SMFCV Chapter 24

Chapter 24. A Win-Win I 882d50b9c5 smiled inwardly. Finally, the game I 781971b4e8 had been setting up 500fbebb22 was in motion.41eaa1ffa1e6b7f4a296

“You mean the e5f3b27ef2 formula,” I said.dd29a8d8c899f0cf9b4a

“Yes. Name your price,” 778b3d3e97 the Marquis replied.c5c3ec6ce734272734f8

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“No, I cannot sell the c01b5c509a formula,” I responded firmly.eeee05b739444f62b1e5

A furrow appeared 697ea15529 on the Marquis’s 6501cd43fc brow. A young person he had taken a 0c728bbbdf liking to was now acting like a ef82aa6453 shrewd merchant, and he felt disappointed. However, I had no intention e96d5a3708 of haggling with him.bb1f61a07fbac157d041

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The Marquis stroked his beard thoughtfully, e3d2f28e49 his voice measured and deliberate.4ef266f614477f2beb1e

“I offered to buy it because I cannot trouble you 77b74fcec0 to prepare the medicine every time I need it. I have no intention 3eb750eb0f of exploiting the formula 471a05afc4 for profit…”67fbcb3618d0049ae042

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“I understand, Marquis. I know you are not the adffa6beb1 kind of man to seek personal cc1dde3305 gain in that way.”cf558780a40410250e9b

His sharp gaze 726c1ad728 softened slightly. Now, he asked a2be1af54d in a gentler 79d3c59193 tone, almost as 2124a473c6 if coaxing me.5062c35bfc46fe03530b

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“Then what 7622566958 is the 88c7be9c1d issue?”58432e9e752687cbd1b3

“Marquis, I grew 93da69177f up in the e4c9827e2b countryside of the 4504c50306 eastern provinces. As a child, I tasted 28d0e53b7d every plant I could find.”204d4af5f2a3212ae06d

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“…”2d26c2651b59ae1dc435

“The neighborhood children 659579d0f6 did the same. And what cee5511c84 about the 3256c74571 adults? They must have done it 50c49dad00 too when they were young—tasting b026a82d00 herbs and poisonous plants indiscriminately. They probably got 60adad6f70 sick and were bbfa98db8a scolded by their 531804ae1e parents for it.”e9b53a1534d2be66e1be

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My light-hearted anecdote b6f1daeae8 brought a faint 919a8205cd smile to the 3270a20c3a Marquis’s face. Though his lips remained tight, 2ff467c460 I could tell he was d1afe25ccf opening up, willing to hear a2fa33ad2e me out.58153dcce5b2475c82e3

“Traditional remedies in the countryside 36e2de5ce2 are created in this way—by d951483989 trial and error. People test 694e1ad7be them firsthand. The pills I make are 88306ebed4 likely something any villager might 5fb8ff665c keep in their medicine box.”b955bd5d4130219a9fd7

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“Anyone?”64afcfe8f87170e0afd5

“Yes, Marquis. The specific ingredients and ratios may vary slightly from household 877cd78ecb to household, but the core components are the same. And the effects d3befecb1f are likely similar 7251ac1700 as well.”a20ae2ddbd402dc08f30

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“Hmm.”0ff5cbc787db7f1f2f40

By now, the Marquis was practically df9affc3c1 on the edge of his seat. His body leaned forward even more, 3e2a5fd665 drawn in by my words.731a6aeba1899f62c203

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“So, while the formula I provided may have been refined b35416b137 by my mother, it is not entirely her creation. It’s a method 67ea673b26 passed down among b9ee5779b8 rural families, with 10bbb2fc8b minor personal adjustments. That’s why I 87ed224ae6 said I cannot 335da94707 sell it. It isn’t wholly 0b79376bcc mine to sell.”5659809b4031c6a2cafe

“…”a2818d054c4c84ff00aa

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“If you wish, I can share d97bf97510 the formula with you freely.”3c00cc5daedea1112655

