Chapter 26

The day's classes ended, and Lan Ling boarded Ye Jingyu's carriage to return home.

As they passed by the commoners' academy, the scene of noble students humiliating commoner students played out once again. One by one, the splendid carriages of the nobles deliberately moved slowly, forcing the commoner students to stand on both sides of the road, bowing deeply and remaining motionless.

At this moment, a voice suddenly rang out, saying, "Has the nobility of the kingdom fallen to such a shallow and foolish level?"

This voice was full of masculine charm, firm yet not deep, powerful yet not loud.

Then, a man in simple clothing stepped forward from the crowd.

Lan Ling couldn't help but cheer, for the man had a striking appearance.

Standing over 1.8 meters tall, his beauty rivaled Solon's, but his aura was even more compelling.

His face, as beautiful as jade, had eyes sharp like a hawk's, and his tall, robust figure made him look entirely free of any feminine qualities, a man of power and charisma.

Despite his simple clothing, he was a commoner, yet his presence even overshadowed many nobles.

Moreover, the many noble students, scolded by him, lowered their heads, not daring to argue.

Lan Ling was curious, wondering who this person was. A commoner who could directly subdue so many noble students.

Ye Jingyu said, "This person is called Ling Ao, the best student at the Royal City Academy, a spiritual leader for commoner students. He has already been noticed by the royal family and will become Prince Zhi Li's attendant upon graduation."

An attendant is not a servant but an assistant. Solon, as the heir to a baron, is already quite prominent. However, if he were to become Prince Zhi Li's attendant, his status would still be a bit low. Typically, only the sons of dukes or marquises are qualified to be the prince's attendants.

However, Prince Zhi Li directly choosing a commoner as an attendant is not only surprising but also very domineering.

At this point, although Ling Ao is not a noble, he is already quite prominent. If nothing goes wrong, he will become one of the kingdom's military commanders in twenty years, and many of the nobles present will have to look up to him.

Ye Jingyu said, "Ling Ao has another identity for you."

"What?" Lan Ling asked.

"Your rival," Ye Jingyu said. "He is from Linhai City, your fiancée's territory. Not only does your future father-in-law, Gui Xingfu, highly appreciate him, but your future wife, Gui Qinshe, also seems to favor him."

Upon hearing this, Lan Ling's eyes narrowed. Although he is not Solon, he would never allow such a thing to happen.

Whoever wants to wear a green hat for him will have his entire family wear green hats.

"Let's go. You can't provoke him for now. Let's not stir up trouble," Ye Jingyu said.

Ye Jingyu accelerated the carriage and was about to leave.

At this moment, Ling Ao stepped forward, blocking the path of Lan Ling's carriage.

"Solon, right?" he said casually, as if addressing a cat or a dog.

Lan Ling lifted the curtain and said, "Yes, please don't block the way."

Ling Ao said, "I just want to say one thing to you."

Lan Ling said, "Is it about making me give up my fiancée? No need to say it."

"No, not that," Ling Ao said. "Little Shao, this swan, has nothing to do with you. I hope you won't mention Gui Qinshe's name in the future. She has a cleanliness obsession, and so do I. We don't want her name to come out of your mouth. Please."

This arrogance was completely out of this world. He even forbade the mention of Gui Qinshe's name. After all, she is Solon's fiancée, and it has nothing to do with you, Ling Ao.

Lan Ling's heart was already cold, and he said, "You're putting on a good act. I give you an 80 out of 100."

Then, Ye Jingyu's carriage accelerated, passing by Ling Ao.

...

Back at home, Lan Ling immediately saw two unexpected visitors, one fat and one thin.

Seeing Lan Ling enter, the three of them immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Young Master."

Lan Ling frowned and asked, "What's the matter?"

At this moment, Su Ningbing walked out gracefully and said, "Little brother, come with me."

Lan Ling followed Su Ningbing to the back room and saw her frowning. He asked, "What happened? Who are those two outside?"

Su Ningbing said, "They are here to collect a debt owed by Solon."

Lan Ling asked, "How much?"

Su Ningbing said, "3,900 gold coins."

"So much..." Lan Ling almost jumped up, incredulous. "What did that bastard Solon do to owe so much money?"

This was an astronomical amount. The annual salary of a ten-thousand-strong army wouldn't even add up to this much.

Su Ningbing said, "900 gold coins are gambling debts, and the other 3,000 are loans from the Gold House."

The Gold House is similar to an ancient bank.

Lan Ling said, "Is there any fraud involved? How could he owe so much money?"

Su Ningbing said, "I've seen the evidence. It's all clear, with Solon's signature and fingerprint, and the witness's seal."

Lan Ling said, "That bastard Solon, where did he spend those 3,000 gold coins? Even on prostitutes, it would take ten years to spend that much."

Su Ningbing said, "At an auction, Princess Zhi Ning liked a piece of calligraphy. To win her favor, Solon spent a fortune to buy it and gave it to Princess Zhi Ning."

