Chapter 247
- ་
55 vouchers
Margaery lowered her head, glanced at the enchanted beads on her wrist, and after a moment of contemplation, said, “First, to gather information; second, to ease relations; third, to distance herself from the Wallen family; fourth, to find herself a way out.”
“This woman isn’t simple; she’s far from ordinary, Margaery thought.
Indeed, in the court’s struggle, those who reached the end and still maintained their wealth and honor were never easy to deal with. At the same time, Margaery could feel the gap between the Wallen family and the nobility, which lay in manners, vision, and perspective.
Raul came from humble, rural beginnings. Not that there was anything inherently wrong with his character, but his position had shaped the limits of his vision.
Even if someone like him managed to climb the ranks, his perspective remained rooted in the rural area of his youth. It was said that a chancellor’s heart should be broad enough to hold a boat, yet Raul’s generosity never grew beyond his past.
Moreover, coming from a small place, he found the subtle rules of court life utterly alien. He misread the King’s intentions and failed to handle affairs with measured skill.
As a result, he formed cliques for personal gain, raised five crooked sons, and ultimately provided the King with the perfect excuse to strip him of power in one decisive move.
Margaery pondered these things and turned back into the room. ‘Perhaps death truly is the beginning of rebirth; I should be grateful for my past experiences,‘ she thought.
After dying once, one would view life differently. Margaery felt this deeply. It was precisely because of that tragic death that she realized the human heart is inscrutable, and that nothing should be judged without seeing the whole picture.
She also realized that one must treat others with sincerity, but when assessing situations, one must stand from an unemotional perspective. Only then could one avoid being blinded by sentiment or inner confusion and clarify the matter at hand.
Once the situation was clear, the path would become visible. This time, she would no longer be blind to reality. Nor would she follow in Raul’s footsteps.
She would break free from hatred, from the bitterness of her past and present lives, from every humiliation she had endured, rising from the ashes to claim a new future.
Margaery took a deep breath, and a surge of exuberant joy welled up within her.
“Your wisdom is truly extraordinary.” Suddenly, a melodious voice sounded behind her, as if even the cold wind outside the door was soothed, and moonlight seemed to pour at her feet.
Margaery’s heart skipped a beat; she turned to see Dashnell appearing at the doorway, wheeling his chair, and exclaimed in surprise, “Dashnell, why are you here? Aren’t you… supposed to enter the palace tonight?”
Dashnell wore a smile on his face, as radiant as the bright moon, and said, “I just came from the palace. I planned to see you as I worried you might be upset about the Icy Pool incident. Now it seems I was overthinking.”
As he spoke, he took out an imperial edict from his robe and handed it to Margaery, saying, “I secured something good for you. From now on, you truly have no connection to the Wallen family anymore, so you no longer have to be disgusted by
them.”
Margaery opened it and was surprised. “The King personally bestowed a royal surname, asking me to change my name to
1/4
10:39 am
Chapter 247
Margaery of Glowsend?” There had never been such a precedent in the history of the Eastvale Empire.
55 vouchers
“Yes. After the cabinet is established tomorrow, this imperial edict will be proclaimed throughout the realm.” Dashnell continued, his expression grave, “There’s a case involving the Wallen family. That surname isn’t auspicious; you should abandon it if you could.”
Margaery nodded. “I don’t care for the Wallen family name, but suddenly changing my name will take a few days to get used to,” she said.
In the past, everyone called her Margaery Wallen. After tomorrow, everyone would call her Margaery Glowsend. She feared she might not react in time.
Moreover, Dashnell’s words brought a lot of information. ‘A case involving the Wallen family; which Wallen family?‘ she wondered.
As far as she knew, Raul was originally surnamed Zimmer. He had assumed the identity of Harlan Wallen, subsequently changed his name to Raul Wallen, and climbed up step by step.
