Chapter 234: Putting Down a Revolt
The silent arrival of spring was marked by sparkling dewdrops dancing on the branches and a lush spread of vibrant greenery.
The air was notably fragrant and fresh, still carrying the moisture of the last rain. Migratory birds perched in the treetops, their crisp chirps and loud songs welcoming the break of dawn.
As the seasons shifted, the spotlessly-white and desolate landscape was gradually being reclaimed by the colors of life.
Setis Duchy, Scarlet Blood Region. A dense shroud seemed to envelop the feudal lord’s castle. The viscous air surrounding it had practically solidified, making it difficult for everyone to breathe and causing their nerves to tense involuntarily.
“Please give us a rational explanation, Matriarch of House Setis.” His eyes wide and glaring, a man dressed in a long black gown rose to his feet after smacking the table.
“You took it upon yourself to negotiate a foreign trade deal with the human alliance, even going so far as to stamp a seal and sign an agreement without our consent. Do you hold any regard for us Elders at all?”
“Hmph! Isn’t this just wonderful? The leverage over us that House Leforno possesses has been handed over to Her Majesty, the Queen. Not only has the plan utterly failed, we’ve lost more than we hoped to gain. Instead of gaining Nolan City, it has become part of House Leforno’s dowry. All your pointless action has accomplished is the Queen watching our future actions more closely. Is this the ‘astute foresight’ the Matriarch alluded to? Hmph, truly outstanding indeed!” Holding a porcelain teacup, a man remarked with a cold sneer on his face. His eyes fell on the amber-haired girl seated in the host seat, who was dozing off with her eyes closed.
“Setting aside this poorly thought-out plan that amounts to nothing more than child’s play, who will foot the bill for the expenses and rations used for the army, as well as the losses arising from the clauses of the foreign trade deal? Can you kindly explain that for me, my Matriarch?” Another man launched a series of pointed and ruthless criticism.
“Please quell your anger, gentlemen. In truth, this fault does not entirely lie with the Matriarch. After the untimely passing of the previous Patriarch, she had been compelled to take the reins without any relevant experience. Though she is filled with ambition, her fast track to power failed to match up with her abilities, inevitably leading us to this predictable outcome.” An ugly and vulgar-looking man stood up and straightened his collar, seemingly sensing that the time was ripe. Despite his outwardly helpful tone, his words were actually a scheme to push the young woman into a more precarious position.
“Elder Loftwood’s assessment is spot-on. Our Matriarch lacks the necessary personal and management experience and is far too young to bear the burden of leading the House. Therefore, I propose we temporarily revoke her rights as Matriarch and demote her to the Council of Elders. Does anyone have any thoughts on this matter?” The black-gowned man stood up and revealed a trace of delight on his face.
“Agreed.”
“Likewise.”
“No comment.”
Seeing his motion pass with almost unanimous support from the Council of Elders, a delighted smile spread across his face. He then triumphantly turned to Mylar, who was seated in the host seat.
“The votes have surpassed the two-thirds threshold, Lady Setis. As the head of the house, you must still abide by the Council of Elders’ decision. Therefore, we will immediately assume control of this household in your stead.”
A crafty smile formed on the black-gowned man’s face as he observed the young woman, who was still dozing off with her eyes closed.
‘She must be quaking in her boots right now,’ he thought to himself.
He was utterly convinced that the ‘little girl’, inexperienced in worldly affairs, would have no choice but to concede and compromise under the weight of these overwhelming developments.
For this outcome to come about, he had been planning thoroughly for a very long time…
“Matriarch.” The guard standing next to Mylar looked somewhat concerned.
Just then, Mylar, who had been seemingly asleep, abruptly opened her eyes. She then looked around at the group of elderly men intent on forcing her to step down from her position.
This shocked the black-gowned man. He saw not a trace of surprise in the girl’s eyes, but rather a hint of calm, emotionless amusement… It was almost as if she was subtly mocking him.
‘Hmph! That’s all a bluff.’
Although he maintained an impassive expression after regaining his senses, he was laughing coldly inside.
