On the second day of the Winter Festival, the temperature dropped sharply. Wu Lai cancelled his plan to go shopping and watch the fun. He asked Neptune, who had nothing to do because the mill was closed for the festival, to light the fire in the fireplace. Then he sat in front of the fire and thought about it. As he was thinking, he actually fell asleep. Seeing that he had fallen asleep, Neptune gently covered him with a blanket and lit the fire in the fireplace. Thinking that it was almost time, he went out to deliver lunch to Caesar who was guarding the mill.

Wu Lai was warmed by the fire and slept soundly. He waited for Neptune to come back and called him several times. Then he sat up straight with sleepy eyes: "Neptune, why can't you let me sleep a little longer?"

"Master, there is nothing we can do. Madam Leah of Grindelwald Manor has sent her butler Gauguin to deliver a letter, saying that she invites you to have dinner at Grindelwald Manor tonight. Gauguin is waiting in the reception room now." Neptune said.

"As expected." Wu Lai raised a smile and waved his hand, "Neptune, tell Gauguin that I will be here on time."

"Master, don't you want to see him?" Neptune asked after a moment's hesitation.

Wu Lai shook his head. "That's not necessary. Besides, I don't want to see him. Neptune, you can tell him this directly. If he dares to use force on you, I won't mind giving him a lesson."

"Well, Master, if you are really willing to do this, I will convey your original words to him immediately." Neptune said with a smile. With his rich experience, he could see the power of Wu Lei.

"Go ahead. After you send Gauguin away, find a wine shop and buy two bottles of wine. I don't want people to say I went to the banquet empty-handed." Wu Lai took out three silver coins from his purse. "Just buy one bottle for one silver coin. Buy one more bottle. When I go to the banquet, you heat up the dried meat in the kitchen and take the wine to the mill. Remember not to let Caesar drink too much. That brat always causes trouble for me when he drinks too much."

"Okay, master." Neptune respectfully took the three silver coins and turned to go to the reception room.

As soon as Neptune left, Woolley's eyelids drooped. After yawning, he pulled the blanket that had slipped to his knees and curled up in the large chair.

"I finally dreamed of Bingbing, I wonder if I can continue with this dream..." He said vaguely while closing his eyes.

While Wu Lai was determined to daydream, Lady Leah was busy directing the maids and slaves to prepare a dinner. This dinner was specially organized for Wu Lai, with only one purpose, which was to make peace with Wu Lai.

Mrs. Leah had not been having a good time in the past few months. The rainfall this year was not as good as in previous years, so the harvest of crops was also discounted. The profit of the shop was barely the same as in previous years, but the tax rate this year was increased by 10%, and the prices of necessities also rose along with the tax rate. As a result, Greendo Manor suffered a loss for the first time - this had never happened before.

Financial management was not Mrs. Leah's forte, and she was not sure that she would be able to find a rich new husband soon, so she was a little worried, especially when she saw her haggard face in the bronze mirror the morning after her hangover, her worries increased a little.

Of course, with Lady Leah's beauty and reputation, there are still many wealthy men in Seneca City who are willing to accept her as long as she is willing to throw herself into their arms. But Lady Leah has never been willing to be someone else's lover. Secondly, she is very clear that the price will definitely not be the same if someone takes the initiative to come to her and if someone takes the initiative to pursue her.

So after Simon Glyndwr's death, Lady Leah continued to be elegant and reserved, waiting for her suitor to appear, but the more she waited, the more uneasy she felt, because after all, she was no longer young.

So, Mrs. Leah thought of Woolley. Woolley had been so popular recently that she could hear his name from her friends every now and then. Some even persuaded her to take Woolley back to Glyndwr Manor, because Woolley was no longer the pitiful child who had just lost his father a few months ago, but a new noble who had successively obtained the right to sign contracts and the exclusive rights of the mill granted by the temple.

At first, Lady Leah was indifferent. Although she envied Woolley's achievements, she was very clear about what she had done to the orphaned child when Simon Glyndwr died, so she always felt that keeping a distance from Woolley was a very appropriate choice. However, as Woolley's reputation grew and her friends persuaded her, she began to have ideas.

"The child is very stubborn, just like his father. Really, I'm worried I can't convince him," Mrs. Leah once said to a friend.

Her friend shook her head disapprovingly. "He is still a child after all. He will need a family. No matter what, he must acknowledge you as his stepmother. Besides, isn't Tina already sixteen years old? She has inherited everything from you perfectly. So, you can make her Wu Lai's fiancée. That would be great. I heard that Wu Lai's mill can earn at least six hundred silver coins a month, and has a very good relationship with Archpriest Mikoyan."

