In fact, the man is the Emperor's cousin. Their fathers are twins. Their cat forms (fathers) look exactly the same except a white spot/patch or something on their ears. The former Emperor's on the left while his brother's (the cousin's father) on the right.
Yes. When MC's cousin was caught for murder, his uncle threatened to sell their ancestral house to save his son (to get the MC to abuse his position as a favoured concubine and get his cousin's charges dropped). MC instead bought a new house for his mother, half sister and loyal maid. He brought the donkey along with them.