Tagger and Schwald stood in front of Laurist and said, "Sir, we got it."
Laurist handed a signed document to Fatty Shi beside him, his expression indifferent. "Tell me, who's involved …"
Schwald opened the blue folder in his hand and took out a piece of paper. "Your Highness, the wife of Knight Svig, Moya, the wife of Steward Yushki, Cethra, and Lady Corrado, and the wife of Knight Lambord, Tully. These three madams are the most frequent guests of Mrs. Malek. As you said, they visited her at least three times in ten days, and they purposely tried to please and befriend Mrs. Malek. According to our investigation, these three madams all used to be maids of Mrs. Elina of Maple Forest Manor, and Steward Yusky was also a servant of Maple Forest Manor … "
"What's with Svig and Lambord? How did they marry Elina's maids? " Laurist snapped the quill pen in his hand and threw it to the ground angrily. He remembered that these two knights were refugees on the northern road. After joining the legion, they became guards of the Royal Guard Camp. When their warrior energy cultivation reached silver level, they became family knights and were assigned to the Monolith Corps as battalion commanders. Lambord was about to be promoted to battalion commander due to his meritorious service.
"Your Highness, when Knight Svig and Knight Lambord were on duty at Maple Forest Manor, they met their current wives. Later, they asked Mrs. Elina to marry the two maids, but they were rejected. Four years ago, after Sir took Young Master Lescott to Baron Malek's Knight Manor, Mrs. Elina sent someone to find Knight Svig and Knight Lambord and agreed to marry the two maids to them. After the marriage, the two knights' new wives asked them to move to the Red River Plain, which was close to Baron Malek's Knight Manor …
Laurist remembered that Knight Svig bragged to people in a pub that his new wife was very considerate to him. At that time, the Monolith Corps was stationed in the Red River Plain, and his wife didn't want to part with him. Therefore, she sold the house in Fengle Plain and moved to the Red River Plain so that he could go home and reunite with them when he wasn't on duty. After getting to know Madam Malek, the two knights' wives, as well as Steward Yusky's wife, often came to visit her house for afternoon tea, desserts, and picnics …
The investigators who were responsible for recording Young Master Lescot's daily life didn't find anything unusual about their behavior. Because they were female knights of the family, they also avoided their activities and didn't pay much attention to the communication between them and Young Master Lescot. When we went to investigate this time, the two investigators remembered that Young Master Lescott seemed to have a good relationship with them. Every time they went to visit Mrs. Malek, Young Master seemed very happy … "
The more Tagger reported, the softer his voice became, and his head lowered. This was a major oversight. Laurist strictly ordered Elina of Maple Villa not to interfere with Lescot's growth and education. However, Elina still achieved her goal with a small detour, and no one noticed it. If it wasn't for Lollister's suspicions that the visitors on the surveillance records were visiting Madam Malek too frequently, none of this would have been noticed. To Tuggle, who was in charge of intelligence work for the Norton family, this was simply a slap in the face.
"Who is this Steward Yusky?" Laurist asked coldly.
Shihuard read the information in the folder and answered, "Your Highness, Yusky used to be a servant in Maple Villa. Because he could read, he was promoted by Manager Hansk and became a warehouse steward. His first wife was also a maid in Maple Villa. She died of illness after giving birth to their daughter, Koladol. In Maple Villa, he was known for his loyalty, honesty, diligence, and responsibility.
After Young Master Lescot was fostered in Baron Malek's home, Manager Hansk persuaded Madam Elina to marry Young Master Lescot's second wife, Cethra, who was in charge of the small kitchen. At the same time, Steward Yusky was transferred to the Red River Plain to be an official in charge of the management of servants in the manors of the Eight Knights. Because of his wife Cethra's outstanding cooking skills, he was often invited by Madam Malek. The wives of Knight Svig and Knight Rambird both met Madam Malek through Cethra … "
"Stop talking!" Laurist angrily swept the documents and ink on the table to the floor. "Well done. You've woven a big net for me without me knowing. No wonder Lescot didn't change even after being disciplined by Madam Malek. He even learned to say one thing in front of others and another behind their backs … "
Laurist wandered around the study with a gloomy face. Fatty Shi, Tuggle, and Shihuard were all silent. They knew that Laurist was holding back his anger and didn't know when he would explode.
"Steward Shredder, what do you think I should do with these people?" Laurist suddenly asked.
