Chapter 277: Playing Both Sides

+8 Pearls

Seeing that Harper believed her, Margaret asked, “How could this have dragged you into it? Even if the King accuses Layla of interfering, it shouldn’t involve her family.”

Harper said gloomily, “I found out about Geoffrey’s actions yesterday. Matthew told me to go to the palace and report him, accusing him of colluding with the rebel king. Who knew Layla would bring it up first? What’s even more infuriating is that Isolde actually brought Geoffrey to the palace to seek forgiveness. Isolde has just achieved great merit, and the King holds her in high regard. With Doug and Kolton also speaking on their behalf, the King only gave them a light reprimand. But Layla and I ended up suffering.”

Margaret gritted her teeth. Isolde was truly cunning—she actually knew to seek forgiveness first. This was originally the Langley family’s crime, but in the end, the King’s wrath fell on the Hanson family.

Having gotten his answers, Harper didn’t press the matter further. Instead, he asked curiously, “Ashley is quite a remarkable person, but why would she recognize Pablo as her adoptive father?”

“She has no one in Argentum. Even though she has her grandfather, he’s far away in Zloimond. What can he do to help her?” Margaret replied.

“She seems quite scheming.”

“Being scheming is a good thing. In the harem, without some cunning, how can one survive? As long as she doesn’t give birth to a prince, Layla can win Ashley over, and Ashley will be useful to Layla in the future. That was my intention when I went to the palace. Before you came, a palace maid arrived, telling me to go to the palace tomorrow to pay my respects. Layla probably wants to blame me. Oh well, I’m used to it. Whenever something happens, Layla never looks for the cause within herself. She always shifts the blame onto others. This time, I brought her many gifts, all sorts of supplies, but she still complained that I rarely send her things.”

Harper thought about it and agreed. Over the years, Layla had hinted countless times that she wanted her family to support her financially so she could pave the way for her son. However, the King was watching closely, and the Queen Mother was sharp-eyed. Besides, noblewomen visiting the palace to pay their respects had given her plenty.

Harper, who had been furious with Margaret, now redirected his anger toward Layla.

After seeing Harper off, Margaret let out a soft sigh of relief. She had shifted the blame, but the palace was still unsettled. However, she wasn’t worried at all. Family members always knew each other’s weaknesses.

The next morning, she ordered a carriage prepared to go to the palace.

Layla, having been demoted from Consort to Noble Concubine overnight, naturally became the laughingstock of the palace. Her pent-up anger from the previous night exploded when she saw Margaret.

“I knew you wouldn’t be so kind-hearted. You rarely come to see me, and suddenly you show up with news to help me earn merit? How could you be so malicious? What have I ever done to you?”

Margaret let her vent her anger before calmly asking, “I just want to ask you one thing: before Harper submitted his report, how did the King treat you?”

Layla was taken aback. She recalled that when she had brought the soup and subtly mentioned the matter, the King’s expression had darkened, but he had still been relatively kind to her. He had even spoken a few more words to her, unlike usual, when he would dismiss her after she delivered the soup.

So, when she left yesterday, she had felt secretly pleased.

Margaret, seeing her expression, said, “If Harper hadn’t submitted his report, you would have earned merit.”

Layla’s face darkened. “Are you trying to shift all the blame onto Harper? You’re always good at evading responsibility.”

Margaret replied, “What good would shifting blame do? I’m stating facts. Harper has always been ambitious. Seeing so many people being rewarded for their achievements in Zloimond, he became envious and wanted to seize an opportunity. But is this something he could just stumble upon?

“Without thoroughly investigating the matter, he rushed to report it. Isn’t that foolish? You, as a member of the harem, know that such matters should only be hinted at, letting the King investigate on his own. If it’s confirmed, earning the King’s favor or a word of praise would have been enough.”

Layla said resentfully, “What you say is true. How could he act so rashly? He’s truly desperate for a promotion.”

Margaret sighed and shook her head. “Lately, he’s been coming to Pablo frequently, hoping Pablo would promote him again. But nowadays, the King doesn’t just look at seniority—he also considers ability. Harper has been in his position for three years without any significant achievements or anything outstanding to earn the King’s praise. He just muddles through each day, hoping for a promotion. How could it be that easy?”

Layla felt both sorrow and anger. “If my family can’t help me, they shouldn’t keep dragging me down. I’ve had enough.”

Hearing this, Margaret dismissed the palace maids. She took out a stack of banknotes from her sleeve and handed them to Layla. “I know it’s hard for you, but I’m managing the Marquis’s household. Pablo is shrewd and doesn’t want to get involved in harem affairs. It’s not that I’m unwilling to give you money, but every expense must have a clear purpose.

“This time, when I returned Oliver’s assets, I set aside some of the interest I earned from lending the money. No one knows about this. Take it for now. Use it to curry favor with the people around the King and the Queen. What you did wasn’t a major offense. If someone speaks up for you, the King will restore your position.”

Layla immediately took the money and began counting it. It was ten thousand taels.

When she looked up, she said contentedly, “Thank you, Margaret.”

“We’re family. Why thank me?” Margaret held her hand and patted it earnestly. “A family should stand together. If you’re well, I’ll naturally be well too. If I’m well but you’re not, the family will still suffer. Perhaps over the years, I’ve visited the palace less, but it was for your own good. Have you ever wondered why, despite the King rarely visiting you, your position has remained stable?”

“Please enlighten me, Margaret!” Layla, having received the money, was much less angry.

Margaret explained, “It’s because the King believes you are virtuous and content, focusing solely on raising Wyatt without any ulterior motives. The King knew it clearly. Many consorts have ties to their families and get involved in court affairs.

“Just in the past two years, how many consorts has the King deposed? Isn’t it because of these reasons? It was with this in mind that I thought it best to keep some distance from you.”

In terms of intelligence, eloquence, and quick thinking, Layla was no match for Margaret. With a few well-chosen words and ten thousand taels, Margaret had completely dispelled Layla’s anger. In fact, Layla now felt grateful to her.

When Margaret left the palace, Layla saw her off with a smile. Margaret walked out of the palace courtyard with her back straight, her demeanor far surpassing that of Layla, stepping into the sunlight.