Lan Ling was surprised and asked, "What kind of calligraphy? It costs 3,000 gold coins?"

Su Ningbing said, "It's the handwriting of the Dragon Emperor, extremely rare. The Dragon Emperor's calligraphy is rarely seen, and after three thousand years, there are fewer than ten pieces left in the world. So this price is normal."

Lan Ling said, "Such a precious thing, and Princess Zhi Ning accepted it so easily?"

Su Ningbing said, "Of course not. She firmly rejected Solon's gift. In a fit of shame and anger, Solon burned the Dragon Emperor's calligraphy."

Lan Ling spat out a mouthful of blood. That bastard Solon, to spend 3,000 gold coins on something and then burn it. He is a complete wastrel.

Su Ningbing said, "The key is that when Solon bought the Dragon Emperor's calligraphy, he didn't have enough money, so he borrowed from the Gold House. Now the time has come, and they are here to collect the debt."

Lan Ling said, "What about the 900 gold coins from the gambling? Does Solon like gambling?"

Su Ningbing said, "He doesn't lack money, so he doesn't like gambling. He went to the gambling den for a woman named Yiyun, the daughter of a fallen noble. Her father liked gambling and owed a lot of money, so he wanted to marry her to the gambling den owner as a concubine. Solon, seeing injustice, took on the debt and saved the girl."

Lan Ling said, "At this time, Solon was madly pursuing Princess Zhi Ning. Why did he go after other girls?"

Su Ningbing said, "Yiyun is his classmate and former lover."

Lan Ling clenched his teeth. If Solon were still alive, Lan Ling would ensure he couldn't live a normal life, preferably castrated.

Su Ningbing said, "But Solon had no money, so he wrote an IOU in the name of the Tian Shui Baron's family to the gambling den."

Lan Ling said, "If we refuse to pay, what can they do to us?"

Su Ningbing blushed and said, "Debts must be repaid, it's a matter of principle."

Lan Ling said, "Sister, it depends on what kind of debt."

Then, she glanced at Lan Ling, surprised. This little brother wasn't as honest as he seemed, even talking about defaulting on debts so confidently.

Su Ningbing shook her head and said, "We can't default on the debts because both debts are secured. The 3,000 gold coin loan is secured by an estate, and the 900 gold coin debt is secured by a shop. Solon stole the deeds to these properties from home."

Lan Ling's heart skipped a beat. "Are these the same properties that were given to Duke Zhitin?"

Su Ningbing nodded. "Yes, those two. If we don't pay by the deadline, the gambling den and the Gold House will take the IOUs and deeds to the Royal City Law Hall to request the transfer of these properties. Since these properties are now in Duke Zhitin's hands, there will be a dispute."

Lan Ling suddenly understood, his back hair standing on end.

Clearly, Princess Zhi Ning had made her move again.

In the first round, Su Ningbing bribed Duke Zhitin, and Princess Zhi Ning, sensing the threat, made her first move, having Rog expel Solon (Lan Ling).

So, Lan Ling sought out Solon's former lover, Mentor Nia, and won her heart again. Nia intervened, and Dean Jianyong withdrew the expulsion order, allowing Lan Ling to pass smoothly.

However, as soon as Solon returned to the Royal City Academy, Princess Zhi Ning's second move came, precise and deadly, almost fatal.

Although 3,900 gold coins is a lot, these two creditors never intended to get the money back.

Their goal was simple: to make the Solon family thoroughly offend Duke Zhitin.

Their plan was clear. The Solon family definitely couldn't come up with 3,900 gold coins.

So, as soon as the deadline arrives, these two creditors will take the IOUs and deeds to the Royal City Law Hall to request the transfer of these properties.

However, these properties are now in Duke Zhitin's hands, leading to a dispute.

These two creditors will sue Duke Zhitin to contest the properties.

Once this happens, how furious will Duke Zhitin be?

He accepted the bribe and worked hard, even risking offending the future crown prince. But the properties the Solon family offered turned out to be already owned. Are the Solon family playing with him? Treating him like a fool?

At that point, Duke Zhitin won't help the Solon family; he will join Prince Zhi Li in crushing them.

After all, the Solon family has already been forced to confront Prince Zhi Li, and Duke Zhitin is their only major supporter.

Although this supporter is greedy, he is also straightforward and a good supporter.

Once they offend Duke Zhitin, the consequences will be unimaginable. The Solon family can barely handle Prince Zhi Li, and with Duke Zhitin, they will be utterly destroyed.

Princess Zhi Ning's methods are truly ruthless, completely cutting off their support.

Lan Ling said, "How many days until the repayment deadline?"

"Two days," Su Ningbing said. "These two creditors chose this time to collect the debt."

Lan Ling said, "How much money do we have left at home?"

"More than 300 gold coins," Su Ningbing said.

Lan Ling was shocked. The grand baron's family had only 300 gold coins left?

Given the baron's family's strength, it was impossible to pay the debt.

...

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