"Tina doesn't think highly of Wu Lai. In the past few years, she has been living with her aunt in Assyrian City and has seen many children of noble families. In her eyes, Wu Lai is just a country bumpkin." Lady Leah shook her head, but a hint of joy appeared in her eyes.

…

A moment before dusk, Neptune took Woolley to the gate of Glendower Manor in a wheelbarrow carrying flour bags, because before leaving, Woolley said that riding in a carriage to a banquet was the proper behavior of aristocrats, but he also despised this kind of artificial and hypocritical etiquette. However, in order to show respect for Glendower Manor and his own noble title, he decided to take a ride in the wheelbarrow reluctantly.

These words made Neptune laugh all the way.

After bidding farewell to Neptune, Woolley walked towards the manor with his head held high. Two slaves who had been waiting outside the door saluted and pushed open the door of the manor - this was a very grand etiquette. At least the last time Woolley returned to Greendo Manor to take Neptune and Caesar away, he went through the side door.

After the door was opened, Gauguin, dressed in new clothes, came up to greet him flatteringly: "Your Excellency Master Wu Lai, welcome."

Wu Lai glanced at him and handed the two bottles of wine in his hand to Gauguin: "This is a gift I brought for Mrs. Leah. It's very good wine, but the price is ridiculously expensive."

"Really?" Gauguin quickly and carefully took the bottle and looked at it.

"Of course, old Neptune talked about the price for a long time before others agreed to three silver coins for four bottles." After Wu Lai finished speaking seriously, Gauguin's throat seemed to be blocked by something. When he came to his senses, Wu Lai had already walked more than ten steps.

Three silver coins for four bottles, you dare say it's expensive? Gao Geng complained in his heart, and quickly caught up with Wu Lai, but he didn't stop smiling: "Master Wu Lai, Madam Leah and Miss Tina have been waiting for you for a long time."

"Tina? Is she back?" The image of a little girl flashed through Wu Lai's mind. Tina was born to Lady Leah and her first husband. She was very beautiful, but she also became spoiled and hypocritical like her mother. A few years ago, she was sent to Assyria by Lady Leah to learn etiquette. In fact, Wu Lai knew very well what Lady Leah's real purpose was.

"You're back, Master Wu Lai. After being influenced by the aristocratic atmosphere of Assyrian City, Miss Tina is so beautiful and elegant. There is no one more outstanding than Miss Tina in Seneca City." Gauguin exclaimed.

"Oh, then when you have time, congratulate her for me. Just say that the fifth-in-line heir congratulates the second-in-line heir and wishes her a speedy recovery." Wu Lai curled his lips.

Get well soon? Gauguin suddenly felt a little confused.

A moment later, Wu Lai sat at the dining table with a fake smile on his face. Lady Leah sat directly opposite him. On his left sat Tina, who looked reluctant.

"Wu Lai, today is a family dinner, both to celebrate the Winter Festival and to celebrate our family reunion." Lady Leah said with a smile, signaling the maids to serve food and drinks.

"Family dinner? What about Quentin and Eton?" Wu Lai asked curiously. Quentin is Lady Leah's youngest brother, who is in his early twenties. Eton is the only person in Glyndwr Manor who has a blood relationship with Wu Lai - he is the love child of Simon Glyndwr and Lady Leah, and he is only a few months old.

Mrs. Leah didn't understand what Woolley meant for a moment, so she smiled and explained, "Quentin lives with my parents and rarely comes to the manor. Eden just finished feeding and has fallen asleep."

"I see." Wu Lai nodded and said, "I thought that those who have the right to inherit my father's estate would appear at this family dinner. It turns out that I am not a family member of them."

Mrs. Leah's face darkened. She heard the jealousy in Woolley's words, because in the will she forged, Quentin was ranked third in the order of inheritance, followed by Eton, and Woolley was ranked last. In Simon Greendo's real will, Woolley had 60% of the inheritance rights, and the remaining 40% was shared by Mrs. Leah and Eton.

"Brother Wu Lai, how can you talk to our mother like that?" Tina frowned. In the past half month since she returned to Seneca from Assyrian City, she felt that everyone she saw was barbaric, rude and disrespectful, especially Wu Lai at this moment.

"Oh, Sister Tina." Wu Lai looked at Tina with a smile, "That's your mother. My mother is with my father now, sitting high up in the clouds, watching their only son in this world wandering around."

