Chapter 119

Donate the Ryan family’s assets… entirely to the Royal House?

Upon hearing Li Ang’s words, the Red-haired Director sat up straight, slightly startled.

Even if the Ryan family is already on the verge of collapse, it’s only a matter of time before most of its assets are seized by competing factions, leaving behind nothing but an empty shell.

But even that empty shell is enough for an ordinary person to squander in a lifetime—why consider donating it all?

“Because the Clearance Bureau’s salary already covers my expenses, and even allows my whole family to live comfortably. Inheriting the Duke’s title would bring more wealth, but also drag me into endless troubles, and completely disrupt Anna’s life and the others’. Compared to that, I think the way things are now is better.”

After briefly explaining his reasoning, Li Ang paused, then added:

“Of course, I’m also doing this to avoid suspicion. If I inherit the Lionheart Duke’s title, I become the biggest beneficiary of the Ryan bloodline. The Bureau’s investigators might think too much—so it’s better to force them to appoint someone else quickly and get rid of this burden as soon as possible.”

So you see an entire ducal family’s fortune as nothing but a heavy burden?

Staring into Li Ang’s eyes and confirming his sincerity, the Red-haired Director raised an eyebrow slightly, then glanced at the toad pendant on his chest.

It makes sense… If he had a strong craving for wealth, he likely wouldn’t have resisted this Holy Spirit that controls wealth—so this choice isn’t hard to understand, though…

“Why choose to donate it to the Royal House?”

After thinking for a moment, the Red-haired Director spoke seriously:

“If you just want to pressure them into appointing someone else, I don’t really recommend donating to the Royal House—they might not even accept it.

It looks too much like a land grab. The old aristocracy still holds considerable power; if mishandled, it could trigger a massive backlash that would seriously trouble the Royal House.

Besides, even if you don’t donate to them, given the Royal House’s current influence, they could still seize three or four tenths of the wealth, and with good maneuvering, even half. They’re unlikely to risk it—you’d probably be rejected outright.”

“…”

So this could happen too?

Hearing the Red-haired Director’s words, Li Ang froze slightly, then felt relieved he hadn’t acted blindly—he’d chosen to consult her first. Otherwise, if the Royal House had outright refused, he’d have been stuck.

Deeply aware of the gap between himself and the Director in this regard, the ever-humble and eager-to-learn Li Ang immediately lowered his stance and asked:

“Then, in your opinion, what should I do?”

“Simple!”

With a crisp snap of her fingers, the Red-haired Director smiled sweetly:

“At such an important succession ceremony, the Princess will surely be present. Just propose to her on the spot—with the entire Ryan family as your dowry.”

“…”

“Huh?!?!?!”

“Trust me, this is definitely the best solution.”

Watching Li Ang’s jaw drop in shock, the Red-haired Director—who had just gotten revenge for his earlier scare—felt considerably more satisfied, and smiled warmly:

“Your ultimate goal is to force them to appoint someone else as heir, right?

Right now, in their eyes, you and the entire Ryan family are fish on a chopping block—no matter how much you struggle, you’ll be devoured. So no matter how absurd or outrageous your behavior as Duke appears, it won’t change the outcome.”

Even donating the Ryan family’s wealth doesn’t matter—you can only donate their assets. The crucial seats in the Shangyi Academy, and your influence in the Military and Road Administration Departments, you can’t donate. Those core assets will inevitably be seized by other noble families through marriage ties.

But if you use the entire Ryan family as a dowry to propose to the Princess, the situation changes completely.

»

In Li Ang’s dazed expression, the Red-haired Director declared confidently:

“If you succeed, the Princess can swallow the Ryan family’s wealth and Shangyi Academy seat outright, then legitimately take over their positions in the Military and Road Administration Departments, fully embedding her influence.

With this, the Royal House would directly control nine ‘Forces’—and with others it influences indirectly, over half of the Kingdom’s administrative departments would fall under the Princess’s sway.

Add the Ryan family’s Vice President seat in the Shangyi Academy, and the Princess now holds power in both chambers. Even if the old aristocracy and the Council unite, they’d only be slightly stronger—by two or three tenths.

Once you factor in their internal friction and scheming, the Princess’s faction and the anti-Princess faction are nearly evenly matched. The reforms she’s long been blocked from pushing forward now have a chance to be forced through, delivering a crushing blow to the entire old aristocracy.

Once they realize this, they won’t just want to replace the heir—they’ll probably want to kill you on the spot!”

“…”

Watching Li Ang go from stunned, to gaping, to silent, the Red-haired Director—satisfied by her mischief—smiled warmly and concluded:

“If you follow my advice, the worst outcome is you successfully shed the Duke title. The best? You could marry the Princess and become a Prince of the Blood!

Little Li Ang~ What do you think of my suggestion?”

“…”

It’s a good idea—but could you please not mess with me while giving it?

Li Ang had now realized his Director’s habit of teasing him had kicked in—this proposal was clearly just a joke.

“Thank you for the advice, Director.”

After memorizing this super-move that would guarantee his escape from the Duke title, Li Ang scowled:

“But I don’t need to actually propose to the Princess. If I just announce I’m planning to, they’ll kick me off the Duke’s seat themselves.”

“That would work too, but aren’t you even considering it?”

The Red-haired Director smiled sweetly:

“Given the Princess’s style, she’d accept your proposal instantly. She’s known as the most beautiful woman in the capital—surely you have at least a tiny bit of…?”

“No!”

Seeing the Director slip into her mischievous mode, and having already gotten the solution he needed, Li Ang had no intention of staying to be teased—he stiffly left the Director’s office.

“There’s a lot of backlog work these past two days. If there’s nothing else, I’ll get going.”

“Mm-hmm, go on, go on~”

Watching Li Ang leave with a smile, the now-content Red-haired Director picked up a stack of files and returned to work—until the sun began to tilt westward, when she suddenly exclaimed, “Oh no!” and opened a drawer to retrieve a family photo bound with hair.

I was too busy with official matters earlier, then distracted by fun—I forgot to return this anomaly item Jerry stole from Li Ang!