It wasn't an apple that hit Newton.

However, considering that Mosaic didn't sound like a person's name, his name was ultimately decided to be his subordinate Masak, which was similar to the name of Lurengar's steward.

After the report was finished, his subordinate Masak said, "...That's the whole story."

"How did he get involved with Veronica?"

Stoller felt a headache coming on after hearing his subordinate Massak's report.

He greatly admired Li Cheng, this young man—he was intelligent, capable, and an outsider, making him a good candidate to become a live-in son-in-law.

Massac reported, "As far as I know, it was just an accident. It happened that Professor Hope took Newton's paper and presented it as his own at a lecture attended by the Third Princess, and Mr. Li just happened to be there..."

“Newton… I vaguely remember him, he seems to be Anne’s classmate.”

Stoller rubbed his temples with his right thumb to relieve his headache: "So, he did it to stand up for Newton?"

The subordinate, Masak, replied, "That should be true."

"Ha, how youthful and impetuous I was back then..."

Stoller closed his eyes, seemingly recalling the glorious days when he inherited his father's 'only' house and a thousand pounds, and started from scratch.

After a few seconds of contemplation, he opened his eyes and said to his subordinate, "Send someone to visit Veronica and hint that Li Cheng is one of my men."

But he immediately rejected the suggestion: "No, forget it. No need for hints, just treat it as a normal visit—let's put this matter aside for now and move on to the next thing."

After all, he doesn't have much influence with Veronica, and it might backfire.

The subordinate continued to report: "Next, the soap factory has started operations. Through this period of intensive promotion and free giveaways, our stores scattered throughout London sold thousands of bars of soap on the first day. Many merchants have also come to us to inquire about bulk orders."

Stoller fell into thought: "Hmm..."

The subordinate suggested, "Mr. Stoller, the market is very good right now, and our advice is to increase production rapidly."

Stoller pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "No, let's stall them for a while and let Li Cheng decide for himself when he comes back—I promised Annie I wouldn't interfere any further."

......

on the other hand

After waiting all day without seeing Li Cheng return home, Newton went to Cambridge to look for him, puzzled. After learning the truth from her classmates, she was unwilling to give up and wanted to visit the Third Princess, but her tutor strongly stopped her and persuaded her to stay with repeated comfort and assurances.

Incidentally, Annie was busy with her homework at the time and knew nothing about this.

The sun rose as usual, and the apples fell to the ground as usual.

However, Hope, who was imprisoned, confessed to the crime of stealing Newton's paper under the kind persuasion of the prison guards, and expressed his sincere remorse.

However, due to some colleagues taking the opportunity to smear him and the persuasion being too effective, he inadvertently confessed to accepting bribes and harassing female students in the past.

Coupled with his previous defamatory remarks against the bishop, Hope now faces multiple accusations and could face more than twenty years in prison.

However, before going on trial, there was something that Hope couldn't figure out no matter how hard she tried.

"Why is this happening? Why would Her Highness the Third Princess believe that inexplicably crazy man...?"

Surrounded by stone walls and with only one square window the size of three bowls, Hope lay on a cold, tattered straw mat, her face haggard and her expression listless, muttering to herself.

He couldn't understand it, because even Li Cheng didn't know that he had unknowingly left a deep impression on Veronica.

The incident happened two days ago.

The Duchess of Kendall Anderson hosted a salon that only ladies of high society were eligible to attend, and Miss Anne Stoller, as a lady making her first appearance at such a gathering, attracted the attention of everyone present.

This is not only because she has a unique (and silly) temperament, but more importantly because of her unconventional behavior.

No matter which young lady she saw, if she found her pleasing to the eye, she would approach her with more roguish swagger than ladylike behavior and forcefully strike up a conversation.

The key point is that she didn't even try to strike up a conversation properly. After only a couple of sentences, she abruptly steered the conversation towards a sales pitch, and after successfully embarrassing the other person, she left behind a small metal box containing soap and continued looking for her next target.

Veronica was one of the people who were approached...

However, things were a little different. Veronica not only withstood Annie's awkward conversation, but also extracted a lot of information from Annie's complaints, such as the culprit behind all of this being a young red-haired man...

Chapter Thirty-Three: The Green Grasshopper

Tick, tick.

Through those three iron windows, each about the size of a bowl, one could vaguely see raindrops falling outside.

Li Cheng lay on the cold stone bed, staring blankly as he counted the falling raindrops.

All around him, besides the walls, iron doors and windows, was a covered black oak barrel and a cold stone bed beneath him.

I've been locked up here for two whole days now.

Apart from the person who delivers meals regularly, there's nobody around; the loneliness is maddening.

“A transmigrator who has never been imprisoned is an incomplete transmigrator—Aber, Lee.”