"Tina, you are my elder sister." Seeing Tina's expression change, Lady Leah quickly stopped her and said, "Your brother Wu Lai's ambition and ability are not comparable to ordinary nobles. Didn't I tell you that your brother Wu Lai is now the only miller in Seneca City and is a person that High Priest Mikoyan particularly values. Apologize to your brother quickly."

When Wu Lai heard Madam Leah praising him against her will, he quickly pretended to be embarrassed and said, "Madam Leah, you are too kind." But he laughed secretly in his heart, thinking that she was not annoyed even after being teased like this, it seemed that she really had something to ask of me.

Tina wanted to refute, but when she looked up and saw Mrs. Leah winking at her, she thought of the real reason for her return and what her mother had said to her during the day, so she had to swallow her anger and apologize, thinking how could her mother think of letting me get engaged to this rude guy? He doesn't even know how to dress himself.

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"It's okay. I won't take it personally." Wu Lai accepted the apology carelessly, then turned his face to Gauguin who was waiting on the side. "Butler Gauguin, since this is a family dinner, please bring up the wine I bought. Although I am not very old, it is my duty to toast Madam Leah with a few glasses."

My God, is that bad wine you bought drinkable? Gauguin did not move, but looked at Madam Leah with an embarrassed look, thinking to himself, the distinguished hostess, you must not listen to him.

Madam Leah glanced at Gauguin and almost understood what was going on. Tina obviously did not have the eyesight of her mother. Her mind just turned back to obeying her mother's arrangement and showing goodwill to Wu Lai, so she agreed and said, "Gauguin, bring up the wine that Wu Lai brought."

Mrs. Leah was about to stop him, but she saw Wu Lai looking at Tina with a smile on his face. She stretched out her hand and waved it naturally, but changed her words: "Bring it up."

"Okay, ma'am." Gauguin nodded, turned around and left the restaurant with a wry smile to get the wine.

Mrs. Leah just wanted to take the opportunity to chat with Wu Lai in the relaxed atmosphere, but Wu Lai took the initiative to talk to Tina.

"Tina, you've become more beautiful."

"Thanks."

"You smell so nice, are you wearing some flowers?"

"No, I used the finest perfume I bought from Assyria."

"So it's the perfume powder from Assyria. No wonder it smells so good. Is it expensive? If it's not, I can buy more for you."

"No, it's not right for a younger brother to buy perfume for his sister. According to the custom of the nobility, that's... I won't talk to you anymore." Tina turned her face away with blushing cheeks.

Good job, it really wasn't in vain that you lived with your aunt for so long. Madam Leah smiled and praised in her heart.

You two are trying to seduce me? I'm telling you, you might fall for it again in a few years. Now, humph, it's a little early. Wu Lai smiled and said proudly in his heart.

This should be enough, right? After all, they are still siblings. It would be inappropriate to continue. Besides, his smell is really pungent. Tina thought to herself as she stole a glance at her mother.

Wu Lai quietly moved his chair closer to Tina, thinking to himself, I feel suffocated by the sheepskin vest I'm wearing, so why doesn't Tina react at all?

Wu Lai's little movements naturally fell into Mrs. Leah's eyes. After a little thought, she took the opportunity when Gauguin brought the wine to the table and pretended to ask, "Butler Gauguin, I heard that the noble children in Assyria are engaged at a very young age, is that right?"

"Yes, ma'am, I've heard about this, too. It's not just in Assyria, it's also popular in every city-state in the territory." Gauguin poured the wine and answered according to the pre-set words, "This is a trend. All the nobles are proud of it because it proves one thing, that is, both parties to the engagement are very outstanding."

"Oh, you're right." A look of longing appeared on Mrs. Leah's face. "Woolley is very good, Tina is also very good. I'm really worried about what kind of person should be found to match them, right, Gauguin?"

"Of course, Master Wu Lai and Miss Tina are both excellent." Gauguin said respectfully, "Gauguin would like to remind Madam that Miss Tina's last name is Minafa."

"Oh my God, Gauguin, you reminded me." Madam Leah stood up with a look of sudden enlightenment on her face. She quickly looked at Wu Lai and Tina and said, "Wu Lai and Tina together are the best couple in the Seneca city-state. There is no one more suitable than them."

"Mother, Wu Lai is only twelve years old." Tina said shyly. This shyness was mostly real, after all, it was a girl's feeling.

Wu Lai was really stunned, thinking to himself, Madam Leah, this is too much exaggeration, are you serious?