"Mr. Schubert, this is our first meeting. A small gift, nothing worthy of mention, please accept it."
Feng Yi handed over the 'Pickled Vegetable Pan-fried Meat' that Eula had ordered.
"Ah, this... this taste is—Pickled Vegetable Pan-fried Meat?!"
Schubert, smelling the familiar aroma, his eyes lit up. This young man truly championed old noble culture.
"Your Excellency is too kind. It just so happens I haven't eaten this in a long time... Ah no, what I mean is, since it's mealtime, I won't be polite."
Schubert accepted the gift without hesitation and, in the gentle breeze and drizzle, savored the meal with an ecstatic expression.
"Ah, how fragrant, it's the same taste as always, hasn't changed at all, especially this sour aroma, hmm—this is a pleasure only nobles can appreciate!"
Schubert put down his knife and fork, still wanting more, and wiped the oil stains from the corners of his mouth with a napkin, his face full of delight.
"I have felt Your Excellency's sincerity. I presume you have a reason for coming?"
Schubert folded the napkin neatly and carefully placed it in his breast pocket.
"I heard the Lawrence family has a grand plan. I am quite interested. May I join?"
Feng Yi smiled slightly and got straight to the point.
"You even know about this? This is a secret of our family..."
Schubert frowned slightly. This was not a good sign.
"Mr. Schubert, please don't misunderstand. I merely wish to witness the resurgence of noble glory with my own eyes. If necessary, I can also lend you a hand..."
Feng Yi said this outwardly, but inwardly he thought: "Yes, yes, your secrecy is truly excellent. The citizens' complaint letters in Mondstadt are almost piled into a small mountain. It's hard for me *not* to know."
"Hmm... Alright. Seeing your impeccable manners, I believe you are a kindred spirit with a promising future. I am willing to give you the opportunity to participate in this grand plan! Now, follow me..."
Schubert nodded. Talents like Feng Yi were indeed what they needed.
"Where are we going?"
"To meet our friends who have traveled far. They will lend us a hand and help the Lawrence family regain their glory! Come, come, this is not a place for conversation. Hurry up and follow..."
Schubert took the lead, beckoning Feng Yi to follow, because... the rain was about to get heavier here.
After Feng Yi and Schubert left, heavy raindrops began to fall on the hillside. The rain slid off the leather chairs placed in front of the worn tent.
Such elegant chairs, so out of place in the dilapidated camp. Even in adverse conditions, elegance had to be maintained.
This must be the last vestige of dignity for the old nobles, right?
Feng Yi followed Schubert to the mountainside, where a hidden cave entrance was concealed by vegetation and rocks.
While Schubert was opening the cave entrance, Feng Yi folded leaves into a dragonfly and transmitted the cave's location.
"Go in. I'll introduce you as my guest, and you'll meet them soon. We have many helpers!"
Schubert led the way and entered the cave first.
Feng Yi followed closely. Before meeting Schubert, he had used magic to alter his height and appearance, so he wasn't afraid of being recognized by the Fatui.
After passing through a excavated cave tunnel, they entered a spacious underground structure.
This was also a lost ruin, buried deep underground, largely intact. Western Knights' flags were actually planted along the passage.
"Some time ago, the Knights of Favonius cleaned this place out. However, the more dangerous places are often the safest. And around Mondstadt, this is the most secluded place with sufficient space..."
Schubert was playing a game of "hiding in plain sight" with the Knights of Favonius, and so far, it was working well. The Knights of Favonius had not noticed this place.
However, the only regret was that it was tattered and did not fit the taste of nobility.
But to restore the Lawrence family's glory, Schubert had to bear with it.
"Wait, who is this person?"
In the central hall of the underground ruins, Feng Yi followed Schubert and was stopped by one of the Fatui soldiers.
"Do I need to tell you? This is a guest I brought. If you offend my guest, you will not escape the accountability of the Lawrence family!"
Schubert crossed his arms, inwardly sneering. These were truly uncivilized outsiders, strong but lacking in refinement. If it weren't for the sake of their transaction, he would teach them right then and there that some questions should not be asked.
"But this is a top secret. Being cautious is never a bad thing."
The Fatui soldier was intimidated by Schubert's sudden display of authority, and his tone weakened.
"Does a noble's actions allow you to dictate terms to me? I don't want to waste words, get out of the way!"
Schubert frowned and said in a low voice, wanting to demonstrate to Feng Yi how nobles conducted themselves.
"Fine, fine, fine, you may proceed."
The Fatui soldier simply moved aside, not wanting to argue with this noble with mental issues.
He didn't know where this person got the nerve to boss around the Fatui. However, considering his potential usefulness, he would concede for now.
"Hmph, you're still sensible!"
Schubert strode in haughtily, not even looking at the Fatui soldier beside him.
After entering, he said to Feng Yi in a low, arrogant tone:
"See, this is the power of prestige. In the past, if anyone spoke to a noble in this tone, it would be extreme offense. A noble's gaze alone could decide their life or death... Hmph, such glory will eventually be mine!"
While Feng Yi outwardly agreed with Schubert's boasting, he inwardly scoffed. The man was clearly living in past fantasies and unwilling to face the harsh reality.
However, these few words of superficial agreement greatly satisfied Schubert's vanity.
"Excuse me, who is this? Please do not casually bring untrustworthy people in."
At a stone bridge, the two were stopped by Fatui soldiers stationed there.
"This is a new ally I've found. I swear on the name of the Lawrence family, you can trust him completely."
Schubert, whose vanity was swelling, could not tolerate Feng Yi being questioned.
Feng Yi was brought by him. Questioning Feng Yi was questioning him.
"Our plan is a secret, and outsiders should not be involved midway. Moreover, I heard the Knights have caught wind of something. We should be more careful at this time."
The Fatui soldier, Sergei, still blocked their path.
"There's no need to worry so much. This person is well-versed in old noble etiquette. How could he be like those ignorant fools from the Knights who reject propriety?"