Li Cheng grumbled, then added, "Although this isn't a prison."

He wasn't too panicked, because having been transported here, he knew very well that this wasn't an official prison, so in a way, he should be considered... a winner in his gamble?

thump thump...

Suddenly, the tranquility was broken as familiar footsteps sounded outside the door.

Is it lunchtime?

No, breakfast has just passed, it shouldn't be lunchtime yet.

Li Cheng's idle speculation.

At that moment, the footsteps stopped outside the door of his room, and with the sound of a key being inserted into the lock, a maid dressed in a bright green coat appeared in the doorway.

Holly Turner, with long dark green hair and eyes, is the Third Princess's maid. These past two days, she has been responsible for delivering meals to Li Cheng. Because he was really bored, Li Cheng tried to strike up a conversation with her, and they eventually became acquainted.

Because her hair, eyes, and clothes were all green, Li Cheng secretly thought she was a grasshopper spirit.

Seeing that her hands were empty, Li Cheng laughed and said, "Holly, it's only been a short while since we last met. Did you miss me? Let me tell you, I'm very loyal. Even if you like me, I won't change my mind."

"Hey, how can you be so shameless?"

Holly was completely unfazed by such flirtatious remarks. She retorted, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll call the guards outside to come in and beat you up."

"It's okay, they don't have the key, I can close the door first..." Li Cheng jumped off the bed and casually said, "Then why did you come in if you missed me?"

Holly rolled her eyes: "Of course His Highness wants to see you. Do you really think this place is your home?"

"It's not impossible."

Seeing that the other party seemed about to leave, Li Cheng quickly inquired, "So, what does Your Highness want with me?"

You'll find out in a bit.

Holly ignored Li Cheng and quietly stood guard at the door.

......

After waiting a while, Li Cheng heard heavy footsteps, and could also faintly hear conversations.

A familiar, gruff male voice said, "Your Highness, this is the place."

An unfamiliar female voice said, "Very well, you can go back now."

A gruff male voice: "But what about your safety?"

"go back."

"Yes!"

The conversation ended, and then a woman dressed in an elaborate court dress and wearing pure white silk gloves walked into the small prison.

She had a beautiful face, a full and tall figure, and perfectly styled curly black hair; she was a truly beautiful woman.

Upon seeing her enter, the grasshopper spirit joyfully went to greet her: "Your Highness."

Black hair, I like black hair... Li Cheng also stood up and bowed to the woman known as the "Iron Princess": "It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness the Third Princess."

Veronica was already used to being greeted by others, so she simply nodded slightly: "How have you been these past few days?"

“Not very good.” Li Cheng counted on his fingers, complaining about each item one by one. “The stone bed is too hard, the wooden barrel is too smelly, but the worst thing is the bread—this stuff is harder than the bed and smells worse than the barrel.”

"Oh, by the way, your maid is also quite rude, threatening to have the guards beat me up at the drop of a hat." He didn't forget to tattle on her.

Green Grasshopper first glared at Li Cheng, then hurriedly explained, "No, Your Highness, it's just that this person is so annoying, always saying all sorts of nonsense."

Veronica said calmly, "Yes, I understand."

Li Cheng's answer was so natural that she was speechless for a moment.

What should I say? Should I say I've made you suffer, blah blah blah?

Is this what she's here to talk about?

It's clear that Guan was there to curb his arrogance, but it seems to have had little effect.

Veronica took a deep breath, trying to regain control of the conversation, and sure enough, she smelled a strange odor from the barrel.

"Cough cough."

She choked and bent over coughing, her chest heaving violently.

The grasshopper spirit quickly patted Veronica's back: "Are you alright, Your Highness?"

Seeing this, Li Cheng innocently spread his hands and said, "See? Doesn't it really stink?"

Veronica had recovered and gently pushed the grasshopper away, saying, "What you did that day was bold and brilliant; I couldn't help but want to applaud."

"Thank you," Li Cheng smiled. "I'm glad Your Highness likes it too."

"also?"

Veronica caught the key word and asked follow-up questions with great interest.

"It was a slip of the tongue, it's not important," Li Cheng said.

"...To be honest, I'm starting to regret keeping you here."

Veronica stared at Li Cheng, her face somewhat gloomy: "I think that idiot named Hope will be more cooperative... or will you behave better if you're locked up for a few more days?"

Li Cheng neither confirmed nor denied: "I think I have always been very cooperative."

Veronica gave Li Cheng a deep look and said, "You're annoying, really annoying, indescribably annoying."

"Although you were humble throughout, I could see in your eyes and in your tone an unparalleled arrogance that you yourself may not be aware of, but which is real and real."

Arrogance... A sense of absurdity welled up in Li Cheng's heart. Could this kind of emotion really exist in his heart?