After seeing his supposedly brilliant plan, which he had pondered over the entire night, being easily seen through by Audrey and Mr. Hyde, Ivan felt somewhat disheartened. Perhaps the plan was not as perfect as he had thought, and maybe Baron Longa could also easily spot its flaws.
Audrey could somewhat guess what was on Ivan's mind, but she did not explicitly mention it. Audrey was unsure whether she should comfort her student because, in her view, Ivan's plan was quite perfect, with a high chance of success. After some hesitation, Audrey ultimately decided to remain silent. In the future, Ivan would surely encounter situations where she was not by his side, and he needed to learn to make the right decisions, as it would affect many things.
Therefore, it was best to ensure that Ivan fully grasped the ability to think independently and make decisions on his own before that crucial moment arrived.
Everything was prepared, and the carriage was already waiting outside. The coachman was the same person who had brought him, but the carriage had been replaced with another one. It was evidently a noble's private carriage, painted with brown varnish that gleamed brightly. There were two transparent glass windows on each side of the carriage, a rare feature that allowed one to see the outside scenery without letting the wind in. Ordinary stagecoaches had screens on the sides; while it was fine in summer, the cold wind would seep into the carriage during winter.
This carriage was obviously larger and taller than a stagecoach, allowing Ivan to stand upright inside. Two spotlights were mounted at the front of the carriage, with hemispherical copper mirrors that could project the light of the oil lamps far ahead. Ordinary stagecoaches only had a dimly lit lantern; without moonlight, they could hardly travel.
Following Audrey onto the carriage, the butler directed the servants to load the luggage and gifts onto the luggage rack on top of the carriage. Once the coachman confirmed that everything was securely in place, without any loose items that could fall, the carriage slowly began to move.
For Ivan, this was not his first time traveling far from home, but sitting in such a luxurious and comfortable carriage gave him a completely new feeling. The armchair backs were covered with thick sheepskin, not as precious as the animal fur in Mr. Hyde's lounge, but in terms of comfort, there was not much difference between the two.
The carriage compartment was made of dark purple pine boards, with a top adorned with an enamel and gold relief depicting the goddesses of harvest and the forest dancing gracefully. Apart from the roof, although the decorations were not abundant, they were also made of enamel and gold.
This luxuriously decorated carriage, even in the homes of the wealthy in Nangang, is rarely seen. Unlike the stagecoach, this carriage travels fast and steadily on the country lanes. Through the thick glass windows, the sound of horse hooves on the ground and the wheels rolling on the road is very faint. Due to the good insulation and the sunlight streaming in through the windows, the warmth on the body is comforting.
Having not rested well the entire night, Ivan felt somewhat drowsy. The carriage sped along, rocking gently, and Ivan's eyes slowly closed. He leaned back against the soft chair back and drifted off to sleep.
In a daze, Ivan felt the carriage pass over several hills, with a few small bridges in between. As the journey progressed, the road became increasingly rough and bumpy. When Ivan opened his eyes, the sun was already high in the sky, and the scenery outside had changed.
If the journey from Nangang to Lai'er was lush and vibrant, full of vitality, this place was completely desolate and barren. Sparse crops were planted on either side of the road, and the trees were not lush, appearing to have been cut down almost entirely, with bare tree stumps visible everywhere.
Compared to Nangang and Lai'er, the land here was much flatter, with only two small hills in sight, unlike the mountains along the way from Nangang to Lai'er. After crossing a hill, two isolated houses could be seen in the distance, with mud walls and thatched roofs. Beside the houses, a small vegetable patch was cultivated, the only greenery in the area.
In the distant wilderness, the dry yellow thatch grass grew tall, and a few goats could be faintly seen tied there, showing no interest in the nutrient-poor feed. The carriage continued to speed ahead, and Ivan even began to feel hungry.
When he boarded the carriage, the butler had placed a basket in one corner of the carriage, containing food. Ivan glanced at it. The basket had clearly been opened before. He turned to look at Audrey. Audrey was leaning back in her seat, eyes closed, dozing off just like he had been.
