Chapter 157 Attacking the Lord's Manor?
The sound of hooves was rhythmic.
Henry looked out of the carriage window at the sun-drenched wheat, a satisfied smile on his face. "With so much wheat, one can find peace of mind, knowing there's enough at home."
Tess nodded in agreement, her head leaning on his shoulder. She wished she could gather all the wheat and take it home.
Inside the carriage, Mila watched Tess, her eyes twitching. This guy's face was almost glued to Henry's face.
"What is she doing?" Mila noticed Tess's tail swaying and couldn't resist teasing her.
Tess froze, her face turning red, and she felt a strange sensation, collapsing weakly onto Henry.
"Tess, what's wrong?" Henry felt her soft body leaning against him, which made his heart flutter.
"I feel weak," Tess said, feeling a strange sensation creeping up her spine, making her whole body go weak.
Mila now only felt gums ache, which she had bitten herself. She quickly let go of the cow's tail in her hand. What did she do? She had actually ended up delivering Tess into Henry's arms.
"Are you hungry?" Henry was confused. He remembered that this morning, Tess had woken him up with her tail, demanding breakfast for the eighth full-fish feast in three days.
"No, I'm not," Tess quickly said, distancing herself from Henry. She turned to Mila abruptly, squinting slightly, saying, "Mila, you actually ambushed me!"
"You, stay away," Mila said, "It was an accident!"
"I'm going to get my revenge." Tess pounced on Mila, in the cramped carriage Mila had no chance of escaping, pinned beneath Tess's chest.
Tess tickled her, making her laugh uncontrollably.
"Let me go!" Mila struggled to breathe.
"Stop!" Mila laughed heartily as she was tickled, writhing like a snake all over.
"Henry, help me..." Mila laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks, she was really afraid of being tickled, reaching out to Henry for help.
Henry watched they play-fighting, amused as he looked at Mila's pitiful expression. Ellie had always been bullied by Mila, and now Mila had encountered Tess. It was really funny.
"Henry, I can't take it anymore, you're going to lose me..." Mila continued her act, waving her hand weakly and disguising her voice to sound very feeble.
Rolling his eyes, Henry looked at Tess, who was twisting her hips earnestly while tickling Mila, and he felt tempted to join in.
A loud slap echoed through the air, causing Tess to freeze in her tracks. She reached back to cover her pert bottom, pouting at Henry with violet eyes filled with reproach.
"Stop fooling around, we're almost at the castle." Henry cleared his throat lightly and turned to look out the window without missing a beat.
"Why are there so many people gathered at the castle gate?"
Henry saw all the well-dressed people gathered at the castle gate and quickly understood why. He signaled Leo.
"Sir!" Leo rode over on horseback.
"Go and drive those merchants away. Spread the word that I'll be at the Garden Eatery tomorrow," Henry said.
Leo replied, "Yes."
Leo and his men quickly approached the merchants.
"How dare you! Do you want to attack the Lord's Manor?" Leo accused the merchants.
His men drew their swords, glaring coldly at the merchants.
"No, no, we are here to see Miss Ellie on urgent business," The merchants, fearing Leo's wrath, explained.
"Ellie is not receiving visitors today. Disperse and don't block Henry's way," Leo commanded.
"Henry is back?!"
"We want to see Henry, we have a big business deal to discuss with him."
Upon hearing that Henry had returned, the merchants became even more eager, clamoring to see him as if missing the opportunity would cost them a fortune.
"Get lost!" Leo glared angrily, drew his sword, and threatened to strike, shouting, "So, you think you can just see Henry whenever you want? Get out of here."
"Yes, yes..."
The merchants immediately fell silent, intimidated by Leo, and began to retreat with their heads bowed, feigning a sense of helplessness, a common tactic among merchants.
The sound of hooves echoed as the merchants looked up and immediately recognized the carriage belonging to Lord Henry. They were about to shout out in excitement but were silenced by Leo's stern gaze.
The carriage entered the Lord's Manor, leaving the sighing merchants behind.
"If you dare cause a commotion in front of the Lord's Manor again, I'll have you all arrested," Leo coldly said before leading his men into the manor.
The merchants shuddered. They saw a seriousness in Leo's eyes, realizing he wasn't bluffing.
They discussed, "What should we do? If the restrictions aren't lifted, we'll have a hard time buying goods in bulk, and that means we won't make much profit."
"Let's wait. There will be an opportunity. The lord has just returned, right? Once he sees the income we bring him, the restrictions will be lifted soon."
Among the merchants was Soro, sneering inwardly. He wondered if these people took Henry for a fool or were just blinded by greed.
Just by looking at the wheat drying in the city, one could tell. As a noble, to only collect thirty percent wheat tax was the lowest in the entire country!
Who had the audacity to do this?
The commoners in this territory were incredibly fortunate! To have such a genius-like young noble as their lord.
Soro was eager to meet this Baron Henry.
Perhaps, he could introduce his most beloved daughter...
