The next morning, Feng Mo dressed carefully under the assistance of the three women. The noble attire looked impressive, but it was cumbersome to wear alone, so he usually reserved it for special occasions.
After listening to Chu Yunjian's stories about the Hua family the previous evening, Feng Mo felt well-prepared for the negotiations today.
"Master, Madam Hua Jin Xiu and Hua Ming Ling from the Hua family have arrived," announced a nearby robot, displaying a hologram of the two at the gate. Hua Jin Xiu still looked as alluring as ever, while Hua Ming Ling kept his head down, his expression hidden.
"Let them in," Feng Mo replied, turning to Chu Yunjian. "Let's go greet them properly so no one says that the Chu family and Earl Feng Mo lack manners."
Chu Yunjian nodded and followed Feng Mo to the parlor. Meanwhile, the robot led Hua Jin Xiu and Hua Ming Ling into the estate.
"Hua Jin Xiu is a Hua family elder, over 800 years old. Sending her here means they're relying on her age to intimidate us. Addressing her properly might be tricky," Chu Yunjian whispered, watching the two approach.
As the villa doors opened and the guests entered, Feng Mo stepped forward. "Madam Hua, Brother Ming Ling, welcome. I apologize for not greeting you sooner."
"There's no need for that, Earl Feng. Jin Xiu and Ming Ling hold no noble titles, so there's no need to inconvenience an Earl," Hua Jin Xiu replied, her words subtly implying that Feng Mo had overstepped at the auction. Today's negotiation, it seemed, would not be simple.
Ignoring her veiled barb, Feng Mo smiled. "Please, have a seat."
Once everyone was seated, Feng Mo continued with a calm expression, "At the auction, Brother Ming Ling publicly referred to me as a 'kept man,' which forced me to invoke Federation law to defend my dignity. Was it unreasonable for me to react as I did? Federation laws exist for a reason; those who defy them must accept the consequences."
Hua Jin Xiu hesitated. She couldn't outright criticize Feng Mo's actions without questioning Federation law itself. With a faint sneer, she remarked, "But what if Ming Ling was merely stating the truth? Then it wouldn't be an insult."
At that, Feng Mo's expression darkened. "I address you respectfully as 'Madam,' but don't take advantage of it. If this is the attitude you've come with, then there's no need for further discussion. I, along with the Chu family, have already reported the incident and provided the auction footage to both the Federation and our empires. Whether Brother Ming Ling faces punishment will be up to the law."
"You! Feng Mo! Do you really think an Earl's title makes you equal to the Hua family? Are you so naive as to think we lack the means to handle you?"
Hua Jin Xiu's composed facade crumbled, revealing her anger. Her usual charm and allure meant that most people accommodated her whims, but Feng Mo was not intimidated, and his resistance left her visibly shaken.
"The Hua family undoubtedly has its ways, and so does the Chu family," Chu Yunjian interjected, her tone firm. "The Earl isn't someone to be trifled with, nor is the Chu family."
Hua Jin Xiu looked unsettled. Just then, a robot entered and reported, "Master, a gentleman named Hua Yu Cheng is here to see you."
"Please bring him in," Yunjian instructed, glancing at Feng Mo.
Upon hearing Hua Yu Cheng's name, both Jin Xiu and Ming Ling exchanged surprised glances, an exchange that did not go unnoticed by Feng Mo.
A moment later, the robot led in a man of average height and unremarkable appearance. His face was so plain he could easily be lost in a crowd. Given the advanced stature and refined features of most in the interstellar era, he seemed unusually nondescript.
"Pardon the unannounced visit," Yu Cheng began politely, handing a gift box to the robot. "Please accept this token of goodwill. I came to resolve the issue with my younger brother. The Hua family holds the Earl in high regard and wishes to make amends."
Jin Xiu and Ming Ling quickly rose to stand behind Yu Cheng, showing surprising deference. Feng Mo observed this with a keen eye; evidently, Yu Cheng commanded great authority within the Hua family.
"Madam Hua mentioned earlier that the Hua family had many ways to deal with me," Feng Mo said. "Brother Yu Cheng, is this also your stance?"
"Oh? Did she say that?" Yu Cheng raised an eyebrow, casting a glance at Jin Xiu. She nodded uneasily, and Yu Cheng responded with a single word, "Slap."
To Feng Mo's astonishment, Jin Xiu, a matriarch of over 800 years, obeyed without hesitation, striking her own face ten times. Yu Cheng's authority was clearly formidable.
After the tenth slap, Yu Cheng motioned for her to stop and turned to Feng Mo with a respectful smile. "It was indeed wrong of my younger brother. We know you've been expanding your fleet, so as compensation, we offer you one million tons each of dark matter and dark energy crystals. Perhaps this matter can now be put to rest?"
This was an exceedingly generous offer. A million tons of dark matter alone was enough to build another Hurricane-class battleship. But Yu Cheng's comment, that the Hua family was aware of Feng Mo's shipbuilding efforts, held a deeper meaning.
"It's too generous a gift for a simple apology," Feng Mo said, glancing at the unopened box. "Surely, you have another purpose?"
"Why not open it and see?" Yu Cheng replied with a mild smile.
Chu Yunjian retrieved the box from the robot, opened it, and revealed a lead container. Feng Mo's eyes gleamed—he recognized it immediately.
It was a container specifically designed for interstellar seeds. As he opened it, an intense blue light flooded the room. Inside was a T4 energy seed, an invaluable resource for powering bio-starships.
Feng Mo carefully closed the container and turned to Yu Cheng. "A T4 energy seed, along with one million tons each of dark matter and dark energy crystals... Surely, you didn't bring all this just to smooth things over. So, what does the Hua family truly want?"
Yu Cheng's smile remained steady. "Simply to turn enmity into friendship."
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