The Young Lady of the Salmon Family

With a form-fitting tuxedo, wavy hair, and a layer of bright powder forcibly applied to his face, the freshly minted Liszt looked radiant.

"Perfect!"

Meiopal patted Liszt on the shoulder. "You will be the focus of every woman at tonight's ball."

"I have no such intention. Perhaps in a few years I might be keen, but for now, forgive me, cousin, I have no plans to get to know any noble ladies."

"I won't believe such insincere words. Don't worry, Liszt, the most beautiful thing in life is meeting the right person at the right time. Don't talk about letting things take their course; you must seize the opportunity."

"Is that the reason you've remained unmarried for so many years, cousin?"

"Don't turn the topic onto me; we are talking about you now."

Liszt smoothed his cuffs. Meiopal was quite good to him, and he actually wanted to tell his cousin that instead of chasing the socialite daughter of Grand Duke Sapphire in hopes of one day replacing the Long-Yam Family, it would be better to just settle down and marry a noblewoman.

However, the words died on his lips.

This situation surely carried the Marquis's will—the Long-Yam Family prided itself on being shrewd, and they might well be looking to climb higher. Once they married into Grand Duke Sapphire's family, their status would be unassailable.

As a small-town Baron, he had better stick to eating his coarse bread and stop worrying about the Marquis's ambitions.

After being dressed to the nines, he followed Meiopal to the hall where the ball was to be held. A few nobles had already arrived, chatting in the hall and enjoying the drinks prepared by the servants.

"Sir Meiopal, you finally decided to show yourself?" A noble walked over, holding a wine glass.

"It's not time for the ball yet, no need to rush, Martil."

Martil looked at Liszt. "And who is this?"

"My cousin. His father is the Count of Coral Island."

"So, the Tulip Family. A pleasure to meet you, I am Martil Crossbow."

"Liszt Tulip." Liszt maintained a polite smile, though he wasn't very enthusiastic. He was not a noble who enjoyed socializing, and attending this ball was a matter of necessity.

But he would have to endure it. Under Meiopal's introductions, he met the young nobles of Red Crab Island. They were basically all followers of the Long-Yam Family—nobles enfeoffed by the Marquis, owing complete loyalty to him.

The interesting thing about the noble system was this:

Nobles enfeoffed by the King were the King's vassals, and minor nobles enfeoffed by a noble were that noble's vassals. However, those minor nobles were not the King's vassals and did not need to pledge loyalty to the King. For example, Leewilliam, the Count of Coral Island, was a noble enfeoffed by the King and was the King's vassal, but Liszt was not; he only needed to pledge loyalty to his father.

After his father passed, he would need to pledge loyalty to his brother, Levis.

"Do you see any beautiful ladies you like? If so, tell me, and I can play matchmaker for you. Don't be shy." After greeting a circle of guests, Meiopal returned to Liszt's side. "Look at your brother; he has completely adapted to the ball's atmosphere and has already flirted with three daughters of Viscounts."

Following his gaze, one could see the average-looking Levis, who had said something that made a young lady burst into laughter.

"And your sister, she has people fawning over her as well."

Over by Lvera, two male nobles were chatting and laughing with her. She wasn't particularly beautiful, but with a little inquiry, one would learn that Lvera held a Baronetcy. For those Baronet Knights or nobles unable to inherit their family titles, she was a high-quality marriage prospect.

Once married, they could continue to enjoy noble status.

Liszt raised his fruit wine and clinked it against Meiopal's. "I wish them happiness soon. As for me, cousin, you really don't need to worry."

"Really, you don't?"

"Really."

"Fine, but I will still keep an eye out for suitable ladies for you."

"That's unnecessary." Liszt was speechless. This cousin was going too far; was he really that keen on playing matchmaker?

Meiopal shrugged slightly and whispered to him, "Actually, this is Grandfather's wish. He knows you aren't valued in the Tulip Family and hopes you can come to Red Crab Island. Besides, I need help. The Long-Yam Family isn't exactly flourishing; I have no siblings, and you know, I really hope you can come."

Liszt felt that Meiopal was speaking from the heart.

According to his conversion of units of measurement, Coral Island was roughly the size of a prefecture-level city, about ten thousand square kilometers.

Red Crab Island was ten times the size of Coral Island, around one hundred thousand square kilometers.

This area was equivalent to a province like Jiang or Zhe. Without highways, transportation relied on horse-drawn carriages, and the larger the territory, the harder it was to manage. Moreover, the nobility did not operate under a centralized system; the more minor nobles were enfeoffed, the more chaotic the territory management would become, potentially even shaking the foundations of the ruling family.

He thought about it—it would be a lie to say he wasn't tempted. Flower Town was a backwater with truly little development value.

Coming to Red Crab Island to develop, the Long-Yam Family would at least have to offer him a step up in status—a Viscountcy, which would come with a small city as a fief.

However, Liszt was very resistant to achieving this goal through a woman. "Let things take their course, cousin. If I find someone I like, I won't miss the chance, but don't force me if I don't."

"Very well."

As night fell, the ball began.

Soothing piano music flowed from the fingertips of a pianist, creating a suitable atmosphere for the ball.

As the host, Meiopal danced the first opening dance with a Viscount's daughter, then stepped back, signaling for everyone to find their own partners.

Liszt sat in a corner, watching the young men and women dancing gracefully in the center of the ballroom.

He made no move.

He had already sized up every woman attending the ball—tall, short, fat, thin, beautiful, or plain—and had formed his impressions, but unfortunately, none had captured his heart. Even though there were a few mature women who fit his aesthetic, age was an obstacle—he was, after all, only sixteen.

At this age, many nobles had already begun to live dissolutely.

But it was not yet the age for marriage; men at twenty and women at eighteen were the restless seasons for matrimony.

His gaze drifted over the crowd, landing on some unknown point in the void. A moment later, invisible smoke gradually emerged, coalescing into twisted Snake Script.

"Task: Fresh and tender alfalfa is loved not only by cows but also by horses. This is the foundation for establishing a horse farm and the starting point for building a career. Please settle the Alfalfa Bugs in the alfalfa grass. Reward: Three stalks of wild corn."

The task had existed for several days, and he felt a slight sense of urgency.

"I've delayed for several days; the alfalfa should have grown by now. I can probably settle the Alfalfa Bugs once I return... Wild corn, I wonder what it looks like. The yield should at least be several times higher than wheat."

Just as he was pondering the task:

A voice as melodious as an oriole suddenly reached his ears: "Hi, Liszt, may I sit here?"

The smoke dissipated abruptly.

Liszt snapped back to reality and saw a young woman of seventeen or eighteen, who looked somewhat like the Count's eldest daughter, Mary Crawley, from Downton Abbey. She had wavy flaxen hair, a sharp bridge of the nose, deep-set eye sockets, and thin lips that seemed to carry a smile.

It was quite standard, resembling her by more than eighty percent.

Meiopal had introduced her to him before; she was the youngest daughter of a viscount named Athena Salmon, whose family was famous for producing salmon.

Liszt offered a gentle smile and gestured with his hand: "Beautiful lady, any seat would welcome you."