Bending down, Ivan opened the basket. Inside were a braised goose and a plate of barbecue pork. Two goose legs had already been torn off, but the barbecue pork remained largely untouched. Ivan placed the basket on his lap, took out a pair of sleeves and a scarf from under the seat, put them on, and began to eat with relish.
The braised goose was quite good, indicating that the cook had spent at least a whole day preparing it, and it was very flavorful. The barbecue pork was also delicious, fresh, sweet, and tasty. Ivan's appetite was not very large; two wings and a few pieces of barbecue pork were enough to fill his stomach.
After finishing the meal and tidying up, the carriage had entered a small town. The roads in the town were equally rough, with the stone slabs on the ground already broken into pieces. The scattered, unattended garbage made Ivan think of the place where they lived in Nangang.
The houses in the town were also made of mud bricks, with roofs covered in a dusty haze as if they had never been cleaned, and as if it had not rained for years. Passing through the small town, the road ahead finally widened significantly, although it was still in poor condition, it at least had the grandeur of a main road.
The carriage continued on for another twenty or thirty miles, and a city appeared before them. Unlike the bustling and lively atmosphere of Nangang or the profound history of Lai'er, this city was vast in size, even larger than Nangang. At a glance, low flat houses were everywhere, with only a few tall buildings standing out prominently in the area.
The carriage slowed as it entered the city.
The streets on both sides were also lined with shops, but it was clearly not as lively as Nangang or Lai'er. The roads in the city center were relatively smooth, and that was the most prosperous area in the entire city. In one corner of the central square, a tall building was constructed, with a spacious porch, sturdy support columns, a marble floor, and a huge family crest carved in marble on the top of the porch, all indicating that they had reached their destination.
The builder of this mansion was obviously a very practical person, as there were no walls, no gardens, and not an excessive number of spacious rooms. Apart from the grand hall used for banquets and dances, there was a delicate little garden on the west side of the mansion. Although it did not have any precious flowers, it was lush with morning glories, roses, and violets, arranged in a tasteful manner.
The back half of the mansion was probably where the owner lived, with all rooms facing south, ensuring ample sunlight. The builder of this mansion had clearly minimized unnecessary expenses, and the current owner, Baron Longna, could not even afford to live in such a mansion, indicating his financial difficulties.
The city center square served as a natural carriage parking area, and it seemed that the mansion's builder had taken this into consideration. Various types of carriages were parked all over the square. As Ivan had imagined, most of the attendees at the ball were from impoverished noble families. Many of the carriages were quite old, and the horses pulling them were also quite aged.
"You can get off now and make a good impression!" Audrey said.
"Aren't you coming with me?" Ivan asked.
"No, you can't rely on me. You must win the attention of the crowd on your own. Ted will be with you; he is your coachman and servant, which fits the role of a disadvantaged noble. Most of the guests who come here are like that. I'll wait for you in the carriage," Audrey replied.
Ivan followed the instructions and got off the carriage. The coachman, Ted, was already waiting at the door, holding a tea brick wrapped in silk as a gift. Ivan took out the invitation from his pocket and carefully checked himself from head to toe to ensure there were no flaws before walking towards the mansion's entrance.
Approaching closer, Ivan realized that the mansion of the Baron was indeed much grander than Hyde's estate. The two statues of male and female warriors at the entrance indicated that the original builder had earned this fortune through military achievements. The pillars and walls were made of bluestone, a material used for fortresses.
The two servants standing at the door had already seen the elegantly dressed, youthful Ivan approaching with a childlike face, followed by a servant carrying a gift. Another nobleman's child had arrived, and it seemed that this one was better off than the other noble children who had come. At least his clothes were not cheap, and the carriage he arrived in was brand new.
Upon receiving the invitation and reading it, "Lord Kewei Elei Egret Hyde." The two servants quickly found the name of the lord in the guest list.
"Are you Lord Kewei Elei Egret Hyde?" one of the servants asked.
