The young woman thought for a moment, then said, "I can agree not to use force against you, provided you don't try any tricks. If I discover you have ulterior motives, that condition becomes void."
"No problem. Second, you'll need a proper role if you're going to follow me around. We can tell people you're my guard. During that time, you have to actually act like one and fulfill a guard's duties. That way, no one will grow suspicious, and it'll count as repayment for my helping you."
Her dark brows drew together slightly. "But... I've never been a guard."
"It's not difficult. Follow me, keep me safe, obey my instructions..."
"Obey your instructions? What if you order me to commit some atrocious deed..."
"Don't worry, of course I won't ask you to do anything evil-"
"I won't serve tea or fetch water, either."
"Fine. You're a guard, not a maid. But you'll have to change how you address me. I'm still a member of the gentry, after all. In private, you can call me whatever you like, but in front of others, you'll have to call me 'Master'..."
The young woman swept Wang Yang a glance, her icy eyes sharp, her gaze like a sword. All trace of the little girl who had made a mistake vanished.
Wang Yang immediately felt a dangerous pressure bearing down on him. Seeing the whole arrangement about to fall apart, he hastily added, "Or 'Young Master' would work."
She withdrew her gaze and nodded. "You're from the Niyang Liu Clan. You're certainly entitled to be called 'Young Master.'"
"Uh... actually, my surname isn't Liu. It's Wang..."
Her eyes widened as she finally realized she had been deceived. Recalling how solemnly he had introduced himself at the start, making it all sound so convincing,