Tong Airui said in a deep voice, "Capture the leader to catch the thief!"
"I’ve thought about that too, but my people can only control Lucian. As for his father-in-law, I can’t manage him. After all, he’s a general, and I don’t have the authority to interfere."
"Leave Lucian’s father-in-law to and my uncle’s rcenaries. You focus on controlling Lucian. Before we take action, you must notify your father and have him issue orders to General Luchi to suppress the forces of those two divisions. Otherwise, this will inevitably escalate into ard conflict."
Compton looked at Tong Airui with so hesitation. "Honestly, I dread talking to him about this."
"The evidence is clear—there’s no need to be so nervous."
Compton hesitated for a mont. "Shall I ask him to co over now?"
Tong Airui nodded. "Go ahead. Bring my uncle in as well. I’ll organize the materials to show him."
Compton nodded, quickly exited the room, and shortly after returned with William, Teng Qian, and Tong Aino following him into the study.
When Tong Airui finished reading all the collected materials, his vision darkened, and he collapsed onto the sofa.
Tong Aino frowned and walked over. "Dad, I don’t usually have the right to speak on matters like this, but I have to say sothing now. No matter how heartbroken or disbelieving you are about my second brother doing such a thing, this is the mont you must make a decision."
"It must be because of that woman—otherwise, Lucian would never do such a thing!" William rubbed his forehead. "Everyone, please leave. I’ll handle this."
Compton glanced at Tong Airui, who nodded, and the others left the study.
William sat on the sofa, his tearful eyes wetting his eyelids multiple tis. After a long pause, he finally picked up the phone.
When William finished handling matters and stepped out, Yi Weiyang and Huo Li arrived with their child.
The group gathered cheerfully around the baby. The little one blinked curious blue eyes, studying each person intently.
"Weiyang, have you nad the baby yet?" Jing Ya asked with a smile.
Yi Weiyang smiled helplessly. "We still haven’t decided on a formal na—but we do have a nickna."
Huo Li saw Yi Weiyang hesitating and chuckled. "The nickna is ’Little Pig.’"
Hahaha... Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing the nickna.
Tong Yao laughed and said, "Little Pig is mighty fine—a na that implies a good appetite and health. Still, for such a handso boy, we ought to pick a proper na."
"We’ve got a whole list of nas, but we can’t pick one—we’re overwheld. How about all of you help us decide on a great na for our Little Pig?" Huo Li handed the baby to Yi Luowa and pulled out a small notebook with at least eighty nas listed inside.
Tong Yao flipped through a few nas and laughed, saying, "Ming Duo sounds nice—’standing out like a thunderclap,’ with wealth and an official career, living an affluent life."
Huo Li pursed her lips in thought and then smiled at Yi Weiyang. "Uncle, how about using that na?"
Yi Weiyang turned to Yi Luowa. "Luowa, what do you think?"
Yi Luowa smiled and nodded. "It’s great! If you both like it, call him this."
"That settles it—our Little Pig has a proper na now!" Huo Li touched her son’s cheek lovingly. "Other people’s kids get registered imdiately after birth, but we’ve been dithering over a na and which country’s nationality to choose."
Yi Luowa smiled softly. "Register him in the country where it’s most convenient for handling future paperwork."
"If the child wants citizenship in Xiawu, I can make a call and arrange it," Long Che said as he carried Sangyu over.
Sangyu stared at the baby in her mother’s arms, reaching out to touch him. Yi Luowa gasped and dodged quickly.
Sangyu puckered her lips unhappily.
Huo Li glanced at Yi Luowa accusingly. "The child just wants to touch him—let her! Why are you dodging?"
Yi Luowa took another step back. "Kids don’t know their strength; I can’t let her touch him. By the way, my father’s asking you, where are you registering the baby’s citizenship?"
"Let Uncle decide—I’m not getting involved." Huo Li forcefully handed over the baby, placing him near Sangyu.
Sangyu tentatively extended her hand but quickly pulled back when her mother approached.
Huo Li laughed. "You shouldn’t listen to your mom—go ahead and touch your little uncle."
Sangyu lightly brushed the baby’s hand and swiftly pulled away.
Yi Weiyang chuckled. "Huo Li, why don’t you and Luowa take the kids to the bedroom to play?"
