Chapter 2 Seeking a Way Out
Lu Lans made his promise, and a new round of debate began in the hall of Wushan Fortress.
The compensation plan was mainly finalized by Wiggins and the Three Knights of Negan, and bargaining was naturally inevitable.
From this point on, no one spent any more time talking to Roning, as if he had nothing to do with the matter.
"He's really a tool."
Roning muttered softly. He listened to a few words of the argument in the hall at first, but then the pain in his legs distracted him.
My previous life was surrounded by alcohol and sex every day, and my physical fitness was too poor, and I was very weak.
If he could, he really wanted to stand up and leave the hall.
But now is not the time.
Although he survived the crisis safely, he didn't know what his fate would be.
Generally speaking, nobles who were deprived of their inheritance rights were either sent to other small cities to manage the family's business or kept as pets in the castle. Of course, there were also more miserable ones who were deprived of their surnames and expelled from the family or even died an unnatural death.
What fate awaits him?
"As long as you're not thrown into prison or imprisoned, it's fine."
The argument lasted for more than an hour before the three knights of Negan left the fortress satisfied with the result.
If nothing goes wrong, officials from both sides will supplement the subsequent specific details and draft a contract.
At this time, Luo Ning, who was kneeling on the ground with numb legs, perked up.
After everyone else left, it was his turn.
Wushan Fortress was silent for a while, then Wiggins angrily grabbed the crystal glass at hand and threw it in front of Roning, smashing it to pieces with a bang.
"It's because of you that the family paid such a huge price!"
Luo Ning really wanted to say that your son has paid the price with his life, but he didn't dare to say it out loud.
The old Marquis on the high seat glanced at his son, whom he disliked, and asked coldly, "How can you be better than Ronin? Ahem..."
"The battlefield commander dared to disperse the attack without even knowing the enemy's strength and even agreed to the request of Slant, who was in charge of logistics, to lead the charge. Is your brain full of horse manure?"
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!"
As he spoke, the old Marquis became increasingly angry and began to cough violently.
Wiggins has a bad temper but faced with his father's criticism; he can only shrink his head, sit in the chair, and keep silent.
"Well!"
After Lu Lan Si calmed down, he sighed heavily. It seemed that his useless son still hadn't discovered the deeper meaning of Selina's suicide. His political sense was too dull.
If his eldest son Graham were here, he wouldn't have these worries.
Lu Lansi turned his gaze to Luo Ning, who was still kneeling. Perhaps out of boredom, he asked casually: "Luo Ning, my grandson, what do you think of this matter?"
He sighed again in his heart. The personality of his eldest grandson was exactly the same as Wiggins when he was young.
No, it's worse than that. At least Wiggins has mastered the fighting spirit, while Roning is just a mortal.
Hearing the Marquis asking him, Roning raised his head.
Although he didn't understand why Lu Lans asked him such a question, he knew that the good or bad answer might affect his future treatment.
"Conspiracy, this is a conspiracy!"
His predecessor's brain wasn't very bright, so he tried not to be as clear as possible.
"Although I can't remember what happened that night, Selena and I have always had feelings for each other. Even if something really happened, she wouldn't commit suicide. There must be a conspiracy behind this!"
There was a flash of surprise in Lu Lans' eyes. How could his grandson have such insight?
And at this time, shouldn't he, who had lost his inheritance rights, kneel down and cry, falling into endless regret and sorrow?
"Wake up, my grandson, and tell me what the conspiracy is."
Luo Ning breathed a sigh of relief, gritted his teeth and slowly stood up, enduring the discomfort. The corporal punishment time was finally over.
He thought about it and organized his words.
"Grandpa, I think someone must have assassinated Selina and framed me to sow discord between us and the Hyde family, making Wushan Territory even more uneasy and unstable and ultimately achieving the goal of splitting Wushan Territory!"
In fact, he would rather say that this was a conspiracy of the Hyde family, but this understanding was deeper and did not seem like something his predecessor could have come up with, so he gave a shallower version.
But it was this shallow guess that made Lu Lan Si nod his head, "To have such an understanding shows that your brain is a little smarter than your father, Wiggins."
Wiggins hesitated to speak. Was the old man confused? Was this stupid son smarter than him?
He was trying to sow discord between Hyde and Wushan. In his opinion, this was clearly Roning talking nonsense.
"You have some truth in what you said."
Lu Lans smiled and motioned for Luo Ning to sit aside.
In fact, in his heart, he had already begun to doubt whether Selina was a descendant of the Hyde family.
However, there was no need for him to voice his guess.
"It's good to let Bretton inherit. This little guy is only thirteen years old and has already nurtured the seeds of a fighting spirit. He will definitely achieve more than you in the future. In addition, with the support of the Hyde family, our family can still sit firmly in Wushan Territory."
Luo Ning's expression changed, and he roughly understood.
Perhaps from the very beginning, the old marquis knew what the Hyde family's demands were.
