The fuss over Tang San and his companions receiving preferential treatment above the nation's own citizens was merely a spark Long Yue had thrown out.
What truly made the flames blaze, threatening to burn the royal family's entire reputation to ashes, was the long-festering conflict between Zhang Geyang and the emperor.
Tang San was a poor soul, too. He knew nothing, yet had become a tool in their struggle.
Dai Yueyan was still considering the matter. "Sigh-wouldn't it solve everything if Father just had Tang San and the others transfer schools?"
"Impossible," Long Yue said with certainty. "An emperor's golden words carry the force of law. He can't issue a decree in the morning and change it by evening."
"..." Dai Yueyan fell silent.
The best outcome, of course, would have been to let the matter cool down.
If neither the royal family nor the Spirit Pagoda mentioned it, Tang San would face some questions, but after a while, he could swagger around Monster Academy as a student.
Yet Long Yue insisted on fanning the flames.
Tang San would become a pawn in the power struggle at the top.
"Get to work, Hua." Long Yue patted Hua Lantang on the shoulder, plunged into the Heavenly Spring Pool, and swam toward the plaza.
Dai Yueyan looked at Hua Lantang. "You're really going to do it?"
Hua Lantang glanced at Ye Zhi and nodded. "We agreed to deal with Tang San."
How am I supposed to help Ye Zhi get the aromatic silk beauty if I don't?
But Father will get caught in the crossfire, too, Dai Yueyan wanted to say.
Seeing Dai Yueyan's unhappy expression, Ye Zhi said, "Yueyan, don't forget the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum."
"..." The guilt in Dai Yueyan's heart instantly vanished.
Sometimes Father wasn't all that important,