Yi Luowa glanced at the somber-faced Raman King and followed Huo Li into the bedroom with the children.
Once the kids left, the living room grew quiet.
William sighed. "I truly envy your big family—always harmonious. As for mine, alas... complete misfortune!"
Long Che raised his brows slightly. "William, I don’t an to rub salt in your wound, but such incidents do stem from mistakes you’ve made. In a family like yours, when the kids were young, you should’ve clearly defined their roles and status. They should’ve learned early on that if sothing isn’t theirs, they shouldn’t covet it. You really dropped the ball in choosing your heir. What’s wrong with Compton? Just because he married a commoner? Even among ordinary families, outstanding individuals can rise."
William pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes, I admit it was my mistake. I already regret it."
"If you’ve made all the arrangents, it’s not too late to fix things now."
"Everything’s been taken care of." William turned to his son and said gravely, "Compton, I’ve issued the order. General Luchi now reports directly to you. Begin the operation."
Compton froze, overwheld by his father’s decision...
Tong Airui smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Let’s move."
Compton nodded and followed Tong Airui and Teng Qian back to the study.
By lunchti, the three n finally erged from the study. William glanced at his son.
Compton pursed his lips and nodded firmly.
William slowly stood. "Don’t ntion this to your mother or Connie for now. I’ll handle it when I return."
William quickened his pace upstairs, not even daring to inquire about his second son’s current state. That son was his dearest, yet he had stabbed him in the heart.
Watching William leave, Long Che asked in a deep voice, "Was everything handled smoothly? No casualties?"
Tong Airui shook his head. "No casualties, thanks to the perfect timing. They hadn’t deployed their troops yet when my people took control of Zhejet. My uncle’s rcenaries subdued the top brass. Compton encountered so minor trouble, but it didn’t affect the overall plan."
Long Che frowned slightly. "Minor trouble?"
"When detaining Celia, she slit her wrists in an attempted suicide and is now hospitalized."
"Having committed such a heinous act, she knows she has no escape..."
Compton grew tense upon hearing Long Che’s words. "Uncle, I want to ask you to plead with my father on Lucian’s behalf."
"A father’s love for his children is unconditional. There’s no need for to plead; your dad will find a way to compromise on his own." Long Che smiled at him. "Finding that compromise depends on your ability to act wisely and stop butting heads with him so often. Regardless of whether he understands you completely, he gave you life. No matter the circumstance, you must always call him ’Dad!’"
Compton nodded repeatedly. "Uncle, you’re absolutely right. I’ll listen to you."
Tong Airui and Tong Aino exchanged amused glances and turned away to stifle laughter.
Long Che glared at the two of them. "Don’t you two laugh—it’s not just advice for Compton but for both of you as well. In the future, stop teasing !"
"Ahem..." Tong Aino casually hugged his mother’s shoulders and said, "Mom, isn’t it ti for lunch? My father-in-law and my eldest brother are heading back to Raman this afternoon."
"They’re leaving so soon?" Tong Yao sighed.
"Special circumstances," Tong Aino reassured her, patting her on the shoulder. "There will be plenty of opportunities to reunite later. Don’t be too sentintal."
Tong Yao winked mischievously at her son, whispering, "Take your hand off—your father’s coming!"
Tong Aino froze for a mont, and before he could react, Long Che’s hand was already gripping his wrist.
Tong Aino winced in pain and imdiately removed his hand from his mother’s shoulder.
Tong Airui grinned mischievously. "I’ve got so red ointnt if you need it."
"Long Che, you’ll still be doing this when you’re a hundred years old!" Teng Qian laughed and stood up. "Tong Yao, let’s have an early lunch. Afterward, I’ll accompany Compton and his father back."
Tong Yao nodded and hurried to the dining room.
After lunch, Teng Qian accompanied William and Compton back to Raman, while Queen Marian, the eldest daughter-in-law, and Angelina stayed behind.
Upon arriving in Raman, William went straight to the prison holding his second son. The two talked for a long ti before William returned to the palace.
Back at the palace, William issued several decrees right in front of his eldest son.
Zhejet was dismissed as Commander of the Army and sent to face a military court trial at a later date; Celia was sentenced to life imprisonnt for masterminding the rebellion; Lucian...
After writing Lucian’s na, he looked up at his eldest son. "Deciding Lucian’s fate is up to you!"
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