SMFCV Chapter 24

Chapter 24. A Win-Win I 73d2e8f894 smiled inwardly. Finally, the game I had been 115fcab4a1 setting up was in motion.598aae2def52deb5f4eb

“You mean 787fecde5c the formula,” c21c6844f3 I said.37c3738c8ff032ee5a19

“Yes. Name your 7b95e89a24 price,” the 17a9c68dcd Marquis replied.8ea7e268cb2749ff2a13

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“No, I cannot abf60fe119 sell the formula,” 80c086b45b I responded firmly.8f27463a12e99c3038e1

A furrow appeared 75e0a6bcd2 on the Marquis’s f1c6947064 brow. A young person he had 1014de1e14 taken a liking to was f631b03f79 now acting like a shrewd 5a383752ee merchant, and he felt disappointed. However, I had 0626d6aebc no intention of 058a23642d haggling with him.015dcb8736348f4f083b

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The Marquis stroked his 34acc470ea beard thoughtfully, his voice 3cd12ddfd6 measured and deliberate.cd278730579d3c3a7628

“I offered to buy it because I f757f06093 cannot trouble you to prepare the medicine 059459038a every time I need it. I have no intention edbc98b2df of exploiting the formula c5d82ea53c for profit…”6c4427dc5845592a1ab6

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“I understand, Marquis. I know you are 1e10efc5f6 not the kind of a7f1c2e0dc man to seek personal b368a94233 gain in that way.”6da591952ed08d5f5710

His sharp 97e586f22b gaze softened 8a9cde4d17 slightly. Now, he asked in 0f0fdeccac a gentler tone, almost 863d041a6e as if coaxing me.c34428ec60ae7fad7f7f

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“Then what is 1387b19816 the issue?”0c70d1c9f9b4d5bc1fa2

“Marquis, I grew up in the f20ca93ce5 countryside of the eastern provinces. As a child, I tasted 9e8422cb98 every plant I could find.”cce47b9c9e9b5c770138

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“…”61c324b5acfd21bdeccd

“The neighborhood children 6c2c1617a7 did the same. And what c044137a08 about the 4d96142f30 adults? They must have done it 854dfc9418 too when they were young—tasting 77d2ad9c7b herbs and poisonous plants indiscriminately. They probably got a77ce6c06e sick and were 65541f2c4a scolded by their eb6d72cd38 parents for it.”7a64839d075534368714

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My light-hearted anecdote brought 13eecdc235 a faint smile to 2ddc579eb3 the Marquis’s face. Though his lips remained tight, I 60717ca7d7 could tell he was opening up, d049d42714 willing to hear me out.c37715021563d6682d5d

“Traditional remedies in the 46562bb641 countryside are created in 5e4b1b8e4d this way—by trial and 886a242b18 error. People test 846c04c78b them firsthand. The pills I make 2cc7f27562 are likely something any 2ccde6886f villager might keep in 3804e2877f their medicine box.”bc66257b230ec62cdb5f

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“Anyone?”0ff863894196ea41e1ba

“Yes, Marquis. The specific ingredients and ratios dd9b4a8450 may vary slightly from household c54699333a to household, but the core 50f8cd218f components are the same. And the 5ac96577a0 effects are 5e370b36a6 likely similar c93633a926 as well.”911da2831d9a0ed3f571

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“Hmm.”07c6ecfc21492296f02b

By now, the Marquis was practically 23a79621ac on the edge of his seat. His body leaned 9a0d77d404 forward even more, 6257c9aedd drawn in by 3e1bcabc81 my words.568faa0f9a8f6e822346

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“So, while the formula I provided may have been refined 1fe3d374f6 by my mother, it is not entirely her creation. It’s a method 637e06fb6b passed down among af982b4c50 rural families, with 6bbe724dcd minor personal adjustments. That’s why I said f0bc55b157 I cannot sell it. It isn’t 3e5af19084 wholly mine 8430e784d6 to sell.”7d5d2e35d96db899f367

