Margaery and Estelle headed to the Hall of Divinity, meeting Phillipa on the way.
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Phillipa, accompanied by fifty people, saw Margaery and smiled especially happily. “Margaery, we can finally be together!”
The excitement on her face was hard to hide.
However, with Estelle present, she couldn’t say much more.
Estelle also sensed the atmosphere, feeling herself to be an eyesore, yet unable to truly leave.
If she truly left, she would have no chance to take another step forward.
In fact, she was also thinking that if she really went to Emberfall, she would need some ability to survive.
The three of them ascended the Hall of Divinity together.
Meanwhile.
The news of Marcus’s demotion and the Hadley family being raided had already spread throughout Sinderin City, causing an uproar among the people.
“My goodness, Prince Marcus actually tried to assassinate Prince Nathaniel, and the entire Seamus family were accomplices!”
“The battle for the throne is truly perilous.”
“Indeed, in just a few days, two princes have been demoted.”
Now, the lockdown in Sinderin City had been relaxed, because on the surface, the assassin of Nathaniel had already been executed, and there was no need to continue the lockdown.
Additionally, it was necessary to convey to Callum’s faction that everything was now safe, so early this morning, the city’s imperial guards and other patrols quietly disappeared.
The end of the year was approaching,
The Royal Examinations was about to begin.
Locals in Sinderin City needed to prepare for the New Year, while scholars from other regions hurriedly readied themselves
for the exam.
The crowds surged, and news spread especially quickly.
“I think, given this year’s general direction, the Royal Examinations questions will definitely be unusual
snow.
Amidst the wind and snow, a youth in blue stood under the caves, gazing toward the Golden Throne Hall. Perhaps, this time the questions will be different from all previous years.
“Will it be about the battle for the throne?”
“Or the establishment of a cabinet?”
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“Hard to say.” The youth shook his head. In fact, he already had his own judgment, but he did not voice it.
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He believed that for the royal family, the battle for the throne was routine, and the establishment of a cabinet was reform; similar events had occurred in history.
This year, the most extraordinary and potentially disruptive event was not either of these two.
It was women entering the court!
The King wanted to expand his territory and needed talent; the Eastvale Empire also needed talent to prosper. Where could such people be found?
In the vast inner chambers of this nation, half the population was still confined.
This was potential, opportunity, and talent.
The youth lowered his gaze, gathered his paper and brush, and left the house, returning to the inn.
“What is his name?”
Behind the screen, Dashnell observed the boy’s back and asked Leandro beside him.
“Zane Danby.”
Leandro watched Zane’s departing figure, his expression somewhat complicated. “He brought a young woman with him this time. She originally accompanied him here, but upon hearing that women are allowed to enter the Royal Examinations this year, she also signed up to participate.”
“And what is that woman’s name?” Dashnell asked.
Leandro replied, “Amabel Fletcher.”
Dashnell nodded and said nothing more.
A moment later, Nelly Gaskell entered, bringing news about Margaery. “Your Highness, Princess Margaery has gone to the Hall of Divinity, accompanied by Phillipa and Estelle. They are likely investigating the secret passage.”
“Have Wayne follow them.” Dashnell said nothing else, only wishing to ensure her safety.
While the group was speaking, they saw Russell and Joshua downstairs.
Russell wore coarse cloth garments, with no trace of the Wallen family’s former wealth.
Joshua was dressed in brocade, but his face was despondent and his eyes lifeless, as if he had become a walking corpse.
“I wonder what they are thinking at this moment.” Leandro glanced downward, a hint of a cold smile in his eyes
*After the Royal Examinations, it will be the Wallen family’s turn” Dashnell’s gaze swept over the two, his tone devoid of emotion. “Their thoughts no longer matter.”
He changed the subject and asked, “Any news from the northern frontier?”
Leandro nodded. “Yes. They say they’ve tracked down the whereabouts of those exiled years ago. After investigation, members of the Schneider family are found alive, they will be brought back.”
Dashnell nodded.
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If things continued at this pace, Margaery would be able to reunite with her maternal grandfather’s family after the New Year.
The weather was especially cold after the snow had cleared and the sun had come out.
Russell stood on the street, listening to the crowd’s discussions around him, and thought of Walter.
“That day, Walter told me that Margaery is a fortunate person. This Blood Fiend should not have been brought by someone close to her. Now it seems she truly is blessed.”
“What?” Joshua was somewhat dazed.
After regaining his composure, his heart fluttered. “It’s true. She really did enter the court, and even Princess Grace was accepted into Wellspring Hall. The King actually allowed women to participate in the Royal Examinations, and in the first year, female candidates were even permitted to skip the first two rounds.”
“This is fortune,” Russell said, closing his eyes. “Previously, Inkwell Academy invited the High Priest to give a lecture. The High Priest explained that relying solely on hard work can only get you so far; to truly succeed, you must learn how to harness fortune.
“So, is Margaery the King’s fortune, or is the King Margaery’s fortune?”
Only now did Russell begin to understand what had truly happened. “No matter who fulfilled whom, the Wallen family was the sacrifice.
“We were foolish, acting against the heavens.
“So, we have come to this day…”
Was Margaery formidable?
She was certainly formidable, but without Dashnell, the King, and others facilitating her, she could not have come this far, unless she were a deity,
Was the King formidable?
Undoubtedly.
But why, at this very moment, dismiss the Chancellor and establish the Cabinet? Why greatly facilitate opportunities for
women now?
Because of Margaery.
In other words, the Wallen family was a stepping stone.
At this thought, Russell could not stop trembling. “So, fate had arranged everything long ago!
Joshua also felt a chill in his heart upon hearing this.
“I truly did not expect that a trivial matter in the inner chambers would destroy the entire Wallen family
Back then, when they bullied Margaery, they thought no one could control them.
No matter whether Margaery was willing or not, she had to accept her fate.
Yet they never expected…
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Now it was too late for regret. “I never imagined that Prince Marcus and the Hadley family would fall even faster than the Wallen family.”
Not far away stood the dilapidated threshold of the Hadley family.
Yesterday, authorities searched their home and seized all valuable belongings, which were then transferred to the national treasury.
At this moment, the main gate had already been sealed.
Russell looked at Joshua. This time, I truly must leave.”
He asked again, “Joshua, are you not leaving?”
If he did not leave, he could only wait for death.
Although he did not know what kind of death it would be.
Joshua looked into the distance, his whole body trembling. “I…” He did not have the courage.
In the end, he said, “I’ll stay and take care of Father.”
In fact, he wished he could kill Raul with his own hands.
But these things, he could not bring himself to say.
He felt like something placed on a rack that did not belong to him, and after being there for so long, he could no longer get down.
He did not know where he should go.
He just felt guilty.
Russell cupped his hands. “Then I shall take my leave.”
After speaking, he strode out of the city.
He was afraid that if he did not leave now, he would never be able to.
Now, all he could do was hope that once the Wallen family was destroyed, the King would not pursue the issue any further.
At that moment, Margaery discovered a clue in the courtyard below the Hall of Divinity where the servants lived. “The earth here has clearly been disturbed. Even though it’s been a long time, the signs are still visible.”
Margaery squatted down and knocked on the ground.
A ‘clang, clang‘ sound came from the ground, clearly abnormal.
“Phillipa, detain those people outside. Estelle, Solon, and I will go down to take a look.”
Margaery glanced outside.
In fact, she first discovered the traces of moved earth outside the courtyard, because she noticed a huge mound piled up there, which was clearly not snow.
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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.
