Calling in Person, Nothing More Than a Merchant

Ming Chen, eldest son of the Chen family, was so anxious his lips broke out in blisters. "Father, Prince Nolan hasn't even looked our way. Did we really just give away our ancestral legacy for nothing?"

"How can you call it giving away for nothing? Now that Blossom Garden belongs to Prince Nolan, it's an honor for our Chen family that he was willing to accept it." Lord Chen was just as worried, though not for the garden itself—only for Prince Nolan's attitude.

An ordinary man is blameless, but bearing treasure brings disaster. With House Lewis and the Eastmont Governor-General joining forces against them, the Chen family couldn't have kept Blossom Garden anyway. Gifting it to Prince Nolan cost him nothing emotionally.

"But... House Lewis is already making their move. What do we do now?" Ming Chen dropped the topic of Blossom Garden, worried instead that House Lewis would cling to Prince Nolan's side.

The Chen family couldn't compare with House Lewis at all. If he were Prince Nolan, he'd choose House Lewis over the Chens in a heartbeat.

"What House Lewis does is none of our business. All we can do now is wait. Ming, remember—Prince Nolan is the one in charge. No matter who he picks, we have no choice but to accept it." Lord Chen's face was grave as he closed his eyes, hiding his unease and worry.

Thunder and rain, favor and punishment—it's all the ruler's grace. To them, Prince Nolan was the king, the one who held their lives in his hands. However Prince Nolan chose to treat the Chen family, they could only accept it, never daring to harbor any rebellious thoughts.

Willingness to be a pawn isn't just talk—it's something you have to prove with action.

"But this way, we're just too passive." Ming Chen was still young and couldn't accept handing his family's fate to someone who barely acknowledged them.

"Passive is better than having no chance at all. The more we do, the more Prince Nolan will resent it. Ming, remember: our Chen family is willing to be a pawn in Prince Nolan's hand. No matter what his attitude is, as pawns, we have to act like pawns. Unless Prince Nolan gives the word, we can't do anything. Understand?" If they chose to be pawns, then even if Prince Nolan didn't accept them, they had to remain loyal and not run to another patron just because he seemed indifferent.

Those at the top despise fence-sitters most. If the Chen family wants to survive, they have to go all in.

Ming Chen still didn't quite understand, but he was used to obeying his father. He simply responded and fell silent, and Lord Chen looked at him with relief.

His son might lack some depth, but at least he was teachable. With a few more years of guidance, Lord Chen believed Ming Chen could keep the family business safe.

While the Chen father and son were burning with anxiety, the Eastmont Governor-General was also restless in his study. He'd already waited half an hour, and Prince Nolan still hadn't appeared.

The longer he waited, the angrier the Eastmont Governor-General became. He was a provincial viceroy—his rank meant nobody in Eastmont dared slight him, and even in the capital, the high officials treated him with respect. Not even the Emperor would keep him cooling his heels like this, but...

The Eastmont Governor-General couldn't help but wonder if he'd somehow offended Prince Nolan without realizing it. Otherwise, why would the prince embarrass him so publicly? He racked his brains but couldn't figure it out.

He was sure he'd always treated Prince Nolan with utmost respect—even when the prince bent the rules, he turned a blind eye, just wanting to keep this powerful guest happy. Once Prince Nolan left, he'd go back to ruling his turf, but now...

He'd bent over backwards to please him, yet Prince Nolan still refused to show him any respect. The more he thought about it, the more the Eastmont Governor-General resented the prince.

So what if he was a royal? This was the Governor-General's territory. No matter how noble Prince Nolan was, he couldn't control everything here. The more he dwelled on it, the angrier he got, until he couldn't sit still and began pacing the study.

He'd barely finished one lap when the door creaked open behind him. The Governor-General turned, and there was Prince Nolan standing in the doorway.

The Eastmont Governor-General froze on the spot. Prince Nolan's mere presence made him impossible to ignore—the aura of power and authority radiating from him was overwhelming.

Cold sweat broke out on the Governor-General's forehead as he shoved aside all rebellious thoughts and bowed respectfully. "Your servant greets Prince Nolan."

"Mm." Not a single word of courtesy, not even a mention of the long wait. Prince Nolan strode in and took the main seat. "What brings you here, Governor-General?"

"Your Highness, I've come about Miss Feng's birthday banquet." The Governor-General quickly composed himself and responded calmly.

"Her birthday banquet? What's the problem?" Prince Nolan lifted his eyelids, showing clear displeasure. He let the Governor-General stand, not even offering a seat.

Without Prince Nolan's invitation, the Governor-General couldn't sit down, so he forced himself to stand, swallowing his irritation. "Your Highness, I've just learned that you've invited merchants from Shandong to Miss Feng's banquet. Isn't that inappropriate?"

"Inappropriate? What's inappropriate about it?" Prince Nolan's lashes flickered, hiding his mockery.

So Shandong really belonged to House Lewis. The dignified Governor-General was willing to wait an hour just to speak for House Lewis—he'd underestimated their influence.

If flattery failed, they'd turn to threats. House Lewis truly acted like local tyrants.

"Your Highness, Miss Feng is far too distinguished to let those merchants attend." The Governor-General praised Miss Feng while belittling the merchants, setting up his next point.

"What's wrong with merchants? I'm in Shandong by imperial order to purchase stone—how am I supposed to do that without dealing with merchants?"

This was exactly what the Governor-General wanted. He smiled obsequiously. "Of course, Your Highness is right. I was foolish. It's just..."

He paused, and Prince Nolan knew he was playing games. Annoyed but patient, Nolan prompted, "Just what?"

"Your Highness, the largest stone dealer in Shandong is House Lewis, but it seems they were left off the guest list." Whether it was really an oversight or not, everyone knew House Lewis wouldn't be ignored unless it was deliberate. Calling it an oversight just gave Prince Nolan a way to save face.

"House Lewis? Did I really leave them out?" Prince Nolan feigned uncertainty, but inside he was sneering.

What a move—the Governor-General was trying to force him to invite House Lewis. Too bad Nolan wasn't like others; he wasn't about to sell the Governor-General any favors.

"Your Highness, there's no invitation for House Lewis." The Governor-General was pushing Prince Nolan to invite them.

The Governor-General knew House Lewis had no personal relationship with Prince Nolan and there was no real enmity. Nolan's snub wasn't a huge deal.

He figured he still had some sway and expected Prince Nolan would give in. But...

Prince Nolan didn't give an inch. He sneered, "If they're not invited, then they're not invited."

His meaning was clear—he had no intention of inviting House Lewis. The Governor-General understood but refused to back down, pretending ignorance and shamelessly pressing, "Your Highness, since House Lewis was left out, perhaps you could send them a supplementary invitation?"

"Supplementary?" Prince Nolan acted as if he'd heard a joke, snorting coldly. "House Lewis thinks highly of itself. They're just a small merchant house—if they're left out, they're left out. What, do you expect me to personally write them an invitation?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!" The Governor-General heard the anger in Prince Nolan's voice and quickly bowed, begging forgiveness.

"Good. Remember, you're Governor-General of Shandong, not Governor-General for House Lewis." With that, Prince Nolan left the Governor-General drenched in cold sweat, sweeping out of the room.

Shandong really was House Lewis's territory. Just one invitation, and House Lewis dared send the Governor-General to challenge a prince—what nerve!