Chapter Twenty-Three

Duke Peter, as the Human Emperor's most favored and trusted minister, had his estate decorated to a standard only slightly below that of the imperial palace.

When the Human Emperor's order arrived, Duke Peter was still admiring flowers in his grand garden.

"Keke Shop?" Duke Peter gazed at the vibrant red roses before him. "Very well, I'll look into it."

After having a servant see off the knight who had delivered the news, Duke Peter gave an order. "Have Kalisa come to my study immediately."

With that, Duke Peter headed to his study to wait.

...

"Alright, I'll head over right away." Kalisa, clad in a dark green silk gown, her dazzling golden hair curled, her pale purple eyes inexplicably deep, casually closed her ornate feathered fan and rose with grace.

When Kalisa arrived at Peter's study, Peter was reviewing documents sent up from the towns below.

These documents all passed through Peter's hands first; only those he approved would be sent to the Human Emperor.

"My lord."

Kalisa bowed respectfully before standing in front of Peter's desk, her expression reverent.

"His Majesty has assigned a task. In the past, I would have entrusted it to Duolun." Peter's tone was indifferent as he looked at the documents.

Peter looked up at Kalisa. "But you know what he's done recently, so this task goes to you."

Kalisa's face lit up with surprise. "I will complete the task diligently, my lord!"

"Mm, you may go. I'll send you the materials shortly." Peter's expression remained indifferent.

"Yes!" Kalisa withdrew with a smile.

Peter spoke to what seemed like an empty room, "Prepare an apology gift. Have that fool Duolun go and apologize properly."

"Yes." A voice answered from the empty room.

Back in her own room, Kalisa's once-pleased expression turned cold.

She inwardly sneered. If it weren't for Duolun's blunder and her other subordinates being occupied, coupled with her own efforts spreading rumors that witches were friendly toward women, that old fox would never have given her this task.

Even after all these years, that old fox still kept his guard up against her. Kalisa's face was grim.

But then, a smile curled at the corner of Kalisa's mouth, her once-pretty features twisting slightly. Yet, she'd still found her chance.

"I will surely complete the task~"

At that moment, inside Keke Shop, Rao Ke sneezed several times in a row.

"Caught a cold?" Xue Jiali, passing by, stopped and looked at Rao Ke with concern.

Rao Ke touched her own forehead. "I don't think I have a fever. I'll check my temperature in a bit."

"Let me take a look." Xue Jiali touched her fingertip to Rao Ke's forehead, and a blue light flashed at her fingertip.

Xue Jiali's fingertip was a bit cool, Rao Ke remarked inwardly; as expected of an ice-type elf.

"No fever." Xue Jiali withdrew her finger and quickly walked away.

Rao Ke watched Xue Jiali's retreating figure, feeling like her ears seemed quite red. She wondered if it was just her imagination.

Since she was fine, Rao Ke continued processing the business documents for Keke Shop.

Meanwhile, at No. 7 Wandering Town not far away, Mo Duoya was facing an unexpected visitor, wearing an elegant smile.

"Princess Mo Duoya, long time no see~"

Kalisa smiled, her posture graceful. "I've come this time on His Majesty's behalf to check on you, Princess Mo Duoya. I've also brought Duolun along to apologize to the owner of Keke Shop."

Mo Duoya's expression didn't change. "Thank His Majesty for his concern."

"His Majesty has always been benevolent and naturally cares for you deeply." Kalisa chimed in, her expression moved.

More like concerned about when I'll die, Mo Duoya thought, smiling without saying a word.

"Could you please take me to see the owner of Keke Shop?" Kalisa asked, looking at Mo Duoya with a smile.

Mo Duoya's smile faded slightly. "I'm sorry, but the beast hordes have been too frequent lately. I still need to deal with them."

"Is that so? What a pity. Then I won't trouble you, Princess." Kalisa's tone sounded regretful, but her expression remained unchanged, clearly never expecting Mo Duoya to agree.

"But I can have someone escort you." Mo Duoya raised an eyebrow.

"Thank you, Princess." Kalisa's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly accepted.

