As soon as Zi Pingxiu left, Gao Shaoming immediately hurried into the room, bent down beside Gao Jiancheng's ear, and said, "Father, everyone's gone."
Gao Jiancheng's unfocused gaze sharpened. He immediately climbed up with renewed vigor, rose to his feet, and shook out his sleeves. "The big shots have all come. Keep the rest out."
Gao Shaoming said, "I've already arranged it as Father instructed. I told them Father needs more rest and should not be disturbed."
Gao Jiancheng gave an acknowledging grunt. With his hands behind his back, he let out another soft sigh.
Gao Shaoming asked, "Father, judging by Lord Zi's expression just now, he seemed very angry. What happened?"
Gao Jiancheng shot him a glance. "Zi Pingxiu is seasoned but lacking in schemes, nothing to worry about. The key is that Jia Tongueless behind him is no simple man. I truly underestimated him before. That man from Thatched Cottage Manor had long refused to state his position, and I didn't know what he was thinking. Should there be any reversals, Zi Pingxiu and I would still have to work together, so it was inconvenient for either of us to take a stance before."
He turned and paced. "Now that the man from Thatched Cottage Manor has stated his position, I refuse to believe Jia Tongueless failed to see the concerns I saw. I'm certain Jia Tongueless will have Zi Pingxiu retire. Zi Pingxiu's anger is precisely as it should be. It means I got there first. It means my prediction was correct!"
He sneered. "Lan Ruoting is no fool. He will certainly see that my retirement is meant to clear the way for him. But this is not something he can bring up before the Prince. Lan Ruoting cannot very well say that he forced me into