“…”52f760fc2fb8a58ad359

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“If you wish, I can share ae5ce71656 the formula with you freely.”eea742da879c1fea8446

At this, 29a7e86451 the Marquis 296beb515c stood abruptly. Leaning on his 0ae53de5d3 cane, he began f22e386b95 pacing the room 3add7ee3fc slowly. His curious and b168842442 meticulous nature was 86ce1beea8 undoubtedly buzzing with ac3df25b1b questions. I calmly sipped my b394dd47a0 tea, letting him process.7522096265b16cb61f07

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After circling the room and stopping ff34666014 by the window, he stroked his 29d582f213 beard for a long moment. Finally, he spoke.b1828ba8b736c2bbf7e2

“If it’s common knowledge among villagers, 0a2f9e391b why don’t the physicians in the dce4987543 capital know of it?”29fa5c71161783293c5e

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“Most physicians in the capital come a65711298a from wealthy noble families and often c983bcc1d7 dismiss rural folk as uneducated bumpkins.”9e8e0d037d96e2a13173

“…”a784f884b0d6dc45b194

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“I don’t blindly trust every 2b02fdeeef folk remedy, of course. But some 7b94583757 are undoubtedly b46ff87f02 worth preserving dc5a4d5ad7 and refining.”42ad841f8241f198eaf6

“Just like how raw 4c0042f783 talent, when polished, can 365e1e4664 become a gem…”0b0c0e8d09fc2d96d641

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The Marquis sighed deeply, almost c9f87d8722 as if speaking to himself.68f01959b3f4791f6668

‘Yes, Marquis. There’s a gem right in front of you—a gem holding 02d7dcd2c6 its breath and pretending to be a mere stone.’e7d69b55037fbc96c4c8

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I thought this to myself as I finished fc17b19fdd the warm tea before it could grow cold.ffff48ddec39d9509ddb

❖　❖　❖7b33884f1dba396156f0

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The Marquis of Ivelucia 3538fb4c81 fell into deep thought. Painful memories resurfaced, drawing him back to 31d47f3cda a time when he was deeply invested 8c803eb07c in discovering and nurturing talent.f5ee9e9b0d9d6937f710

Among the many he mentored, one child stood out—a bright, exceptional 5e42b310cf commoner who had lost his parents early and grown up alone, caab0c4b3f much like the young woman sitting before him now.f56e093cdebe40a15771

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While the Marquis’s grown children lived 861a730c4d comfortably in their own worlds, barely b0e1454fbe acknowledging their father, he had formed 7f65c9e231 a bond with this boy. Perhaps, he had 2339b054bd even come to 604ae2ffb6 see him as 0e34c11e9e a surrogate grandson.bb504414703424800832

‘To think he used 973698d6fd that brilliant mind for 0a0c21f613 such treachery! That wretched boy…’ce30b94f22c2e41dd883

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The boy he trusted had been involved cf5d985796 in a massive fraud targeting nobles. Not only had it tarnished the Ivelucia family’s name, but 133fe15860 the boy had also ended up serving a prison sentence. The news had 2504659360 nearly caused the 24fb6ccd59 Marquis to collapse. He had tried to visit him in b0fa082de9 prison, but every attempt was refused. The betrayal left f503c7e15e him seething with a452d31732 rage and hollow 49010e0366 with grief. Though he had tried to hate the boy, 2005d08ef6 a part of him had never stopped caring.3cdc1c764b2394e2ebea

‘That’s all 5d9f3f1fa1 in the 39baee3e7b past now.’48480152cc03ffee41e8

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Had he let himself aaf2443663 remain trapped by that 7b542ac13b event for too long? Wasting his emotions 7a9f75a4e1 on regrets and 322bc44199 unchangeable mistakes? He had mentored many others who turned out 0425673233 well—why had he failed to see that?63644000b706ea6f47d2

Shaking off his reverie, the cd065d13fc Marquis focused on the young bd847abf90 woman before him. Her posture was upright, and her 95fb4a5076 clear eyes, the color of soft c1401ac278 crimson, brimmed with intelligence. There was no guile f21747ccaf in her gaze, only 6ec65aa0c0 the unshakable confidence of d1debcca93 someone with conviction.ae6ac518c796a2d236d8