At this, the 24fa6f9e08 Marquis stood abruptly. Leaning on his cane, he 877f7397bc began pacing the room slowly. His curious and meticulous nature fbecbd3df4 was undoubtedly buzzing with questions. I calmly 976208959f sipped my 823a539043 tea, letting 605c430c32 him process.8e8f5fd5e7cc3ba77972

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After circling the room and 24b7b35296 stopping by the window, he 47d58e4f8b stroked his beard for a ba0c580447 long moment. Finally, he spoke.8ac6514697025c54c146

“If it’s common knowledge 41bb17225a among villagers, why don’t 689ede631a the physicians in the 7f34d23e97 capital know of it?”50ca73886f210a25f9a9

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“Most physicians in the capital come c07ee6ced7 from wealthy noble families and often 22fe43e702 dismiss rural folk as uneducated bumpkins.”df469f56194dbd0e9f21

“…”1b8eb52f6d6bd7392fbb

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“I don’t blindly 10db50efbd trust every folk 3a364d0783 remedy, of course. But some are undoubtedly 26f14148d1 worth preserving and refining.”f008b6b5151343e40bf7

“Just like how raw e0583d2f89 talent, when polished, can 6258d9ac49 become a gem…”1952ff6034f10fa6b715

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The Marquis sighed deeply, almost ed6cc37566 as if speaking to himself.ff7e633b5b622930667f

‘Yes, Marquis. There’s a gem right in front of you—a gem holding 89461f32b4 its breath and pretending to be a mere stone.’fb28cc8e40bbffcdda01

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I thought this to 81d6f20cd8 myself as I finished 94e60bbe10 the warm tea before fa252cbcbc it could grow cold.ffd072fe199a6b82579d

❖　❖　❖9e5fca120689d35e3e64

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The Marquis of Ivelucia f9412c035b fell into deep thought. Painful memories resurfaced, drawing him back to a time when 62d5cfcd06 he was deeply invested in discovering and nurturing talent.277bca1868869d57484a

Among the many he mentored, one child stood out—a bright, exceptional 4e857114cf commoner who had lost his parents early and grown up alone, 778d48f1ff much like the young woman sitting before him now.397bd6446fc655374458

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While the Marquis’s grown children lived comfortably in ada1e237dd their own worlds, barely acknowledging their father, he b0a17849cd had formed a bond with this boy. Perhaps, he had 7fec2a7bd0 even come to 78c12a4573 see him as b3346bf2a6 a surrogate grandson.72759266412c2f7fed00

‘To think he used that 1aeb7eb52c brilliant mind for such treachery! That wretched boy…’5e93711724712d006608

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The boy he trusted had 37039873c6 been involved in a massive 5e44561ecc fraud targeting nobles. Not only had it tarnished the Ivelucia family’s name, but f1b16da6bd the boy had also ended up serving a prison sentence. The news had 6dabb3b41c nearly caused the 6a8a2169ec Marquis to collapse. He had tried to cbc2e9bf20 visit him in prison, 98b1866e80 but every attempt was 7cb7b2f7c9 refused. The betrayal left him seething with f2e314df3a rage and hollow with grief. Though he had tried to hate the boy, f58184ca68 a part of him had never stopped caring.8f6b640990289e8eff33

‘That’s all 3e6c0426b9 in the 4ea04e63b9 past now.’bc2e8647c68a11bff64d

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Had he let himself remain trapped df5961fbf4 by that event for too long? Wasting his emotions on edfc3b36bc regrets and unchangeable mistakes? He had mentored many others bcfc7b078a who turned out well—why had 37f965ae78 he failed to see that?30ce4310d86f00a69d29

