I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 29 Baron, please have some self-respect.
As soon as Rod entered the room, he was met with the girl's gaze.

Her bright eyes were fixed on Rhodes; she could clearly tell at a glance who the core of the team was.

"Thank you for saving my life, sir."

The girl's voice was bright, and her tone was soft and polite, "I'm so hungry, could you give me something to eat?"

Rhodes nodded, turned around and had a guard bring some dried meat and rations to the girl, then poured her a glass of water.

It was clear the girl was very hungry, but she still tore the dry food into small pieces and quickly put them into her mouth instead of biting into it directly.

This is clearly an instinctive behavior instilled by aristocratic etiquette.

She ate with great concentration, her head down, chewing her dry rations as meticulously and quickly as a rabbit, swallowing hard and then quickly tearing off another small piece and putting it in her mouth.

A sudden silence fell over the wooden house, broken only by the soft rustling of the girl chewing.

Rod didn't speak until she had finished the whole piece of dry food.

“I am Lord Rod Tulip of Blackpine Ridge. I am glad to see you awake, but I did not save you.”

Rod didn't hide anything and recounted what had happened when they arrived, as well as his guesses.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault that the hunter was harmed."

The girl bowed somewhat dejectedly.

The hunter's three children were still grieving, their heads bowed, silent and sobbing softly.

"It's all the black bears' fault. After spring planting, I will hold a large-scale hunt to drive them back into the forest."

Rod broke the somber atmosphere by taking out a brooch and handing it to the girl, saying,
“My subordinate, Aleya, found it on you when she examined your wound.”

I think you must be the Razorplains lord who was rumored to have been killed a while ago, right?

"I apologize for not introducing myself."

The girl apologized again, then said, "You are right, I am the eldest daughter of Earl Red Griffin, the lord of Razor Plains, Avril Red Griffin."

I guessed right.

Rhodes thought to himself, "This girl is just not what I imagined."

She looks too delicate.

Her father, the Red Griffin Knight, in his youth led five guards to break through the encirclement of hundreds of rebels and forcefully suppressed his brother's attempt to overthrow him; his bravery was unmatched by ordinary people.

But you can't see any of that in the girl.

Actually, it's normal for noble ladies to be gentle and refined.

The question is, why would someone so delicate come to the North?
Rhodes was filled with questions.

“It’s a pity my territory has been occupied by rioters, otherwise I could have taken these three children back to raise them,” Avril said helplessly.

"No need, I will take care of their lives."

Rhodes rejected Avril's idea without hesitation.

Rhodes would take responsibility for his people, even if they were just children.

Why would the people of Razor Plains want to kill you?

Rod changed the subject, frowning as he asked, "How much tax did you collect? Seventy percent?"

My own 60% tax is barely enough to make ends meet, so it would be hard to accept if Avril Lavigne took 70% of it.

However, from the lord's perspective, it was wrong of them to murder Avril.

Avril shook her head.

"Hmm? Higher than 70%?"

Rhodes was surprised.

Is this seemingly delicate girl even more ruthless than me?

Avril shook her head again and said weakly, "No, I only collected 20% tax. I don't want anyone to starve to death."

Rhodes was silent.

Durant also fell silent.

A 20% tax is lower than the tax Rhodes used to win people's hearts.

Even Gonler, who was watching the show at the entrance, was shocked. He turned his head with wide eyes.

"Miss, you're not mistaken, are you? A 20% tax? And they actually want to harm you?"

“I know they have a hard time surviving, so I only charge 20% tax.”

Avril's gaze went unfocused as she stared blankly at the floor and said, "I don't understand either. I thought I was being nice to them, and I even shared the cheese I brought with them."

Rhodes crossed his arms and said slowly, "In the North, where only the fittest survive, mercy often means weakness."

Kindness in moderation is a virtue; excessive kindness only breeds greed.

"But... they used to get along very well with me. Everyone who met me would smile and bow to me."

Avril looked at Rhodes with confusion, "When I was in Griffin Castle, I treated the villagers in the town the same way, and they often gave me gifts."