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“Here’s what I think,” she cb2b0baade began cautiously, her measured tone 8bbc032957 heightening his anticipation.3dfd16a78dea98e2b0a9

The Marquis felt his pulse quicken, energy flowing through 581b9a25f0 him as he waited for her next words.711788104652a07a9b94

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“I believe developing and selling the 6548849d5e best formula with the most effective 41ee2336e9 results could be profitable. Of course, I 6a6b4b767c doubt you care 2554d028a8 much for money, e8f7c44150 Marquis.”13d07d090fb04c13be7a

“You mean 3d43410242 to suggest…”fe42e778da654f344394

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“Yes. I am c776d8fc85 saying you 49382b9521 could commercialize 6d35178c72 the formula.”15a5ff6300c9556edf7b

The Marquis 03f6157b18 was intrigued a820ae684e but suspicious. What an enigmatic young 81c6e858bb woman, he thought. He wanted to grab her by 58aaa6bc32 the shoulders and shake out every c3142aec15 word she had to say, but 2280a2f35c his noble decorum held him back. Instead, he maintained 533b8edd90 his composed demeanor, 8db6c893a5 probing her with 4cecd46607 a sharp question.01073fa65c6dc3fdc9c3

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“Just earlier, you said this 488557632a was a common rural formula, bb1a94328f something you couldn’t sell. And now 80fdadf7f3 you suggest 0375ac56c8 I commercialize c8bfd15244 it? That seems contradictory.”163b8e45aa77be984c02

“I have b8dc08f040 been consistent, e64e99fb45 Marquis. The formula itself, as a5d8cfffc9 I said, is free.”ff86c2617b7f20492db2

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“Free!”dbf2db3af79eca7b7da7

Even for a wealthy man, 086ee5df03 something free was always enticing.a66d0ca8068db1fbbad8

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“In truth, anyone could copy the 44018c1218 formula and sell it as medicine d9db3a5b94 without any legal consequences. At worst, it 651ee8f411 might attract some d460554a53 moral criticism.”cb828333a24852cb061d

“So you’re asking 27e30e6a7c me to cast 6ad83a78a9 aside my conscience?”b11d65569a42c29e3ad9

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The young woman smiled faintly—a rare, 17e5856e10 confident smile that made the Marquis’s 5c2e3075a1 instincts scream: ‘This is talent! You must 03181f040b seize it!’04c90b0e4594a696e36d

“Not at all. As I mentioned earlier, a ‘best-in-class’ formula—something a02e9d499b perfected—would be worth charging for, wouldn’t it?”2c40a11d75550f356ffb

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“Go on,” df5ba3574f the Marquis 6998db7138 urged, now 842d2173c1 fully captivated.0c7d3699a2b1dc633a75

“I’ve considered this idea for 571f59fdb7 a long time, but I’ve 9adb5ed448 lacked the resources and time a4fc0a6bb3 to develop it further. Meeting you today, Marquis, 178cee5a54 I realized you’re the 6ff460a794 ideal person for this. You have the means, the 44ffefbdcc experience, and the influence to 40708e2524 make it happen.”ab0d1ef2bf3dbb48e322

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“Hah.”dfc1eadcae4046acf11b

The Marquis was utterly enthralled by 0dd26f8762 the young woman’s eloquence and logic.b2c0a2ba6db586582ec5

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“Impressive.”fb4440f8de50115ebe7b

Still, he decided to test her further, savoring 3594ed2a62 this rare opportunity for an invigorating intellectual exchange.a6136ba775ffc7f3f78b

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“What is it you f0f7506cc9 truly want from me? It’s clear 8474abe11a you’re not e98782251f after money.”bfce4bee38751672cd2d

“You’re astute, Marquis,” 176c5abfb3 she replied, her aa7ef6fc9d lips curving slightly.6c859440df7510536362

