Su Cheng looked at him in silence.
Galen met her gaze with a beaming smile. "I heard that you are the chosen favored of both the God of Magic and the God of Contracts. I believe your opinion must be of utmost importance. After all, you must be well-versed in the empire's laws and possess a unique, precise insight into this matter. You are also the most qualified person to witness and judge whether a transaction is fair—"
Su Cheng: "..."
Was this guy really not being sarcastic?
Su Cheng: "Are you serious, Lord Duke? If I said that the favored of the God of Wealth are all honest, trustworthy merchants who strictly follow the rules, how would you feel?"
Galen raised an eyebrow slightly. "I would feel that you are absolutely right."
"Alright," Su Cheng sighed. "Since that's what you think... although I feel you must have many professionals around you, if you're asking me, who is in charge of the Prince's estate right now? Is it the Prince's eldest child? What did they say?"
"The chief steward of the Prince's estate was conveying Princess Cygnus's response. As the heir to the Prince's legacy and title, she explicitly stated that the estate never received the auctioned item mentioned in the contract, nor are there any related records in the accounts and inventory. She will not pay such a sum, otherwise anyone could just take a bill and extort her."
Su Cheng blinked. "I don't know how your auction house operates, but back in my hometown, once a transaction is completed, a contract is signed and payment is made. You said the Prince didn't pay immediately, so where is the contract?"
"Her Highness the Princess does not recognize that contract."
"Does it have magical binding force?"
"It does, but she insists that it could be forged, and even if it is real, payment must only be made upon seeing the goods."
Su Cheng continued to sigh. "...This matter sounds like both sides have a point. But I think the core of the problem right now isn't whether the money should be paid, but the whereabouts of the auctioned item. Before finding the item and determining its ownership, any discussion about payment is premature. This is true from both a legal standpoint and the spirit of the contract. If I were the princess, I wouldn't pay either. I don't even know what happened at the time. What if that thing is still in the Marigold Palace? Oh, I'm not saying your employees are extorting members of the royal family."
To be honest, if it were just about money, she could go all out, sell everything she owned, and probably scrape together sixty to seventy percent of the total amount without a problem.
However, she absolutely could not admit that she was the one who disguised herself as the Prince. If nothing else, everyone would think she was the one who killed Aquila.
She could say she only killed a disguise, but would they believe her?
The Imperial Court did have means to verify memories, but memories could also be forged, and besides, she didn't want anyone touching her memories.
It would be one thing if it were a run-of-the-mill case, but for a major incident involving the life of an Imperial Prince, the moment she got involved, she wouldn't know peace for a very long time.
She would probably lose her personal freedom, too.
If Galen was just asking her for money—
Could she lie and say she sneaked into the Marigold Palace and found the bracelet containing the dragon bone in the ruins? And then just give him the money to settle it?
But nominally, Prince Aquila signed the contract. Even though she promised to give it to Vanessa, she herself was not the real Vanessa.
Unless she could produce evidence, what if the Princess demanded she return the dragon bone?
Of course, this also depended on the intentions of the Duke sitting in front of her.
What exactly was his stance?
Was the purpose of what he just said merely to ask for money?
"I certainly wouldn't think so," Galen smiled. "But you look very worried. I am truly sorry to make you face such a dilemma."
Su Cheng couldn't help but shoot him a glance.
The Duke, instead, couldn't hold back a chuckle. "Your Excellency, how would you define a merchant?"
Su Cheng pondered for a moment. "Someone who facilitates the exchange of value and then earns the price difference?"
"Mhm," Galen also stared at her for a moment. "Precise. Therefore, I will treat the loss as an investment, using it in exchange for more opportunities to profit. You see, for me, I lost an auctioned item worth a seven-figure sum of gold coins, and a Prince was attacked on my turf. Many people will pressure me because of this, or try to use the opportunity to seize my seat on the Privy Council."
Su Cheng sighed. "I'm sorry to hear that."
"...I believe you must be sincere," Galen raised an eyebrow slightly. "But I can also choose not to pursue these losses, because that would make things very ugly. To tell you the truth, I already have enough enemies. Right now, I only want to gain more friends."
Su Cheng looked at him silently. "You sound very sincere."
She didn't believe it at all.
Just as she felt others shouldn't trust her either.
Su Cheng didn't know what to do either, so she decided to eat more of the delicious shrimp meat and think while she ate.
As she buried her head and finished off her second plate, a thick, beautifully bound stack of parchment appeared in the Duke's hands.
"This is my proposal. I want to establish a foundation to provide start-up funds to talented but opportunity-lacking artisans, artists, and alchemists within the empire—"
When the girl in front of him put down her plate, he handed the documents over.
Su Cheng flipped through them.
The proposal was exceptionally well done, providing various sufficient reasons and beautiful visions. The funds would help beneficiaries open workshops and purchase materials.
These people would only need to return the principal and a symbolic token of gratitude—ten percent of their profits—after achieving a profit more than double the principal.
The foundation would use this money to help more people.
If these people continuously operated at a loss, made very little profit, or were unable to continue their business for some reason, the foundation would not seek to recover the principal in any form.
Su Cheng read this part carefully and found that the specific details were all very thoroughly written. "Very good, you are very kind."
Galen: "I thought you would have more thoughts on this?"
Su Cheng was still looking at the proposal. "That depends on your question, otherwise I will just assume you only want to hear my praises."
