Chapter 9 of 100

Chapter 9

16 min read4,058 words

"Big Sister, why is the Earl's mansion so desolate, and why are there so few people?" Lan Ling finally voiced his doubts.

Su Ningbing replied, "Father has been seriously ill for many years, and the cost of his treatment has been enormous. Added to that, the capital's extravagant lifestyle and the huge expenses of noble interactions. Solen has also been irresponsible, squandering much of our family's wealth. In recent years, our family's finances have only gone out and not come in, so the Earl's mansion is already in dire economic straits."

Lan Ling said, "But don't we still have the Tian Shui City fief? It spans several hundred miles, and the annual taxes should be astronomical, right?"

In fact, Lan Ling's words were too deep for their relationship. But he had already completely regarded Su Ningbing as his sister, Lan Kou, and no longer felt like an outsider.

Su Ningbing said bitterly, "Since Father left the fief to come to the capital for treatment, the Tian Shui City fief has not submitted any revenue to the Earl's mansion for five years."

Lan Ling said, "Are they rebelling?"

Su Ningbing said, "Now, the master is weak and the servants are strong. We have to beg them, and we can only turn a blind eye to some matters."

Lan Ling said, "If the lord is away from the fief for a long time and leaves it to the vassals to manage, it is very dangerous."

Su Ningbing said, "It is already very dangerous. The vassals in the fief are already restless. This time, Solen's disappearance has almost made them celebrate."

Lan Ling said, "Then isn't the foundation of the Su family in grave danger? There is the royal family watching from outside, and the vassals are causing trouble inside."

Su Ningbing nodded and said, "Therefore, we must quickly have you inherit the title and then immediately return to the Tian Shui City fief to take up the position of city lord. The longer we delay, the more problems will arise."

Lan Ling said, "Do I have to inherit the title to become the city lord of Tian Shui City?"

Su Ningbing said, "Of course, this is a necessary step. You must receive the royal family's investiture to officially become the city lord of Tian Shui City."

Lan Ling said, "When can I receive the royal family's investiture and inherit the title?"

Su Ningbing said, "After you graduate from the Capital Academy, you can inherit the title. Every noble heir must complete six years of education at the Capital Academy and pass the final exams to inherit the title."

"Is it difficult?" Lan Ling asked.

Su Ningbing said, "You need to pass four subjects to graduate. As long as you study normally for six years, you can pass. However, you are not Solen and have never studied, so it will be very difficult... Therefore, you will probably need to delay graduation by a year."

Lan Ling said, "But isn't it very urgent? The vassals in the fief are already restless."

Su Ningbing said, "There is no other way. This is a necessary step. Moreover, the royal family has relaxed a lot in recent decades. According to the previous system, you had to achieve the best results in the final exams and obtain the noble knight medal to inherit the title."

Lan Ling said, "Is there any possibility that I can graduate on time without delaying for a year?"

Before Su Ningbing could speak, Ye Jingyu said, "There is no possibility. There are only five months left until the Capital Academy's final exams, and you have to start from zero in all four subjects. Miss said delaying for a year is already a high estimate of your talent. According to Solen's character, even delaying for three years might not be enough for him to graduate."

Lan Ling was indeed ignorant and fearless. These noble children, although they only study at the Capital Academy for six years, have been comprehensively trained by their families since they were four or five years old. So, their learning time exceeds ten years.

Lan Ling, on the other hand, had to start from zero. In less than half a year, he had to complete what others had learned over ten years, which was like a dreamer talking nonsense.

...

For the next month, Lan Ling stayed in the Earl's memorial hall under the pretext of mourning, even eating and drinking there, to make up for his previous filial neglect.

In reality, Su Ningbing used this time to tutor him. She taught him the basic knowledge of this world's civilization and about Solen's social circle to avoid him being exposed when he met acquaintances outside the Earl's mansion or when he entered the Capital Academy, where he would be completely ignorant of the world.

"Solen is not ambitious, uneducated, and has no talent in either literature or martial arts. The only thing he is good at is winning the hearts of girls," Su Ningbing said. "So, it doesn't matter if your academic performance is poor at the Capital Academy."

