Chapter 245
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In the past, people always said she was the woman closest to the King, besides the consorts. Of course, she was different from the consorts. It was precisely because she was different that she was unique and appeared especially favored.
Now, Margaery had become that person. To be precise, from the very beginning, her status in the King’s mind was never equal to Margaery’s.
She was related to the King by marriage. The late King had bestowed the title of princess on her, which had nothing to do with the current King. And she had never truly involved herself in court politics
‘But Margaery, as the Star of Fortune, has gained this opportunity… Thinking about these things, Grace was somewhat absent–minded.
At this moment, the guard led Andrew in. “Your Highness, Lord Andrew requests an audience.”
Grace came back to her senses, looked toward the door, and said after a moment’s hesitation, “Let him in.”
Andrew entered and knelt, his voice tinged with sobs. “Master, my family is in great trouble! I beg you to help me find a way
out!”
After following Grace for more than a year, she was the closest person to royal power that he could turn to. All of Andrew’s hopes were pinned on her.
Grace looked at him with mixed feelings. After a moment, she said, “I can’t help you with the matters of the Chancellor’s estate. If you seek guidance, I do have a few words for you. You may rise.”
Andrew’s heart first sank, then hope was rekindled. He stood up and looked at Grace, his eyes full of expectation and the pain of his family’s ruin.
Grace looked at him and said, “The matter of you cutting off Margaery’s legs, even though you struck the wrong person, is an unforgivable crime. This must be resolved, or you’ll never have another chance.”
Andrew, terrified, knelt again. “Please tell me clearly!”
“The northern frontier is frigid and desolate; no one wishes to guard it. Now, if you wish to return from the brink of death, there is only one path you can take,” Grace said.
Looking at him, Grace continued, “Tonight, kneel at the palace gates, admit your wrongdoing, and request that the King allow you to guard the northern frontier.
“If you can make a name for yourself there, upon your return, you’ll have nothing to do with the Chancellor’s estate anymore.”
Andrew felt a chill run through his entire body at these words. Sinderin City winters are cold, but at their harshest, only three feet of snow falls,
Winter in Sinderin City was cold, but the harshest was only three feet of snowfall. Such a scenario only happened once every seven or eight years, sometimes more than a decade.
But the northern frontier was different. It happened every year, and it only grew colder. Even at home, one could not keep warm, let alone stand atop the city walls battered by wind and snow. ‘Others don’t wish to go, and neither do I, Andrew thought.
Grace, looking at him, said, “I know you don’t feel like going, but if you choose to stay, prepare to be torn to pieces. I can tell you, the Chancellor’s estate no longer has a future.”
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Chapter 245
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Her gaze was firm; that firmness flowed from her slender, slightly upturned eyes, carrying a cold indifference that left one in despair. ‘Yet it’s close to the truth, Andrew thought.
Andrew felt the blood in his body had ceased to flow. ‘Waiting to die in Sinderin City, or fighting for a slim chance of survival in the northern frontier, you must choose for yourself,” Grace said.
“As your master, this is the only thing I can do for you. As long as you’re willing, I’ll find a way to send you there. There will naturally be people to support you, so you will not suffer too much,” Grace looked at him and continued.
‘If I still disagree, she’s going to get mad, Andrew thought.
Grace stared at him. In the end, Andrew could only kneel and say, “I’ll follow your arrangements.”
Grace nodded. ‘Since you’re somewhat bright, I’ll give you one more piece of advice.
“Your father is doomed. He’s been reduced to a minor sixth–rank official, stuck in the Ministry of Rites, a dead end. He’s no help to you now.
“For you and your siblings to survive, there’s only one option. Leave the court, avoid the fight for the throne. Build merit far from the capital, and one day you might still make a comeback.”
As Grace spoke, she looked at Andrew. “Let me be honest with you; the King is currently investigating Isander regarding the treasury fraud case back then. If your father’s hands aren’t clean, then his death is not far off.”
Andrew was clearly indoors, yet he still felt cold. Even though the bright red brazier was right in front of him, Andrew felt cold from head to toe, unable to accept this reality.
“Go now. You can’t stay here for long; lingering like this will only arouse suspicion.” Grace issued the order to leave, finally adding, “The court is turbulent, and the succession of the throne is the norm in the ebb and flow of history. Everything will happen at the right time.
“Life’s ups and downs are the same. I hope that when we meet again in the future, you’ll be in a different situation, not merely living and dying by your father’s fate!”
Andrew listened to these words and left. Grace spoke with vigor and spirit, but when it came to him, it carried a sense of tragic resolve.
In fact, he was still confused. That day, above the icy pool, his father told him to choose between the Chancellor’s estate and Margaery. Both sides were his family. One side was a wager of four people, the other was only one.
He chose the majority, but the outcome… Now, leaving the Princess’s residence and walking home, he still did not know how to choose if he faced such a situation again.
‘Sometimes, no matter what one chooses, there’ll be regrets and losses, he thought to himself.
“The Chancellor’s estate is already in this state, yet you still want to send him away. Do you really expect him to be trusted again?” Finn did not understand Grace’s arrangement and looked at her, somewhat stummed.
Grace took a deep breath and said, “The King is six years older than I am. The late King passed away at sixty–one
She paused, then continued, “If nothing unexpected happens, the King will likely remain on the throne for another ten years. Most likely, he will only step down when he’s in his fifties.
“Ten years is enough for Raul to rise from a fifth–rank official to Chancellor, and then to become a low–rank official. It’s also enough time for a change of dynasty…”
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Chapter 245
Grace glanced at Finn and said, “Who can tell what will happen in ten years?
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“If Dashnell ascends the throne, he’ll most likely not employ the Wallen family again. But what if someone else takes the throne? Though the northern frontier is bitterly cold, it is crucial to the King.
“If no one is left to garrison it, Sandsteppe cavalry will sweep straight down to the capital, something not easily withstood.
“I’m merely giving Andrew a path, and also giving ourselves a way out.
“If Dashnell ascends the throne, even if he dislikes the Wallen family, for the sake of border peace, he’ll spare Andrew. If he spares Andrew, we’ll not be implicated.
“If someone else ascends the throne, Andrew may return and become Grand General. At that time, it will also be beneficial to us.”
Grace sighed as she spoke. “Though I’m a princess, I don’t bear the surname Sutherland, but McKay. I’m not truly of the royal bloodline. All you and I seek in this world is merely stability.”
Finn fell silent at her words. After a moment, he looked at Grace and said with emotion, “All these years, fortunately, you’re managing the household. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even know how I die.”
Grace sighed and said, “We are family; there’s no need for formalities. Okay, I shall go and meet that Star of Fortune now.”
Finn looked at her and said, “At this critical moment, is it really appropriate? If the King finds out…”
Grace glanced toward the palace and said, “There’s nothing that can be hidden from the King. Just go openly; there’s no need to sneak around like his sons.”
With that, she let out a cold snort. ‘Sneaking around only proves a guilty conscience. If you fail to hide it, it only invites suspicion,’ she thought.
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