Chapter 479
Athena’s expression froze, and she looked at Xander in disbelief. However, his face looked sullen. His tone was so sour it was almost like aged vinegar.
“That was so many years ago. You’re still bringing it up?” Athena felt incredulous.
However, Xander said to her with a straight face, “Why can’t I bring it up? I’ve liked you for eighteen years. You were only seven or eight years old when you were running after Michael. Have I had it easy all these years?”
Athena couldn’t help but curl her lip, but seeing Xander’s confident look, she found it amusing.
'My husband is great in every way, except for one thing: he is a jealous person. If I don’t coax him a little, he might nag for days,' thought Athena.
“Okay. It’s all my fault. I’ll only stay with you from now on,” said Athena.
Xander was overjoyed to hear that, but he pretended to be aloof and didn’t say anything.
Athena took his hand and shook it gently. “Honey, I’m hungry.”
Xander cleared his throat. Although he kept a straight face, he gave orders to the outside. “Find a town to stay in. The food must suit the Princess Consort’s taste. Recently, she has been traveling and is physically exhausted, so the food must be exquisite.”
Athena’s heart warmed as she looked at his earnest expression. She rested her head on his arm, and Xander naturally reached out and put his arm around her slender waist to keep her from being jostled.
He reached out halfway before realizing they had just been bickering. He coughed awkwardly, finding an excuse for himself. “I’ll let you off the hook this time.”
“Yes, my dear husband,” said Athena.
Athena shook her head with a wry smile, wondering why he was acting like a child. He still needed to be coaxed.
Seven or eight days later, the carriage rolled over the boundary marker of Aeridon.
The bluestone road under the wheels gradually became smooth and wide. Athena lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at the distant, continuous city walls, with the flag flying on the city wall embroidered with the striking word: Aeridon.
“Finally arrived,” said Nander.
Xander put down the map in his hand and lightly tapped the location of Aeridon with his fingertip.
“Half a day earlier than I expected,” said Xander.
Before coming, he thoroughly investigated Aeridon’s details through secret channels. Aeridon was located in a remote area, close to the border, and had been guarded by the Blumenfeld family all those years. Elliot Blumenfeld, the ancestor of the Blumenfeld family, was a founding hero who followed the late King to conquer the world.
Back then, when the world was first established, Elliot took the initiative to request to be stationed in the bitter and cold land. The late King appreciated his contribution and exceptionally named him the King of Sinitia, allowing his descendants to inherit the title for generations.
In recent years, the King of Sinitia had hardly ever set foot in Pidence City, except for sending his children to the capital to pay tribute during festivals. The Blumenfeld family’s power in Aeridon was already deeply rooted. It was no exaggeration to say that they could control everything.
Curtis Blumenfeld, the current King of Sinitia, was Elliot’s legitimate eldest son. The man was strict in governing the army but had a perverse temperament. He had two sons and one daughter. Stanley Blumenfeld, his eldest son, was in charge of the military power of Aeridon. Stanley’s temperament was as steady as a rock. Charlton Blumenfeld, his second son, managed the city’s business and traded smoothly.
What gave Curtis the biggest headache was Frieda Blumenfeld, his daughter. As a Duchess, Frieda was willful and self-indulgent, rampaging through Aeridon without restraint. Ordinary merchants must take a detour when they see her.
When entering Aeridon territory, Xander and Athena changed their attire. Both were dressed as men and addressed each other as brothers. Athena listened to Xander talking about the Blumenfeld family, and curiosity arose in her heart.
“The Blumenfeld family has such a large influence,” said Athena. “Without their support, it will be useless even if the border market is established. When we are here, the Blumenfeld family can still pretend. If we leave, the border market will probably become a mere display again.”
Xander chuckled, and the beard glued to his chin trembled slightly with his smile. He looked at Athena teasingly. “Athena, what’s your opinion?”
Athena also felt a little headache. “The Blumenfeld family is meritorious. It’s like a local emperor these days in Aeridon. The Blumenfeld family controls business and trade in Aeridon. How could they easily cede it? It may be difficult to get them to serve the imperial court.”
Xander raised his eyebrows and said, “Although it is difficult, it is not without its flaws.”
“Oh?” Athena looked at Xander in surprise, saying, “Have you found a way?”
“Elliot has two sons and one daughter. His eldest son is the current King of Sinitia, and Deaglan Blumenfeld, his second son, is not loved by his father. Now, the Blumenfeld family’s trade is being managed by Charlton, the King of Sinitia’s second son. Deaglan had been suppressed by them for a long time and had accumulated resentment.”
Speaking of which, Xander smiled softly at Athena and said, “Our breakthrough lies in Deaglan.”
“You mean, abolish the King of Sinitia?” Athena immediately understood Xander’s intention.
He naturally wouldn’t keep someone who couldn’t be used by him. Moreover, Curtis was not easy to control. If military power was held in his hands for too long, things might change.
Xander nodded and said, “Curtis has been lording over Aeridon for long enough. It’s time for a new King of Sinitia.”
“However, aren’t you afraid that the newly supported King of Sinitia will also be like his brother, out of control?”
“The Blumenfeld family has been in Aeridon for too long. The late King, grateful for their contributions, brought their children back to Pidence City to look after them. How dare he disobey?”
Athena realized what he meant and lightly tapped her finger on the table. She said, “The late King’s decree is like an imperial sword. No matter how domineering the Blumenfeld family is, they would not dare to defy the ancestral system openly. Bringing the children of the Blumenfeld family to Pidence City to look after is both a hostage and a restraint. The move was quite clever.”
Xander picked up his coffee cup and took a sip, a trace of calculation flashing in his eyes. “Deaglan has been treading on thin ice under Curtis’s hands these years. His military power has been seized, and his trade is constrained by Charlton, his nephew, everywhere. He has been holding a ball of fire in his heart for a long time. We’ll give him a chance to turn over, and he has no reason not to accept it.”
“But Deaglan has no power or influence now. How can he help us bring down Curtis?”
Athena was still somewhat doubtful. “Stanley is in charge of military power, and Charlton is in charge of commerce. With the two brothers working together, I’m afraid Deaglan won’t even have a chance to get close to the center of power.”
“That’s where we come in.” Xander put down his coffee cup and took out a roll of secret letters from the hidden compartment. “The secret guard has found that Curtis has been in close contact with border tribes in private in recent years, not only smuggling salt and iron, but also intercepting the court’s military pay. The evidence is enough to make him doomed.”
He pushed the secret letter to Athena. “But we can’t directly take action. We have to use Deaglan’s hand.”
Athena opened the secret letter, and her brows furrowed as she read the shocking records on it. Athena said, “Curtis is so brave that he dares to collude with the enemy and betray the country. But will Deaglan believe us? After all, they are brothers, and he may not be willing to be the executioner who kills his brother.”
Xander said with certainty, “It’s not that he doesn’t want to. It’s that he doesn’t dare. Deaglan’s eldest son was framed in the army last year and is still being held in a prison in Aeridon. As long as we can rescue his son and put the evidence before him, telling him it is the only opportunity, he has no choice.”