Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

"But the premise is that we must first build the sheepfold and fatten up our own sheep."

“Once we have our own sheepdogs, we won’t need these wolves anymore.”

Gertrude felt a chill run down her spine, and her awe of Lacey deepened.

……

Holy Lytanian Empire: Chapter 55: You Have a Good Son, So Your Family Is Doomed

Inside the throne room, the lingering warmth of the departing merchants had not yet dissipated when guards knocked on the door from the outside.

“Come in,” Lacey said.

A young guard pushed open the door and entered. He first saluted the crowd, then quickly walked up to Lacey and reported with a somewhat strange expression:

"Reporting to Lord Lexi, a caravan from the capital Trilintelme has arrived outside the tower, requesting to see you."

"The capital?" Gertrude immediately became alert. "Is it the Twin Queens' people?"

The guard shook his head: "The leader identifies himself as Earl Dominic Austin."

“Austin?” Gertrude quickly searched her memory for the surname, but it didn’t ring a bell. Clearly, it wasn’t some prestigious family.

However, when the name "Austin" reached Lacey's ears, he couldn't help but sneer.

Dominic Austin.

He would never forget that name.

A year ago, at the gates of the Trinity Art Academy, the arrogant young man who snatched his place by relying on his family background was none other than the count's son.

Later, the tragedy that befell his parents was also inextricably linked to this count.

Although it was Bach, who had been bribed, who took direct action, the invisible hand behind the scenes was undoubtedly the power of the Austin family.

Lacey originally thought that the reckoning with the count would happen after he had completely taken control of Letania.

He never expected that the other party would actually come to him on their own initiative.

“Let them come up,” Lacey said calmly.

Gertrude asked, puzzled, "Lord Lacey, do you know this Earl Austin?"

"That's it."

Lacey answered casually, “An…old friend.”

A few minutes later, footsteps approached from afar, and the doors to the throne room were pushed open again.

A well-dressed, thin, middle-aged man with meticulously combed hair walked in.

He was Earl Dominic Austin, with a carefully rehearsed humble smile on his face.

"Oh! Your Excellency Lacey!"

"Please allow me, Dominic Austin, to offer you my sincerest congratulations and...my deepest apologies!"

As soon as Dominic entered, he quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Lacey, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Behind him followed a young man whose face was as pale as paper and whose body was trembling uncontrollably.

The young man kept his head down, not daring to meet Lacey's gaze.

Lacey's gaze passed over Dominic and landed on the young man's face.

Derek Austin.

He remembered the other person's past arrogance and disdain.

A year later, when that face reappeared before him, all that remained on it was fear.

Ever since the news spread throughout Letania that Lacey had taken the Vase territory without firing a shot and had been appointed Elector Marquis by the Queen, Draco had been plunged into a nightmare.

He suffered from insomnia day and night, and the scene of how he publicly humiliated that poor boy from the border in front of the Trinity Art Academy kept replaying in his mind.

He once thought he had just stepped on an insignificant ant, but he never imagined that the ant would turn into a dragon powerful enough to crush his entire family.

His unusual behavior was eventually noticed by the shrewd Dominic.

Under his father's stern questioning, Deleco tearfully recounted his "heroic feat" from years ago.

Upon hearing this, Dominic immediately slapped him twice across the face, making him see stars.

But after the initial shock and anger, this cunning old fox, who had spent half his life navigating the elite circles of the capital, immediately calmed down.

He knew that this matter concerning the group of doctors and the seal of Erjiu could not be resolved peacefully.

Offending an Elector, especially a mad Elector who rose to power through ruthless means, could mean the end for the Austin family.

But then he thought again, this might also be an opportunity.

Everyone knows that the newly established Wasser territory is in dire need of rebuilding and is most lacking in money and resources.

If he could bring generous gifts and adopt a sufficiently humble attitude to apologize, the elector who had climbed his way up from the bottom would most likely accept his apology for the sake of practical interests.

If he could resolve this feud, he could even use this opportunity to become the first nobleman from the capital to invest in the fertile land of Waser, seizing the initiative.

　2Lin Er Er Yi (Three) OG (Two) So he immediately prepared generous gifts, and escorted his son, who was almost scared out of his wits, and rushed to the territory of Vaser day and night.

"Lord Lexi!"

Dominic's voice rang out again.

He said with a beaming smile, "Having heard that Your Excellency has been appointed Elector, I have specially brought some small gifts from Triintelmer as a token of my respect."

"Some gold bars, a few paintings from the previous dynasty, and some worthless gems—I hope these can do my part for the reconstruction of the Waser territory!"

After saying that, he turned around abruptly and kicked Deleco in the back of the knee.

With a thud, Deleco's knees slammed heavily onto the stone floor, making a dull thud.

"And this unfilial son!" Dominic's face instantly changed to a pained expression, his voice filled with grief and indignation.

