Annie's Aunt Truly Arrives

“Your, your aunt… she's here?” Du Chen stammered, repeating Annie's words. A chill snaked up his spine, rocketing to his brain, then diffused through his entire body, leaving a scorching trail in its wake.

Heavens, her 'aunt' was here! And why tell him of all people? Such personal matters weren't usually shared casually with male classmates, were they?

Du Chen, who always prided himself on his sharp intellect, felt his mind go utterly blank.

Annie shyly nodded. “Yes, my aunt really is here, and she said she wants to meet you!”

Du Chen belatedly nodded. “Oh, so it's your aunt who's arrived. Where is she? I should be the one to pay my respects!”

“No need. I simply came to see you; there's no call for such formalities!” Two figures entered through the door. The first Du Chen saw was an old man of medium build, clad in a simple azure robe. His attire seemed utterly unremarkable, yet his silver-white hair shimmered with light, and his hale, vigorous face radiated a natural, unyielding authority. Most peculiar of all, beneath his Western features lay skin of a sallow, earthen hue, remarkably similar to the complexion of the Eastern people from Du Chen's previous life.

Yet, Du Chen understood clearly that this earthen complexion carried a profound significance: it symbolized that this seemingly ordinary elder had cultivated his Earth-element battle qi to an exceptionally profound realm. He was undoubtedly a master among The Masters! In terms of pure battle qi cultivation, he might even surpass Deboning!

Upon seeing him, Du Chen's mind instantly sharpened. He instinctively paid close attention to the elder's every movement—a Battle God's primal response to a formidable opponent.

Hmm? Though the old man's face was utterly unfamiliar, his physique struck Du Chen as somewhat recognizable. Had he met him before? A flicker of doubt crossed Du Chen's mind. Alas, he could never have guessed that this very elder was the gravely ill beggar he had saved at Heaven's Ocean Pass, nor the petty noble he had chastised at Newin Port for bullying commoners…

Perhaps it was due to the elder's exceptionally advanced Art of Disguise, or simply because Du Chen had performed far too many good deeds to remember every benevolent soul he'd aided, or every villain he'd taught a lesson.

The elder entered the courtyard, nodding slightly to Du Chen with a benevolent expression, his eyes revealing a hint of approval and admiration. Then, he suddenly bowed, assuming the posture of a servant, and gestured with an uplifted hand to introduce a middle-aged woman behind him—Annie's actual aunt.

Annie's aunt appeared to be only in her early thirties, her skin exceptionally fair and well-maintained. Had it not been for the mature bearing in her brows betraying her true age, her complexion alone rivaled that of the youthful Annie. Her attire was not overly luxurious: a simple, pale red noble's gown, and golden hair elegantly swept back, styled into an unassuming flowing chignon. Perhaps the only truly extravagant item she wore was a prismatic brooch pinned to her chest…

The pin's tip was shaped like a purple trident blade!

No introduction was needed; Du Chen already recognized it. This aunt bore a five or six-tenths resemblance to Annie. Standing together, one could tell without asking that they were undoubtedly close blood relatives!

At that moment, Deboning also descended from the attic balcony into the courtyard. His eyes glinted sharply upon seeing the old servant. Their gazes met for a fleeting instant, then quickly parted. The elder's eyes also flashed, while Deboning offered a faint smile. After Deboning approached Du Chen's side, their eyes intertwined once more, this time both sharing a subtle, knowing grin.

Annie hastily introduced them: “This is my Aunt Betty! And this is our Head Butler, Keane!”

Du Chen bowed slightly. “Aunt Betty, Mr. Keane, it's a pleasure. I am Francis, Annie's classmate.”

Betty scrutinized Du Chen's face for a moment. Just as Du Chen began to feel uncomfortable, she unexpectedly chuckled. “Excellent!” she thought. “Even more handsome than in the Portraits. Annie certainly has good taste!”

For days, Keane had subtly observed Francis on numerous occasions. His character was practically flawless, and his appearance and demeanor, which Keane had now witnessed firsthand, were thoroughly satisfactory! Now, it was time to personally assess his other qualities.

Betty smiled. “Annie mentioned you've taken great care of her during her time at the academy and on her study travels. As her guardian, I must express my gratitude for your kindness towards Annie.”

Du Chen humbly demurred, then gestured towards the door. “Aunt Betty, you're far too kind. Please, come in and be seated. Harry, prepare refreshments for our esteemed guests.”

Everyone moved to the main hall on the first floor and took their seats. It had to be said, Harry was a diligent man. In the past, he might have been crudely described as a country bumpkin with uncouth manners. But ever since becoming Du Chen's butler, Shieb had diligently applied himself to learning, and now, in serving guests, he exhibited the demeanor of a true court etiquette master, entirely without fault.

Keane watched Shieb bring in the drinks, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He smiled faintly and then waved a lowered hand—at some point, he had donned silver silk gloves. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he produced a small, diamond-inlaid box from his waist pouch. Kneeling on one knee, he opened the box on his lap and extracted two exquisite, magic crystal-engraved cups, placing them on the lid's cup holders.

