Helen Brooks had, more than once, wanted to imitate the protagonists from those transmigration novels: first talking grandly, then uttering a line like, “Do you not see? The world is about to fall into chaos, the Han dynasty will perish,” making the other party immediately fall at his feet, addressing him as a wise lord. After living in this era for quite some time, Helen Brooks was well aware of what people of this time thought. Even his father, who might one day plunge the government into chaos, was currently filled with nothing but loyalty to the Han dynasty. Even though Edward Thompson was quite rebellious, Helen Brooks still didn’t dare to try.

So, he could only respond with silence.

And this silence only made Edward Thompson even more curious about him.

That was already pretty good—at least his brother-in-law had started to pay attention to him. If anything happened in the future, he would surely remember him.

Helen Brooks comforted himself for a moment, then picked up a scroll and began to study.

A few days later, George Brooks took Brian Ford to the Qiang tribe. After finishing his reading, Helen Brooks went alone to the training grounds to practice martial arts.

At that moment, a little girl of about eight or nine years old walked in from outside the training grounds. She wore a jade-green long dress and was dressed as a maid. She stood timidly at the edge of the training grounds, biting her lip, wanting to speak.

“Irene, is something the matter?”

This little girl was a maid arranged for Helen Brooks by Mrs. Brooks, not yet twelve years old, from Lintao. Because her family was poor, she and her mother had sold themselves into the Dong family at an early age. Now her mother had passed away, leaving only Irene to live here alone.

Irene was a very clever and quick-witted girl, much loved by Mrs. Brooks.

Mrs. Brooks had Irene serve Helen Brooks as a signal of reconciliation. After all, although Mrs. Brooks didn’t believe in monsters or demons, Helen Brooks’s bravery had left a deep impression on her. He wasn’t even seven yet—if this ugly boy grew up, how many heroes in the world could be his match?

Mrs. Brooks, herself of Qiang descent, admired bravery and didn’t care about looks. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have married George Brooks back then.

Regarding Irene’s arrival, Helen Brooks had specially consulted his grandmother.

Grandmother said, “Since you were born into the Dong family, whether you like your father or not, the mark of the Dong family is in your bones—you can’t escape it. Since that’s the case, you should get along with your family. Your mother is showing goodwill to you; if you don’t accept it, you’ll surely offend her, and life will only get harder. Take in that girl, then go pay your respects to your mother… Mildred, everything has its limits. If you’re always stubborn and try to be tough, you’ll only end up in misery.”

If these words were spoken to a child not yet seven, they would surely sound like gibberish.

But Helen Brooks could understand, and the old lady believed that Mildred could understand. Not every child could have Mildred’s insight. Since Mildred could say what he did that day, it was enough to show that this child could not be viewed as ordinary.

Thus, Irene became Helen Brooks’s maid.

But it was clear that Irene didn’t like following Helen Brooks, and was even a little afraid of him.

No matter—if she was afraid, so be it. At least it would let this little girl know who her master was, and help her keep the proper attitude.

Hearing Helen Brooks’s question, Irene answered timidly, “Young master, the old lady is looking for you.”

Helen Brooks grabbed a sweat towel from the weapon rack, wiped the sweat from his forehead, picked up his clothes, and walked out of the training grounds.

Irene followed behind Helen Brooks, watching the back of this little master whom the whole family feared.

He was not yet seven, but looked more robust and sturdy than most twelve- or thirteen-year-olds. His skin was a healthy bronze, and the muscles bulging on his body didn’t look frightening; on the contrary, they gave a gentle impression. Yet within that gentleness, there was a sense of explosive power. If only he weren’t so ugly, he would surely attract many girls.

Irene was not yet twelve, but her mind was already mature.

Following behind Helen Brooks, her pretty face flushed red, and her heart pounded wildly.

Although the young master looked fierce, he wasn’t nearly as scary as the family said. On the contrary, he treated people kindly—kinder even than those stewards who liked to throw their weight around. For some reason, Irene recalled what the lady had said to her that day.

Chapter Six: The Lost Treasure of Fubo (2)

That day, she was helping the lady tidy up the room when the lady, sitting by the window, suddenly called her name.

“Irene!”

“Madam, is there something you need?”

The lady pondered for a moment and said, “Irene, how have I treated you?”

“Though not mother and daughter, it’s better than mother and daughter.” Irene answered timidly, lowering her head, but stealing a glance at the lady from the corner of her eye.

The lady’s expression was calm, betraying no emotion.

“I want you to go serve the young master. Are you willing?”

Irene was stunned. “Young master? Which young master?”

The lady gave a bitter smile and sighed, “In the Dong family, how many young masters could there be?”

“You mean the nephew young master?”

Irene thought the lady wanted her to serve Charlotte Brooks, and quickly shook her head. “Madam, I don’t want to serve the nephew young master. I’ve heard that he, he, he… after so many sisters went to him… Madam, did Irene do something wrong?”

Mrs. Brooks shook her head. “As expected, no one in this household really sees him as a young master. Irene, I’m not asking you to serve Charlotte Brooks. That good-for-nothing has disappointed me greatly. He’s probably still lying half-dead on his couch—why should I care about him?”