Whether it was military might or political maneuvering, he was confident that victory was well within his grasp.
Over 300 dark imperial knights were stationed outside the Council of Elders’ entrance, every one of them a deathsworn soldier cultivated by the elders in their private armies. She would have to reach a compromise with them or give up on the idea of leaving through that door today.
“Your Excellency Rody has come well-prepared. It appears you’re intent on overthrowing me, having repeatedly rehearsed this scenario in private with everyone here, haven’t you?” Mylar rested her head, her smiling expression bereft of any urgency despite the tense situation.
“Matriarch, even the most eloquent words won’t save you from being removed from your position. We don’t wish to see you lose face with your subordinates. So, kindly step down of your own accord and don’t make this harder for us.” The gowned individual called Rody was clearly determined to triumph over Mylar.
“Ehh? Must you be so absolute?” Mylar was initially taken aback, before sighing and tousling her hair. “You know, my birthday is near. I was looking forward to some presents, yet it appears the Council of Elders I’ve so placed my faith on would actually band together to present me with this extravagant1 feast.”
“Matriarch, it’s best for you to accept reality and promptly relinquish your role. Although you’ve lost the role as leader of the house, you’ll still remain the Eldest Miss of House Setis, no? We’ve no intention of mistreating you.” Despite speaking in a genuinely sincere tone, Rody was abuzz with ridicule and thrill inside.
‘You insolent little brat, I’ve finally found your Achilles’ heel! Always so arrogant and overbearing, thinking you’re above everyone. Well, now your day of reckoning has come. Just wait and see how I’ll deal with you in the future!’
“No need to worry. As the saying goes, one good turn deserves another. Since the Council of Elders has delivered such a grand present to me, it would be impolite of me, as the Matriarch, not to respond in kind.” With a trace of ridicule in her smile, Mylar observed the changes in the faces of those before her and snapped her finger.
“Tut, tut, tut, tut…” Dressed in a combat gown, Jinxuan walked into the hall, flanked by two dark imperial knights.
“I pay respect to the Matriarch and the elders.” Jinxuan said, her calm and indifferent look skimming over the Council of Elders’ members.
‘Hmph, no matter what tricks you’ve employed, it’s no use. I have the full support of all the Elders and their private armies.’
The gowned figure, Rody, raised his eyebrows slightly. Having devised his plan thoroughly, he felt completely certain of its success, believing that the authority that came with being the house’s leader was already within his reach.
“Hey, Lil’ Xuan, it’s time to present the gift.” Mylar had a crafty smile on her face.
“Yes, Matriarch.” Upon receiving her order, Jinxuan motioned to the two dark imperial knights standing behind her.
After some time, several large crates and a person bound by their torso were brought into the palace hall.
“Do you recognize this person, your Excellency Rody?” Mylar asked, her smile brimming with overbearing aggression.
“That is…” Rody’s face darkened instantly upon seeing the person brought into the hall by the two knights.
Although torture had marred his face beyond recognition, Rody still recognized him at first glance…
“I don’t know him. We’ve never met before.” Rody decisively turned his head away.
Upon hearing his words, the person bound on the ground began to struggle more ferociously.
“Let him speak.” Mylar ordered in an emotionless tone.
“Understood.” Jinxuan tore off the gag in the person’s mouth.
“I-It was him! It was His Excellency Rody who ordered this humble servant to deliver the letters to House Leforno’s envoy! He’s the one who told me to do it; I’m innocent, Matriarch!’” After realizing he could speak again, the man with a bloodied face tearfully voiced his grievances while forcefully kowtowing on the ground.
As Mylar’s smile became more pronounced, the elders began to engage in a spirited debate.
“You! Where did a rabid dog like you come from?? What gave you the right to spout such baseless accusations?!” His complexion stern and his voice filled with harshness, Rody wore a sinister look on his face. However, that failed to deter the tied-up man, who was overwhelmed with fear, as he completely ignored him and rattled off his other crimes without caring about the consequences.
