Chapter 48: Followers of the Ice Queen

Just as he entered the Lübeck Manor, Zhang Hainuo was captivated by the scenery here. Autumn had passed, and the vast grasslands displayed a solemn golden hue. Yet, their vast expanse and gentle terrain still evoked images of the refreshing scenes during spring and summer. Tall old oak trees dotted the occasionally undulating hills, their lush foliage resembling giant umbrellas. In the distance, extensive groves of birch trees had already prepared for winter.

The main building of Lübeck Manor was a medieval castle commonly seen in Europe. It was situated on a high ground that offered a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. After passing through the manor gate, the carriage took a full five minutes to reach the entrance of the castle. In contrast, Zhang Hainuo's Fink Manor could only be called a "small farmhouse." The carriage he was riding in now seemed somewhat elegant but was rented for 200 marks a day—a stark contrast to the dilapidated carriage and stable back at Fink Manor.

Walking through the grandiose building, Zhang Hainuo felt both curious and astonished. Finally, he began to understand the sentiments expressed by Hainuo in his diary. Fink Manor didn't even compare to a corner of Lübeck Manor, let alone the economic and social disparity between the two families.

While waiting for the servants to announce his arrival, Zhang Hainuo admired the oil paintings adorning the walls. He hadn't studied art nor had he researched how to discern the quality and value of a painting. However, in such a luxurious hall, the paintings hanging on the walls must undoubtedly be valuable. Perhaps one of them could buy his Fink Manor.

Nevertheless, standing there, he didn't feel an ounce of inferiority or insignificance because he wasn't materialistic. Moreover, he wore the uniform of a naval lieutenant and the medals of his military accomplishments on his chest. Over a year in the German Navy had brought him many things: experience, friends, honors, and confidence. The baptism of blood and fire, the struggle between life and death, and the ruthlessness of sending enemies to their doom—all these were experiences beyond the reach of civilian life.

Merchants could earn money, but money couldn't buy honor.

The master of the house didn't intend to test Zhang Hainuo's patience. A few minutes later, servants dressed in black suits and white gloves reappeared before him. Their attire didn't surpass that of Hainuo's steward, but Zhang Hainuo found his old steward much more pleasing to the eye.

"Baron, this way, please!"

Upon entering a splendid room, Zhang Hainuo finally met his "fiancée" as rumored—a beautiful woman with golden hair. Her facial features and skin were exquisite, and her curls complemented her slightly angular face, presenting a striking beauty distinct from Anna's. She sat on a large sofa in a floor-length pink off-shoulder gown. Her height was uncertain, but her figure suggested no lack of stature.

In the room, besides the elegant lady, there were three other individuals—three men roughly Zhang Hainuo's age. They were all well-dressed, seated or standing. One had neatly combed hair with a 4:6 parting, almost a perfect eight. Another, sitting on a chair, sported short braids and exuded an artistic aura. As for the man on the sofa, he was the most elegantly dressed, with an air of arrogance, a pale complexion, and a clean-shaven head. Clearly, he held the highest status among the three.

Undoubtedly, he was the aristocrat from Berlin that Hainuo's steward had mentioned.

Upon entering the room, the three men cast cold, stern gazes at Zhang Hainuo. As for his "fiancée," Fenna, she merely gave him a calm glance, as though he were not her fiancé but an acquaintance.

"This is Baron Hainuo von Finkenschteat, right? Your reputation precedes you, and meeting you today confirms that you're indeed a talent!"

The opening remarks came from the man with the clean-shaven head, and Zhang Hainuo wasn't particularly surprised. On the contrary, he already had a preliminary understanding of the "tone" here.

Zhang Hainuo calmly walked to the center of the spacious room, where the fireplace blazed warmly. It was only October, and naval bases didn't typically have heating until November. Before speaking, Zhang Hainuo surveyed everyone present with a calm gaze.

Fenna didn't avoid his gaze, and her eyes still lacked any significant content—no admiration, yearning, or reverence. Yet, Zhang Hainuo couldn't discern anything related to disdain, disdain, or disdain in her eyes. Her eyes were like a clear blue lake, calm without a ripple.

Zhang Hainuo didn't pay attention to the handsome young man with a nearly perfect score. Instead, he politely bowed to the lady and greeted her, "Miss Fenna, pleasure to see you again!"

"Baron, hello!" Her voice was as calm as her eyes, but her cherry lips seemed enticing when they moved.

To fall in love with such an "ice queen," Zhang Hainuo thought, his "predecessor" must have been quite pitiful.

The nearby handsome young man, seeing that Zhang Hainuo completely ignored him, couldn't uphold his dignity on the face. However, losing one's temper like this was clearly undignified. He curled his right fist next to his mouth and cleared his throat twice.

"Oh, Miss Fenna, won't you introduce me to these gentlemen?" Zhang Hainuo said as if he hadn't heard a word from the handsome young man earlier. He caught a glimpse of the guy's changing complexion from the corner of his eye and found it amusing.

The ice queen first introduced the man with the clean-shaven head, "This is Baron Eckhardt von Freichl, Senior Commissioner of the Imperial Ministry of Industry!"

As expected, the ice queen first introduced this clean-shaven young man. Zhang Hainuo didn't find it surprising. In these three men, he already had a rough idea of the situation.