Tessa revealed this at the Icy Pool that day, when Warren was also present. ‘This means that the King is also aware. So, the ‘Wallen family case‘ the King mentioned is Harlan’s case or Raul’s case?‘ Margaery wondered. ‘Or perhaps, these two cases are the same?‘
Margaery pondered this matter and invited Dashnell in. Dashnell closed the door, reached out, and embraced her. “Take your time to adapt. If you like the name Margaery, let it be your nickname. The surname may not be great, but I especially like your name, Margaery,” he said.
‘May all things go as you wish. I truly hope that everything will go smoothly for you in the future,‘ he thought.
Margaery reached out and touched his face. It was somewhat cold. Cradled in her palm, a sudden sense of treasuring welled up within her. She could not help but smile and say, “Then you can call me Margaery for a lifetime.”
Dashnell could not help but laugh. Only then did Margaery realize that when he laughed freely, there was a beauty that made all else pale in comparison.
Dashnell gently rubbed her hand. He was a bit happy tonight, because the King’s arrangements for Margaery put him at
ease.
“What’s happened that’s made you so happy?” Margaery could not help but ask him.
“The King wants to protect you, so I’m very happy,” Dashnell said frankly. “Although this means we’ll have fewer chances to be together, it doesn’t matter. We have a long future ahead of us.”
“Mm. Margaery nodded. She and Dashnell shared not only mutual affection but also an unspoken understanding. They were always thinking along the same lines.
‘What else could I ask for?‘ she thought.
Only at this moment did Dashnell notice the enchanted bead bracelet on her wrist and ask, “Aunt gave you her treasure?”
Margaery nodded and said, “She put it on me herself, and I can’t take it off” To remove it would be a humiliation to her. She came with a smiling face, and I can’t humiliate her, she thought.
Although she was now a princess, the Star of Fortune, and was protected by both her mentor and the King, she knew all of this was ultimately illusory. In the end, she would have to rely on herself to build her own strength
At present, she certainly could not fall out with Grace, nor was there any need. There was no reason to be so foolish as to make enemies for herself everywhere.
2/4
10:39 am PP
ррра.
ཁ་་་
Chapter 247
55 vouchers
Margaery was very clear about her own strengths and limitations. Dashnell took her hand and smiled, “Then continue wearing it. The material itself may not be precious, but in other aspects, it’s invaluable. You might not know it’s from Palace of the Purple Clouds.”
“Palace of the Purple Clouds?” Margaery was startled, then came back to her senses. “Princess Grace said this belonged to her mentor. Is her mentor from Palace of Purple Clouds?” she asked.
‘The one on the Ascendant Peak?‘ she wondered.
Dashnell nodded, “Outsiders only know that Aunt excels in music, chess, poetry, and painting, and is considered a master in all. But they do not know that her true heritage comes from the Palace of Purple Clouds. She’s a Daoist disciple.
“But, the King’s from the Chapel of Wisdom.” As Dashnell spoke, his gaze was shifting.
He had only spoken halfway before Margaery understood. “There’s no room for two competing powers. With the King tied to Christianity, another religious–backed figure would only threaten the balance.
“Therefore, Princess Grace, being exceptionally wise, concealed her brilliance through music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and took a nominal position at Talents Institute,” Margaery said.
Dashnell gently rocked her in his arms, “Yes, my aunt is exceptionally clever, but still not as clever as you.
“At such a young age, without royal education, you can see through her schemes. Perhaps… You’re the Star of Fortune.”
Margaery blushed at the compliment. “Without Your Highness, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said.
“You have a sweet tongue,” Dashnell said, smiling. Before he finished speaking, he lowered his head and kissed her.
Margaery blushed. After chatting for a while, Dashnell rose to leave. “I need to prepare for tomorrow’s morning court,” he said.
Margaery nodded, “You’ve been working hard, Your Highness.”
Dashnell smiled. ‘Everything is improving; I don’t feel the hardship. It’s all worth it,‘ he thought to himself.
3/4
