpg
Unbeknownst to him, he had subtly taught Dongfang Xiao her first lesson about being a slave—although it seemed like he was still making concessions, her request and his orders were two completely different things.
Everything a slave has can only be given by their master; they have no right to ask for it.
As for what to call them publicly afterward, that is indeed a question that is neither too big nor too small.
After careful examination, Xu Shi finally settled on the title of "Imperial Tutor"—as someone who brought new technologies to the Hualan Empire, he was indeed a good fit for the title, and it sounded much more friendly than stiff titles like "Envoy" or "Master".
Afterwards, Dongfang Xiao would also read out the relevant imperial decree, and from then on, his entry and exit from the palace would be more legitimate.
The most ingenious thing is that this title is something Cheng Gujian doesn't have—before this, the Little Empress's nominal teachers were only those female officials who taught knowledge or court etiquette. This way, they wouldn't openly clash with him, and it could also dispel his inner doubts to some extent.
"Even so, if you come too often, he'll definitely get suspicious..."
The problem was solved, but Dongfang Xiao was still a little worried, "If he finds out, won't he also..."
Before the real showdown, she certainly didn't want Cheng Gujian to notice anything unusual, otherwise all her efforts would be in vain.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
