Chapter Twenty: First Encounter

Two days later, on the outskirts of the city, at the Gaen Estate.

As an ancient noble house with a long history, the Gaen family had waned somewhat in recent generations, unable to expand due to their dwindling numbers and the lackluster abilities of their heirs. Yet, the Gaen Estate remained one of the most beautiful properties in all the royal city. The bell tower, the gardens, the stream—these were all kept immaculate by the family’s succession of skilled stewards, each renowned for their talent. Throughout the city, no family other than the royal house dared claim their estate surpassed that of the Gaens.

Unlike other estates, the Gaen family’s grounds bore a distinctly different character. While the Kingdom of Blossoms adored lush, fragrant roses, the Gaen estate exuded the traditional aesthetic of the Scarlet Cloud Empire. Upon entering through the main gates, one would find clusters of camellias in red, purple, white, and yellow lining the path, their flowers forming colorful cushions. Even rare variegated camellias flourished here. Now, at the peak of their bloom, they were encircled by vivid seven-colored hibiscus and thorny flowering crabapple, creating a unique beauty all their own.

Perhaps due to their smaller household, the Gaen Estate was also unlike other noble properties in another regard: there were not many maids. Each person had their own assigned tasks and spent their days in diligent labor. Of course, while they busied themselves, the estate’s master, Lord Eddie Gaen, kindly permitted his staff to focus solely on their individual duties, exempting them from receiving guests.

This was most unusual in the Kingdom of Blossoms, where noble maids traditionally performed multiple roles, and the ability to do so was itself a mark of a family’s pride and heritage. Such specialization was more common among upstart families who had recently acquired their wealth.

But for Eddie Gaen, the man who had hauled the family back from the edge of ruin and performed a sharp turn in their fate, traditions meant little—he had already trampled most of the Gaen family’s millennia-old customs in pursuit of profit.

Passing through the camellia clusters, one reached the section dedicated to chrysanthemums. It was not the season for their blooms, but from the unique shapes of the leaves and branches, it was easy to distinguish three varieties. Liu Tian did not study them closely, so he could not identify them further.

Beside the chrysanthemums grew a row of large rhododendrons, now in bloom, their delicate fragrance gently perfuming the air.

“Tian, look—the leaves of this rhododendron are prickly. Touching them is so ticklish, it’s wonderful,” Alice called as she skipped beneath the branches, gently stroking the soft, downy spines. Her innocent, joyful smile vied with the flowers around her for beauty, making it hard to discern whether it was the blossoms or the girl herself that was more enchanting.

Clearly, though Alice loved flowers, she was especially fond of these soft, velvety prickles.

“These plants have completely different growing needs. At the very least, they’re worlds apart. How did you manage to cultivate them all together?” Liu Tian, who was not overly concerned with aesthetics, found himself more curious about this: How did the Gaen Estate manage to nurture such a variety of delicate, finicky plants with such different requirements?

“I don’t really know,” Alice tilted her head. “The whole garden is managed by Steward Gimond. I think he has some kind of secret formula—just sprinkle it, and you can ignore most of the planting requirements. My sister says selling products made with the formula is a major source of the family’s income…”

What kind of magical technology was this? Just sprinkle it and the growing conditions no longer mattered? Imagine using that for farming!

Instinctively, Liu Tian’s mind leaped to this idea, but before he could voice the question, Alice seemed to anticipate it.

“The only problem is that it’s expensive. When I suggested to my sister that we use it for ordinary crops, she said it would cost more than we’d ever earn back. The only real profit is selling it at a premium to other nobles who want to show off,” Alice said, tapping her cheek thoughtfully.

“People obsessed with status are always the easiest to profit from,” Liu Tian agreed, his tone somewhat bitter—if it weren’t for such people driving up the price of antiques, he wouldn’t have had to spend so much on his last search for a source artifact.

As they chatted, they soon passed through the gardens and reached the main building. Before it stood a meticulously designed fountain, its clear water about half a meter deep, the bottom strewn with smooth, black pebbles. Small fish glided in the sunlight, occasionally darting and sending ripples across the surface.

At this point, the brief world shared by Alice and Liu Tian came to an end. Tia Gaen, already informed of their arrival, had been waiting at the door for some time. Upon sighting them, she stepped forward to greet them.

Unlike their previous meeting in the dead of night, Tia was clearly dressed with care: a touch of delicate makeup, lips painted a vivid red, and a simple white tea gown adorned only with a tiny tulip at her chest. The flower drew the eye down to the deep curve of her bosom, then to a slender waist barely the span of a hand. The tea gown, lacking a petticoat, subtly revealed her shapely hips and long legs—a stunning figure that could hardly be concealed, worthy of being called one of the two great beauties of the Kingdom of Blossoms.

Unlike Alice, who had inherited their mother’s black hair and eyes, Tia took after their father, with hair as crimson as blood and eyes like rubies—strikingly contrasted by her white gown.

This was attire one would wear only in the company of family or intimate friends. Yet, fully aware of Liu Tian’s arrival—a man she barely knew—why would Tia choose such a dress? Was it possible that she, so experienced in social circles, failed to understand the nuances at play, or did she have another intention?

“Hello,” Tia greeted him graciously, extending her hand. “Though this isn’t our first meeting, allow me to introduce myself: Tia Gaen, third daughter of the Gaen family. As my father and brothers have yet to return, I am currently acting as head of the house. Should there be any shortcomings in our hospitality, I ask your understanding.”

“Hello,” Liu Tian replied, taking her hand in a gentle shake. “I gather you’re quite familiar with the customs of the Scarlet Cloud Empire, Miss Tia?”

“My mother was once a noble lady of the Scarlet Cloud Empire,” Tia replied with a faint smile. “So I have some understanding, yes.”

“I have prepared around a thousand antiques related to the Lost Empire. Mr. Liu, you haven’t dined yet, have you? Why not discuss matters over a meal?” Tia, evidently favorably disposed toward Liu Tian, extended her invitation warmly.

“Very well,” Liu Tian replied. Though he sensed something odd, there was no malice, so he accepted.