News that Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion had gained another male husband soon reached the ears of Duke Leslie, Lady Rafaelde, and Lady Daina. They had heard of this defective male from Earl Li’s family before. They knew his relationship with the Earl Li Mansion was not harmonious and that the Female Master of Earl Li’s family was not his biological mother.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been sent to the notoriously ill-reputed Duke Lu Xia as a husband.

This was the price he paid to sever his ties with the Earl Li Mansion.

However, it now seemed less a price to pay and more a stroke of incredible luck.

It was said that on the first night Simon moved into Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion, the Female Master of the Earl Li Mansion smashed an entire tea set at home.

After all, the rumors surrounding Duke Lu Xia were no longer so dreadful. She had become the Empire’s most promising and brilliant new female aristocrat.

Countless people now wanted to forge a connection with Duke Lu Xia and send their own males to her, but she wasn’t accepting any more.

She had intended to push Simon into a pit of fire, but now it was clear this was no pit of fire—it was a lap of luxury. She even regretted not sending her own male, instead letting that fellow Simon get off easy.

Simon was his biological mother’s only male son. He had no right to inherit the Earl Mansion, but he could inherit the estate his mother left behind.

For this reason, Simon had agreed to the current Female Master’s demand that he become one of Duke Lu Xia’s husbands.

Now, it seemed everything had worked out perfectly for Simon.

However, Lu Xia had no idea what the Earl of the Li family was thinking.

The celebration banquet Lady Daina was hosting for Cecil’s success as a Gene Fusion Expert arrived on schedule.

That evening, Lu Xia attended the banquet splendidly dressed, accompanied by Smelian, Cecil, and Simon.

Duke Leslie was also among the invited guests. Seeing the males by Lu Xia’s side, she noted that only Graces was missing, which left her with very complicated feelings.

But Lu Xia did not slight her. The first thing she did upon arriving was not to greet Lady Daina, but Duke Leslie. She didn’t want the Duke to feel that Graces’s absence had created a rift between her and the Leslie Duke Mansion.

Prince Li Mang took this all in. As Lu Xia went to greet Lady Daina, he remarked to Duke Leslie, "Xiaxia is as considerate as ever. She was afraid you might take it to heart, so she made a point of greeting you first."

Duke Leslie was well aware of this. Today was Lady Daina and Cecil’s event; she wouldn’t have minded in the least if Lu Xia had greeted Lady Daina first. But the fact that Lu Xia chose to greet her first deeply touched her and filled her with warmth.

"She has always been this thoughtful. It’s just a shame about Graces... He had such good fortune but couldn’t hold onto it. Alas."

At this, she let out a sigh. There was much she wanted to say, but she knew this wasn’t the right time or place. She could only rein in her complex emotions and put on a natural smile.

Prince Li Mang could see she was upset. He patted her shoulder comfortingly and said, "I heard Hugheska has already chosen a new Female Master."

"Yes. With his terrible track record, I’m just grateful someone is willing to take him. Even though it’s only a Viscount, he can still be the main husband, which is quite good. I just hope he doesn’t waste my efforts this time."

Her only requirement for Hugheska now was that he be more obedient and stop causing her trouble. She had no other expectations.

Prince Li Mang understood what she was thinking, so he simply nodded and said no more.

Meanwhile, Lu Xia had appeared before the crowd with Lady Daina, with Cecil following them.

Smelian and Simon were both tactful enough not to steal Cecil’s thunder on an occasion like this.

Simon took a glass of wine from a passing waiter’s tray. "Cecil says he’s very happy today," he said to Smelian.

Smelian nodded. "Today is his big day; he has every right to be happy. What about you? Has Xiaxia mentioned when she’ll hold a celebration for you?"

Simon nodded, a smile in his eyes. "The Duke is very thoughtful. She said that after Cecil’s celebration is over, she’ll hold one for me at the Duke Mansion."

Smelian knew a little about his history with the Earl Li Mansion, so he wasn’t surprised. He simply nodded. "When the time comes, just let us know if you need anything."

He had no objections to Simon’s presence; after all, they had all known about him for some time.

The only difference between them was the order of their arrival.

Simon smiled.

Everyone at the banquet knew Cecil had become a Gene Fusion Expert. He was the third "defective" male in Lu Xia’s circle to do so, and the crowd could only feel envy.

At this point, it seemed nothing that happened around Duke Lu Xia could surprise them anymore.

They only regretted misjudging Duke Lu Xia in the beginning and not sending their own males to her sooner. But the Duke Lu Xia of today was not the same one from before; sending their males now was an impossibility.

All they could do now was watch in envy.

Some people noticed that Lu Xia had brought another male to Lady Daina’s public banquet this time—one they had never seen before.

Upon learning Simon’s identity, they were filled with envy for him as well.

Someone whispered, "That one looks quite dashing, and he’s very handsome."

"What, smitten already? I’d give up if I were you. You can tell at a glance he’s no ordinary defective male anymore. He might even be a Gene Fusion Expert by now."

"I find Duke Lu Xia fascinating. The defective males around her become Gene Fusion Experts one after another. It’s enough to make anyone jealous."

"Indeed. All we can do is be jealous."

Unaware of the catty remarks, Lu Xia accompanied Lady Daina and Cecil, mingling at the heart of the banquet and cultivating many new connections.

But Cecil was mindful of Lu Xia’s current physical condition and didn’t want her to overexert herself on his account. Midway through the event, he called Smelian over and asked him to accompany Lu Xia so she could rest.

Hearing this, Lady Daina asked, "Is Xiaxia tired?"

Lu Xia was about to speak, but Cecil cut in, speaking to Lady Daina, "Let me accompany you. Let her go and get some rest."

Seeing how considerate he was, Lady Daina smiled at Lu Xia. "In that case, Xiaxia, you go and rest. It’s fine for Cecil to stay here."

Lu Xia was about to say she was fine, but faced with their concern, she didn’t refuse. She smiled, thanked Lady Daina, and left with Smelian.

When they arrived at the rest area, Simon had already prepared a meal for her. Lu Xia had eaten a little before leaving home, but not much, so she was likely hungry after all the socializing.

Smelian had a waiter bring over a glass of milk and placed it before Lu Xia. "A lot of people came tonight."