Her delicate appearance reminded Rod of Lin Daiyu from the movies and TV dramas of his past life, making people's hearts soften.

Rhodes also softened his tone and said gently, "I believe what you said. There may be many honest people among them, but there are also many rioters in the Northern Wastes."

“Have you considered that you have no foothold in Razor Plains? When you are murdered, the honest people will not stand up for you, and the mob that plotted against you will take the lead?” “And then, this is how things turned out.”

Rod shrugged helplessly.

Avril nodded, somewhat saddened. "Baron Rhodes, you're right. I was indeed wrong."

"It's okay, as long as you're alive."

Rhodes offered a word of comfort, then asked with some curiosity, "So how did you manage to escape? You know, there are already rumors that you're dead."

Avril hesitated for a moment, then asked somewhat timidly, "Can I...can I not tell you?"

Rhodes was stunned for a moment.

He had considered that Avril might not answer the question, as it could potentially involve some life-saving secrets.

He had considered countless ways Avril might refuse to answer: evasion, deception, or even silence.

I never imagined I would ask such a timid question.

Isn't this kid too straightforward?

"Of course, everyone has their own secrets."

Rhodes stood up with a smile and said, "Then you should rest well. Tomorrow I will send someone to take you back to Frostleaf Town, and then you can return to the Red Griffin Clan."

It's all in the past now.

Rod comforted Avril, a rare sunny smile appearing on his handsome face.

"Your Excellency Baron Rhodes."

"Ok?"

Rod turned around, puzzled. "Is there anything else?"

Avril glanced at the others around her and said softly, "Can I speak with you alone?"

Rhodes hesitated for a few seconds, then waved his hand.

The others tactfully got up and left the cabin, closing the door behind them.

"Please speak, Baron Avril."

Rod sat on the wooden chair, quietly watching Avril.

"Can I not go back to the Red Griffin Clan?"

"Ok?"

If you don't go home, where will you go?

Rhodes didn't say the last sentence aloud, but just stared at Avril with a puzzled look, waiting for her to continue.

“My father is old and doesn’t have much time left to be lucid. The Red Griffin family is now run by my stepmother and uncle,”

Avril sighed softly, her eyes filled with sorrow. "She doesn't like me. I came to the North because she exiled me here."

If I return to my family, she will arrange for me to leave again, perhaps to marry some nobleman, or something else entirely.

This information was something Rhodes hadn't anticipated.

Rod frowned and pondered for a moment, then looked up and asked, "So your stepmother was also involved in those plots to harm you?"

“I don’t know, I only know that the family is no longer a safe place, so I think,”

Avril looked at Rhodes with vulnerable eyes, "Can I stay here with you?"

"Excuse my bluntness, Baron Avril, Blackpine Ridge is not a safe place either."

Rhodes did not want to keep this noblewoman.

According to Avril, the Red Griffin family was ruled by her stepmother, who also wanted to harm her.

If Rhodes takes Avril in, wouldn't that be going against the Red Griffin family?
The key point is that Rhodes hasn't benefited from this at all.

“You are safe here, and you are closest to Razor Plains.”

Avril's voice was soft and sweet as she pleaded, "You saved me, you are a kind and handsome baron..."

"No, but I am not kind; I am a ruthless baron."

Rod hurriedly waved his hand in denial.

Being kind in this era will only lead to losses, so I dare not be kind.

"Ugh--"

Avril sighed, and after thinking for a long time, she actually reached out and unbuttoned her clothes, revealing her underwear.

Rhodes quickly waved his hand to stop him, "Baron Avril, please have some self-respect."

"You misunderstood."

Avril chuckled and took out a jade-green, rhombus-shaped crystal from the inner lining of her underwear.
"This is the Life Gem. Keeping it close to your body can improve your physical condition, and it is said to also enhance the efficiency of your breathing techniques."

Rhodes slowly stood up, staring intently at the gem.

Extraordinary gemstones.

(End of this chapter)