"Oh, no, the lord is my grandfather. He is too old and hasn't traveled far for five or six years. I am here to represent him and show some goodwill on his behalf," Ivan replied.
"Welcome, welcome, the master is waiting inside," the two servants said respectfully.
Entering the hall, it was already filled with guests attending the ball. Some came with their entire families, while others were parents bringing their children. Each guest was accompanied by a servant carrying a gift.
As soon as Ivan entered the hall, he immediately attracted the attention of the crowd. It was clearly his expensive attire that made him stand out, as well as the fact that he had come to the ball alone.
Ivan's appearance somewhat aroused a hint of hostility among the surrounding nobles, but when they realized that Ivan was clearly two or three years younger than the baron's daughter, the hostility gradually subsided.
Standing alone in a corner of the hall, Ivan observed carefully. The host had not yet appeared, and the guests did not seem impatient. For these impoverished nobles, attending such a gathering was a rare opportunity.
Most adults gathered together, chatting, and some who were tired of standing called over the attendants to bring them a chair. As for the young people, they all stood alone, showing no intention of engaging in conversation with each other.
Although one or two were called by their parents to be introduced to other nobles, they themselves did not speak to anyone else, appearing very reserved.
This was the life of the nobility, Ivan thought to himself, quite different from what he had originally imagined. In his imagination, the nobles should live in extremely luxurious mansions, with numerous servants, and dine on delicacies. The noble's ball should be even more luxurious, with fine wine served in precious glass cups for unlimited consumption, along with various exquisite snacks, and the noble guests dancing gracefully and elegantly.
This was what Ivan had originally imagined the nobles to be like. In reality, Audrey was training him to become such a noble. However, everything here was clearly not as perfect.
Although drinks were provided at the ball, there was only plain water and tasteless wheat beer, with no other options. The snacks were golden-baked sweet cakes, quite tasty, but Ivan only managed to taste one piece before they ran out.
Some of the attendants standing nearby were whispering to each other, while others seemed indifferent. It was hard to imagine how the host here managed to discipline them.
All of this was far less impressive than the middle-class wealthy families in Nangang.
The only thing these nobles could use to prove their identity was those jewelry.
In fact, those jewelry and the clothes they were wearing didn't quite match.
These jewelry did open Ivan's eyes.
Some of them were passed down from the time of Emperor Leiduke, some were from the period of King Francois III to V, and some were from the period of the Italei dynasty split.
These jewelry, paired with the clothes of that time, might indeed be nice, but when paired with formal attire, they seemed somewhat mismatched. Moreover, some of them were worn by ancient clergy, and the combination with secular formal wear had a strange charm.
The most interesting thing was a ring worn by a noble lady with two sons, which was a ring worn by monks in the time of King Francois III to prove their lifelong service to the gods and renunciation of all worldly pleasures.
It seems that these fallen nobles can only regain some dignity with these things.
Just as Ivan was observing all the guests present with great interest.
The host of the ball appeared in the venue.
Baron Longa was dressed in a sky-blue knight's outfit, with a red sash slung over his shoulder, looking particularly spirited, and a pair of shiny leather boots shining brightly.
When the baron was young, he must have been a handsome and elegant figure, although the ruthless years had already brought wrinkles to his forehead, his demeanor and elegance were still among the best among the people present.
Baroness was wearing a long purple-red silk dress, which seemed to be something from twenty or thirty years ago, but still looked quite beautiful and neat, as if it were brand new; hanging around her neck was a very fine necklace from the period of King Francois VII, which also seemed to be a treasure left by ancestors.
Twenty years ago, the baroness must have been a beauty, otherwise she would not have been able to capture the baron's heart, her youthful and charming appearance could still be seen in her daughter who followed behind her.
The baron's daughter was indeed quite beautiful, no wonder those nobles were eagerly bringing their sons to the ball, hoping that their sons could win the heart of the beauty.
The baron warmly greeted several guests who were obviously old acquaintances.
