The old aristocrat left, and only then did the Small Earl's Uncle's wife enter the room.
She had been outside the room just now. Her coquettish laughter had not sounded "sad" in the slightest. It was obvious that she was actually in a good mood.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
The Small Earl's Uncle rolled his eyes but said nothing.
The gesture made his wife's brows knit together. She was somewhat displeased. "Kip, mind your attitude!"
Kip was short for Kipplin's name, and could also be considered a nickname. Once his surname and some meaningless parts were removed, only one name remained: Kipplin.
People always liked giving others shortened names and nicknames, especially aristocrats.
The arrogance of the aristocrats had created this custom. They always addressed those beneath them in this manner.
They altered other people's names and added adjectives to them, such as "weak" or "stupid."
But toward those of higher status, they acted extremely respectful. At the very least, they would not tamper with other people's names.
The Small Earl's Uncle's wife called her husband Kip not out of affection, but as a form of mockery and contempt.
She looked down on this man for many reasons.
For example, he could not even compete with his own nephew. He had lost his chance to seize the right of succession, then sought refuge with her family like a stray dog driven away by its master.
For another, he never understood his own position. He still dreamed of using his family's influence to develop his business, yet could hardly accomplish anything.
And then there was his performance in bed. It could only be called average, nowhere near good or outstanding. That was another reason she looked down on her husband.
Most importantly, they had no feelings for each other.