Mystery: But the Witch's Path

Chapter 71 Lunch at the Hall Family

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 'magical items' at home? May I go take a look?"

Altair smiled, nodded, and said, "There are some magical items, but if you want to see them, it will probably be next year. I'm planning to leave Backlund soon and return to my ancestral lands for the winter."

After hearing Altair's words, Audrey sighed sadly, "You're leaving Backlund to go back to your ancestral lands for the winter too."

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

"Yes." 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 home for the winter for three years. We spend every winter in Backlund."

"However, my family has a manor in the northwest suburbs, where the clouds are thin and the sun shines brightly. Every winter when the temperature in Backlund is too low, we move there, and we also go to the manor to spend the New Year."

"At the same time, the northwestern suburbs of Backlund 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 been told. Large estates usually build special greenhouses to grow citrus fruits, grapes, figs, and other fruits for consumption.

However, even without a greenhouse, the mother's pathway sequence seven 'Harvest Ritual' can catalyze growth. Given the wealth of the Earl of Hall's family, they could afford to feed Audrey grapes even if she ate them like rice.

"Tap...tap...tap"

As a knock came at the door, Audrey turned to look at the study door and asked 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.

When the girl saw that the two of them were looking at her, she explained, "Miss Audrey, Count 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."

When the two arrived at the restaurant, they sat down directly to 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, a fresh fruit platter, and a bottle of Ormere 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. Count Hall was the first to ask, "Altaire, have you heard about the abolition of the Grain Law recently?"

Altair, who was intently cutting his steak, paused briefly upon hearing that Count 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 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. When the public learned of this news, they thought it was a good thing for the country and its people. Small-scale protests started in October and have become impossible to suppress. Now 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 Grain Act?"

Altair put down his knife and fork and explained to Earl Hall, "My family has never been involved in these political matters, and I am not yet an adult and have not officially joined the House of Lords."

"But based on the time from the bill's introduction to the vote, I will most likely be an adult and a member of the Senate 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 ordinary people will be able to buy food at a low price, and the cost of living will be lower."

After putting down his knife, Hilbert smiled at Audrey and explained, "The Grain Act stipulates that grain cannot be imported when prices are low; imports can only be used to alleviate grain prices when they are high enough."

"If this law is repealed, on the most basic level it will indeed be as you said: people will have cheap food and will no longer have to worry about food."

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

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

"Once 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, Hilbert quickly said, "Audrey, don't worry. Our family's main income doesn't come from these things, so this won't have a large-scale impact on us."

The atmosphere at the table changed because of Audrey. Earl Hall glared at Hilbert, 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 the steak, saying softly, "The new factory area 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 the wine glass beside him, 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, the times are always developing rapidly and will not 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 that the Navy has a major project coming up soon. If possible, I'd like to trade land for iron ore mines."

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 coming from deep within the villa.