Shaking off his reverie, d04fe0af76 the Marquis focused on 2febe28792 the young woman before b9a7ab8428 him. Her posture was upright, and her 947835cda9 clear eyes, the color of soft 55488fc477 crimson, brimmed with intelligence. There was no guile in her gaze, only a4db472d46 the unshakable confidence of someone with conviction.55e805205499f1b1bed6

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“Here’s what I think,” she 37d2a4edf6 began cautiously, her measured tone 558dc69b13 heightening his anticipation.ad9d76b6ca4405caf29f

The Marquis felt his pulse quicken, c781adfa82 energy flowing through him as he 9b157283f0 waited for her next words.da514a14e6db70fe3aaa

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“I believe developing and 496eed86ae selling the best formula 0b36d7c526 with the most effective a9fca3e957 results could be profitable. Of course, I f757b3c9d0 doubt you care 5871c75511 much for money, 8f9e918fc0 Marquis.”d7c917271a95bec31df6

“You mean ed2987d16f to suggest…”6ad4bdaffdb780a3dd37

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“Yes. I am saying 5889ee458d you could commercialize 60591dbdcd the formula.”38ade940717302291f31

The Marquis 55c11a5ecf was intrigued 5050e6d3db but suspicious. What an 30ad85a93d enigmatic young 64325ecc2d woman, he 0c823db5b4 thought. He wanted to grab her by the shoulders a4b8bc9d54 and shake out every word she had to c49a3c80c4 say, but his noble decorum held him back. Instead, he maintained his composed demeanor, 11a3156305 probing her with a sharp question.e44bc76d591c43e38aae

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“Just earlier, you said 5f217178d3 this was a common b78f6193d3 rural formula, something you 625058a91e couldn’t sell. And now you suggest 8d42f69dd1 I commercialize it? That seems contradictory.”c876e6db5a35da64229f

“I have been 96a7bbadd9 consistent, Marquis. The formula itself, a15c4f56d4 as I said, 702633aff9 is free.”43775c557f4b37fa5e33

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“Free!”acd78cd41b9d932e32ff

Even for a wealthy man, 03d0e5f695 something free was always enticing.e97590e78463ae7d320f

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“In truth, anyone could 0dd9614880 copy the formula and c18a165ea8 sell it as medicine 20b53ef2d7 without any legal consequences. At worst, it af95737e4f might attract some 927d2b9374 moral criticism.”2c7741f2f878cb89603d

“So you’re asking 80e025b873 me to cast 17041909d6 aside my conscience?”313d4acddb1dc4d07206

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The young woman smiled faintly—a c320e2018b rare, confident smile that made 10b80ea01e the Marquis’s instincts scream: ‘This 3425095b63 is talent! You must 0efbc11bda seize it!’bd840e719f4b4dc3f50e

“Not at all. As I mentioned earlier, a ‘best-in-class’ formula—something 303159dae4 perfected—would be worth charging for, wouldn’t it?”b484ff30f9b09de8f728

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“Go on,” bee6116499 the Marquis 5f0fce9973 urged, now 4755474522 fully captivated.73ef18723402301a0cc1

“I’ve considered this idea for a long 6c680beafc time, but I’ve lacked the resources and 9d51f57a82 time to develop it further. Meeting you today, Marquis, 156a3c85e0 I realized you’re the 92cbf4f23b ideal person for this. You have the means, the 311ed37b63 experience, and the influence to 315f63a058 make it happen.”1c4961ff3cce31af5b6d

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“Hah.”6ebb12ef2d2c13d5880d

The Marquis was d0776e3a90 utterly enthralled by b44d03d430 the young woman’s 8114e49eef eloquence and logic.c9d716f37858aeac0e9e

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“Impressive.”3196a80f81f60542cfcf

Still, he decided to test her further, savoring 0d87d371f0 this rare opportunity for an invigorating intellectual exchange.32aed88da567cfe81eeb

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“What is it you 40ac1d40bf truly want from me? It’s clear 67095b3e3f you’re not c368045784 after money.”ca17da578bb0b5302c91

