The Old Marquis, his indignation apparent, declared his intent to reason with the Emperor.
Lin Nan responded with a mocking tone, "Your Excellency, what means do you have to reason with the Emperor?"
Several generations ago, the Old Marquis' ancestors had made significant contributions to the Chu family. This heritage had brought the Marquis Mansion several generations of prosperity, allowing its descendants to live luxuriously without any need for personal achievements.
However, the descendants of the Marquis Mansion had failed to inherit the courage of their forebears. Each generation seemed to be less capable than the last. They did not possess martial skills, scholarly knowledge, the aptitude for government service, or the business acumen required to succeed.