"I only learned a few days ago that this virgin had committed such a heinous act against you back then! This is an utter disgrace to the Austin family!"

His performance was so lifelike that it seemed as if he were truly an old father driven mad by his unworthy descendants.

"Lord Lacey, it is my fault for failing to raise my son properly. I am willing to accept any punishment you may give me!"

Before he finished speaking, he drew his sword from his waist with a clang.

He raised his longsword high, aimed it at Draco's neck as he knelt on the ground, and roared:

"Today, I will personally clean house in front of Lord Lacey! To appease your anger!"

The sword's edge was sharp and pointed directly at the back of Draco's neck.

Draco shuddered in fright, a warm, damp sensation spreading from his crotch, and a foul stench instantly filled the throne room.

Dominic's expression changed. He suppressed his nausea and secretly observed Lacey's reaction out of the corner of his eye.

In his view, the play had reached its pinnacle.

He gave Lacey face and dignity, and as the Elector, she had to consider her status and couldn't really stand by and watch him betray his own family for the greater good.

If Lacey intervenes, the matter will be over.

However, the "sparing his life" that he had envisioned did not happen.

Lacey sat upright in the main seat, a smile of interest on her face, quietly watching him.

One second, two seconds, ten seconds...

The throne room was deathly silent, save for Dominic's heavy breathing.

He began to feel waves of tingling and numbness in the arm that held the sword high.

Cold sweat trickled down his forehead and dripped onto his collar.

The atmosphere became incredibly awkward.

Time seemed to stretch out, and every second was extremely agonizing.

Dominic held his sword high, the muscles in his arm twitching involuntarily from prolonged tension.

(vi) Yin's wife Yi Er trembled slightly at the tip of the sword, reflecting his own face full of astonishment and panic.

He couldn't understand why the script wasn't developing as he had envisioned.

Why doesn't Lacey play by the rules?

Shouldn't he immediately stand up, magnanimously say "ignorance is no excuse" or "your son is young and ignorant," and then take his hand to stage a scene of reconciliation and forgiveness?

But now, Lacey just sat there, a smile playing on her lips.

Gertrude and Lenia, who were beside Lacey, also watched him expressionlessly, as if they were watching a show.

His back was soaked with sweat.

Dominic was caught in a dilemma: whether to let go or not.

He could even feel the mocking gazes of the guards behind him.

Just when he was in a difficult situation and almost couldn't hold on any longer, Lacey finally spoke.

"What's wrong, Count Dominic? Are you having trouble bringing yourself to do it?"

Lacey leaned forward slightly, her smile widening.

"That's true, after all, he's his own son."

"How about this, my guards are all rough men, they have no worries, they can do it for me."

He slightly raised his chin, gesturing to the guards behind him.

"Here!" The guard stepped forward, his hand already on the hilt of his sword.

The sound of the blade scraping against its sheath sent a shiver down Dominic's spine.

"No! No, no, no! I wouldn't dare trouble you! I wouldn't dare trouble you!"

Dominic almost cried out in surprise as he swiftly sheathed his longsword with a clang, the movement almost comically fast.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, and stammered an excuse: "Your...Your Excellency misunderstands, I...I just wanted to...want to scare this good-for-nothing!"

"Yes, scare him a little! Let him learn his lesson!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Lacey raised an eyebrow and smiled noncommittally.

"It seems that Earl Dominic's educational methods are truly unique."

This lukewarm sarcastic remark made Dominic's face turn a deep purplish-red.

He knew that his carefully planned first step had completely backfired.

He not only failed to gain any dignity for himself, but instead became a clown, being made a fool of by the other party.

He dared not dwell on the topic any longer and quickly changed the subject.

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency is too kind." He bowed even lower.

"Let's get down to business. Besides apologizing to you, I've also come here with the sincerity of the Austin family."

He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound more sincere.

"I've heard that the Waser Territory is currently implementing new policies and preparing for large-scale construction projects to revitalize the economy. This is a great thing that benefits the country and its people!"

"I imagine that during this process, there must have been a severe lack of funding, technology, and experienced management talent, right?"

He carefully observed Lacey's expression, and seeing that she didn't interrupt him, he became bolder.

“Our Austin family runs several textile mills and building materials workshops in Trilintelme. Although they are not large in scale, we have some experience in technology and management.”

"If Lord Lexi doesn't mind, we are willing to relocate our family workshop to Vaser Territory, or even invest in building a new factory here!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he could already see a bright future ahead.

"Your Excellency, what do you think? We'll provide the funds and technology to help with the construction of the Wasser Territory and solve the workers' employment problem!"

"We and your government can agree on a reasonable ratio for the profits generated by the factory to be shared!"

"This...this is a win-win situation!"

Our Austin family can be your most loyal partner! We'll help you transform Vaser Territory into the wealthiest region in Letania!