Chapter 567 - 37: Political Clouds of the Royal Capital
Chapter 567: Chapter 37: Political Clouds of the Royal Capital
Marquis George no longer paid Princess Yifulei any mind, turning his gaze to Robson.
"General Robson, I trust you’ve been well."
"I recall you were just a Baron the last time we met?
You’re from the Odogin Family, aren’t you, General? Truly a man of great promise. In just two short years, you’ve gone from a boy with no title to a powerful and influential figure.
I suppose even Marshal Grantham was no better, eh?"
Robson knew as soon as he heard it.
’The old fox means no good.’
In one breath, he had mocked Robson’s origins and tied him to Grantham.
Grantham... That name had recently become a forbidden word in the Frank Kingdom.
"You’re too kind, Marquis George. I was simply fortunate enough to marry a virtuous wife and receive the help of a Marquis, which allowed me to rise so quickly.
Of course, at the end of the day, it’s all thanks to the superiority of our Frank system. We reward those who have merit.
I fought from the Western Front to the Eastern Front and was ultimately fortunate enough to kill Kemal. That is why I earned the Kingdom’s recognition, and His Majesty Louis III bestowed upon me the title of Count.
Isn’t that how all of our ancestors became the powerful nobles of the Frank Kingdom—by accumulating military achievements bit by bit?"
Geopolitics dictated that as long as Robson wished to rise further, a conflict with Marquis George was inevitable.
’That being the case, acting polite and subservient would only earn him contempt. A direct confrontation was the only way.’
Upon hearing this, Marquis George’s expression remained calm, but his heart wavered slightly.
Robson had played his biggest bargaining chip: he killed Kemal!
Originally, the credit for killing Kemal was meant for Prince Noah, but now Prince Noah was dead. To help Robson, Lumian Knight Commander began to spread the word that Emperor Kemal had actually died at Robson’s hands.
Killing Kemal held immense political significance. Which of the Franks didn’t have a blood feud with him? Speaking of which, Marquis George should have been thanking Robson; aside from the Marquis himself, everyone in the Wei Man Clan had been killed by Kemal.
The noble lords following Marquis George were watching the spectacle, but they were also somewhat astonished. They hadn’t expected this fledgling upstart, Robson, to dare mock Marquis George.
Robson’s words also carried a deeper meaning: his title had been earned through years of battle, bought with blood and glory.
The question was, who among those present hadn’t been on a battlefield? The answer was self-evident.
The last time Marquis George had killed a Beastman was during the defense of Barishik.
Robson and Marquis George exchanged more veiled pleasantries.
They spent a good while trading passive-aggressive remarks, only to find that neither could break the other’s defense.
Marquis George was, after all, a Marquis and a potential future number-one political figure in the Frank Kingdom.
Robson, too, had a solid foundation. Every step of his ascent was backed by verifiable achievements—not just military victories like Marshal Grantham’s, but also political ones, like those of Marquis Oscillate.
In the end, Marquis George chose to shake Robson’s hand and lead his entourage back to the Royal Capital.
.....
Robson had also become a man of the hour in the Royal Capital recently.
The news that Robson and Prince Noah had killed Emperor Kemal had instantly ignited the patriotic fervor of the Franks. Citizens spread the word with great excitement, and all the recent poems and plays were about this very event.
However, no one actually knew that Robson had already arrived in the Royal Capital.
Robson found this a bit of a shame; after all, it was a prime opportunity for some political showmanship.
’Can’t be helped. I don’t control public opinion in the Royal Capital.’
The Robsons parted ways with Marquis George, and Princess Yifulei was escorted away by the King’s men.
The carriage arrived at Fengman Manor once again.
Looking at the familiar entrance, Robson felt a wave of emotion.
Valentino was also holding Robson’s right arm.
"How things change. Everything is so fleeting," Valentino remarked with a sigh.
News of their return spread through the manor immediately.
Lady Julian had been waiting for a long time.
"Patriarch, Earl Robson."
Lady Julian bowed to them both.
Robson could clearly sense that Lady Julian was much more deferential now than she had been last time.
This change in attitude was very important.
It meant that he, Lord Robson, was no longer just the husband who had married into the family.
In the future, his and Valentino’s children would probably take the Robson name, or perhaps a hyphenated one, like Odogin-Fengman.
By the next generation, there would no longer be a simple Fengman Clan.
"Mm."
"Let’s go inside first."
.....
Lady Julian was very clever; she had prepared three rooms for the couple.
One was a master bedroom with a large bed. Above the headboard hung oil portraits of Robson and Valentino, and things like office supplies were clearly prepared for two.
The other two were the separate residences Robson and Valentino had used when they slept apart.
This way, she didn’t seem to be interfering in the Patriarch’s private life, while also giving the couple a choice.
"Well? Which room does the Countess intend to choose?"
Although Robson knew the answer, he still watched Valentino with a broad smile.
Valentino didn’t rise to the bait. She just shot Robson a look before walking toward the master bedroom.
Out on the plains, Valentino had grown used to having someone next to her when she slept.
Robson was actually surprised.
’It seems the Countess’s immunity has grown a little stronger.’
Lady Julian watched their interaction with a smile.
Although Lady Julian was technically a house servant, she had raised Valentino for longer than Valentino’s own mother had. She naturally saw Count Valentino as her own daughter.
Seeing the Countess happy naturally made her happy as well.
"By the way, Julian," Robson said, turning back.
"Is there something I can do for you, Earl?" Lady Julian asked.
"Deliver this letter to Knight Boyang at the barracks outside the city," Robson said.
The letter’s contents were basically instructions for General Boyang to bring the troops into the city.
This was something Robson had promised before: to let the soldiers enjoy themselves in the Royal City for a month.
The army had worked so hard; they deserved a reward. It just so happened that Robson was also planning to use Gold Coins to pay his officers and men for their military merits. Having returned from the plains, he, Lord Robson, was a rich man now, with nearly 300,000 Gold Coins on hand.
The Royal City permitted outside troops to enter, but the process was very troublesome.
Furthermore, they were absolutely forbidden from bringing armor or crossbows.
"As you command, my lord."
....
Robson and Valentino put down their things and changed into casual clothes.
Robson was just about to take a short nap when he noticed Valentino was writing and sketching something.
"What are you writing?" Robson asked.
"An itinerary."
"Now that we’re in the Royal Capital, we can’t rest. There are many things we need to do."
Valentino said, placing the itinerary in front of Robson.
"Take a look. See any problems?"
Robson took it.
It listed whom they would visit, when, and what topics to discuss during the visits.
Valentino was very capable; there were no problems with the arrangements.
"Why aren’t we paying a personal visit to Marquis William’s estate?" Robson asked, puzzled.
Valentino frowned, her expression filled with disgust.
"Well, Marquis William... his household is not very peaceful. We rarely..."
"Well, Marquis William’s wife is a princess from one of the Southern Countries," Valentino said.
From that one sentence, Robson basically understood.
The human south was more liberal; it was common for men and women to have their own separate affairs. In the Tilia Kingdom, they even had stripping parties.
’No wonder Marquis William didn’t take me to meet his wife,’ Robson thought.
The Franks were more conservative, preferring closed marriages and valuing loyalty and purity.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Patriarch, Earl, a visiting card from the Guterres Family.
Marquis William will be visiting us tonight," Lady Julian said.