Huo Qi put down the Imperial Daily and looked at the vase not far away and the bright yellow sunflowers in the vase, and his thoughts wandered.
He recalled the conversation he had with his father, the Marquis Bach, after returning home from the Cathedral of Senriches that day.
That night, Hodge told his father everything Prince Malthus said.
"Father, do you think I should go?"
Marquis Bach looked at Hodge calmly and did not give his answer directly, but asked: "Do you think you should go?"
"You have grown up and will soon be an adult. You can officially enter the imperial capital's social scene. You can make your own decision on this matter."
"Whether you choose to go or not, I support you and respect your decision."
Listening to his father's words, Huo Qi felt a little moved. He quickly calmed down his emotions, and after thinking for a while, he replied: "Father, I think I should go. This is an opportunity."
"Well." Marquis Bach nodded slightly, without asking for specific reasons, "I originally planned to let you take the path of aristocratic school. Since Prince Malthus invited you to manage the charity foundation and help you run it as a co-prosperity officer, you won't refuse, so just
Come on, take care of your own safety."
"Hodge, let me remind you, don't investigate things that are beyond your capabilities. You know what I'm talking about."
"The attack has wide implications, involving high-level officials in the empire. The disappearance of Princess Leia may also be related to this matter. Your primary purpose of entering the imperial capital this time is to increase your knowledge, improve your own knowledge, expand your social circle, and integrate into the imperial capital.
The aristocratic circle.”
"For the secondary purpose, you can try to contact the circle of extraordinary people. In addition to the circle where you trade magical items, you also need other circles. All kinds of circles can communicate with each other so that you can trade items to the greatest extent. Magician
I've already taken care of things for the association."
"Just take this letter of introduction and go directly."
Marquis Bach took out a pale yellow letter with a wax seal from his arms. It was intertwined with special complicated patterns, vaguely forming a clever fit, as if it contained some special power.
"Okay, Father." Hodge took the letter and put it away carefully.
"Everything else is not important. I have only one request for you. Protect yourself and be safe in everything. I'm not with you, so don't mess around. If you can't do it, just come back."
"What social?"
"What glory?"
"What face?"
"It doesn't matter. Your mother and I don't care about these things. As long as you are well and the whole family is together, that's enough. Our family doesn't need glory, wealth, let alone other things."
"Your life is more important than anything else."
Marquis Bach looked at Hodge and said very seriously.
It was the first time that Hodge saw his father, Marquis Bach, showing such an expression. He was serious, determined, but also a little uneasy and nervous. It was obvious that he went to the imperial capital, which made his father, Marquis Bach, very worried.
Father's love is always like a mountain, usually invisible, but no matter when, he is always there, watching you silently.
"I know what to do." Hotch nodded seriously.
"Well, that's fine."
…
"Dong dong dong..."
A crisp knock on the door rang.
Hodge's divergent thoughts gradually came back: "Come in."
A beautiful figure pushed open the door and entered, dragging a tray in her hand. On the tray were quite exquisite snacks, black truffle bread, milk toast, cheese cake, milk pudding, chocolate mousse, and a steaming cup of
Hot cocoa.
"Master, I brought some desserts from the kitchen. Can you please eat them?"
"If it's not suitable, I'll ask the chef in the kitchen to do it."
Anna put the tray on the table, placed the snacks on the table one by one, half-knelt on the ground, and asked softly.
"It's okay, it's very good. It's all my favorite food."
Hotch looked at the desserts on the table and nodded, with a smile on his face.
Desserts of different colors are extremely exquisite, arranged in order from left to right.
The hot cocoa was placed on the right side, where Hodge could easily access it.
Hotch looked at the cup of hot cocoa without changing his expression. He stretched out his right hand, picked it up, put it to his mouth, and asked casually: "Ana, do you want to eat it? How about we eat some together?"
"Master, I have already eaten." Anna responded softly.
"Oh." Hotch hummed, took a sip of hot cocoa, picked up the milk toast, and took a bite, "Anna, when did you become an adult?"
"Master, it will take more than ten days." Anna replied gently.
"Well, then you are a few days older than me." Hotch nodded, and while eating milk-flavored toast, he continued: "Will your family organize the coming-of-age ceremony for you?"
"Probably not." Anna shook her head and said softly: "The conditions at home are not good, so maybe I can add an extra bowl of potato stew and mutton... I remember it was like this on the day of my brother's coming-of-age ceremony."
"Then do you want to go back?" Hodge asked while eating milk-flavored toast and looking at Anna.
"No, the manor is very good. You and the Marquis are very kind to me, young master." Anna shook her head and said softly.
"Yeah?"
Hodge put down the milk toast, picked up the milk pudding, scooped out a piece of it with a spoon, and put it in his mouth. The sweet and soft texture exploded on his taste buds: "Well, it tastes good!"
"Anna, are there any difficulties at home recently?"
"If you have any difficulties, just tell me. With our relationship, I will help you solve it."
"Master, there are no difficulties at home, everything is fine." Anna replied.
"Well, that's good. I said I would give you a gift when you become an adult. Do you still remember it?"
Hotch put down the milk pudding, picked up the black truffle bread, took a bite, and said while chewing.
"Remember." Anna nodded.
"what do you like?"
"Just ask, I will satisfy you."
Hotch took a sip of hot cocoa and swallowed the black truffle bread in his mouth.
"Master, I..."
Anna was about to refuse, saying that she had nothing in particular she wanted.
A special voice sounded in her mind.
Hoarse, low.
"Tell him you want the golden citrine from the woods of Southend."
Anna instinctively wanted to resist, but soon she found that she couldn't control her body, and couldn't even blink.
Soon, Anna heard herself speaking:
"Master, my mother likes golden citrine very much. If I can bring one back, she will definitely be very happy."
Hearing this, Huo Qi thought for a while and murmured: "As for golden citrine, the most famous one is produced in the Southend Mountains and Forests. There is a peak in the Southend Mountains that borders the westernmost land of the fiefdom. The villages in that place,