“You despicable low-life! To think you have the audacity to set me up for money— You’re seeking your own death!” The furious Rody reached the limit of his patience, He unsheathed the dagger on his waist and took quick strides towards the man who was blurting out his crimes, intending to stab him to death. However, he was intercepted by the pair of dark imperial knights and Jinxuan, who wore a dark and frosty expression on her face.
“Your Excellency Rody, are you attempting to kill and silence a witness?” Jinxuan asked, her voice devoid of emotion.
“Hmph!” Regaining his composure, Rody returned the dagger into his sheath. He then looked up to Mylar, who was smiling and relishing the scene like an entertaining show.
“Matriarch, it’s quite apparent that this person is part of a scheme to frame me. Words alone can’t confirm the truth, especially when they come from a boorish mouth like his.” Despite his gloomy demeanor, Rody had maintained his composure.
“Hmm? You raise a good point. So, Your Excellency Rody, are you of the opinion that this person is falsely accusing you then?”
“That’s right! He’s nothing but scum. How dare he sully the name of a noble? He, along with his immediate and extended family members, should all be put to death!” Rody icily glared at the man who was tied up in the corner.
‘Hmm, it appears Your Excellency Rody is quite confident.”
“One doesn’t fear a crooked shadow as long as they’re standing upright.” Rody spoke with conviction.
“Alright, in that case…”
“Jinxuan, go ahead and bring out the big gift.”
“Understood.”
At Jinxuan’s gesture, the pair of Dark Imperial knights unsealed the big boxes and opened them, revealing a pile of letters inside.
“These are the letters that revealed the secret communications between His Excellency Rody and House Leforno. Everything is here!” The wretched man howled out loud, as if realizing that it was his turn to speak.”
“Such venomous slander!” Rody spoke gloomily. “I request the Matriarch to reveal these letters to the public; Hand them over to the Council of Elders for inspection and let them determine if the handwriting is mine.’”
Rody was deeply convinced those could not be true, for he had burned those letters long ago. He would never leave behind any evidence that could be used as leverage against him.
“Very well, if Your Excellency Rody insists. Jinxuan, go ahead with his suggestions.”
“Understood.” Jinxuan said coldly, instructing the knights to tear open the letters before handing them to the elders, requesting they pass them among themselves.
At first, they reacted with disdain, but soon, a hint of shock appeared, and their complexions shifted to uncertainty.
Rody found himself puzzled by their expressions.
“Now that all of you have received and read the letters, let’s hear your thoughts?” Mylar clapped her hands and said with a smile as she swept her gaze past the silent, ashen-faced crowd.
“Why aren’t you putting in a fair word for me, everyone??” Rody could not help but feel a surge of panic as he inwardly wondered why his fellow coworkers had suddenly fallen silent.
“Perhaps Your Excellency Rody would like to personally read and savor those letters as well?”
“Hmph!” Taking the letter from Jinxuan, Rody glanced at it with a disdainful look, only to widen his eyes suddenly.
‘N-No way… It can’t be?! These letters… I had clearly… Why?!’
“Oh dear, what seems to be the problem, Your Excellency Rody? Could it be that you don’t recognize the letters you wrote?”’ Mylar asked as she rose to her feet in an upright posture.
“No, I…” Rody tried to speak, but his words were incoherent.
“So, everyone, we can all agree there’s no problem with the handwriting, right?’
After glancing at the silent elders, Mylar turned to Jinxuan with a smile and asked, ‘Lil’ Xuan, in Setis Duchy, how grave is the crime of committing treason against the duchy and secretly liasing with the enemy leader?”
“It’s a class A crime punishable by immediate decapitation, followed by the execution of the entire house.” Jinxuan emotionlessly replied, making Rody feel as if he had fallen into an icy cave.
TL Note: In the original text, the phrase was meant to convey ‘an extravagant squid feast,’ rather than a general ‘extravagant feast.’ This is a nod to the Chinese colloquialism of stir-fried squid, which is commonly used to indicate firing or dismissing someone from employment.
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