Chapter 35: The Clever Lady

Red Hazel Town is a remote place, yet its land is fertile and it boasts abundant mineral, fishery, and forest resources. Guarded by an ancient altar, the town had been free from the harassment of magical beasts for decades. Its people had enjoyed a long period of peace; although they lived in relative poverty under the exploitation of the Ordos family, they at least lived without constant fear.

Now, the sudden appearance of magical beasts made the old butler, Linde, and many of the townspeople feel as if the end of the world had arrived.

"They are a family of four from Goodmorning. They probably wanted to escape the town for safety, not realizing the magic wolves had already blocked the roads," Linde said in a hurried tone, though his voice was strong. Zohan’s healing potion had been remarkably effective, significantly alleviating his chronic lung issues.

"Very well, I shall see what the situation is," Lady Ordos said, suppressing her impatience.

Zohan had performed the Clam Cleansing Spell on her several times and even used her as a subject for his magical experiments. Still, having the opportunity to witness him perform it on others filled her with a sense of anticipation. In the serialized novel *The Aristocratic Code*, she had read about noble lords who would have noble ladies and mistresses serve them together. Those mistresses were often high-born socialites, and the atmosphere described was inexplicably intoxicating.

Lady Ordos did not actively seek out such arrangements, but now, with the young, powerful, and—most importantly—handsome and robust Mr. Zohan, alongside Nina, who posed no real threat to her, how could she not feel expectant? She had been nurturing these thoughts in her mind for a long time and was physically prepared to participate at any moment.

She walked out the door, though her expression remained unpleasant. Linde assumed she was simply reacting to the urgency of the situation—after he had recovered, he felt relieved to hear that Lord Ordos had left the estate. With the Lady in charge for the past few months, everyone in the manor had been able to breathe a little easier. He never imagined that Lady Ordos was mentally cursing him as well.

Passing by the historic fountain in the manor courtyard, Lady Ordos paused. She had heard that this fountain was built by the Lord’s grandfather in the year of his birth. Now that the man was dead, the fountain still functioned, its water spraying twice the height of a person, full of vitality. It was quite nice; Lady Ordos felt that she, too, was just like this fountain—no longer parched, but erupting with the vigor of youth.

"What is going on?" Lady Ordos reached the main gate to find Bobur shouting loudly. Having heard about the threat of the magic wolf pack, Bobur had disregarded his injuries and ordered his men to carry him to the manor for refuge.

"These people! They all want to run inside the estate!" Bobur said, seething with anger.

The manor gate was blocked by spiked wooden stakes, keeping the residents of Red Hazel Town outside. They were dragging their families along, each carrying bundles; most held pots and pans, and two people were even carrying a wooden bed frame. The adults looked worried, the children were bewildered and blank, and the cries of infants added to the chaotic scene.

Lady Ordos could not help but be overjoyed.

"Open the gate and let everyone in!" Her voice rang out with majesty and unquestionable authority during a lull in the commotion.

Bobur, standing with his guard unit as they confronted the townspeople, felt his anger flare upon hearing Lady Ordos's command. Women were simply too soft-hearted; they were useless and incapable of handling grand affairs. At a time like this, who knew how long the magic wolves would congregate? The path to seek outside help was blocked, and if they waited for the outside world to discover the crisis in Red Hazel Town, it would take an eternity.

If these townspeople entered, wouldn't they need to be fed? Once the food they brought ran out, they would have to be supplied by the Ordos family’s granaries! That would be disastrous! If they refused to provide, the people would become a mob. The Ordos family had always been able to control them because they left them just enough to survive. People who could not survive were no different from wild beasts. When that happened, with magic wolves on the outside and a mob on the inside, the Ordos family would be destroyed!

"No!" Bobur barked harshly. "The magic wolves will disperse soon. Everyone, go back to your homes, lock your doors and windows, and you will be fine!"

Although the mage had told him to assist Lady Ordos, Bobur had no respect for his sister-in-law. Furthermore, she posed no direct threat to him, and the mage was not currently present.

"Let us in!"
"The Lady said so, what right do you have to stop us?"
"Lord Bobur, have some mercy!"
"If we can't all go in, let the children hide inside!"

The townspeople, having heard the Lady's words, were initially heartened. They never expected Bobur to defy her, and a new wave of noise and contention erupted.

"Bobur, this is the Ordos estate. It is not your place to issue orders here," Lady Ordos said, walking up to him and looking down from above.

Bobur, lying on his stretcher, looked up at his sister-in-law. He saw her chest, high and prominent, reminiscent of the towering, majestic Grandis Mountains outside the town. He wondered if her skin was as white as those snow-capped peaks. He thought that if the mage was willing to work for her, they were likely involved with each other! Even he, a man who usually preferred young maidens, was filled with desire for her, let alone a young man in the prime of his blood!

Thinking of this, Bobur felt a dull ache in his lower abdomen. He suppressed his resentment and said, "My Lady, I am responsible for the safety of the estate’s guards. Now that the Lord is away, I should be the one to step forward and manage the family's daily affairs... You need not concern yourself with these matters."

"Mr. Zohan already predicted that you wouldn't be so obedient," Lady Ordos sneered. "I shall ask one more time: will you move aside?"

As she spoke, she cast a glance at the few estate guards following Bobur. The guards were in a difficult position, afraid to offend either of them, but the Lady was, after all, easier to talk to, whereas Lord Bobur did not have such a gentle temperament.

"You need not use him to threaten—"

Lady Ordos pulled out that small glass bottle, looking at Bobur with utter contempt. Bobur’s face turned pale, especially under her look of disdain, which seemed to say: *With that little stick of yours, you dare to covet me? If I used it as fish bait, even the fish would find it too small.*

"Open the gate!"

Seeing Bobur’s reaction, Lady Ordos kicked the stretcher. She didn't use much force, but the servants carrying it hurried backward in a panic, and the guards scrambled to work together to push away the wooden stakes, clearing the entrance.

"Everyone, keep order! Do not crowd, let those holding children enter first—" Lady Ordos’s face was filled with a kind smile as she helped maintain order.

"Thank you, My Lady!"
"My Lady, you are truly a good person."
"My Lady, you have saved our entire town!"

The townspeople entered the estate in a line, speaking words of gratitude. The winter sunlight fell upon Lady Ordos’s face, making her look so gentle and charitable that it made people feel as though, even if the gods of the divine kingdom might not protect them, Lady Ordos radiated a divine brilliance of her own.

Lady Ordos managed her expression, and the muscles in her face gradually relaxed. Her smile became increasingly genuine—it seemed that this felt even better than the simple, fearful reverence the townspeople usually held for the Ordos family.