Chapter 24

A high-quality restaurant, a quiet and private room.

During the dinner, neither Xiaolan nor Noven spoke, but they both knew that after the meal, they had things to discuss.

Noven was somewhat distracted; even the delicious food was tasteless to him. Occasionally, he would steal a glance at the young man, who was calmly and meticulously enjoying his dinner.

He detested his current situation because he had lost his autonomy.

"Sir, I am very grateful for your rescue, but I am well aware of my own worth, and perhaps I am not worth your rescue. So, may I ask, why?"

When the leftovers were cleared away by the attendant, the dinner ended, and Noven could hardly wait to speak. He needed to ask why, as this sudden question weighed heavily on his mind.

He needed an answer.

"First, you are now my attendant, and you should address me as Lord, or Master," the young man said calmly, picking up the wine bottle on the table, filling his glass, and looking at Noven, "Would you like a drink?"

Noven shook his head; he was not in the mood for alcohol. He only wanted to know the answer.

"If I were to give a reason, I think my future journey needs a well-learned and knowledgeable scholar as an attendant," the young man said, swirling the liquid in his glass and smiling at Noven. "You know, the customs and traditions vary from place to place, and a competent scholar attendant would make my journey much easier."

"What—?" Noven was taken aback and agitated. "Are you planning to leave the capital?"

"Why not?" Xiaolan seemed curious.

Of course not, what about my beloved Biling if I leave the capital! Noven shouted in his heart. He did not expect the young man's answer to be so unexpected, reasonable, yet unacceptable to him.

As if hearing Noven's thoughts, Xiaolan took a sip of wine and looked at Noven, whose face was filled with anxiety. He said calmly, "It seems you are not willing to leave the capital."

Faced with the young man's casual revelation of the truth, Noven took a deep breath and mustered the courage to say, "Yes, there is someone very important to me in the capital. I cannot leave now."

"Now, but what about in the future?" Xiaolan asked.

"I don't know."

Noven clutched his head in pain, knowing he could not take Biling with him.

This obsession plagued him, lingering and refusing to dissipate.

"But you must understand, you are now my attendant, and you have no choice," Xiaolan said bluntly, a slight smile on his lips.

The young man's words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly making Noven feel dejected. He slumped in his chair, head hanging low, and silently tugged at his hair.

Seeing Noven's state, Xiaolan tried to comfort him, "If you have any problems, you can speak up. Perhaps I can help you."

"Really?" Noven looked up with hope.

"I make no promises," Xiaolan said indifferently.

Noven, filled with hope, chose to trust the young man, as he had no other choice.

He began to slowly recount his troubles.

Xiaolan listened with a smile, occasionally sipping his wine. The ease with which he broke down Noven's defenses was too simple, but it was for the best; he would become a very competent pawn.

Perhaps because he had harbored his frustrations for too long, Noven, feeling relieved to have someone to confide in, spoke incessantly, pouring out his emotions.

When his voice became hoarse, Xiaolan refilled another glass and handed it to him. Noven drank it in one gulp, and Xiaolan simply gave him the bottle.

Noven's tolerance for alcohol seemed low, and he soon became tipsy, his emotions growing more intense and uncontrolled.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help you with your problem."

After listening to Noven's story and understanding the root of the issue, Xiaolan spread his hands in helplessness.

"How can that be?" Noven, slightly drunk, said with excitement, "Aren't you a noble? With your abilities, you must have a way to take Biling out!"

"Just a poor, foreign minor noble. Do you think my status is of any use in the capital?" Xiaolan was not offended by Noven's disrespect, smiling and teasing, "Do you really think I am some great person?"

"How can that be—how can that be—"

Hearing Xiaolan's words, Noven looked disheartened, his last hope cruelly snatched away. This pain was too much for even the alcohol to numb.

"But—" Xiaolan paused, then continued, "Although I can't help you, someone else can."

"Who?" The sudden turn in the young man's words was like a refreshing stream, making Noven shiver with anticipation.

The speed of the other's mood change made Xiaolan shake his head, playing with his wine glass and smiling, "Didn't you say you are the scholar advisor to the Crown Prince? I think only the Crown Prince can help you."

Thinking there might be a solution, Noven slumped in his chair and laughed bitterly, "That's impossible."