Fatty Shi secretly sighed and said, "Your Highness, why do you have to do this? You've already sent Young Master Lescot back to Maple Villa. He's already been punished. As for Knights Svig and Rambird, they didn't know anything. Like the steward, Yusky, he was an honest, conscientious, and diligent official of the family.
All of this was done by their wives, and their wives were following Madam Elina's instructions. If you punish them, you can't vent your anger on others even if you're the head of the Norton Family. As for punishing their wives … "Fatty Shi smiled bitterly and said," Your Highness, it's not wrong for them to care about Young Master Lescot. If you want to punish them, you won't have a good excuse. Instead, it will affect your reputation and be gossiped about … "
Fatty Shi was right. This matter couldn't be discussed openly. Anyone who heard it would think that Elina just cared about her son and sent people to take care of him secretly. This was human nature.
Loriste paced around the study room a few more times unwillingly. Finally, he stopped and said, "Supervisor Shredder, write a transfer order. Order Svig, Lambord, and Manager Yusky to bring their families and leave for Haneabada Archipelago on the 1st of May next year for a period of ten years …"
Well, this was equivalent to an exile. Haneabada Archipelago was far away from the Galinteya Continent and isolated over the sea. It would take more than a month to go there by boat.
Fatty Shi shook his head with a bitter smile. He understood that Laurist wouldn't feel comfortable until he got his revenge. "Okay, I'll write it now. What about their treatment?"
"The same as others," Laurist replied. He then turned his head and ordered Tagger, "Tagger, our family probably won't send out troops for the next two years. The war just ended this year, and we need to let our family soldiers rest and reorganize. So, we can relax our intelligence on the outside. You're responsible for helping Shihuard set up an internal security department. First, clean up all the internal relationships in our family. If there are any similar people who have connections with Maple Villa, give me the list. I believe that when they all arrive at Haneabada Archipelago, they will be very happy to have so many acquaintances as companions. "
"Yes, Your Highness," Tagger and Shihuard stood at attention and answered.
After Shihuard and Tagger left the study, Fatty Shi consoled, "Your Highness, this matter shouldn't have caused such a commotion and caused everyone to be anxious …"
Laurist sat down and rubbed his head. "Sigh, you don't understand. Back then, there were so many people in the family who opposed my marriage with Sylvia. This made me feel that something wasn't right. It turned out that just when I thought the family's situation was prospering, someone had actually woven such a web behind my back without me noticing. This really surprised me. That little, timid maid has already grown into such a scheming noblewoman. I really didn't expect it … "
Fatty Shi shut his mouth and pretended that he didn't hear anything. After all, this was Laurist's family matter. As the Chief Knight and Chief Administrative Officer of the Norton Family, it wasn't good for him to express his own opinions and opinions.
Laurist looked at Fatty Shi's pretended that he didn't hear anything and laughed. "So this time, I'm going to cut off all her tentacles. She really doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. She actually thought of using her own maid to win over my family's knights. In the future, go to the Haneabada Archipelago and weave your maid's network. "
"Alright, stop pretending that you didn't hear anything." Laurist said to Fatty Shi, "Supervise them and let Tagger and Schwald investigate the people in Grizzly Bear City and Cherry Blossom Ridge Manor. Even if they have relatives in Maple Forest Manor, they can't do it. Also, it's the same for those who were promoted by Manager Hansk. Arrange for these people who have been investigated to other places. I need to ensure the absolute safety of Sylvia and her son."
Fatty Shi was moved. He nodded and said, "Understood, Your Highness."
Laurist leaned back in his chair and said, "It's going to be New Year's in a few days. I reckon that Philip, Kenneth, and Henned will be here tomorrow or the day after. Have you prepared the banquet and reception? "
"Rest assured, Your Highness. We have made ample preparations. However, if Duke Kenneth and the others are coming, they probably won't be staying in the manor in the city. They've all bought land in the noble district and built their own manors. Duke Kenneth's manor is the largest and most luxurious one. They've been transporting materials non-stop for more than a month. According to the butler, Duke Kenneth will continue to hold balls and banquets in his manor after our New Year's banquet until winter passes. "
"That's just how he is. He likes to enjoy himself and enjoy life. The gold coins he spends on these balls and banquets can support another army," Laurist said hatefully. Sometimes, when he thought about it, he envied Duke Gammus's life of seeking pleasure. This fellow was heartless, and other than the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce, he acted as if even if the sky fell, Lollister would be the one to shoulder it. He had no fear.