Keane lowered his gaze, one hand steadying the box. With the other, he used tweezers to pluck two seven-color flower petals from the box, placing one into each small cup. He then switched tweezers, carefully picking out two glistening Blue Crystals from the tiny box and gently lowering them along the cup's inner wall into each cup.

Silently, the two small cups instantly filled with a shimmering, iridescent liquid, its brilliance reflected by the translucent, patterned cup walls. Keane rose, first unfurling two silver silk brocade napkins on the table. He placed a cup precisely in the center of each, then slid them towards Du Chen and Betty. After putting away the small box, he clasped his hands before his abdomen and stood erect, a pace behind and to Betty's right.

This entire sequence of movements left Shieb, who had graduated with honors from the imperial court's etiquette masters, utterly dumbfounded and flustered, nearly burying himself in mortification!

Du Chen's heart stirred with doubt. Judging by Betty's and Keane's conduct, Annie's family was anything but simple! At the very least, not even King Lanning Bargnar's formal imperial banquets observed such fastidious etiquette!

Involuntarily, Du Chen glanced at Annie, who was shyly trailing behind Betty. Sensing Du Chen's questioning gaze, Annie's pretty face flushed crimson. She whispered, “Aunt Betty, I'll excuse myself now!”

“Hm,” Betty nodded slightly.

Annie seemed to shed a colossal burden, departing as if fleeing a battlefield. Passing a small side door, she suddenly spotted Beibei happily playing with several “toys” while riding on Andy's back. She quickly called out, “Beibei, come play outside with your sister!”

“Beibei knows, Beibei understands! Hehe!” The little one, riding Andy, playfully tapped her “toy” against her mount, urging Andy to emerge from the side hall.

Keane watched the young lady depart, offering a benevolent smile to the shy Annie. Suddenly, he was startled by the “toy” Beibei was clutching! It was a toy resembling a Seal, topped with a golden lion and featuring a quadripartite base…

Could it be… no, impossible. How could *that* item possibly fall into Francis's hands, let alone be given to a child as a toy… Haha, Keane mused, he had never seen the actual artifact, only heard rumors. It must simply be a treasure of similar shape!

Furthermore, even the Old Master and his Lord, with all their power, wouldn't dare casually covet that item. If Francis had truly obtained it… he would likely have been utterly annihilated long ago! Moreover, he couldn't possibly possess the ability to acquire such an artifact, and the “toy” in the little girl's hands showed no trace of Elemental Primal Force fluctuations!

Keane chuckled self-deprecatingly, muttering inwardly that he was getting old, and his suspicions were growing with age! How unbecoming!

Du Chen sat stiffly, quite unaccustomed to such elaborate noble interactions. Betty, however, smiled openly. “Lord Earl Francis, I have heard much of your deeds. You are indeed a beloved lord!”

“Aunt Betty, you flatter me,” Du Chen humbly replied. “I merely performed a few minor acts that brought no shame to my conscience and fortuitously gained some praise! Truly, I haven't done much at all!”

Unperturbed by favor or disgrace, modest and polite – truly impressive! Betty nodded, then asked, “Your Excellency is already the lord of eight hundred li of land. To my knowledge, the Newin River banks have suffered continuous natural and man-made calamities for years, leaving commoners displaced. Now, only around three hundred thousand impoverished people remain on that vast territory. Your Excellency, have you considered how to improve the lives of these suffering commoners in the future? You must have great confidence, no?”

This… was she indirectly asking him how he would govern his territory, how he would administer his policies? Du Chen thought, a strange feeling in his heart. Aunt Betty seemed to be testing his political acumen!

Though doubt lingered in his mind, Du Chen still responded, “I am still young, and my experience in governance is very shallow; I can only offer some unrefined perspectives!” He cleared his throat and continued, “The Newin River suffers from three major persistent problems: floods, Merfolk raids, and rampant banditry! Among these, the issue of banditry is the easiest to resolve, as most of these bandits are commoners who can no longer survive…”

Betty listened quietly, a perpetual smile on her face. Yet, inwardly, she was evaluating… *Governance capability… should be quite decent.* Next, to assess his military strategic abilities—*my family's son-in-law must be excellent in all aspects!*

The two continued their exchange of questions and answers when, suddenly, Deboning's expression shifted, and his gaze swept towards the courtyard. The old servant Keane, after a moment's pause, also looked outside.

Du Chen stopped mid-answer, asking curiously, “Brook, what's happening outside?”

No sooner had his words faded than a loud roar echoed from outside, “Francis, get out here! Today, you *will* give me an explanation, or else… don't blame my blade for being merciless!”

It was Arthur's voice!

Du Chen was utterly perplexed. He had never done anything to offend Arthur. What was wrong with this princely brother? It was as if Arthur held a deep-seated grudge against him, eager for vengeance!