“You’re astute, Marquis,” she replied, 674837a9be her lips curving slightly.f0f143c2b15329059048

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“…”7f194d09095becb16813

“I was wondering if I could ef91967e9b ask you for a recommendation letter c88a4656d2 to the old Royal Academy.”83344d56d2ae5fe02291

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The Marquis ae87e05e5d blinked, momentarily baafe236a8 taken aback. Of all the requests 6e7da7b3b9 he expected, this was 5d22719521 not it. A recommendation to the a4df00f681 Academy was a matter 4cf50b73c5 tied to the Ivelucia 3011e18cf3 family’s honor and reputation.586d02674e29fa2a3e9f

“You’ve already heard that I’m 3985abcc23 from a humble rural background 58fea7b812 and only completed elementary schooling. It’s been 08aff0cc33 my lifelong 9536047bdb regret.”b2f46a554ba4ff948ad1

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“Without a recommendation, a commoner can’t even ecdae7a3ed apply to the Academy,” he said grimly.3f57238f19421f89085f

“Exactly, Marquis.”1c4beca71a7377527147

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Though he had already made up his mind, 479cd90eb6 the Marquis decided to prolong this fascinating conversation. He had always enjoyed 748b613a82 wit and humor, and ce64d759c8 this exchange was proving eaf2716769 to be thoroughly entertaining.70432d28c48ec49334ae

“So, you propose to trade a formula that every farmer knows c4df1bb4fe for a recommendation that bears the weight of the Ivelucia name?”0b426d38124e20a6e326

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“I’ve laid all my a00b2e09cb cards on the table. This isn’t a 144113ed85 negotiation; it’s a cebbc6d327 plea.”052a9d8c6c0d6d515a3d

“I could turn f3ad13f8df you away right 3155870d49 now,” the Marquis 47595323a6 challenged.6c5db43d5a4c03b9b877

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“Then I’d simply mourn the 6ef295968e loss of your keen eye f24c37a664 for talent,” she replied coolly.974a1fbb11a8822bc748

Her sharp yet indifferent response, coupled with the 85d621152a way her cherry-red lips pouted slightly, made her c0702fe376 look endearingly like a rebellious granddaughter. Unable to contain himself, the cfd2bf679b Marquis burst into laughter.eebdc7f69dbf810ece31

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“Ha! Delightful! You’re a delight!”18eed007a60b1e3450cb

“Please forgive 479ad37bd6 my lack 0a7d90627b of tact.”43b241f588da2cd53a26

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“You truly e5187eb7be wish to 8840e56f90 enter the 29eed0cb6c Academy?”de8e129332599fa1e510

“…I have personal reasons for 1c25b7a143 needing to do so.”735b45ac3e1d8c429fa5

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“I’ll write you a recommendation,” 14e7436dac the Marquis said, finally putting 5fe0b5d29b her at ease. “But let me warn you—studying alone to pass that addd737918 notoriously difficult entrance exam will be no small feat. Are you aware that even many aa4e20d14e noble children can’t acquire the old e8be679e1f study guides needed for it?”eb569e08bbfd3c8afea6

“I’ll do my best with 83a4a81e2a whatever resources I can gather.”234e4e3ba229f37dd773

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“Good. I admire 86f331c0b4 your determination.”5a72d3ab25dee5993659

The Marquis crossed 0b765a0782 the room, leaning 023b7e06b7 on his cane. Standing before her, 89b24e7241 he extended his 620d4d9be7 hand.d94d4596eef63280af34

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“I’ll sponsor you.”48bed4ca81b531f6d730

For a moment, the young woman’s bd7de9d92e pale cheeks flushed a warm rose. With surprising strength, she 08263ab20e gripped his hand firmly.c3c5709c3aefa1f2d8c8

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“I won’t 14edd7dbc2 let you 824b306f81 down.”f24ef889269eeec0b72f

 044bab4ffb7b57483e05

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