Song Horo stood in place, staring at the closed hallway door. The antechamber now felt empty.
After the representative left the room, the Goldmoon officer also slipped out.
Without turning around, Song Horo had given the order for the bedroom to be cleaned, and the servants had leapt to follow his orders. They left to change the bedsheets and remove any remaining mess.
In short order, the Third Manager had been left standing with only Song Kiro and his assistants for company. A minute later, the assistants were also gone.
The only sound came from the bedroom door, which was being intermittently opened and closed, as servants cleared out dirty laundry and retrieved cleaning rags and fresh sheets.
Many thoughts were passing through Song Horo's head.
His manner of dealing with the new representative had not changed in substance, but he had still been more moderate. It was likely that he had taken it too far with the previous representative, leading to the current situation.
No matter what, Song Horo refused to act meekly. Resistance was necessary, so he was forced to act extreme.
Show an edge, demonstrate your madness, and don't take matters too far. Who would be comfortable pursuing grievances after such a display?
He still did not see any holes in his method. It felt correct.
"Thank you, Master Kiro," the Third Manager said, after his thoughts had settled.
The Medicine Master was standing a couple meters behind him. When Song Horo ordered his servants, Song Kiro likewise sent his assistants back to the Medicine Hall while staying himself to keep the Third Manager company.
"No need to be so formal, Manager." Most of the pressure was removed in the absence of the representative, but Song Kiro's voice was still restrained.
"We can afford to have another child, but can we afford to lose the protection of the Mo Family?" Song Horo muttered to himself.
"I don't know, Manager."
Song Horo turned around, a wry smile on his face. "Do you disapprove of my manner of handling the Mo Family?"
"Naturally, I only wish for a peaceful resolution. I have no other thoughts."
"If I give you praise, will you promise not to hold a grudge?"
"If you petition the Family Head to raise my salary, naturally my gratitude would overwhelm my other emotions."
Song Horo chuckled. "It would please you, then, to hear that I went down on all fours and begged the Patriarch to let you run the family."
Song Kiro rolled his eyes. "What did the Patriarch tell you?"
"I would not reveal this to anyone else…"
"Understood."
"And neither should you…"
"Manager, what is said between you and I will forever remain a secret. Even under extreme duress, even under torture, my lips will be sealed."
"Very well, then," Song Horo said gravely. "The Patriarch revealed that his decision on whether you will run the family…whether you will supplant the current head and receive all benefits that follow…will directly hinge on one thing, and one thing only…"
"Yes, yes?" Song Kiro pretended to grow agitated from his excitement, playing along with the obvious joke.
"That one thing is…how selflessly you dedicate yourself to the Third Manager. I swear, those were his words. He told me that dedication was the crucial aspect, and that the Third Manager needed to be the object of your dedication."
Song Kiro made a mock gasp. "But, does it not appear that you yourself are the Third Manager?"
"Hmm."
"What an extraordinary coincidence. Then, how should I dedicate myself to you? Perhaps by following your every command, asking for nothing in return? Working like a horse or a dog?"
"I'm afraid so," Song Horo said, his voice displaying absolute seriousness.
"Working like a sheep, or a pig?"
The Third Manager turned around, placing his hand on Song Kiro's shoulder. "Fulfill the Patriarch's wishes honestly, and don't let it slip that I revealed this great secret to you. You do not know how much I suffered to bring you this information."
Song Horo re-entered his bedroom, and Song Kiro called out after him, "Manager, thank you for your confidence. Although I am weak of body and weaker of spirit, I will dedicate myself to you like a slave. A favor of this magnitude will be carried in my heart until death."
Song Horo had just entered the bedroom. He paused, holding the door open with an outstretched arm. "As long as you know," he said with mock graveness, before withdrawing his hand.