Chapter 248
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After the establishment of the Cabinet, a relatively balanced political landscape took shape at court. Seeing that the dust had finally settled, those officials who had previously colluded with the Wallen family found it difficult to stir up any further trouble.
With the court slightly more stable, Dashnell could go on campaign with greater peace of mind. Most importantly, he felt the King’s favoritism toward him, as his youngest son, throughout this entire affair.
Such love was not spoken aloud, but real and tangible. In the imperial family, his father had not lost genuine affection; over the years, he had set a good example for him.
***
At that moment, Grace had just returned to the Princess’s residence. Finn came out to greet her, taking her hand as they walked in. “How is the Star of Fortune?” he asked.
“Exceptionally intelligent, with limitless prospects,” Grace sighed and then said. “The gifts I brought were insufficient, so I gave her the enchanted bead.”
Finn was stunned. “That enchanted bead has been with you for decades, and you actually parted with it for her? What kind of person is she? Worthy of such a precious gift from you?” he asked.
Grace returned to her room and warmed herself by the brazier. She felt drowsy, yet sleep refused to come. “Peerless in beauty, yet distinct from the bearing of one who rules the realm. The blood calamity has passed; reborn through fire…”
At that point, she took a deep breath, her thoughts drifting to the late queen. “Both she and I owe our gratitude to the late queen. When she met the King in her youth and won his heart, she allowed the sovereign ruler to glimpse the limitless possibilities a woman could hold.
“If not for Angelina, the King would not have allowed me to live to this day. If not for Angelina, the King would never have accepted this so–called Star of Fortune,” Grace said, and then fell silent.
After a long pause, she uttered shocking words that shook heaven and earth, “The Star of Fortune is a woman, yet within her lies the hidden aspect of a king.”
Finn was at a loss for words. He was taken aback when he said, “How could it be?”
“I’m just as surprised,” Grace replied, staring at the flickering light in the brazier, somewhat lost in thought.
“Years ago, when my mentor explained this kind of physiognomy, he said it was exceptionally rare, so rare that he and I would likely never encounter one in our lifetimes. After all, the King possesses both civil brilliance and martial prowess…
“Yet who would have thought that not only would such a person appear, but that the King had chosen her? From that moment on, the idea of women entering the court and rising to the highest ranks may no longer be mere fantasy”
While she spoke, she reminded Finn, “This matter is known only to you and me, no third person should know about it, including our children.”
Finn collected himself and nodded. “I know what matters,” he said.
“Everyone knows your mastery of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting is unparalleled, yet few realize your skills in astrology and physiognomy rival those of Simon. No wonder Simon said she’s the Star of Fortune,” Finn added.
Grace shook her head and said, “Simon is adept at astrology, but he can only read the fate of the nation, not physiognomy. His true strength lies elsewhere.”
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Finn was puzzled. “He’s the High Priest; is his greatest talent not in his official duties?”
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“Indeed, Sinderin City is full of hidden talents; I’m not the only one concealing my abilities.” Grace sighed. “Simon’s greatest skill is, of course… swordsmanship.”
“Back then, when the Nine Sovereign’Sword was drawn, peace was restored across the land. Even the late King praised it highly, exclaiming that if the Southcroft King desired the realm, he would be on pins and needles,” Grace continued.
Finn was at a loss for words. Grace’s words carried a great deal of information. He took some time to process before he could understand. “Are you saying Simon was the uncrowned king of the martial world back then, the unrivaled master of the Ninth Imperial Hall?” he asked.
Grace sighed and said, “I just went to see the Star of Fortune, and happened to catch a glimpse of the corner of a sword manual. Although it was hidden, just from that fragment, I could recognize it as the Nine Sovereign Sword’s sword manual.”
When she was young, she had been fortunate enough to see it once and could never forget it. She had never expected it to end up in Margaery’s hands ultimately.
So, Craig is the Southcroft King, and Margaery is his disciple, and in addition, Frederic… Finn pondered.
“The realm is now rife with upheaval; perhaps the King can fulfill the ambitions of his youth. Let’s wait and see… the peace after this storm of blood and fury!” Grace said.
Finn fell silent. When the King was young, he vowed to make the Eastvale Empire the strongest nation, so that no one would covet it again.
The King had worked diligently for many years, and the Eastvale Empire had improved greatly. But ultimately, it was not something that could be achieved overnight. The choice of the next King is crucial.
“So, Prince Dashnell will be the next king?” Finn asked with a trembling voice after a long pause. “In that case, aren’t all the others merely stepping stones?”
“It’s getting late. Let’s sleep now,” Grace said.
Grace turned off the light, but did not respond to Finn’s question. She had gone to see Margaery, but gathered nothing from her. However, from other aspects, she had glimpsed much of what the future might hold.
And those things, at least in the current situation, were all matters she ought to be involved in. ‘Perhaps, when the King abdicates, and the era of Dashnell and Margaery arrives, there will be a turning point, giving me the chance to truly display my brilliance in this world?‘ she thought to herself,
Grace spoke of going to sleep, yet at that moment, she found it difficult to fall asleep. A fierce blaze surged within her chest, igniting the dreams of her youth; dreams of one day speaking of state affairs in the court, wielding power over the realm, and leaving her own bold, indelible mark in this era.
Late at night, the respective princes were still moving about. Everyone was speculating about the next candidate for Chancellor, and everyone wanted to become the next stakeholder.
Only the Wallen family remained cold and desolate, while Nathaniel was suffering beyond words.
At the Wallen family residence, the Chancellor’s estate was no longer what it used to be. With the name plaque gone, even the servants felt anxious, unable to accept such a drastic change. Therefore, even those doing odd jobs were no longer as diligent as before.
Andrew returned from Grace’s place, his mood unbearably heavy. Raul regained consciousness, but the hair at his temples
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had turned completely white. His entire being seemed withered, drained of all former vitality. “Andrew, what did Princess Grace say?” Raul asked.
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He slouched on the bed and looked at Andrew, feeling utterly drained of strength, with no energy to go to the Ministry of Rites.
He couldn’t bear the shame. If it were not for his resentment, he would have chosen to hang himself to end it all, rather than face those unbearable realities.
Andrew was somewhat dazed. He glanced at Raul, then lowered his head, his expression grave, eyes brimming with tears.
“She said that, given the current situation, I can only kneel outside the palace and request to be sent to guard the northern frontier. Only after many years might there be a chance for a comeback,” he said.
“She also said,” he choked, “the only way out for Joshua, Avery, and Russell is to stay away from the court and not get involved in the battle for succession. Otherwise, they may perish along with the Chancellor’s estate.”
As Andrew spoke, his voice trembled at the end. A year ago, when he sought out Grace to become her disciple, he dreamed that one day he could travel the world like she once did, mastering music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and live a carefree life.
Ultimately, by entering the Talents Institute, he would build connections and pave the way for the Wallen family to become a powerful aristocratic house. Yet unexpectedly, after a year, the Chancellor’s estate had become what it was now.
He straightened up, his heart heavy with bitterness. “She also said the Wallen family is doomed. Isander is now digging into that treasury fraud case back then.”
As he spoke, he raised his head and looked at Raul. “Dad, are you… truly involved in that treasury fraud case?”
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