18. Did I just cause a great disaster
The group of people joining the manor??
Everyone was silent.
Luna Victor stepped forward to explain, but Su Qing of the Great Prosperian Dominion halted him. Together, they bowed respectfully.
"Senior… Yes, we juniors seek to join the manor."
Zhao Yu studied the ragged crowd, clothes soiled, like refugees. Yet their regal bearing shone through. They called me a Saint? What do mortals know of Saints? Their reverent expressions puzzled him. Truly strange.
"I am Zhao Yu, steward of this manor, tasked by the Manor Lord to test you. Step forward one by one, take this token. If it glows, you pass. If not, you're out."
A Saint as a servant? What kind of figure is this manor's master?
The group exchanged glances, forming a line, led by Crown Prince Luna Victor.
Holding a flag, Luna approached.
"Steward, I brought this flag…"
Zhao Yu took it. The token relayed a flood of information—Task: Recover the lost manor flag. Status: On hold?
"This is the manor's lost command flag. I'll deliver it to the Manor Lord. Take the token."
Luna, stunned, complied. That's it?
"Pass. Stand to the right. Next."
"Fail. Next."
Swiftly sorted twenty: four leading princes, six princesses, seven princes, three elders.
Those who failed stood left, faces ashen, dazed.
Among the rejected were Princess Lalatina Celeste and Arthur Sterling. Some grumbled, others sulked.
Zhao Yu, seeing their despair, offered comfort.
"No need for such sorrow. The forest remains—why fret over firewood? Don't be too disheartened."
Nearby, the two Great Confucians froze, baffled. Something's off.
The rejected group stayed silent. A missed opportunity—who wouldn't grieve?
Among the chosen, Luna Victor addressed his dejected siblings.
"Don't be sad. Return safely."
Others followed, consoling their kin.
Tiana Celeste, Lalatina's half-sister, gazed at her usually haughty sibling, now crestfallen. Despite past bullying, pity stirred.
"Sister, don't grieve. I'll thrive here. Go fulfill your betrothal. I wish you happiness."
Zhao Yu, overhearing, found their words odd. Probably scions of some mortal city's elite. Dismissed it, turning to the chosen.
"You've passed and are now part of the manor. No matter your past as nobles or generals, you must obey rules and perform assigned duties. The Manor Lord will detail the regulations."
"I warn you: harbor no improper thoughts. Follow the rules, understood?"
"The manor provides for you. Follow me to your quarters."
As the chosen prepared to leave, Lalatina Celeste, among the rejected, stepped forward, defiant.
Tears streamed.
"Steward, I wasn't chosen, but I've nowhere to go. Returning means marrying a stranger. Please, give me a chance to stay. Otherwise, I'll end my life here…"
Zhao Yu paused. Her dying here would unsettle the mortals. Threatening suicide before me? You can't even try—the manor bans techniques. Sighed.
"Go ahead, try."
Lalatina's gaze hardened, resolute against her arranged marriage.
Drew a hairpin.
Zhao Yu, seeing her resolve, intervened.
"Stop. If you're that determined, I'll reconsider."
Her plea sparked a chorus of cries from the rejected, old and young, begging to stay, eyes blazing with desperation.
This mad crowd…
Zhao Yu glanced at the chosen, signaling, Do something.
Chaos erupted—some urged staying, others opposed.
Facing the uproar, Zhao Yu frowned. Why are they so frenzied?
"Why are you here, and how?"
Luna Victor answered.
"Steward, we followed that flag."
The lost flag… With the Manor Lord's powers, how could a symbol of the manor's prestige be misplaced? Likely intentional, for some purpose. A Saint? The regal air of this crowd… Perhaps the Manor Lord enchanted the flag, luring these 'nobles' to bolster the manor.
Despite his eccentric nature, bewitching mortals is wrong, inviting scorn and heavenly retribution during tribulation. Sighed. What was he thinking, ensnaring them so fiercely?
"Your Manor Lord has a… difficult personality, hard to serve, fond of teasing, especially virtuous maidens. You, so beautiful… I advise you—"
"I've no path left. My parents said failing to join the manor means marriage. Life after… no better than death."
Silence fell. The steward slanders his master? Truly an enlightened soul, living authentically. Remarkable.
Her resolute gaze stumped him. How would my senior brothers handle this? Should've joined those disciple selections…
This pitiful maiden… How could the Manor Lord do this? Why am I cleaning up his mess?
"The Manor Lord must resolve this before it's too late. These people can't come to harm."
"Wait here. I'll fetch the Manor Lord."
Zhao Yu left for the Manor Lord.
The crowd stood dazed, unbelieving the turn of events, exchanging glances, eyes on the weeping maiden.
The chosen shook their heads. You caused trouble. Should've listened.
Lalatina Celeste trembled. Have I sparked a disaster? What now?