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“…”bf4053f448fec580dcb5

“I was wondering if I 9e8aa77206 could ask you for a dfeb522edf recommendation letter to the old 9b7f4454fb Royal Academy.”b35139f5010e09f26f1e

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The Marquis 333db56b57 blinked, momentarily 624bc884ff taken aback. Of all the requests he 6db0650fbf expected, this was not it. A recommendation to the Academy was 869ab4fd03 a matter tied to the Ivelucia 0d01cd6e6b family’s honor and reputation.89c372d773de245422e5

“You’ve already heard that I’m from a humble 43c9e32984 rural background and only completed elementary schooling. It’s been my f84b9570c4 lifelong regret.”2dbac94bb3864ac6d3a4

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“Without a recommendation, a commoner can’t even 4d14521c70 apply to the Academy,” he said grimly.d68c805319eb161ba7e7

“Exactly, Marquis.”26df69e86233b27f69f3

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Though he had already 3e2f7d6679 made up his mind, def3671ad4 the Marquis decided to fa29e0f727 prolong this fascinating conversation. He had always enjoyed wit and 7cd37bf09f humor, and this exchange was proving dbfd36e6a8 to be thoroughly entertaining.6a7e4ef5559fac44004d

“So, you propose to trade a formula that 1086659fb0 every farmer knows for a recommendation that bears 6a189babcb the weight of the Ivelucia name?”76b187cc8e4742ac092a

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“I’ve laid 1358ef8e35 all my f57ca3cbc3 cards on a2dd609cc5 the table. This isn’t 4dd4e8e2b2 a negotiation; 3c28499791 it’s a 3a63154590 plea.”c77f71129e8a12fae90b

“I could turn you e6ed8350fe away right now,” the 2f5894c508 Marquis challenged.e8bfb8911a75284b4ac0

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“Then I’d simply mourn the a568c913df loss of your keen eye 338dd17916 for talent,” she replied coolly.ed2948e3c4c58e0f158d

Her sharp yet indifferent response, coupled 08e3606f2e with the way her cherry-red lips 862d7da732 pouted slightly, made her look endearingly 259f5e19fb like a rebellious granddaughter. Unable to contain himself, the 7ad18dbf96 Marquis burst into laughter.d44cfa55362f11d72720

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“Ha! Delightful! You’re a delight!”c177921bcf2d72ebe71e

“Please forgive 5dc3f47d82 my lack 1a4bb81db7 of tact.”c0cda397b87c9b876daf

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“You truly wish to 71dc0e71ae enter the Academy?”999cacefb10ff30d6942

“…I have personal e60fbd15a3 reasons for needing 19ac67540e to do so.”569e2dc59314f621c463

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“I’ll write you a recommendation,” ce1e6c1700 the Marquis said, finally putting c765cedd90 her at ease. “But let me warn you—studying e4577b68f0 alone to pass that notoriously 5b0da8d27f difficult entrance exam will be 5a61045e13 no small feat. Are you aware that even many 08d5f6a5a9 noble children can’t acquire the old b5fdc69daa study guides needed for it?”698d0fd7f6cdd8ae5100

“I’ll do my c20b335378 best with whatever 6e8d5f851e resources I can 32ba640832 gather.”82a1d01ca2456f331f5f

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“Good. I admire 91e6d12c72 your determination.”a6b9920e194365a3d9d2

The Marquis crossed 6db74a94f2 the room, leaning ee1524adf7 on his cane. Standing before her, 1a4d1d229a he extended his 0a43420fe7 hand.0dfb2befc3b12b23ecbb

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“I’ll sponsor you.”a3c0cbd064a1fbe598bb

For a moment, 6d14ff9b64 the young woman’s 25885ea9c3 pale cheeks flushed a041e1b120 a warm rose. With surprising strength, she 9c99caa41b gripped his hand firmly.f56a6c201e6598003e40

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“I won’t d426ddf267 let you e2c93f0a80 down.”8c90b59f5920e208f807

 667cd969045364e23b2d

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