Lunch at the Hall Family's

This shows that Audrey's father, Earl Hall, truly doted on his only daughter, giving her so many valuable gifts simply because of her hobby.

After Audrey finished her introduction, she turned around and asked:

"Sister Altair, do you have any of these special ' Mystical Item ' at home? May I go take a look?"

Altair smiled, nodded, and said, "There are some Mystical Item, but if you want to see them, it will probably be next year. I'm planning to leave Bexland soon and return to my Ancestral Land for the winter."

After hearing Altair's words, Audrey sighed sadly, "You're leaving Bexland to return to your Ancestral Land for the winter too."

"Also?" Altair asked curiously, "Isn't your family planning to leave Bexland anytime soon?"

"Hmm." Audrey nodded slightly and explained, "My father holds an important position and it's difficult for him to get away. Our family hasn't returned to our Ancestral Land for the winter for three years; we spend every winter in Bexland."

"However, my family has a manor in the northwestern suburbs, where the clouds are thin and the sun shines brightly. Every winter when the temperature in Bexland gets too low, we move there, and we also spend the New Year at the manor."

"At the same time, the northwestern suburbs of Bexland are also a well-known grape-growing area in the North Continent. I can sit in front of the fireplace and eat freshly picked grapes."

"Fresh grapes in winter" —Audrey had almost forgotten about it if she hadn't mentioned it. Large estates usually build special greenhouses to grow citrus fruits, grapes, figs, and other fruits for consumption.

However, even without a greenhouse, the Mother Pathway Sequence Seven "Harvest Sacrifice" can catalyze growth. Given the wealth of the Earl Hall's family, they could afford to provide grapes even if Audrey ate them like rice.

"Tap... tap... tap"

A knock came at the door, and Audrey turned to look at the study doorway, asking curiously, "What's wrong, Annie?"

Following Audrey's gaze, Altair also turned to look at the doorway and saw a well-dressed and capable young woman dressed in a white and black outfit.

Seeing that both of them were looking at her, the young woman explained, "Miss Audrey, Earl Hall just sent word that lunch is ready."

"Now, I would like to invite Count Altair to lunch."

After hearing the maid's words, Audrey turned her head and said...

"Sister Altair, let's head to the restaurant for our meal."

After the two arrived at the restaurant, they sat down directly to the Earl Hall's left.

After the two were seated, a servant brought out the food on a plate: French Onion Soup, Pan-fried Salmon with Asparagus, Medium-rare Steak with Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Fruit Platter, and Aurmir Wine.

After cutting off a small piece of steak and putting it in his mouth, Altair instinctively praised the Hall Family's chef, saying that the steak was indeed delicious.

As lunchtime progressed, the group began to chat while eating. Earl Hall was the first to ask, "Altair, have you heard anything about the repeal of the Corn Law lately?"

Altair, who was intently cutting his steak, paused briefly upon hearing that Earl Hall had mentioned it, before resuming his work and saying:

"I've heard a little bit about it. After all, this matter has caused quite a stir. I heard that it has moved from being a proposal to being handled by the House of Commons?"

Upon hearing this reply, Earl Hall gave a soft "hmm" and explained, "Someone proposed implementing it earlier this year, but no one took it seriously at the time, and it was eventually dropped."

"But something happened in September, and the public, upon hearing the news, believed it was a good thing for the country and its people. Small-scale protests began in October, and now they are impossible to suppress. The cabinet can only let the House of Commons take over first to see if it can be implemented."

"What do you think are the pros and cons of abolishing the Corn Law?"

Altair put down his knife and fork and explained to the Earl Hall, "My family has never been involved in these political matters, and I am not yet an adult, nor have I officially joined the House of Lords."

"But based on the timeline from the bill's introduction to the vote, I will most likely be an adult and a member of the House of Lords by then. At that point, I will most likely abstain from voting."

Hearing Altair's words, Audrey asked curiously, "Isn't this a good thing? Then Commoner can buy food at a lower price, and the cost of living will be lower."

After putting down his knife, Hibbert smiled at Audrey and explained, "The Corn Law Act stipulates that grain cannot be imported when prices are low; imports can only be used to alleviate prices when they reach a certain level."

"If this law is repealed, on the simplest level, it would indeed be as you say: people would have cheap food and wouldn't have to worry about food anymore."

"But this also means that farmers' income will decrease."

"Although most of the land is owned by nobles, it's not nobles who grow the crops."

"If this law is repealed, it means that nobles will lose a lot of rent, and farmers will also lose the right to sell their grain at high prices."

Seeing Audrey's dejected expression, Hibbert quickly said, "Audrey, don't worry. Our family's main income doesn't come from these things, so this won't have a large impact on us."

The atmosphere at the table changed Audrey. Earl Hall glared at Hibbert, then turned to Altair and said, "So, do you think this bill will be implemented?"

Altair picked up his knife again, lowered his head, and began cutting his steak, saying softly, "The New Factory District is now officially on track, but I think it can still be expanded."

What does Earl Hall think?

"I agree with you." After saying that Earl Hall picked up his wine glass, began to drink red wine, and asked, "When do you think would be a good time to expand?"

While enjoying his meal, Altair casually remarked, "I think the New Factory expansion must be completed in at least two years."

"After all, times are always changing rapidly and won't stop because of personal reasons."

Earl Hall fumbled for his wine glass and asked:

What kind of factory do you think should be built in the next two years?

"Steel." Without thinking, Altair blurted out, "There will always be a large demand for steel, and I've heard the Navy has a major project coming up soon. If possible, I'd like to trade land for Iron Mine."

After finishing his steak, Altair felt his mouth become dry and his sense of smell become more acute. He could gradually smell a faint scent of blood deep within the villa.