Thump.
Outside the window, water trickled, and bamboo tubes produced rhythmic sounds. Recalling Hurricane City, Leah's eyes widened with a trace of astonishment, and her gaze towards the Chief Financial Officer was filled with disbelief.
Targeting Hurricane City, how could this be possible?
The decline and chaos of Hurricane City had not appeared only in the last six months but were the result of years of accumulation. Years ago, the City Lord, the old Prince, gradually began to disregard matters within Hurricane City, delegating authority to his relatives and in-laws within the city.
From that time on, Hurricane City was merely a facade of prosperity.
Although it seemed peaceful and prosperous with the old Prince still presiding, corruption within the city had steadily amplified, and the number of bandits within its borders increased daily.
The citizens living within the city were relatively fine, but those in the villages outside the city lived in absolute misery.
During harvest season, looting was constant.
After a year of hard work, less than one-tenth of their produce remained after the looting. Furthermore, they still had to pay heavy taxes, causing many to be unable to bear the burden and abandon the city to seek other paths.
This was also the beginning of Hurricane City's population loss.
And it was a signal for the city's reserve grain to enter deficit thereafter.
When Leah learned of these matters, she had berated the officials of Hurricane City for their inaction and had even secretly contacted scholars to advise the old Prince.
Little did she know, at that time, the old Prince was already oblivious to the outside world.
He paid no attention to the state of the city.
It was also due to the old Prince's neglect that the nobles within the city grew even more brazen. Members of the royal family also took notice of these matters and secretly contacted the nobles of Hurricane City and the lords of its subordinate cities.
However, at that time, the Seventh Prince had not yet married Leah.
He did not have the qualifications to compete for Hurricane City.
By the time Leah, the daughter of the Chief Financial Officer, married the Seventh Prince, Hurricane City had already been largely divided, with only the final net to be cast.
"Why would he set his sights on Hurricane City?"
"Putting aside whether he has informants in Hurricane City and can cooperate from within, considering his current situation within the royal family, he should be more interested in the throne."
"Wasting energy on Hurricane City is a misstep for him."
Thump!
The water flowed through the bamboo tube, producing another crisp striking sound. The Chief Financial Officer slowly raised his head, his deep eyes revealing a blurred, unreadable quality.
"Both you and I underestimated the Seventh Prince."
The Chief Financial Officer shook his head slightly, his expression tinged with a hint of self-mockery.
He had navigated the officialdom for decades, rising from obscurity to a position of unparalleled influence, second only to the ruler. Only he knew the thorns along the way.
The arduous journey had also tempered him.
Since Leah's birth, he had entered middle age. No one in the Kingdom of Tatu was not viewed as a pawn in his hands; no matter who stood before him, he could discern their depth at a glance.
He never expected to misjudge a junior.
"In this royal capital, you are not the only one who has been biding your time," the Chief Financial Officer said, his gaze fixed. "In the few days you were in Hurricane City, I received some news, the content of which you would absolutely not expect."
Leah frowned, remaining silent.
???
What was the point of saying that? The family's intelligence network was not in his hands, so he certainly didn't know the specific content of the news.
"The Seventh Prince, before marrying your sister, had already gained the support of the State Preceptor."
Bang!
Leah, who had been sitting in the chair, suddenly stood up, the chair behind her falling heavily to the ground with a bang.
"What?"
Leah, with eyes full of disbelief, widened them. His chest felt suddenly heavy, and for a long while, he couldn't shake off this shock.
The Seventh Prince had gained the State Preceptor's support before him.
His sister Leah had been married for so many years, and they had never received any news of this. Before Leah's marriage, the family had investigated the Seventh Prince from head to toe, but found no clues whatsoever.
"Sit, sit."
The Chief Financial Officer raised his hand slightly, not reprimanding Leah for his outburst. Even he had been shocked when the news reached him, his pupils contracting violently.
Leah, with wide, frightened eyes, righted the chair and sat down again.
"Father!"
"Is this news reliable?"
Although Leah knew in his heart that any news from his father's mouth would be accurate, he still couldn't believe that the Seventh Prince could endure to such an extent.
"We were used."
"In fact, even I didn't anticipate this. By the time I felt something was amiss and investigated, it was already too late."
The Chief Financial Officer shook his head slightly, his eyes filled with a hint of self-mockery.
"It shouldn't be. When Sister married, our family checked him dozens of times. The informants planted in the inner city of the royal capital reported back almost every half hour," Leah said, his brow furrowed. "How could he have gained the State Preceptor's support without us discovering it? And what abilities did he possess that the State Preceptor saw? Didn't you always say that the State Preceptor has very high standards?"
"The State Preceptor and the Seventh Prince's maternal grandmother were childhood sweethearts."
"Ah?"
"This is also news I received a few days ago," the Chief Financial Officer said, his voice grave. "The State Preceptor and the Seventh Prince's maternal grandmother were from the same village, and the Seventh Prince's grandmother had once done the State Preceptor a favor. Damn it, I never expected the connection to be so distant. I only found out a few days ago why that old dog never married. I initially thought he was incapable, but now I finally understand. That old dog has been longing for his white moonlight, the Seventh Prince's maternal grandmother!"
Leaning back in his chair, the Chief Financial Officer cursed loudly, demonstrating just how much he had been shaken.
Leah silently watched the Chief Financial Officer unleash a torrent of curses in the room, his heart churning with tumultuous waves, feeling his perception of reality shattered.
"So, the Seventh Prince's intentions towards Hurricane City originated from the State Preceptor?"
"The State Preceptor treats the Seventh Prince like his own grandson; he is willing to risk his life to help the Seventh Prince ascend," the Chief Financial Officer said sternly. "The Seventh Prince indeed has no informants in Hurricane City, but that old dog, the State Preceptor, had already made arrangements for him. The funds he is raising now are intended to capture Hurricane City and then eye the royal capital. This has already gone beyond our control. I can only reject it and begin to vigorously support the eldest."
"Will my sister be alright?"
"No!"
The Chief Financial Officer stated with certainty.
"I have secretly arranged for several individuals above the Five-Colored Realm at her villa. You can be completely assured of your sister's safety. Furthermore, there is a key point now: the Seventh Prince's true objective in attacking Hurricane City is not to capture it."
"Then what does he want to do, snatch resources?"
Leah's brow furrowed deeply. "The old Prince hasn't cared about Hurricane City's fate for over a decade, so the resources have long been plundered by the nobles. At most, he can seize some mine veins, but converting these resources into cash takes too much time."
Suddenly, an image flashed in Leah's mind, and he also looked at the Chief Financial Officer with wide eyes.
"He's not, is he, after Chen Yu!"