The so-called establishment of a manor refers to the ability to assemble one’s own forces. Of course, the number of servants one can possess varies depending on their rank!

At this moment, Li Gui’s words essentially elevated Ye Luo to a status second only to the Crown Prince.

"By the way, Your Highness, His Majesty has carefully selected a group of servants for you, who accompanied me here to Cloud Manor. Among them are guards, imperial alchemists, array masters, and others, totaling one hundred and eight people. Please accept them, so I can return and inform His Majesty accordingly!"

The series of rewards left Ye Luo rather bewildered.

However, Ye Luo quickly grasped the pivotal point.

It seems that these one hundred and eight people are indeed the key to this situation. Although Ye Luo hadn’t received any explicit indications, he had earlier been tasked with establishing his own manor.

The task explicitly required Ye Luo to build a manor. Since Ye Luo hadn’t found one on his own, it was bestowed upon him by the Emperor of the Great Tang Empire. Naturally, the Border Guard couldn’t remain inactive.

It’s highly likely that this manor was a sudden decision on the Emperor’s part, and since the Border Guard was involved, they conveniently sent the people as well!

Alternatively, there might be another reason—perhaps the Border Guard and the Emperor believed Ye Luo was wasting too much time searching for a manor, and directly assigning one to him would save time, allowing for the personnel to be sent immediately.

No matter the reasoning, one thing is certain: these one hundred and eight people were specifically dispatched to assist Ye Luo in completing his mission!

This time, Ye Luo’s mission seems to be the most crucial matter in the Great Tang Empire.

After all, if Ye Luo succeeds, it’s certain that the Great Tang Empire will fully support him. By then, it might even be possible to conquer the Demon Clan Empire without shedding a drop of blood!

It must be understood that compared to the potential gains from a whole empire, the resources currently vested in Ye Luo are practically insignificant!

With the Border Guard’s secret elixir controlling him, it can be said that the Border Guard and the Great Tang Imperial Family have no reason to worry about Ye Luo. In their minds, if Ye Luo ever defies their orders, all they need to do is nothing, and Ye Luo will be left with no path but death!

Understanding this, Ye Luo nodded. Clearly, some things were never meant to be within his control.

"Alright, I understand. If that’s the case, leave the people here and inform His Majesty that I know what I must do!"

Ye Luo’s words left the surrounding individuals momentarily stunned. After all, wasn’t Ye Luo supposed to address His Majesty as Father? Yet he directly referred to him as ’His Majesty’?

However, these matters were beyond their courage to question. After all, Ye Luo, the Ninth Prince, seemed to have emerged like a stone out of nowhere, with no prior signs or information.

Rumors said Ye Luo had come from civilian origins and was just now being reclaimed by the Imperial Family; thus, it’s highly probable that Ye Luo harbored resentment against His Majesty.

Still, such matters were royal affairs, not ones outsiders dared to speculate recklessly!

"Yes, Your Highness, I understand. By the way, His Majesty mentioned that when you have some free time, he hopes you can visit the Imperial Palace. His Majesty wishes to meet with you!"

"I understand. Don’t worry—I also wish to meet him. I will go to the Imperial Palace in a few days!"

Ye Luo’s tone was somewhat cold. In others’ eyes, this was naturally taken as Ye Luo feeling uneasy.

But they didn’t realize that Ye Luo’s discomfort stemmed not from grievance against the Emperor of Great Tang, but from the feeling that his fate was beyond his own control!

What does being a Prince matter? Even if he could one day become the Emperor of the Demon Clan’s Empire, what would it change?

Wouldn’t he still be a pawn of the Border Guard? Ye Luo’s every action still followed the script written by the Border Guard!

How could Ye Luo truly be happy when his destiny was out of his grasp?

Perhaps others might enjoy such wealth and privilege, content even as mere pawns, but Ye Luo was Ye Luo. He was not just anyone else!

Ye Luo disliked the feeling of having his fate controlled by someone else!

Unfortunately, unless Ye Luo could completely free himself from the control of the elixirs, he had no choice but to accept his fate!

After conveying the decree, Li Gui left directly.

As for Ye Luo, ignoring everyone’s astonishment, he returned straight to his room.

Strength!

Ye Luo now needed strength. He refused to remain under someone’s control forever!

The Border Guard’s grand scheme—Ye Luo was determined to see it fail.

To control Ye Luo? Those Border Guards were far too ambitious!

Ye Luo would never allow his destiny to be dictated by others.

No matter their motives, no matter their treatment of Ye Luo! 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Ye Luo would never entrust his fate to anyone else!

Still, cultivation wasn’t something that could be accomplished overnight. Ye Luo’s feverish practice tonight was merely a way to vent his frustration.

Early the next morning, when Ye Luo stepped out of his room, he noticed that the person waiting outside his door wasn’t Lu Yi, but another young woman.

"This servant Cai’er greets Your Highness the Prince!"

The woman immediately knelt as Ye Luo came out.

"Why is it you? Where is Lu Yi?"

Ye Luo asked curiously.

"Your Highness, Steward Wang believed Sister Lu Yi was not well-versed in palace protocols, so he had people take her away for etiquette training!"

Ye Luo’s brows furrowed slightly.

What’s this? Do they intend to control even the people around him?

Without saying another word, Ye Luo proceeded outside.

Soon, Ye Luo found Lu Yi. However, Lu Yi now appeared pitiable, surrounded by several individuals who were incessantly reprimanding her.

"Walk gracefully! As the personal maid of His Highness the Prince, you represent the Royal Family’s dignity. Whatever your past role was, forget it now! Starting today, you must learn proper etiquette—standing posture, sitting posture, walking posture, kneeling posture... nothing can be overlooked!"

Clearly, Lu Yi was reluctant, as the demands were exceedingly harsh.

Ye Luo stepped forward but hesitated once again.

No, he couldn’t meddle in this matter.

Simply put, Ye Luo himself was merely a pawn of the Border Guard. If he intervened now, it would only bring greater trouble to Lu Yi!

Ye Luo felt for Lu Yi but understood that refraining from interference might allow her to fare better.

Suddenly, Ye Luo thought of Nalan Rou and immediately headed toward her chambers.

By Imperial Family protocol, Nalan Rou would already be considered one of Ye Luo’s concubines. It’s likely that she too would face arrangements made by others.