"Ailier, you'll go along." Mo Duoya turned to Ailier beside her.

"Yes."

Kalisa rose and followed behind Ailier, arriving downstairs. "Sorry for the trouble."

"No trouble at all. It's my job." Ailier smiled gently.

After the two had left, Mo Duoya contacted Rao Ke to give her a heads-up.

"Got it. Thank you, Mo Duoya." Rao Ke expressed her gratitude through the Astrolabe.

Mo Duoya feigned displeasure. "We're good friends. Why be so formal?"

"Haha, alright. I'll invite you over for tea sometime." Rao Ke said with a laugh.

"Sure." Mo Duoya naturally agreed happily.

After ending the call with Mo Duoya, Rao Ke got up and contacted Baitang.

"Ailier will be bringing a lady over shortly. When they arrive, take them to the villa's main hall."

"Understood."

Rao Ke leisurely headed to the kitchen to prepare some fruit platters and fruit tea.

As soon as Ailier and Kalisa arrived, Baitang, who had been waiting at the door, spotted them.

"Please, follow me." Baitang glided over to them and invited them politely.

Kalisa froze for a moment before quickly recovering. "Alright."

When Kalisa entered the villa next to the shop, she saw a beautiful witch with black hair and green eyes sitting in the rest area of the main hall, sipping fruit tea as she waited for them.

"Please, have a seat." Seeing the two women standing still, Rao Ke teased, "Do I look that intimidating?"

"Not at all. Miss Rao Ke seems very approachable." Kalisa sat down across from Rao Ke upon hearing this.

"Is that so? Then what brings Miss Kalisa here to see me?" Rao Ke asked, knowing the answer full well.

Kalisa looked sincere. "Our duke was deeply angered by Duolun's behavior at Keke Shop last time. He sent me here, along with gifts, to offer our apologies."

"However, Duolun fell suddenly ill for unknown reasons and is currently recuperating. I could only come to apologize on his behalf." Kalisa said, looking very apologetic.

Rao Ke looked up at Kalisa. "No need. This has nothing to do with you, so I don't require your apology."

"As for Duolun, he's already been blacklisted from our shop. There's no need for him to come again." Rao Ke's expression was indifferent.

Seeing Rao Ke's reaction, Kalisa sensed there was no room for negotiation on this matter, so she didn't press further.

"Then may I take a look around the shop?" Kalisa asked, showing great interest.

"Of course. Keke Shop welcomes all races who abide by the shop's rules." Rao Ke smiled at that.

"Great, I'll go look around then. I won't disturb you, shopkeeper." Kalisa rose and headed to the shop next door, with Ailier silently following.

Rao Ke sipped her fruit tea, lost in thought.

Kalisa wandered the shop gracefully, buying two of nearly everything she laid her eyes on, and even got a gold card and a silver card.

"That's all for today. Thank you for your help, Miss Ailier. I'll head back to my room now." Kalisa smiled at Ailier and turned to leave.

Back in her room, Kalisa sent one set of the items to Duke Peter, along with a letter embellished with her own spin on things.

After that, Kalisa sat at her desk, writing in her diary, her expression inscrutable.

...

"That girl is quite strange." Chrisley savored the Black Forest cake Xue Jiali had newly developed, and didn't forget to compliment the elf beside her. "Well done~"

"Strange?"

"Yes, it seems like she's using some kind of disguise spell." Chrisley thought for a moment. "It should be a special technique of the Undead Clan."

"Everyone has their secrets. Don't worry about it." Rao Ke took a bite of the cake and praised Xue Jiali as well.

Xue Jiali clearly didn't care much about other people's affairs.

She only murmured a soft acknowledgment upon receiving Rao Ke's compliment.

"True enough." Chrisley found it reasonable and shifted to another topic.

"Ma Xianjie just sent me the teleportation anchor point for the spatial gate. You can check it on your Lord's Heart."

Rao Ke took out her tablet and looked at it. Sure enough, she found a message.

[Received the spatial teleportation anchor point from the Beastman Kingdom

(Accept/Decline)]

Rao Ke chose to accept, and a new message immediately popped up.