The year 1784 of the Galinthia Continent's calendar arrived. The Norton family in the north held a grand New Year's banquet that lasted for seven days and seven nights. This was the Norton family's first New Year's celebration after two years. They once again conferred fourteen barons and seven honorary barons. At the same time, nearly a hundred honorary nobles from other places became honorary nobles of the Norton family. This was because they had bought land in the newly developed fourth noble district in the eastern suburbs of the Furious Bear City …
Seven days after the New Year's banquet, Laurist held another banquet to officiate the wedding of his beloved disciple, Howard, and Duke Philip's beloved daughter, Katerina. Duke Philip announced in front of nearly a thousand nobles and guests that the Philip family's southern province, the Podolich Mountains, would be merged into a viscount territory, and would be given to his beloved daughter, Katerina, as a dowry. This made many of the nobles and guests envious, but also made Duke Fisablen, who had come to attend the New Year's celebration and wedding, furious. However, the old man held back and did not explode.
Laurist was very surprised that Grand Duke Fisablen would come to the Norton family's New Year's celebration at the end of the year. However, he could not refuse. After all, Grand Duke Fisablen was Princess Silvia's grandfather. Even if Princess Silvia did not like her grandfather, Grand Duke Fisablen accompanied Master Swordmaster Sandy. Princess Silvia was very filial to her adoptive mother who had raised her. However, she felt a headache and helplessness when she saw that Master Swordmaster Sandy and Laurist did not have a good relationship.
Laurist felt a little awkward about receiving Grand Duke Fisablen. When he was on the expedition to the four central duchies, it could be said that he was only pretending to be courteous with Grand Duke Fisablen. After all, they were both in the Andinac Kingdom's camp. Being appointed as the frontline commander by the second prince, they needed to work together sincerely. Even though their relationship had eased, and they still had dealings with each other, in Laurist's heart, he still regarded the Fisablen family as the most threatening enemy of the alliance of the four northern families. They were an opponent that he needed to be vigilant of at all times.
However, after Princess Silvia gave birth to little Andabel, Grand Duke Fisablen seemed to have really become Laurist's relative. This change made Laurist very uncomfortable. He could only curse the old man in his heart for being so thick-skinned that he really thought of himself as an elder. However, he had no choice. He could not just turn hostile and chase him away. He could only greet him with a smile every day and treat him with good wine and food.
This time, Grand Duke Fisablen came to the Norton family's New Year's celebration with a generous gift. It was an order of nearly two million gold fords. However, this time, he was determined not to purchase the goods at four or five times the price like the last time. He requested to conduct the transaction at the normal market price. Otherwise, he would hand this order to the second prince.
The second prince had just recovered 11 provinces in the central region. The handicrafts and daily necessities workshops in the former Handa Duchy, Fulondor Duchy, and Falkner Duchy had always been thriving. Even though the craftsmen in the Falkner Duchy had been plundered by the Laurists, if Grand Duke Fisabulon were to really hand over this order worth 2 million gold fords to the second prince, it would be a major boost to the recovery of the 11 provinces' economies. The second prince would definitely be overjoyed.
This sly old man. Laurist sighed. The Fisablen Family had sided with the second prince. They were both in the Andinac Kingdom's camp. This was a very ingenious way to break the stalemate. His suppression of the Fisablen Family had all gone up in smoke.
Laurist knew very well that Grand Duke Fisablen handing this order to him was also a gesture of goodwill. Duke Kempis had long been unable to restrain himself. Although he could not earn a million gold fords like the last time, a large transaction of two million gold fords would still yield a profit of three to four hundred thousand gold fords according to the market price.
Grand Duke Fisablen gave Laurist another heavy blow. He proposed to allow the Snow Salt Merchant Guild to organize a caravan to head to the Eastern Wilderness Prairie to hold a trade fair every year. They would trade directly with the Grass Barbarian tribes, and the caravan's safety would be the responsibility of the Fisablen Family …
Duke Kemus was on the verge of grabbing Laurist's leg and begging him to agree. His eyes were red as he said to Laurist, "Do you know how much profit there is to be able to do business with the Barbarians?"
Laurist kicked him away helplessly. He looked up at Grand Duke Fisablen and said, "Alright, you win. I agree to your request."
…
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