The old Marquis disliked Wiggins and his predecessor, so after seeing the intentions of the Hyde family, he went with the flow and abolished Ronin's inheritance rights.
Rather than waiting for Wushan Territory to fall apart after his death, it would be better to let the Hyde family support it wholeheartedly. At least the owner of Wushan Territory is still named Wushan.
So from beginning to end, Lulans did not show any anger towards Roning, not even the slightest intention of blaming him.
This made Luo Ning feel relieved. Perhaps he could use the loss of his inheritance rights to ask for some benefits?
"Losing your inheritance rights might be a good thing for you."
Lu Lansi continued, "Although you don't have the right of inheritance, you are still a child of my Wushan family. There will be no problem for you to live in this castle in your old age."
Retirement?
Luo Ning was still young, and he had finally travelled through time. He didn't want to live a life in this castle that he could see the end of.
Moreover, being in the centre of this vortex, he might even lose his life, so it would be better for him to leave as soon as possible.
"Grandpa, I don't want to live in the castle in my old age!"
As soon as Roning said this, he was greeted with Wiggins's angry scolding, "What, is it not enough for the family to support you? Believe it or not, I will kick you out of the family directly!"
Lu Lansi asked with a smile, "Oh? Then what do you want to do?"
This sentence immediately made Wiggins hold back the anger that he was about to vent, and he felt very uncomfortable.
But it was precisely because the old man did not show any anger or blame from beginning to end that made Roning feel that he had a chance to gain something.
Of course, asking for it directly is not a good idea. He needs to perform it with words.
Luo Ning looked dejected as if he was heartbroken and regretful.
"Grandpa and father, because of the mistake I made, my family has paid such a heavy price. From yesterday till now, I feel extremely guilty and remorseful!"
As he spoke, Roning wiped his eyes vigorously, and the discomfort caused two tears to seep out of the corners of his eyes.
"I don't want to be a useless person who only eats and drinks for the family. I want to make up for my mistakes. I want to manage the family's business. Even if it's a baron in a small town in a remote area, I am willing to go there to make profits for the family!"
Even without a title, Roning is still a noble.
But with the title, he can activate the golden finger.
This is his real appeal.
"You actually want me to make you a baron?"
Wiggins was so angry that his beard almost exploded. "I asked you to manage the town. Do you have the ability to do that?"
"Hahaha, cough cough cough…"
While Lu Lans was laughing, he started coughing. He was too tired today, and his old illness made him very exhausted.
"It's rare for you to be so thoughtful, and your idea is not bad. Moreover, the fact that you can detect the conspiracy behind Selina's death shows that you are not as stupid as I thought."
At this point, the old Marquis paused and said, "I can give you a chance."
He looked at his son and said, "Wiggins, just pick a small town in a remote area for Ronin and let him try his hand. Even if the business is not good, it doesn't matter."
The most important thing is that this can keep Roning away from Wushan City, which is good for everyone.
Roning laughed. He was very happy to be away from the centre of the vortex.
"Thank you, Grandpa. I will manage the business well and live up to the gift from my family!"
Wiggins's face was not looking good. "Father, you spoil him too much. This guy is nothing but a hedonist. After returning from this war, those who have made contributions have not been rewarded yet, but you gave Roning a fiefdom first. This is not appropriate!"
Lu Lansi did not continue to say anything more on this topic but slowly stood up with his crutches and prepared to leave.
"My health is getting worse and worse. I am estimated to be only two or three years away from death. As the Earl of Wushan City and the future successor of Wushan Territory, can you think more objectively about this matter?"
Wiggins shut his mouth. He didn't know why his father suddenly got angry with him.
However, he felt bitter when he saw his father becoming increasingly thin.
A knight at the peak of the Meteor level can live to at least 110 years old if nothing unexpected happens, but Rulans is in very poor health due to a serious injury thirty years ago, and now he is almost at his limit at the age of 75.
"Okay, father!"
Wiggins sighed, thought for a moment, and said, "Then let Roning be the baron of Hillwood Town and take care of Hillwood Town for us. That way, those who have made contributions will not have too many objections."
Shanlin Town?
Luo Ning's ears perked up. His previous incarnation had no information about Shanlin Town in his mind. He thought it should be a remote place.
But what did Wiggins mean by the last sentence? Why didn't those people who made contributions have much objection?
Lu Lans paused as if he wanted to say something but didn't say it in the end.
"As you wish."
The old Marquis said this and continued to leave the hall.
At this time, Roning laughed because, in his sight, the line of text changed:
[Obtained the title, the system is being activated...]
"Grandpa, let me help you!"
Luo Ning ran up with a smile. He was very grateful to the old man.
"Haha, you are more considerate than before."
At the same time, Lu Lansi sighed in his heart, "If I had changed earlier, maybe I wouldn't have deprived you of your inheritance rights."
But it was too late.