Chapter 389
Arthur pondered for a moment. Kurtis had said nothing out of line.
‘Holding a party could indeed facilitate many suitable matches,’ Arthur thought to himself. ‘Moreover, it would strengthen the bond between me and my ministers–what a perfect win-win.’
“An excellent idea indeed. Why would I refuse? Consider done,” he said.
Overjoyed, Kurtis quickly dropped to his knees and kowtowed deeply. “Thanks, Your Majesty.”
Arthur, in excellent spirits, motioned for the old general to rise. “It’s okay.”
‘Not only will this party satisfy Kurtis,’ Arthur thought, ‘but it will also resolve the marriage arrangements for several princes. Even the candidate for Fermin’s secondary consort could be decided.’
‘This isn’t just killing two birds with one stone–it’s a triple win.’
With the matter settled, Kurtis left the palace.
After Kurtis left, Arthur was lost in thought. He was just about to summon the Queen to discuss the matter when, as if on cue, she arrived.
The Queen entered the Heaven Hall, carefully holding a steaming bowl of ginseng soup. “Your Majesty,” she said softly, her tone laced with apparent concern, “thinking of how hard you’ve been working, I specially prepared this ginseng soup for you. Please, do have a taste.”
It was rare for the Queen to take the initiative and bring him soup, and Arthur’s eyes darkened with suspicion.
‘Beware of Greeks bearing gifts,’ he thought.
He didn’t want to think so poorly of the Queen, but her naked ambition and desire were so blatantly written on her face that he had no choice but to be wary.
Arthur picked up the bowl of ginseng soup and, to humor the Queen, took a couple of sips. The Queen immediately beamed.
“That’s very thoughtful of you, my Queen,” Arthur said, setting the cup down on the table, his expression mild.
It had been ages since the Queen last saw that expression on Arthur’s face.
‘If only he still showed me some marital affection,’ the Queen thought bitterly, ‘maybe we wouldn’t have drifted so far apart.’
The Queen forced a bitter smile, composed herself, and plastered on a bright smile once more. “Your Majesty,” she said, “I have a matter for which I still seek Your Majesty’s counsel.”
“Oh? What is it?” Arthur asked casually.
Arthur reclined lazily in his chair, one leg bent. The Queen perched on the edge of the daybed and began to massage his other leg with deliberate attentiveness.
“Your Majesty, this humble consort was thinking of hosting a Spring party and inviting all the noble young ladies, so that we may select suitable imperial consorts for the princes. What are Your Majesty’s thoughts?” she said.
Arthur shot the Queen a surprised look. ‘If Kurtis hadn’t just been here,’ he mused, ‘I would have thought the two of you had conspired.’
Arthur glanced at the Queen and inquired, “Do you have anyone in mind?”
The Queen’s heart skipped a beat. Though Arthur’s question sounded casual, she knew all too well how much he detested any interference from the Core Palace in state affairs.
If His Majesty were to discover my ulterior motives, he’d surely fly into a rage, the Queen thought anxiously.
The Queen shook her head demurely. “How could this humble consort possibly have anyone in mind, Your Majesty? I merely thought the party an excellent opportunity for everyone to observe and find suitable connections.
“Should any truly find themselves agreeable, we could then seek Your Majesty’s gracious blessing–wouldn’t that make for a splendid royal romance?”
The Queen’s response was flawless–just what Arthur wanted to hear.
A more genuine smile touched Arthur’s lips as he praised, “You really do think of everything, my Queen. Even if you hadn’t come, I was about to send someone to fetch you.”
The Queen asked with a playful smile, “Oh? So we were on the same wavelength, Your Majesty?”
He said, “Kurtis just visited the palace. He asked us to find a suitable husband for his youngest daughter, but was concerned it might draw too much attention.
“So, he suggested I host a Spring party to give the unmarried noblemen and ladies a chance to mingle. We have already agreed.”
The Queen’s heart sank when she heard the news.
