In this way, the group became more unified, but... whenever the Lord of Liancastle thought of Jason Lan's character, he couldn't help but shake his head.
Arrogant but incompetent, always living in past glory, convinced of his own nobility, but in reality his status can't see the light of day. People look down on him, yet must rely on his Young Lord of Liancastle title to survive.
If not for Lan Princess Royal Evelyn's insistence, he would rather have seen Lance Quinn ascend. Lance Quinn had united all their efforts—domineering, forceful, the perfect founding emperor. But... Evelyn always brought up bloodline purity and Lan direct lineage, so they had no choice.
"Fine, fine, now that you've grown wings, you just cast us old folks aside." Many in Liancastle still favored Ninth Royal Uncle, but their voices were too weak, constrained by Evelyn's authority and Jason Lan's closer bloodline, leaving them indecisive.
In these elders' eyes, even if they couldn't decide, it was still their choice to abandon Ninth Royal Uncle and support Jason Lan—not like now, where they're thrown away like garbage without hesitation.
Ninth Royal Uncle didn't even say a word—he just threw them away cleanly. It's no wonder they're so angry. The angriest of all is Evelyn.
Evelyn never wanted to break with Ninth Royal Uncle so soon—how could she use him to achieve her goals now?
Useless for success, enough to ruin things. If it weren't for you, how would things have come to this? Do you even have a brain? You actually told the Cui clan about Serena Feng's identity—are you brainless? Do you know what kind of people the Cui clan are? What, do you want to be the Cui clan's foster son and give them children?" Evelyn vented all her fury on Jason Lan.
Outwardly, she still had to maintain her pride for the elders of Liancastle—she couldn't let them see her regret.
Aunt Evelyn...' Jason Lan protested, deeply aggrieved: 'Isn't this better? Now we're united, no more disputes. From now on, all of Liancastle's old guard can work together to support me, instead of arguing at every turn and shirking responsibility.
Support you to the throne? Hmph..." Evelyn sneered, "What do we have to support you with? With Liancastle’s meager troops, if we had the ability, we would have put your father on the throne long ago. How could it ever be your turn?
Aunt Evelyn, what's done is done. Blaming me won't help—this isn't what I wanted either. Who could have guessed Nolan Dongling would be so ruthless, abandoning us without a second thought, not caring at all what Liancastle did for him? Jason Lan was bitter; the Former Dynasty he cared so much for was tossed aside by Ninth Royal Uncle. Even winning it now brought him no joy.
This wasn’t something he wrested from Ninth Royal Uncle’s hands—it was what Nolan discarded. As a result, Liancastle’s place in Jason Lan’s heart diminished greatly.
Ruthless? You’re right—he is ruthless. Proud, ruthless, decisive, never leaving loose ends. No wonder he’s that man’s seed—just as proud to the bone." Evelyn’s face twisted with love and hate as she spoke of 'that man.'
Cutting off a limb to save the body. With such resolve, he’s bound to achieve great things. That child is remarkable, truly remarkable..." A glimmer of tears and vulnerability flashed in Evelyn’s eyes, then quickly vanished.
Turning to Jason Lan, Evelyn became once again the proud, icy princess: "If you had half his skill and decisiveness, I could die without regret."
Aunt Evelyn, how am I inferior to him?" Jason Lan protested, resentful. "After all, you raised me yourself. Even if I’m not perfect, I’m still better than Nolan Dongling."
Even a child without a mother to raise him can be compared to me.
The child I raised myself?" Evelyn looked at Jason Lan, disappointed and cold: "I poured my heart into raising you, yet you’re still not as good as that man’s seed. That man did nothing, and Nolan Dongling is still better than you."
Jason Lan sneered, but when faced with Evelyn’s stern gaze, he dared not talk back.
Heh..." Evelyn gave a bleak smile. "Jason, you say you're stronger than Nolan Dongling. Tell me—if you were in his place, would you so easily abandon Liancastle? Throw away all the Former Dynasty's power, even make enemies of them?
Why abandon them? Nolan Dongling abandoned Liancastle only because he lacked confidence. I’m sure I could win Liancastle over." Jason Lan said this with full confidence, but Evelyn was only more disappointed.
Even now, Jason still couldn’t see the truth. Liancastle wasn’t truly loyal to Nolan Dongling anymore—though it could still help him, its support was limited. And as long as Jason was there, Liancastle only brought more danger.
Rather than hold on to a force that might stab you in the back at any moment, it’s better to let go.
Sigh..." Evelyn quietly sighed, putting away her rebukes and speaking gently: "You’re grown now, with your own ideas. I won’t interfere.
Instead of hoping Jason will become as capable as Ninth Royal Uncle, it’s better to find him a suitable match, let him marry early, and produce heirs.
The eldest daughter of Master Han at Cold Moon Manor would have been perfect, but Jason ruined that. Now she could only look for a suitable girl in Liancastle.
In just one day, Evelyn seemed to age decades—her back was even a little hunched.