"Why?" Xiaolan asked. "I think this matter is not difficult for the Crown Prince."

Noven looked dejected, shaking his head and laughing at himself, "Perhaps the Crown Prince could help me, but do you think the Crown Prince has any reason to help me?"

"Hmm?"

Faced with the young man's confusion, Noven continued dejectedly, "As the Crown Prince's advisor, I may seem noble to ordinary people, but to the nobility, I am nothing. Moreover, the Crown Prince has many scholar advisors, and I have become increasingly marginalized. Do you think the Crown Prince would offend others just to help a minor advisor like me?"

"Indeed, no one does anything without a benefit," Xiaolan agreed.

"So I never expect the Crown Prince to help me, because I know I have no value that would make the Crown Prince help me," Noven said with a bitter smile.

"Then—" Xiaolan narrowed his eyes, with a deeper meaning, "Do you think you are a competent scholar?"

"Of course!" Sensing the implied insult, Noven's face turned red with anger, "You can insult me, but you cannot deny my knowledge."

"But why are you becoming increasingly marginalized in the Crown Prince's circle? Are you not as competent as the others?" Xiaolan asked with a smile.

"No! I am more competent than them! But—" As he spoke, Noven seemed to realize something and began to speak vaguely.

"But you have been preoccupied with a woman, forgetting your responsibilities as the Crown Prince's advisor. This has led to your marginalization," Xiaolan said mercilessly, pointing out his inner concerns.

Noven felt ashamed and angry, as the young man spoke the truth, which he could not refute.

"Before you met that woman, what was your status in the Crown Prince's circle?" Xiaolan asked, smiling and dissecting the issue bit by bit.

Noven, feeling timid, stammered, "I was more valued than now."

"What about your fellow scholars?" Xiaolan continued.

"They were inferior to me, even insignificant," Noven said, biting his lip and looking down, remembering the days when he looked down on his fellow scholars, who now often mocked him.

"Do you understand now?" Xiaolan raised an eyebrow, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

"Understand what?" Noven was confused.

Hearing the other's slow response, Xiaolan sighed, thinking that despite his intelligent appearance, this middle-aged man was so foolish in some matters. It was unclear if he had studied himself into foolishness, but from another perspective, it made him a perfect pawn.

"If you had not met that woman, what would your status in the Crown Prince's circle be now?"

This person was a crucial figure in his plan, so Xiaolan had to continue explaining until the other was completely under his influence.

"Absolutely more valued," Noven said confidently, speaking about his expertise.

"Then who made you meet that woman?"

"My colleague. He invited me to the Fitz Club, and I met Biling there."

At this, Noven's face showed happiness.

Xiaolan continued, "Why did your colleague invite you?"

"Because he hoped I would take care of his affairs with the Crown Prince. At that time, I was more valued by the Crown Prince."

Recalling the past, Noven's words were filled with pride.

"Wasn't Biling very expensive at the Fitz Club?"

"Yes—"

"Do you think Biling likes you?"

"Absolutely! No one can doubt the love between Biling and me."

The relationship with Biling was Noven's sensitive boundary, and his agitation seemed to tell everyone that this was his forbidden zone.

Xiaolan shook his head again, deciding to stop delving into the issue of the woman, as he knew this man was beyond help in some areas. Further discussion would be futile, and he needed to change his approach.

"If you were to become more negligent in your duties to the Crown Prince, who would benefit?"

Noven calmed down and thought about the young man's words. After a moment, he seemed to realize something, "My colleague."

Xiaolan said, "Do you understand now?"

"You mean—" Noven held his forehead, looking shocked. He thought of something, and this idea began to influence his mind, spreading a dark thought he was unwilling to touch.

Not too foolish, just a bit slow in thinking.

Xiaolan smiled and nodded slightly, seemingly acknowledging his thoughts.

The human heart is a complex entity, easily influenced and guided by external factors. Different things and words can shape different perspectives, and those with weak wills are often the easiest to manipulate.

The release of negative emotions, the weakening of will by alcohol, and continuous verbal guidance.

He did not know if what he said was true, but even if it wasn't, he would fabricate it, as he needed to stir up the evil in his heart.

And this process was not yet over.