After some pleasantries, those nobles each led their children, offering congratulations and introducing their sons to the baron and his wife.
As for those young people with ulterior motives, they tried to appear polite or charming as much as possible, hoping to leave a good impression on the beauty.
Ivan watched all this with great interest.
The gifts were quite intriguing, since they were nobles, the gifts they gave could not be too shabby, but they couldn't afford to be too expensive either.
A porcelain plate, the most common blue and white pattern, was already a noticeable gift, along with a stack of silk handkerchiefs and the like.
The most boring was a ridiculously looking lacquered jewelry box, which seemed to have some history, and who knows how many times it had changed hands among the fallen nobles in the south.
As for the introductions, they were equally interesting to Ivan.
The nobles tried to introduce their sons as perfect as possible, but in the end, they all ended up looking the same.
In fact, seeing those extremely restrained, expressionless, and almost breathless noble children, it was not wrong to say that they all looked the same.
Finally, all the other nobles had finished their introductions.
Ivan looked at the time and it was almost time, some nobles had already taken their sons for a second round of introductions.
Ivan pulled Ted, who was following him, and walked towards Baron Longa.
Baron was somewhat surprised to see a young man appearing in front of him without any parents.
"Who is this..." the baron asked.
His servant, the attendant who received the invitations at the door, answered gently, "This is representing Viscount Kewei Elei Egret Hyde's visit."
"I am Ivan Hyde, you can call me Ivan. My grandfather is old and his health can no longer withstand long journeys, so I represent my grandfather to congratulate you, wishing Baron and Baroness a hundred years of happiness." Ivan had already thought about this speech for a long time.
"You are Viscount Kewei Elei Egret Hyde's grandson? I am very familiar with your uncle Audrey, why didn't he come this time?" the baron asked.
"My family is small, there is only Audrey uncle in the previous generation, all the business is managed by him alone, he is really busy. Originally, my uncle was planning to come and congratulate you in person, but something came up at the last minute and he had to solve it himself. My uncle really couldn't get away, he asked me to apologize on his behalf." Ivan explained.
After saying these, Ivan gestured, and Ted behind him respectfully presented the gift.
The gift wrapped in exquisite silk immediately caught the attention of the people around, everyone speculating what might be inside.
The servant behind the baron reached out to take the gift, and with the baron's approval, carefully unwrapped the silk wrapping.
If the exquisite silk made everyone nearby extremely curious, then what was inside clearly disappointed them.
Even the baron and baroness showed expressions of disappointment.
A tea brick sealed with wax, to those who didn't know its value, would indeed be disappointing with its unremarkable appearance.
The tea brick was originally dark and dull, looking like a peculiar jewelry box from a distance, light and airy in the hand, obviously not hiding anything inside.
The outer wax seal was extremely hard, having been transported from the distant East without any moisture along the way, the thickness and hardness of the wax can be imagined.
But the bright appearance of the wax seal did not prove its value, compared to lacquerware, it lacked the luster and colorful brilliance.
Most people obviously regarded this thing as another "ugly jewelry box," some already showing disdain on their faces.
And this was exactly what Ivan needed.
"Please thank your uncle for me, and convey my greetings to your grandfather," the baron said, not forgetting the proper etiquette, apparently not too concerned about this "unremarkable gift."
Ivan did not pay attention to what the baron said, he was waiting for the servant's handling of the gift.
Sure enough, he was not disappointed, apparently no one present recognized the origin of this gift, the servant even thought it was trash that should not appear in such an occasion, and casually stuffed the tea brick under many other gifts.
Seeing this situation, Ivan began his next planned action. He said, "Baron, a small gift is a token of respect. This was hastily prepared by my uncle Audrey to express his apologies for not being able to attend this grand event in person. This thing is quite fragile and cannot withstand pressure. If it cracks, it will quickly absorb moisture. If you plan to store it for a long time, please cut it into small pieces, place it in a sealed porcelain container, and seal the opening with wax to prevent moisture from entering."