After the Emperor left, Prince Nolan dismissed everyone in the hall. The palace maids and eunuchs were all seasoned veterans; knowing that Prince Nolan would return to his manor tomorrow, they realized the Emperor had backed down. There was no need to keep watch over Prince Nolan any longer.
The maids and eunuchs filed out one after another, leaving Prince Nolan alone in the vast hall. No one saw the mocking smile in his eyes.
Elder brother, I hope you’ll still be able to laugh tomorrow. My advantage isn’t so easily taken!
Imperial edict!
That very night, the Emperor issued an edict ordering the Capital Prefecture Court to release all staff of Ninth Prince Manor, send them home, and have the manor cleaned and prepared for their master’s return tomorrow.
When the staff of Ninth Prince Manor heard the news, there were no loud cheers or wild celebrations. Well-trained as they were, they had long since learned to remain calm in the face of favor or disgrace.
As Prince Nolan’s loyal followers, they knew clearly: as long as he stands, they are safe. And with their master’s abilities, getting out was only a matter of time.
The steward of Ninth Prince Manor counted heads, made sure everyone was present, and then led the staff in a grand procession back to the manor. Despite being locked up for so long, the staff remained spirited, showing no sign of defeat.
Fu Lin stood at the street corner, watching the staff of Ninth Prince Manor fade into the distance, a strange glint flashing in his eyes. Calmly, he turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Farewell. From now on, we stand on opposite sides.
This explanation wasn’t wrong, but—someone tell him: why was the order to stop distributing porridge carried out right away, while transferring the grain to the authorities took two full days—almost causing a riot among the disaster victims?
Fine, even if there wasn’t a riot, this move still made everyone blame him—the Emperor—for making a mistake, and raised doubts about where the government’s disaster relief grain really came from.
Both the mysterious benefactor and the authorities stopped distributing porridge on the same day, but two days later, the mysterious benefactor’s stalls were still gone while the authorities had grain to serve porridge. What does that mean?
Anyone with a bit of sense could see it: nine times out of ten, the Emperor had seized the mysterious benefactor’s grain and was using it for disaster relief under the government’s name.
Of course, this idea only circulated among the scholarly elite; ordinary people wouldn’t think of it, but what the Emperor cared most about was the opinion of these scholars.
Prince Nolan had slapped his face—hard. The Emperor lost all dignity. How could he not be furious, and how could he easily accept Prince Nolan’s explanation?
Prince Nolan wasn’t afraid either. Facing the Emperor’s anger, he calmly said again: “Elder brother, the grain is no longer in my hands. I am powerless.”
Prince Nolan’s words had no hidden meaning—the grain, even if it was his, really wasn’t in his hands. But the Emperor heard something deeper...
If the Cui Clan won’t cooperate, what can he do?
Smack... This time, the Emperor was truly furious. He slammed the table hard: “The Cui Clan—well, the Cui Clan! Do you really think I can’t do anything about you aristocratic families? You’re testing my patience. Ninth Brother, after spring comes, you’ll go to Shandong in person. I want the Lu Clan of Shandong wiped off the face of the Nine Provinces.”