Lan Ling said, "Then, does he have many girlfriends?"

Su Ningbing nodded and said, "Yes... many."

Lan Ling said, "How many, roughly?"

Su Ningbing blushed and said, "Perhaps in the double digits, or even... more."

Double digits? Even more? Lan Ling was about to go crazy, his scalp tingling.

"Big Sister, I... have never been in love before. Solen has such a rich romantic history. If his lovers come looking for me, I will definitely be exposed," Lan Ling said.

Su Ningbing said awkwardly, "Solen is fickle, and most of the girls were just for fun, so they probably won't come looking for you. However... there are a few girls you should be cautious about."

Lan Ling said nervously, "Tell me, Big Sister."

Su Ningbing said, "The first one is Gui Qinshe, Solen's fiancée. She is the daughter of the Linhai City lord, excelling in both literature and martial arts, and is very famous. She looks down on Solen. If you meet her, you don't need to worry too much because she will avoid Solen."

Lan Ling nodded, relieved.

Su Ningbing said, "The second one is Princess Zhi Ning, a very beautiful and intelligent woman, known as the royal family's top talent. Solen was very infatuated with her and pursued her recklessly, but he suffered a great humiliation and defeat. He went to the Demon Mountain Range because he heard that Princess Zhi Ning was eager to obtain an ancient dragon seal rubbing, which was said to be in the Demon Mountain Range. Solen went on an adventure, hoping to find the dragon seal rubbing to impress Princess Zhi Ning."

After hearing this, Lan Ling instinctively sensed a plot. Solen's death might have been planned by someone.

Su Ningbing said, "Princess Zhi Ning is very smart, so if you meet her, you must act very reasonably, or she will definitely spot the inconsistencies."

Lan Ling nodded and said, "I understand. For such a woman, I will know what to do."

Lan Ling wasn't lying. He had grown up with his sister, seeing the world's coldness and warmth. Although he was kind-hearted, he was never afraid to assume the worst in others. He was well-prepared to deal with bad people.

Su Ningbing continued, "The third woman you must be especially cautious about is Yan Nai'er. She is extremely beautiful, very skilled in martial arts, and has a fiery temper. Solen spent a lot of effort pursuing her and was beaten by her many times. After more than a year, he finally won her over. This girl is simple-minded and passionate. Once she falls in love, she is very devoted and will only marry Solen."

Lan Ling could already guess the outcome of this relationship. Solen, the scoundrel, would not give up the whole forest for one tree.

Su Ningbing said, "After they fell in love, Yan Nai'er frequently pressured Solen to marry her, causing a scandal in the capital. However, Solen still abandoned her and fell in love with Princess Zhi Ning. Yan Nai'er was heartbroken and left the capital, and her whereabouts are unknown."

Lan Ling couldn't help but say, "This girl is good, and Solen is a scoundrel."

"Yes..." Su Ningbing said, "Yan Nai'er's father dislikes Solen, and Solen already has a fiancée. Nai'er quarreled with her parents for Solen, but she was still abandoned. From a woman's perspective, I deeply detest Solen's behavior."

Lan Ling said, "If I meet Yan Nai'er in the future, it will be a big trouble."

Su Ningbing nodded and said, "Yes, I can't predict how Yan Nai'er will react if she meets you. She might even draw her sword and attack you, as she is very skilled in martial arts."

Lan Ling shivered, feeling the immense pressure.

Su Ningbing comforted him, "Yan Nai'er is very skilled in martial arts, so if she attacks you, just act pitiful and don't speak or fight back. She loves Solen very much and wouldn't really hurt you."

"Okay, okay..." Lan Ling said with difficulty, "Are there any other women I need to be cautious about?"

Su Ningbing shook her head and said, "I don't know, as I like to discipline, Solen often doesn't come home, and I don't know some of his affairs. But I vaguely heard that he had an improper relationship with a female teacher at the academy and was caught by her husband."

Lan Ling was about to go crazy. If this was true, he would not be able to live in peace even if he went to the Capital Academy. Solen was a scoundrel, not only seducing his teacher but also a married woman, and he was caught in the act. How did he not get killed?

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