Chapter 58: The Fallen Young Miss

He cured Princess Ailiya simply with several golden needles. You have to understand, even the Pope was helpless against the Princess's strange coma, yet this miraculous Viscount fixed the problem in no time.

The Emperor personally conferred a noble title upon him, an unparalleled mark of favor—and this was only the beginning of his rise to prominence...

Lately, word is going around that Marquis Luoxiqi thinks highly of him, and the two families have gotten quite close. Moreover, during a hunting trip, Xu Feng defeated the Demon Octopus and saved the daughter of Duke Walter, which made this southern noble leader immensely grateful to him.

Throughout the imperial capital, Xu Feng is now the man of the hour!

The steward no longer dared to be negligent, his manner becoming all deference. "My apologies for the discourtesy, Lord Viscount. Please follow me."

Xu Feng, holding Xiuer's hand, boarded Nasim's carriage. The interior was luxuriously and comfortably furnished—as one of the empire's wealthiest individuals, this man placed great emphasis on enjoyment.

The journey was not far, and after about ten minutes, the carriage gradually came to a stop.

"The Viscount's esteemed presence brings honor to my humble abode," a plump man said with a beaming smile as he approached. "Please forgive me for not coming further out to welcome you."

"Your Excellency is too kind."

Xu Feng also sized up the empire's largest slave trader. Though outwardly amiable, a nasty gleam now and then flashed in his eyes—clearly not someone easy to deal with.

However... since he had no conflicting interests with the man, he was here today to do business.

Nasim invited Xu Feng into the house, which served as his temporary office but was nonetheless lavishly and comfortably decorated. Servants presented fragrant tea, and after a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two quickly got down to business.

"Might I ask what brings Your Lordship here today?"

"Nothing major," Xu Feng replied, taking a sip of tea. "I have a new estate in Rotterdam and am short on hands. I'd like to purchase some slaves."

"Purchase slaves?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Nasim's face, but he quickly began calculating. If it were just ordinary slaves, they could be found anywhere. Why would this rising star of the imperial capital specifically request to see him? Unless...

Maintaining a calm expression, he asked, "Has Your Lordship already made a selection? Found something to your liking?"

"Yes," Xu Feng nodded. "I wish to purchase some barbarian maidens."

Nasim breathed a sigh of relief. Although barbarians were considered high-grade slaves, they were not particularly rare or valuable. If Xu Feng wanted them, he could just give them as a favor. "That's easy. How many does Your Lordship require?"

"Um..." Xu Feng calculated. The estate gifted by the Duke was quite large, so there would likely be plenty of work. "Fifteen."

"No problem."

Nasim's fleet had returned from its latest voyage with a bountiful harvest, including over two hundred barbarian maidens alone. Fifteen was truly nothing.

The steward standing nearby inwardly admired the situation. Normally, his master was not so accommodating—Lord Viscount's influence was truly remarkable!

"In addition, I also need some maidservants. Those noble ladies and madams who have been demoted to slavery—sell them all to me as well."

"This..." Nasim hesitated. Unlike barbarians, these former noblewomen and young ladies were hot items. At every auction, their prices were bid up to exorbitant levels. Selling them directly to Xu Feng would mean a huge loss.

Although he had no desire to offend this rising star of the imperial capital, the two had no prior relationship. Moreover, Nasim's creed was to never conduct business at a loss.

Seeing the other's troubled expression, Xu Feng felt somewhat displeased. He looked up and met Nasim's gaze. "Don't worry, I won't take advantage of you. I'll pay the full price. It's just that I don't have time to participate in auctions. How about two thousand gold coins for each noblewoman or young lady demoted to slavery?"

Two thousand gold coins?

Nasim glanced at Xu Feng in astonishment. This young master could truly be described as spending money like water. It should be noted that, according to the empire's cost of living, the purchasing power of a single gold coin was considerable. For instance, the luxurious mansion gifted by Duke Walter was worth a mere twenty thousand gold coins on the market.

Although they were once noblewomen and young ladies, they were now slaves after all. Even at auction, this price was already quite generous.

Instantly, a broad smile spread across Nasim's face. "Haha, Lord Viscount is too kind. Since Your Lordship is so sincere, how could I not oblige? In that case, consider those fifteen barbarian maidens as complimentary gifts."

Complimentary gifts? Xu Feng sighed. Though this man was greedy, he was indeed a business genius. In the Middle Ages, he had already conceived such an ahead-of-its-time promotional tactic.