Galen sighed softly. "Thousands of years ago, the royal family and the Church signed an ancient act regarding the empire's charity and donation regulations. Any organization established under a non-profit name that wishes to enjoy tax breaks and legal privileges within the empire must obtain a permit issued by the Church. Now, Archbishop Johnson has rejected me."
"...Why? She must have given a reason, right?"
"Because," he spread his hands, "she said the essence of charity lies in giving rather than taking. It should be given to the recipients unconditionally, rather than establishing any form of expected beneficial return relationship with them. She believes that although I call this a risk-sharing investment, in essence, it is still a conditional, return-based contract. She said it is a 'noble, innovative, and respectable commercial behavior'."
Su Cheng almost burst out laughing.
The Duke said calmly: "...But it is still a commercial behavior, so it cannot be granted a permit. She even suggested that I use a name like 'Aulu Family Venture Capital Guild'."
Uh, Su Cheng suppressed her laughter with increasing difficulty. To be honest, even if it becomes an investment guild, that just means facing high taxes and strict supervision. I imagine these aren't problems for you, right? After all, the officials handling these matters, well, should be very clear about what an honest and reliable businessman you are.
The blond man gazed at her, a smile still lingering on his handsome face. Your Excellency, do you know how many people are investigating what happened yesterday at the Marigold Palace? That includes those who came into contact with Prince Aquila. Although a few of them have died, some bodies have yet to be found. I mean, not even a fragment remains, such as Miss Kahn.
Su Cheng: ...I don't know who that is, but I think, since Her Excellency Johnson brought up the definitions in the Imperial Codex, you should approach it from another angle. Prove that the Church has done similar things before, defining conditional return contracts as charity. Just like how the Church once funded royal families in war-torn regions and signed contracts requiring them to give back wealth once they took power. I believe the Church called this sacred charity.
Galen's eyes flickered. I can indeed produce such evidence, but I do not want to make an enemy of the Church, Your Excellency. Such actions are by no means known to the public; the common people have no idea the Church has engaged in similar practices. If I say this, Johnson will think I am threatening her, and perhaps tomorrow I will be burned to ashes by some deity.
Su Cheng looked around and noticed that there was hardly anyone in the banquet hall, save for a few waiters standing in the distance with their heads bowed.
Su Cheng: ...Why exactly won't she allow you to do this? Because she thinks you are issuing loans in disguise?
Galen sighed again. He casually picked up a plate and elegantly served himself a few pieces of crayfish. I would also like to know the answer to that. Is her opposition procedural, or is it a personal grudge? If it is the latter, is it directed at me, or at my mother? When she was still alive, she once defeated Johnson.
Su Cheng took a breath. What tier warrior was the previous Duke of Aulu? Eighth tier? Ninth tier?
Three-star tenth tier, Your Excellency. That was her tier before she fell during her advancement, it's just that most people didn't know. They only thought she was still at the seventh tier. You know, you are actually quite like her.
The blond man said while eating his shrimp, ...You are both the type who likes to hide yourselves, so that you can strike with a single, decisive blow when necessary.
Su Cheng: ?
She was a favored of the God of Contracts, afraid that people would put their guard up if they found out.
A tenth-tier warrior, a Battle Emperor. What was there to hide? So what if others knew, could they even defend against it?
Well, she could think of a few reasons. Sometimes hiding one's strength allowed for the element of surprise.
In fact, Galen seemed to guess her thoughts, she accomplished many things because of this habit. Some of them, I believe even I would find hard to replicate.
Su Cheng suddenly felt that things were getting interesting again.
At least this guy was starting to speak like a normal human being.
Su Cheng: Was she also a favored of the God of Wealth?
Galen didn't answer immediately, but instead cast a glance at her. If I said I wanted to make a deal with you—
Su Cheng's expression remained unchanged, but she grew tense almost instinctively, her focus sharpening.
You see, the blond man set down his fork with great interest, usually, the favored of the God of Contracts would feel excited upon hearing such words, because this is their opportunity. They would try every possible means to strike a deal where they profit without paying a price. Of course, that is the ideal situation. Usually, there is more or less a price to pay, because even if you completely screw over your opponent, you might stir up trouble for yourself as a result, so that is also a kind of price.
Su Cheng looked at the giant shrimp head with its unclosed eyes. You know what kind of people they are, so why would you still want to make a deal with someone like that?
I know. After all, my father was a favored of the God of Contracts. It was by relying on this that he married into our family.
Hm? I thought it was because of you.
Thank you, but I don't consider myself the most outstanding among my siblings. However, their biological father... clearly lacked something.
He looked pleased by her compliment. My father was too immersed in the joy of winning gambles, so he died in the game he was most obsessed with. When I was young, I always thought every favored of the God of Contracts would meet such an end. Oh, apologies, I am not cursing you. Just as I said before, I believe you are different from them.
Su Cheng couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. Do you want me to ask Her Excellency Johnson why exactly she won't approve it? Or do you want me to persuade her?
I do not wish to put you in a difficult position, Your Excellency, the Duke said softly. The former, of course. I merely want to know her views and attitude. Perhaps you could act as a bridge to pass on certain messages between us. If she still refuses, that will not be your fault. If you wish to begin, there are some distinguished guests from the Church at today's banquet. Of course, if you would rather rest, I am in no rush.
Su Cheng looked at the proposal in her hands. If I help you get an answer and you are not satisfied, does that mean this matter won't end?
No, you do not need to make any promises to me, Galen said with a smile. Forcing you into a contract with me would by no means be a good thing for me.
