LOT -Chapter 264 Knowing Your Nephew is Poor, Yet Still Borrowing Money

Looking at the expressions of the two of them, Minister Lin was truly at a loss for words.

“Not letting you go just means there’s something fishy between us? According to your logic, that would mean every official in the court is in cahoots with me.”

Bai Xiao said: [After my careful investigation, there’s nothing shady between your father and the Old Prince. The Old Prince really cared for his companions. Your father and the Old Prince are close friends despite their age difference. Back when the Old Prince left the capital, your father even supported him—he lent him money.]

The more Lin Mo listened, the more she admired this Old Prince: [Whoa! This Prince is amazing! Not only did he swindle money from the Emperor, but he also borrowed from my dad! How many people in the capital did he borrow money from?]

Bai Xiao also expressed his admiration: [Many, of course many! He borrowed from every family with royal connections. That’s why he didn’t return for decades. Although he borrowed only small amounts from each family, in total it was quite a sum. So he outlived most of his creditors. Your father was lucky—he was still young then.]

[Moreover, your father kept the loan to the Old Prince a secret from your mother; even now she doesn’t know.]

Lin Mo: …There are really shameless people in this world! Jian Shou is incredible!

Minister Lin felt slightly embarrassed; he had been young at the time, just starting his career. Suddenly, a member of the imperial family borrowed money from him, and he hadn’t thought too much of it.

After all, who would have thought that a royal relative would just run off after borrowing money? It wasn’t a huge amount—just enough for that month’s expenses. That entire month, he didn’t dare tell his wife about it.

This trip was mainly about this matter. Even decades later, he couldn’t forget it.

No matter how much money it was, it was still money. Besides, now the family had this little money-eating beast, spending every day in fun and leisure, doing nothing productive. If they could recover the money, it could cover this little brat’s expenses for several months.

Lin Mo was now even more eager to meet the Old Prince. Truly, a genius like this was rare in the world.

“Dad, if I’m going, I’m going! No matter what, I’m going! If you don’t let me, I’ll tell Mom that you’re sneaking off to meet someone!”

This statement hit Minister Lin right in the heart. What kind of little cotton-padded jacket is this that spills your secrets!

Lin Mo had clearly grasped this point: her father definitely wouldn’t let her mother find out about the loan.

Bai Xiao said: [Jian Shou is too impressive; your dad will definitely let us go now.]

Minister Lin, angry, slapped their heads and said, “Fine, fine, you can go. You two always have to meddle in everything. Today I’m going to ask the Old Prince to repay a loan—this cannot be let known to your mother.”

He still vividly remembered that month decades ago. He didn’t even have money to take friends out to eat. Household finances were managed by his wife, who had given him all the money he needed for the month. Who would have thought it would be borrowed just like that?

“Yay! Dad, you’re awesome! We’re just going to collect someone else’s money—let us handle the debt!”

What was supposed to be a solo trip now included two tagalongs. Even Minister Lin felt his tall frame sag a little.

With these two along, he increasingly felt that getting the money back might be impossible.

Upon reaching the agreed location, the Old Prince was already waiting.

Although advanced in age now, the Old Prince still carried traces of his youthful charm.

Seeing Minister Lin, the Old Prince’s eyes lit up. “Ah, A-Huan, after all these years, still as elegant as ever! What elixir of immortality have you been taking? Don’t keep it to yourself!”

Then he noticed Lin Mo. “Hey! And here’s a little version of you too! You look exactly like him. I heard you have three children—are all three using your face? That would save you quite a bit of trouble!”

Minister Lin: …After all these years, the Prince’s personality really hasn’t changed a bit.

Bai Xiao cleared his throat to show he was also present. Surely the Old Prince must be mistaken—he hadn’t noticed such a large person standing right there?

The Old Prince saw Bai Xiao and immediately praised him: “Judging by his age, this shouldn’t be your eldest son—could he be your young son-in-law? Your family’s taste in people is good; he’s handsome.”

Bai Xiao beamed. Naturally—his looks were unmatched in the capital.

Lin Mo rolled her eyes subtly. Handsome? She’s the most beautiful, thank you very much.

“Greetings, Your Highness. When did you return to the capital? How dare you come back!”

Minister Lin couldn’t comprehend how this man had dared return. Though many creditors had died, there were still living ones—one of the biggest creditors was still around. Surely he wasn’t afraid of being asked to repay?

The Old Prince laughed lightly, pretending not to care. “After wandering for so long, I missed home, so I returned.”

He then had a servant bring over a large package of unknown contents. “This is the money I borrowed from you decades ago—principal plus interest, returned.”

Seeing the large pile of silver, Lin Mo’s eyes lit up. So much!

No wonder Dad hadn’t told Mom.

Bai Xiao reminded her internally: [This includes principal and interest—the original loan wasn’t this much.]

Minister Lin hadn’t expected the Old Prince to be so straightforward. He had only hoped to recover the principal, not the interest as well.

“Thank you very much, Your Highness. I wonder how you’ve dealt with the other families you borrowed from—after all, you borrowed from so many.”

The Old Prince smiled: “I’ve already sent people to repay them. Over the years, I did a bit of business while away and earned some money. I have no heirs, so I plan to return and retire. My imperial nephews are decent—back when I left, I borrowed money from my imperial brother and nephews. The current one I’m giving money to is the poorest, but also the easiest to deal with. I owe him.”

The Old Prince sighed.

Seeing this, Lin Mo thought inwardly: [You took money knowing they were poor! How shameless! How did the Emperor survive all these years?]

Bai Xiao added: [Exactly. Not long after he left, the previous Emperor died. Then the current Emperor ascended, constantly needing funds. Already poor, a large sum had been borrowed before his ascension. Back then, no one believed him when he claimed to be poor—after all, even the poorest man becomes wealthy upon becoming Emperor.]

Before Lin Mo arrived, no one would have believed the Emperor could claim poverty.