Chapter 304: Don’t Dare to Speculate

Finished

After calming down, the King said, “I have just issued a decree, granting Finnian’s granddaughter the title of consort.”

“Mm, she has rendered meritorious service. She deserves the title and the reward,” the Queen Mother said calmly.

“Then I’ll get Oliver to announce the decree!”

The Queen Mother looked at Oliver. “Oliver, stay behind for a moment. We have prepared wedding gifts for you. Be sure to take them before you leave.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Oliver said.

The Queen Mother looked at the King. “Go and rest. This matter is settled. King Kamari hasn’t harmed our Eryndral Empire, so there’s no need to keep dwelling on it. Forget all that talk about winning the people’s hearts. Just understand this, and that will be enough.”

“Yes. Mother, you should rest early as well. I take my leave.” The King left, walking alongside Clark.

After the King left, the Queen Mother looked at Oliver. “Tell me the source of these letters!”

Oliver was startled. Meeting the Queen Mother’s piercing gaze, he lowered his head and said, “Yes, I am guilty. These letters were obtained in Zloimond, but I was unable to open them. It was Ashley who helped me unlock them.”

“Ashley?” The Queen Mother sneered.

Oliver remained silent, unsure whether she was angry or not.

“Do you know why they were spared?” the Queen Mother asked Oliver, no longer mentioning Ashley.

Oliver replied, “I understand. As you said, they are still useful and can be kept for now.”

Suddenly, the Queen Mother slammed the armrest of her chair and shouted angrily, “They are traitors! Do you think I don’t want to kill them? The chaos in Zloimond happened because these people fanned the flames, eager to see the world in turmoil! They are useful, but do you think we can’t find replacements for them? Among all the officials in court, there are plenty who surpass them! And yet, we still cannot kill them!”

Oliver was stunned. He did not know what the Queen Mother meant.

The Queen Mother looked at him. “Stay behind after the morning court session tomorrow.”

“Yes!” Oliver replied.

The Queen Mother let out a deep sigh. “There are two reasons why they were not executed. First, among this group, only a few truly harbored intentions of rebellion. But if we were to kill them, we would have to eliminate them all…”

She tossed a few letters in front of him. “Look at these. What kind of information did they send to King Kamari?”

Oliver took the letters, glanced through them, and said, “They contain information about the new tax…” (The rest of this sentence is illegible.)

“Exactly,” the Queen Mother nodded. “But these are not confidential news. They would have been announced sooner or later. Letting him know in advance doesn’t affect the execution of the court’s policies in any way.”

Oliver was slightly shocked and immediately understood. Some of these people had been placed by the Queen Mother herself to get close to Kamari. That explained why she had such a deep understanding of the situation in Zloimond. She knew about the hidden armory, the military formations, and even dared to take the risk of sending Isolde to lead troops there.

Perhaps the King had also realized this, which was why he had come to consult the Queen Mother first. Oliver couldn’t help but be astonished by the trust between the King and the Queen Mother. Their coordination was only possible because of absolute trust.

“The second reason!” The Queen Mother looked at him. “I am paving the way for you.”

Oliver was stunned and did not understand. “Paving the way for me? How so?”

“You will understand after the morning court session tomorrow,” the Queen Mother said, appearing somewhat weary. She did not say anything further and dismissed him.

Oliver nodded respectfully. “Yes, I’ll take my leave now!”

Oliver left the palace and went straight to Marquis Eldermere’s estate, bringing the imperial decree and a few eunuchs.

On the other side, after visiting everyone she needed to, Ashley returned home. A smug smile appeared on her face. Seeing those high-ranking officials cowering before her filled her with an indescribable sense of satisfaction. She took out an ornate brocade box where she had stored the letters from before. The brocade box showed signs of being tampered with. Slowly, Ashley opened it, only to find page after page of sacred scripture inside. She froze as if struck by lightning. “Oliver!” She cursed inwardly.

Outside, hurried footsteps echoed through the halls. “The King’s Edict has arrived!” came the sharp, unmistakable voice of the eunuch.

Ashley carefully put away the brocade box, then slowly turned to open the door. Outside, Oliver stood with several eunuchs and members of the marquis’s household. She forced a strained smile. “Great Marshal!”

“Ashley, please receive the edict!” Oliver said expressionlessly.

Ashley slowly knelt down. “I receive the edict!”

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the King decrees that Ashley Charlie, granddaughter of Finnian Charlie of Zloimond, is intelligent and virtuous, possessing both wisdom and grace. In recognition of her meritorious service, she is hereby granted the title of Consort Ashley,” Oliver spoke each word with measured solemnity.

Ashley bowed low to the ground. “I, Ashley Charlie, humbly thank His Majesty for this great honor. Long live the King! Long live, long live, ten thousand years!” Her entire body stiffened. Today, she threatened those people, and tonight, the imperial edict arrived, naming her Consort Ashley. The decree clearly stated that she was rewarded for her report. She cursed under her breath, “Oliver, what a vicious move!”

“Your Highness, the King has already ordered the Imperial Astronomers to select an auspicious date. You will have your wish granted soon,” Oliver said.

Ashley looked at him without a trace of a smile. “I owe everything I have today to you, Great Marshal.”

“It is Your Highness who is wise. I have no merit,” Oliver replied humbly.

Ashley held the heavy imperial edict conferring her title. Though she could read it now, it had to be returned to the eunuchs for archiving. Later, an official consort registry would be issued to her.

“Consort Ashley, we have traveled far to deliver this joyous news. Shouldn’t a celebration come with a reward?” Oliver asked with a smile.

Ashley had little silver at hand, yet these were the King’s envoys. She could not afford to be stingy. She had no choice.

Oliver weighed the silver pieces given by Ashley and forced a smile. “Thank you for the reward, Consort Ashley!”

The servants of the Marquis’s estate stepped forward to offer their congratulations. Surrounded by the crowd, Ashley watched as Oliver turned and walked away.

She had gotten what she wanted, becoming the consort. But she was not happy at all. This title of consort was hardly better than her previous rank as a concubine. For the King to issue an edict sealing her position, it was clear that Oliver had used her name to report the matter. She wondered what the King would think of her now.

Besides, whether those people would be sentenced to death remained uncertain. If not, she would have made enemies on all sides. Even if they weren’t executed, they would still lose their positions. They would be too busy saving themselves to go after her. The only thing she really needed to worry about now was how to explain everything to the King.

After finally dismissing everyone, she made her way to Ningser Pavilion. Oliver had just finished bathing and was preparing to leave when he saw her arrive. He greeted her in salute. “Consort Ashley.”

Ashley looked at him coldly. “Great Marshal, you certainly played a good trick.”

“It’s nothing compared to Your Highness’s skill in deception. I have read those sacred scriptures, and they are quite enlightening. Your Highness, you should take a moment to read them as well,” Oliver said.

Ashley stared at him. “The King has given his response. How will those people be dealt with?”

“I do not dare to speculate on His Majesty’s intentions,” Oliver replied with a faint smile.

Ashley’s expression changed slightly. “The King has seen them and has not taken action immediately?”

“The King only issued one decree, which was to confer the title of consort upon you,” Oliver said.

Ashley muttered, “Impossible. After reading those conspiring letters, how could the King not act immediately? Didn’t he hate those people to the core?”

“You are indeed smart, Your Highness, but making reckless guesses about the King’s will is dangerous. A wrong assumption could cost you your head,” Oliver replied, then left.