“His Majesty has truly consented?”
“The royal word is inviolable. Do you think I would lie?” Arthur frowned. He had just praised the Queen for her wisdom, yet now she was questioning him again.
‘What is she doubting?’
The Queen, realizing her impropriety, hurriedly apologized, “I would not dare, Your Majesty. It’s just that this comes as such a surprise.”
The Queen had already handpicked the candidates, but Kurtis’ tearful plea had completely derailed her plans.
She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. Seething inwardly, she thought, ‘If only I could tear that old fox Kurtis limb from limb.'
Arthur saw the Queen’s carefully restrained expression and immediately knew she was scheming again.
‘She can even turn a simple Spring party into one of her plots,’ he thought irritably. ‘God knows what goes on in her head all day.’
Arthur grew increasingly irritated the longer he looked at the Queen. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he said, “I’m weary. You are dismissed.”
“Okay,” the Queen said mechanically, then exited the Heaven Hall in a daze, her mind reeling with suppressed fury.
Her face darkened, her voice dripping with murderous intent. “That old fox Kurtis, how did he find out I was targeting Freya?”
These were merely her preliminary schemes, known only to a select few.
Yet the news spread like wildfire, landing straight at the Perkins Manor.
Kurtis had even turned the tables on her, leaving the Queen seething with barely contained fury.
An oppressive silence fell over Phoenix Hall–not a soul dared make a sound.
The palace servants exchanged bewildered glances, all wondering how the news had gotten out.
The palace maids stood on the chamber floor, their fearful postures only fueling the Queen’s irritation.
With a weary hand pressed to her forehead, the Queen commanded, “Drag them all out of my sight.”
The palace maids, utterly terrified, begged desperately for mercy, yet the Queen didn’t even deign to look at them.
If even matters within my palace can be leaked, then none of these people–whether traitors or not–shall remain.
The Queen’s trusted maid turned deathly pale, dropped to her knees, and kowtowed frantically. Her voice trembling, she pleaded, “Spare me, Your Majesty. Even if I had a hundred lives, I would never dare betray you.”
The Queen slightly parted her eyelids and fixed her gaze upon the maid standing before her.
The maid’s face was twisted in terror, her eyes brimming with tears.
The Queen glared coldly at her. “If I truly suspected you, would you still be standing here?”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The Queen’s trusted maid was so terrified her legs turned to jelly, barely able to keep her footing.
The Queen glared coldly at her. “I had planned to ask His Majesty for a special favor today, but that old scoundrel Kurtis completely ruined my carefully laid plans. What do you suggest I do now?”
The Queen’s maid, her most trusted confidante and right-hand woman, had always offered shrewd advice and counsel.
The maid thought for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, why not publicly show favor to both the Monson and Gu families? Whether they accept or not is secondary–the key is to let all the noble maids know exactly whom Your Majesty has chosen.
“I would like to see who dares to compete for those Your Majesty has chosen.”
Hearing this, the Queen gave the maid an approving look. “This is precisely why I trust you so much. No matter how many people have come and gone here, I could never bring myself to replace you. You alone truly understand me.”
“To be favored by Your Majesty is my greatest honor.” The maid prostrated herself on the ground in profound reverence, her eyes brimming with tearful joy.
“Rise,” the Queen said languidly, slipping the bracelet from her wrist and pressing it into the maid’s hand. “You shall handle this matter. Remember–it must be executed flawlessly.”
The maid received the bracelet with trembling hands, her voice thick with emotion. “Your Majesty, I shall spare no effort to fulfill your wishes with utmost perfection.”
The Queen smiled in satisfaction. “Very well, you may withdraw now.”
That night, the Queen slept soundly.
At the crack of dawn, Pamela entered the palace and stood rigidly outside the Queen’s chambers.
A palace maid burst frantically into the Queen’s bedchamber. Gasping, she cried, “Oh no, Your Majesty. Pamela is standing outside the hall, begging you to grant her a separation.”