After Ilkand went upstairs, the Housekeeper called for a maid, "Go and tell the chef to serve the dishes."
"Now?" Miss Rabbit interjected, "Shouldn’t we wait for Lord Diodosi and Ilkand?"
"No need," the Housekeeper shook her head, "Lord Diodosi isn’t in good health and he won’t be coming down. As for Ilkand, Lord Diodosi has assigned him another task, so he likely won’t stay for the al either."
"Is that so..."
At this mont, Li Yu suddenly spoke up, "What seems to be the problem with Sir Diodosi’s health? Can I help in any way?"
"No need," the Housekeeper’s tone was polite yet firm, "I know your dical skills are excellent, and you have divine dicine, but the family has its own herbalist, and the Silver Moon Church has also sent a priest who has been taking care of Lord Diodosi. His condition has been improving."
"Alright then." Li Yu did not insist any further.
Then, one dish after another was served on the table. Although it wasn’t as lavish as the lunch had been, it was still quite plentiful, including so items that were hard to co by in the western territories.
The two had just started eating when Ilkand, who had gone upstairs not long ago, hurried down again. His expression was complex, marked by both confusion and excitent.
He paced quickly, didn’t stop, nor did he greet Li Yu and Ireya, and he just headed straight out the door.
Miss Rabbit leaned closer to Li Yu’s ear and whispered, "It’s a bit strange, huh? Since when has Diodosi been so devout? Preferring to remain bedridden rather than accepting your help. He’s been bedridden all winter, right?"
Li Yu nodded, "It is a bit strange."
The Lady took a couple of big bites of her pudding, then suddenly speculated, "Hey, could it be that Diodosi is already dead?"
The young lady was just speaking off the cuff since that answer seed far too bizarre, especially since Ilkand had just t with Diodosi not long ago. If the latter had died, Ilkand should not have shown the expression he did.
But Li Yu said, "It’s possible."
"Really? You think so too?" Miss Rabbit’s spirit of gossip flared up. The Immanuel Family was a major noble family, and as the family head, Diodosi was indeed a significant figure. His death would be akin to an earthquake in the western territories.
"Yes. Of the three, Galin sent away Harman and Rafael, leaving only Ilkand. Now it seems that this was no accident," Li Yu said. "Ilkand has the most volatile temper and is the most rash; indeed, he is the most suitable candidate."
"Candidate, what kind of candidate?"
"A candidate to prove that Diodosi is still alive. Harman, as the eldest son, would have spent the most ti with Diodosi and would easily spot any discrepancies.
"Rafael, the youngest and least talkative, tends to be indecisive, but such people generally have keen observation skills and can notice many details that others overlook. Plus, there’s another benefit to choosing Ilkand."
Li Yu cut a piece of lamb, tore open a packet of barbecue seasoning he brought himself, and sprinkled it on the at, then continued.
"Ilkand appears to be the least likely among the three to be chosen as the heir. If at this ti Diodosi tells him he plans to choose him as the heir, what do you think he would do even if he’s skeptical?"
Miss Rabbit suddenly realized, "Now that you ntion it, Ilkand really is the most suitable candidate. But what about us? If soone really planned all this, why bring us here?"
"First, of course, is to use my ability to record voices to drive away Harman and Rafael," Li Yu said. "Second, probably because your and my identities are suitable to act as witnesses. Later, if anyone asks, we can also verify from another angle that Diodosi is still alive."
"The Dragon Slayer Heroine and the Prophet of the Double Rest Sect, indeed, our word would be quite credible."
The Lady said this and sneaked a glance around, noticing that the maids were not constantly watching them. She elbowed Li Yu and, lowering her voice, said.
"Hey, do you think we should try to go upstairs later and et that fake Diodosi?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I haven’t got my soap pod tree seeds yet," Li Yu said. "And whether he’s real or fake, you’d better treat him as if he’s real."
"Hmm?"
"He gave us the Duty-free Trade Order," Li Yu reminded.
"Oh, right." ntion of money imdiately cald the lady down, and she suppressed her curiosity.
After the two had finished dinner, the housekeeper appeared again, "Mr. Diodosi asked to thank both of you for coming. Although no consensus was reached this ti, the terms previously offered by Lord Diodosi remain valid.
"As long as you accept these two terms. Black Stone City welcos the Double Rest Sect to co and mission."
After she finished speaking, she handed Li Yu a cloth bag, "The Iron Thorns haven’t reached the flowering and fruiting stage yet, but I went to the cellar and found so seeds dried last year.
"You can take them back and try planting them first. If it doesn’t work, when the Iron Thorns produce seeds this year, I’ll send soone to give them to you."
"Thank you," Li Yu took the cloth bag, opened it to look, and saw about thirty to forty seeds inside, quite a few.
This was his biggest gain from this trip to Black Stone City; with these seeds, he could plant soap pod trees in Green Field.
anwhile, Miss Rabbit was still probing from the side, "I wonder when Sir Diodosi will get better; I would like to invite him to my Teacup Castle for a visit."
But the housekeeper maintained her calm, imperturbable deanor, "I will pass your invitation to the lord."
It’s really sothing; she looked a bit over thirty and yet lacked any youthful exuberance.
Seeing this, the Lady had no other choice, scratched her head, and got into the carriage with Li Yu.
Miss Rabbit had wanted to talk to Li Yu about what had happened before, especially regarding the role the housekeeper Galin had played in it.
Whoever kept Diodosi’s death a secret clearly needed the housekeeper’s assistance, yet she was surprised when before they had even left the city, Li Yu told her he wanted to get off the carriage early.
"What are you doing, planning to turn back and sneak into Diodosi’s residence?"
"No, let’s not get involved with the affairs of the Immanuel family," Li Yu said. "I’m going to see Frodo of the Golden Fleece Comrce to make so purchases."
"I’ll wait for you."
"No need, just go back."
"What about you?"
"I’m almost due to leave as well. As long as you return to Green Field, it’s as if I have returned to Green Field, haven’t you rembered?"
"......"
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