The real drama has finally arrived!

The trick behind appointing the grain chief, Frank Warren only understood half of it, but he had completely seen through Autumn Warren's intentions. Sure enough, Autumn Warren then tried every persuasive trick in the book, all to convince him to divide the family’s more than one hundred mu of land under the names of tenant servants and relatives. The tenant servants, having sold themselves, had no household registration, so there was no worry about them running off with the property. As for putting it under relatives’ names, he volunteered himself for that. In the end, he even shamelessly said, “Uncle, you’re now a licentiate, so you can exempt two extra laborers from corvée besides yourself, and one more besides our great-uncle. If you could help me out, I’ll make sure this is handled perfectly, so you won’t have to worry at all!”

What a scoundrel, does he really take me for a three-year-old child?

Frank Warren narrowed his eyes and suddenly yawned lazily, saying, “Since the time for appointing the grain chief hasn’t come yet, there’s no rush. We’ll wait for father and mother to return before deciding. I need to shut myself in and study, so I won’t keep you. Second sister, get ready to close the door.”

Just now, Autumn Warren’s words had left Second Lady Warren completely confused, but now that her brother had spoken, she immediately agreed and said to Autumn Warren, “My brother said we’ll discuss it later. You should go back for now!”

Autumn Warren’s face instantly stiffened. He wanted to keep persuading, but seeing Frank Warren stretching and heading inside, he had no choice but to leave, however unwillingly. As he stepped over the threshold and the two doors closed tightly behind him, he looked back at the half-new, half-old mansion and couldn’t help clenching his fists.

Frank Warren, what makes you better than me? You don’t know what’s good for you. The scandal of buying your nephew as a slave has already spread. Just you wait!

Inside, Frank Warren instructed Seventh Warren to be careful with the doors, then immediately called Second Lady Warren and Little Sister Warren over and quietly told them, “From now on, if I go out, you close the door. Whether it’s Autumn Warren or those tenant servants, keep them all outside. Don’t let a single one in.”

Second Lady Warren didn’t care about Autumn Warren, but she was worried about the tenant servants and protested, “Brother, when mother was here, I often saw those tenant servants…”

“This isn’t up for discussion! Especially that gambling addict—I’m afraid he might do something desperate! As for Autumn Warren, just ignore him for now!”

Frank Warren cut his sister off without argument. Seeing her first unconcerned, then forced to agree under his gaze, he bent his fingers and did some calculations, coming to a realization.

In the blink of an eye, it had been over a month since he woke up. His own physical recovery was nearly complete, and the turmoil over academic titles outside had been brewing for so long that even someone like Autumn Warren dared to come and scheme in front of him. It seemed the real climax was about to begin. The sooner it ended, the sooner he could be at peace and live a quiet life!

Chapter 8: The Battle to Defend His Academic Title Begins

The inspector of the provincial academy and censor of Southern Zhili, Jack Shepherd, summons the county school student Frank Warren!

When such a signed summons was placed on the table, both the capable and bold Second Lady Warren and the clever Little Sister Warren felt anxious and unsettled. Frank Warren, however, remained calm and composed, asking the three constables who had come to wait a moment. He went to his room, quickly got ready, and came out with James Gold. Seeing their brother about to leave with the officers, Second Lady Warren finally couldn’t hold back and rushed over, grabbing his sleeve.

“Brother, I’ll go to town with you!”

“Nonsense, you and little sister stay home!” Frank Warren turned around and saw Little Sister Warren following Second Lady Warren, her eyes brimming with tears. With outsiders present, he couldn’t explain everything, so he just nodded to comfort them. “Wait for me to come back. Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

Today, three constables from Shexian county yamen had come: the regular officer Jack Hughes, the deputy Mark Mason, and the assistant Michael Lewis. The so-called regular officer was officially on the payroll, while the deputy and assistant were approved additions—basically the difference between full-time and contract workers, similar to the distinction between stipend students and supplementary students at the county school. Stipend students were seasoned scholars who received monthly rice, just as regular officers received monthly pay. Supplementary students were candidates for stipends, and deputies and assistants were similar. Besides them, the yamen had many unofficial helpers who didn’t even get rations, surviving on various petty fees.

Normally, for a good errand like this in the countryside, not just three but a dozen or more helpers would be brought along, making a huge commotion and squeezing every last penny from the accused. But today was different—the summons wasn’t from the county magistrate, but from the newly arrived inspector and censor of Southern Zhili, Jack Shepherd, who was only borrowing them to bring in a licentiate. Naturally, they had to show proper respect. Still, with all the rumors and the grand master’s attitude, some thought Frank Warren wouldn’t make it through this ordeal.

So, as they left, seeing that the Wang family didn’t even offer a token gesture, Michael Lewis felt displeased and started muttering under his breath. Second Lady Warren, already feeling down, snapped to attention. Though she was tough, she knew it was easier to deal with the king of hell than his little devils. She suddenly left her brother, hurried back inside, and soon came out, silently stuffing three strings of coins into the hands of the three constables.