[Please select a location to place the spatial anchor on the sand table.]

Rao Ke looked at the sand table and chose to place the spatial anchor on the open rooftop of the shop.

"Done."

Chrisley immediately contacted Ma Xianjie, and within less than five minutes, Rao Ke received a new message.

[Spatial Teleportation Device Successfully Installed!]

...

At that moment, at Peter's estate in the imperial capital, Peter received Kalisa's package. Looking at the unprecedented items inside, his face lit up with wonder.

Then he saw Kalisa's letter and tore it open.

Peter's face darkened. He cursed inwardly, that fool Duolun was nothing but a bungler who ruined everything.

But the Witch Clan was ultimately not to be trifled with, so Peter dared not have any designs on Keke Shop.

"Send word to Kalisa that she doesn't need to return for now. She is to stay there, interact closely with that witch, and try her best to build a good rapport."

"Yes!"

Looking at the items from Keke Shop, Peter's eyes darkened. "Selling these things at low prices to the poor in the borderlands... What a waste..."

After staring for a while, Peter rose. "Wrap them all up and send them to His Majesty."

The guard beside him was startled, then quickly nodded and took the items away.

"Standing above ten thousand, second only to one..." Duke Peter chuckled softly.

"One shouldn't always have someone standing above them..."

The Human Emperor received the items Duke Peter presented and was equally intrigued.

He casually bestowed some gold, silver, and jewels upon Peter.

"A shop this miraculous should belong to me!" The Human Emperor's expression turned fervent. "Tell Peter, I want this shop!"

The Human Emperor didn't care whether it was feasible. He only knew that whatever orders he gave, his subordinates had to carry them out.

Far away in No. 7 Wandering Town, Kalisa received Duke Peter's orders. Her expression didn't change; she simply bowed her head in acknowledgment.

"He treats me like the dog he keeps. I'm not that fool Duolun." Kalisa's expression darkened, like a vicious, venomous snake, itching to tear a chunk of flesh from Peter.

...

"Beep beep beep!"

Xue Jiali picked up her Astrolabe and opened it, only to find a barrage of messages from the Fourth Elder.

"What are these things? I've never seen them before."

"What witch? You're going to give someone gifts!"

...

Watching the stream of messages refreshing frantically before her eyes, Xue Jiali felt a bit exhausted.

Once the messages stopped coming, Xue Jiali slowly began to reply.

"Alright, the Elven Festival is about to begin. Bring that witch lady back with you!"

Xue Jiali thought for a moment. "She's very busy. She might not be able to come."

"Oh, you wooden-headed fool! Just go ask her and see!"

Xue Jiali didn't know why her ears felt a bit hot. Steadying her breathing, she got up and headed to Rao Ke's room.

"Knock, knock!"

"Come in."

As soon as she entered, Xue Jiali found Rao Ke playing a game.

Seeing Xue Jiali come in, Rao Ke waved her over. "Perfect timing, this game just happens to need two players."

Xue Jiali sat down beside Rao Ke and picked up another game controller.

"Is something the matter?" Rao Ke asked while playing.

"The Elven Festival is about to begin back home. I'll probably need to take some leave to go back."

Rao Ke naturally agreed. "Sure. Just let me know how long you need off."

While playing, Xue Jiali found she couldn't bring herself to extend the invitation.

Finally, steeling herself, she said, "By the way, would you like to come with me? My teacher said she wanted to thank you."

Rao Ke turned her head to look at Xue Jiali. It was then that she noticed—Xue Jiali had very fair skin, so any blush was especially obvious.

Rao Ke stared at Xue Jiali's face and saw it grow redder and redder, until she couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Sure, I'd be honored."

After getting her agreement, Xue Jiali played a few more games with Rao Ke before leaving.

Thinking of how Xue Jiali's face had reddened, Rao Ke's eyes curved into crescents, and she couldn't help but chuckle softly.

At dinner that evening.

"KeKe, you've got the theory down well enough now. How about we get some practical training in?" Rao Ke was still eating when Chrisley dropped a bombshell.

"Huh?!" Rao Ke clutched her bowl.