Pregnant Cultivator, Doted by Big Boss

"Yes, Princely Heir."

The Commander of the Imperial Guard, Nate Alden, answered respectfully, then led his men to start moving things.

This General’s Mansion was a residence bestowed by the Emperor upon the General of Cavalry, Cole Jacobs. Though the original general had met a tragic end—poisoned so his identity could be stolen—the Emperor’s gifts were very real. Gold, silver, jewels, property deeds... the family’s wealth was substantial.

’No wonder Cole Jacobs and Mrs. Dawson were so afraid I would fight their biological son for the inheritance.’

"Take these."

"These... and those... take it all. Leave nothing behind."

Aaron Sinclair moved in and out of the various rooms in the General’s Mansion. Wherever he pointed, the Imperial Guard would immediately step forward and clear the area. They took not only what was visible, but also dug out everything hidden beneath the floorboards, within the walls, and in every corner. They didn’t even spare the few copper coins in a mouse hole.

The Imperial Guard was quick to seize the assets; in the blink of an eye, the entire General’s Mansion was emptied. Still, Aaron Sinclair felt something was missing.

Standing in the courtyard, Aaron Sinclair turned slightly, his gaze falling upon the flowers and plants. Peonies, orchids, roses... He gave them only a single glance.

He waved his hand lightly and said, "These are still worth a bit of money. Dig them up."

The moment he finished speaking, the Imperial Guards on asset seizure duty found shovels and started digging. In just a short while, all the flowers and plants were gone. The patches of soil where they once grew were now left with nothing but weeds.

A few tattered petals and fallen leaves lay scattered in the freshly turned earth.

By the lotus pond.

Aaron Sinclair bent down slightly, his eyes on the fish playing in the water. There were several types, including a few ornamental koi. The rest were from the fry he had put in himself long ago. Now, they had grown quite large.

Bubbles rose to the surface. Beneath a lotus leaf, two red koi swam slowly by, flicking their tails. Here and there, black fish could be seen darting past in the blink of an eye.

He stood up straight and waved his hand gently.

"Someone, net these fish and send them to the lotus pond at The Prince’s Manor."

The Imperial Guards who were seizing the assets nodded quickly, their tone light.

"Leave it to us."

"We guarantee we’ll get every last one for you, Princely Heir. Not a single fish will be left behind."

Aaron Sinclair stood there, nodding slightly in satisfaction.

After the assets were seized, an official from the Ministry of the Treasury arrived to catalogue everything that was to go into the national treasury. The lead official smiled at Aaron Sinclair, his mustache twitching.

"Princely Heir, the Holy Emperor has decreed that you should look through these items and take your pick first. You may take whatever you like. We will only haul back what you do not want."

Aaron Sinclair’s gaze swept over the chests in the courtyard. At a glance, he saw nothing that particularly caught his eye.

’The Prince’s Manor isn’t lacking for such things anyway.’

He casually reached into a chest full of silver, pulled out a few silver ingots, and tossed them to Nate Alden, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, who was standing nearby.

"You all worked hard today. Take this and get yourselves a drink."

Commander of the Imperial Guard Nate Alden looked at the silver ingots in his hand, feeling surprisingly flattered. At this thought, he quickly cupped his fist and said, "On behalf of my men, this humble subordinate thanks the Princely Heir."

Led by Commander Nate Alden, the Imperial Guards cheered at the sight.

"Thank you, Princely Heir!"

Aaron Sinclair waved his hand dismissively.

"Take all of this away and add it to the national treasury."

The official from the Ministry of the Treasury nodded slightly.

"Yes, of course. This humble official will have my men take it away immediately."

With a wave of his hand, men from the Ministry of the Treasury quickly began carrying the seized assets out of the General’s Mansion, chest by chest.

By the time they all left the General’s Mansion, the place had become desolate. The residence itself was still fine, however. With a new nameplate, it could be bestowed upon another official.

As Aaron Sinclair stood outside the gates of the General’s Mansion, he looked back at the plaque hanging above the entrance. It was a gift from the Emperor, once a symbol of great honor. What a pity the person who truly deserved it was no longer here.

Just as Aaron Sinclair was about to leave, someone shouted.

"Princely Heir, we’ve caught Arthur Jacobs!"

Hearing the voice, and then the name Arthur Jacobs, stopped him in his tracks. Aaron Sinclair paused and turned toward the sound.

In his line of sight, the crowd parted to make way.

Aaron Sinclair saw several Imperial Guards approaching, one of whom was carrying a half-grown boy. Judging by his age and build, he was about the same age as Aaron. It took only a glance for him to recognize Arthur Jacobs.

Seeing Arthur Jacobs being carried like a chick, he was reminded of the night the boy had been chased and bitten by dogs.

A voice rang out from nearby.

"Let me go! You’re the Imperial Guard... Who’s your superior? Are you blind? Why would you arrest me for no reason?"

"Do you have any idea who I am?"

"My father is the General of Cavalry! I’m the young master of the General’s Mansion!"

Perhaps his tone was too arrogant, because the Imperial Guard carrying him showed no patience. He dragged the boy over and threw him directly onto the ground.

The man sneered. "You’re at death’s door and still claiming to be the young master of the General’s Mansion? Your father was nothing but an imposter posing as General Donovan."

’An imposter general? Who? Is he talking about my father? Impossible.’

"We’ve brought him, Princely Heir."

Arthur Jacobs had been thrown to the ground headfirst. Just as he was about to get up, an Imperial Guard dragged him forward and forced him to his knees before Aaron Sinclair, pressing down on his neck.

He was still just a boy, held in the grasp of an Imperial Guard skilled in martial arts. He could only kneel there, head bowed, unable to move or even look up.

Furious, Arthur Jacobs could only retort, "How dare you! Let me go!" He tried to struggle but couldn’t budge an inch.

The moment he spoke, someone grabbed him by the hair and slapped him hard across the face twice.

"Do not be insolent in front of the Princely Heir!"

This time, the slaps left Arthur Jacobs completely stunned. His head was spinning, and a ringing filled his ears.

"You... you dare hit me."

The glint of a blade entered his vision, and he flinched, not daring to speak again. He shook his head slightly, and as the dizziness subsided, the situation finally began to sink in.

’Who did that Imperial Guard call "Princely Heir" just now?’ The two words now echoed clearly in his ears.

’Princely Heir? The one from The Warden’s Northern Manor? The Prince’s son?’ Arthur Jacobs had always wanted to get acquainted with him but had never found the chance. ’If I can use this opportunity to build a connection with him, to become his friend... then who in Atheria would dare look down on me?’

At this thought, without even seeing clearly who was standing over him, Arthur Jacobs immediately performed a formal greeting.

"Arthur Jacobs, eldest son of the legitimate line of the General of Cavalry, Cole Jacobs, pays his respects to the Princely Heir!" To make a strong impression on the Princely Heir, he began by announcing his lineage.