"Um, and that Snake Clan maiden..."

Nasim's expression changed before Xu Feng could finish. "I'm sorry, Lord Viscount. That Snake Clan maiden has been reserved by a very important person. I have no authority over her. No matter how high a price Your Lordship offers, I absolutely dare not sell her."

His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. To be honest, Xu Feng hadn't originally intended to insist on purchasing the Snake Clan maiden. After all, a top-tier slave would undoubtedly command an astonishing price. Although Xu Feng was wealthy now, he wasn't inclined to waste money. However, the other's attitude only piqued his interest further. Hmph, reserved by a very important person?

Since buying was impossible, Xu Feng tried to subtly inquire about the buyer's name. But Nasim was far too cunning. His expression gradually grew somewhat displeased. "Lord Viscount, perhaps we should go see the slaves you've purchased."

"Very well."

Xu Feng, holding Xiuer's hand, followed him out, though his mind was now occupied with other thoughts.

Passing through the courtyard, they arrived at a castle—a sturdy granite structure with tight security. This was where the slaves were held.

"Lord Viscount, please make your own selection."

Xu Feng looked up and saw the iron gate ahead, crowded with barbarian maidens—likely several hundred in total. Although similar to humans, barbarians were different. Even among their women, the average height was around two meters. Their appearance... how to put it? Not exactly beautiful, but their figures were excellent. However, Xu Feng wasn't interested. Surrounded by beauties, he was here merely to select some servants capable of labor.

Of course, he definitely didn't want any "dinosaurs." Xu Feng examined them one by one and finally selected fifteen barbarian maidens—relatively speaking, the more attractive ones. While they couldn't be called eye-catching, at least they wouldn't embarrass him.

****Scene Transition****

"Sister, I'm scared!"

Looking at the iron bars before her, Laimor's face showed a mix of fear and sorrow. Just a month ago, she was still the daughter of Count Garen, a young lady of noble birth. But fate is unpredictable, and fortune changes in an instant. One morning, as she had just risen, a group of soldiers stormed into the Count's castle. Their home was confiscated, and her father was dragged to the guillotine.

She didn't know what crime her father had committed to incur the Emperor's wrath. The entire family—the men were either executed or exiled to the frontier as laborers, while the women were uniformly demoted to slaves.

Slaves—such an unfamiliar term for a former Count's daughter. Yet now, it had become the harsh reality she had to face.

Contemplating her future fate, especially as a beautiful young maiden, Laimor shuddered with dread.

But did she have a choice? Now, she was merely a helpless young woman.

"Don't be afraid!"

Feimo comforted her sister, though her own heart was equally filled with trepidation. Two identical beautiful faces—they were twins, their names differing by only a single character.

However, their personalities differed. Sister Feimo was more resilient, while her younger sister tended to be gentler and more delicate. Having suddenly fallen from being a Count's daughter to a slave, Feimo had cared for and encouraged her sister throughout their journey. Their mother had passed away long ago, and now, the two sisters truly had only each other to rely on.

*Creak—* the door was pushed open. Laimor threw herself into her sister's arms. Both girls trembled, fearful of the unknown and difficult fate that awaited them.

A plump man entered first. Could he be their future master? Watching the quivering fat on his body, both sisters felt a pang of dread.

"Lord Viscount!" Nasim's face was wreathed in smiles. "I'm sure you'll be satisfied with this pair of sisters. They were once the daughters of a Count."

After selecting the barbarian maidens, Xu Feng proceeded to inspect the maidservants he had purchased—the former noblewomen and young ladies. Yet, he found nothing but disappointment. How to put it? They weren't as beautiful as he had originally imagined. Upon inquiry, he learned they were all from minor noble families that had fallen into decline, with the lowest-ranking Baronets being the majority.

Strictly speaking, none were ugly—the least attractive were above average, and most could barely be considered beauties. However, Xu Feng was accustomed to being surrounded by peerless beauties, so his standards were naturally extremely high. These women were qualified to serve as maids in the inner courtyard, but he couldn't find one or two suitable to be personal attendants serving tea and water by his side.

Two thousand gold coins each... Xu Feng felt somewhat cheated.

Nasim was a very shrewd individual. Though greedy, he had no desire to offend this rising star of the empire. Seeing Xu Feng's increasingly furrowed brows, he naturally understood his dissatisfaction. Gritting his teeth—since the other party's offer was already generous enough—he decided to present a truly exceptional commodity.