Chapter 229
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Some of them began to chat. “Is the Wallen family putting on a grand show? Just a few days ago, they claimed Margaery was not their biological child, and now she is?”
“Exactly. Just a few days ago, they drove her out of the house, and they even issued harsh words, forbidding anyone from taking in Margaery, or else they’d be opposing the Chancellor.”
“And now, it has changed?”
“A dignified Chancellor, an imperial guard, a royal physician, a proud disciple of Sullivan, a student at Inkwell, and one learning under Grace!”
“Six men, all played for fools by a single woman. It seems that becoming an official these days isn’t very difficult!”
“Indeed, after watching this Wallen family drama, I feel I could reach the official position myself!”
“What a farce!”
The discussions were lively, most of them mocking.
The Wallen family guards could not hide their embarrassment, but at this point, there was no other way. Aside from playing dumb, all they could do was await their fate.
“The Wallen family is really bold.” Adam watched the scene, his expression complex. “Margaery, what do you plan to do now?”
Dashnell also looked at Margaery and said, “This is all in preparation for welcoming you back.”
“I will not go back,” Margaery said and watched as the cart departed, her expression resolute. “Since they are spreading the news everywhere, I will make my own announcement as well.”
She then said to Adam, “Adam, you should spread the news. Say that today, the Wallen family, to rescue Tessa, tricked me into going to the Icy Pool, intending to dismember me, but ended up arresting the wrong person because my face was disfigured.”
Adam immediately understood and said, “I will go at once!
“Once this matter spreads, together with the Wallen family’s cart parade as evidence, the Wallen family will have no reason to ask you back again.”
With that, he hurriedly left.
Dashnell looked at Margaery and said, “Go back and rest. I suppose I will need to enter the palace as well.”
“Alright, I await your good news,” Margaery said.
She was truly a bit happy today, because the Wallen family had acted so ruthlessly that from now on, she would no longer bear the reputation of an ingrate daughter.
She wished time would pass quickly. Once Nathaniel annulled the engagement, she would petition the King for an edict to sever ties with the Wallen family and enter St. Augustine’s Abbey.
At this moment, Raul arrived at the palace.
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Chapter 229
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“Warren, please announce that I have urgent business to see the King!” Raul, knowing he was at fault, knelt before the Imperial Study.
Warren looked at him, his expression exceedingly complex. “Lord Chancellor, you seem quite busy these days,” he said.
Raul did not know that Warren had visited the Icy Pool and witnessed his true face, so for a moment, he did not understand what he meant.
Warren snorted, “The King is inside discussing important matters with the High Priest. You wait here.”
Raul could only kneel helplessly.
Warren did not wish to see him, so he turned and entered the Imperial Study, closing the door. He said, “Your Majesty, Raul has arrived and is kneeling just outside the door.”
“Let him kneel!” The King’s eyes were cold and inscrutable.
Without lifting his head from the document, he asked Simon, “What is your view on the recent events, High Priest?”
Simon, having served at court for many years and knowing the dangers, was no fool. He naturally understood what the King wanted, so he replied, “The Wallen family’s reputation has suffered greatly. As the Chancellor, such actions inevitably harm the nation’s fortune and may implicate you.
“He can no longer continue as Chancellor.”
The King had already instructed Dashnell to draft the cabinet document, which he was now holding and reading. Upon hearing this, he nodded and asked, “Then, what do you think should be done with Margaery?
“She has been disfigured, and Nathaniel no longer wishes to marry her.”
Recalling this, the King grew rather depressed. He continued, “It must be that I, as a father, have failed.”
The implication was clear.
Nathaniel requested to withdraw from the engagement, and the King had already agreed.
Simon still followed his words, saying, “Margaery is the Star of Fortune. Her marriage concerns the succession of the royal heir and must not be handled rashly.
“And now, you are in your prime, so there is no need for anyone to rush to compete for the throne. With internal and external troubles, instability is inadvisable. Therefore, her marriage should be postponed, and it should be expressly forbidden for anyone to harbor intentions toward her.”
The King nodded and said, “Yes.”
After a moment, he asked, “I have instructed Callum to handle the matter of Tessa, and Isander to deal with the treasury fraud case. What do you think?”
“I do not understand, but since you have made a decision, it must be the wisest one,” Simon replied, bowing.
How could he not understand?
It was simply that the King’s methods were too ruthless, and he dared not say.
In the royal family, they constantly checked and balanced each other. And mutual destruction was common, but these matters were not to be spoken aloud.
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Chapter 229
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The King’s first move was intended to announce that Nathaniel was the crown prince, so that others would quiet down.
But Nathaniel failed the test and did not seize this overwhelming fortune. The King agreed to let him withdraw from the engagement, which meant he was considering deposing the crown prince.
Sending Marcus as a watcher would make Marcus uneasy.
Uneasy, he would want to become the royal heir as soon as possible.
That would mean eliminating Nathaniel.
Sending Callum to deal with Springcourt House and Tessa would also make Callum uneasy. When Callum was uneasy, he would move against Nathaniel and Marcus.
Assigning Isander to investigate the treasury fraud case created a mutual check with the case in Callum’s hands, placing the two on opposing sides.
Thus, the four princes, all over twenty–five years old, would gradually weaken each other, and internal strife would consume them.
The rest, for now, remained relatively quiet.
In this way, those who were restless, scheming, impatient, or lacking imperial bearing could be worn down, while the King’s own position remained secure.
These arrangements seemed like mere words.
In reality, they were a storm of blood and carnage, costing countless lives, even princes‘ lives.
Yet, it was all deemed worthwhile. This was royal authority.
Simon understood, but couldn’t interfere. He could only feign ignorance. After all, he couldn’t openly claim that the King was plotting against his own son, could he?
The only difference was that Raul was purely evil.
The King acted for the stability of the court and long–term peace. Princes were naturally required to endure layer upon layer of trials before they could finally ascend to that position.
In fact, if Nathaniel accepted the King’s support and guidance, he would become the next heir. The King would then begin to weaken the others.
If Marcus returned, remained disciplined, admitted his mistakes, and escaped Callum’s schemes unscathed, after Nathaniel’s death, he would be the heir.
If Callum could turn the tables, handle cases impartially, and admit his own errors…
If Dashnell could remain composed, avoid rash conflict, and refrain from using Stormshade Hall for internal strife….
Everyone would have a chance.
Unfortunately, the weaknesses of human nature were universal. Few could steadily walk the narrow path, confronting both the outside world and themselves step by step.
Simon pondered these matters for a long time without speaking.
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Chapte
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
