Filed to story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
Snowdrop Pills, so Viola had to have spend money each month to her natal family purchase and deliver them.
Rebecca was generally satisfied with her current daughter-in-law, who was dutiful and considerate. If it weren’t for Freya, Rebecca wouldn’t have to worry about Blake’s future. With Viola’s family backing him, he would surely be thriving.
However, in terms of service, Viola was nowhere near Sophie’s level. Sophie would sleep in the same room when Rebecca fell ill, and if there was any discomfort at night, Sophie would immediately attend to it. Viola was unwilling to do so; she would cling to Blake every night, fearing he might be summoned by Freya.
Thus, Rebecca harbored both resentment and nostalgia towards Sophie. When Sophie was around, there was never a shortage of money in the house. Seasonal clothes, silks and jewels, and three meals a day with snacks-living luxury had seemed completely natural then.
Sophie never complained. When Charlotte sometimes grumbled about the situation, Sophie would say that since her husband was busy fighting enemies on the battlefield, she shouldn’t add to his worries about home.
A woman from a military family had this kind of awareness-war was the most important thing, so she took care of every detail in the household.
Now, even though Viola used her dowry to supplement the household, she often spoke of reducing staff and cutting costs. While meals were still provided, snacks had disappeared, and even the daily meals were far less sumptuous than before.
Moreover, due to Freya’s harsh words toward Mary, Valor Estate was filled with the stench of excrement daily.
Viola’s management of the household left much to be desired. The servants were lazy and neglectful, and she could not control them. With daily incidents of excrement being thrown, she couldn’t come up with a solution.
If it were Sophie handling things…
Well, if Sophie were in charge, the Jaffe family would be prominently featured on the donation list instead of being the target of such disgrace!
On the following morning, during the court assembly, Irvin and his deputy, accompanied by several senior inspectors of the Oversight Department, presented a series of reports.
The reports accused Samuel of consorting with a courtesan while his legitimate wife was pregnant, favoring his concubine over his wife, and mistreating his wife.
Furthermore, they condemned the Jaffe family for their disrespect towards the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family, leading to public outrage. The resulting anger had led to people throwing excrement at Valor Estate. The Jaffe family members had caught the culprit, dragged him inside, and broken his limbs. The culprit had now filed a complaint at the Royal Citadel, confessing to the act and demanding compensation.
Blake had not been allowed into the court and had to stand outside with lower-ranking officials. Although he was supposed to be out of earshot of the discussions, the loud arguments from the inspectors penetrated outside, and he overheard them denouncing him.
His heart sank.
He bitterly regretted his decision to abandon Sophie for Freya. Now, not only was his household in disarray, but his future also seemed bleak.
Samuel was still present in court, arguing and refusing to accept the inspectors’ charges. He prided himself on his extensive knowledge and was confident he could argue his case against the inspectors. However, the inspectors of the Oversight Department were skilled debaters, renowned for their fierce and passionate arguments. Despite Samuel’s attempts to quote historical examples of courtesans with exceptional talents, and even their contributions to the poetry and painting industry, his arguments were futile.
The Oversight Department focused on one thing: Samuel had broken the law and violated the late emperor’s edict.
Irvin’s voice was stern as he declared, “No matter how talented that courtesan might be, your actions in taking a concubine while your legitimate wife is pregnant show utter disregard for the law.
“Moreover, the late king issued repeated edicts forbidding officials from frequenting places like entertainment parlors and brothels. It’s one thing to know her, but to bring her into your home? No official in our era has dared act in such blatant defiance of the law! Even those who are brazen only secretly buy houses outside the city and have them live there. But you, a scholar, are openly defying the law. You knew the law and broke it, which makes your crime even worse.
“Your affair with the courtesan has become common knowledge. The public now believes that officials are all drawn to such places, thinking they are only interested in indulgence and corruption. You have tarnished the reputation of our officials and committed a crime that cannot be forgiven.”
“Your Majesty, I beseech you to severely punish Samuel Langley to set an example for all officials,” the Oversight Department inspectors implored, their voices firm and resolute as they knelt.
Their plea was emphasized with a final, powerful addition, “And may all officials present who have never visited an entertainment parlor or brothel also plead with Your Majesty to punish Samuel Langley.” The impact of these words was devastating.
Who among the court officials dared to remain standing? Anyone who did not kneel was implied to have visited such establishments. Therefore, regardless of their true actions all present had no choice but to kneel and join in the plea for Samuel’s severe punishment.
Among them, the voice of the Minister of Justice, Rafael, was the most authoritative.
Salvador, who had previously been unaware of the situation, was already fuming with rage. Seeing the entire court kneeling and pleading for Samuel’s punishment while Samuel stood there with an expression of defiant stubbornness, Salvador’s fury exploded.
“Samuel Langley, do you not know your crime?” Salvador roared.
Even though Samuel still felt he had done nothing wrong, the overwhelming presence of the king forced him to slowly kneel. He hid his resentment as he stuttered, “Y-Your Majesty… I… I know my mistake.”
“It is not just a mistake; it is a crime,”
Salvador snapped, his anger intensifying as he took in Samuel’s reaction. It seems you still do not understand where your fault lies. From today, you are dismissed from all your duties. Go home and reflect on your actions.”
Samuel’s face turned ashen. He had not anticipated such a severe punishment, expecting only a few reprimands.
In his panic, he pleaded, “Your Majesty, I know my mista??o, I understand my crime now! I beg for your mercy!”
“Take him away!” Salvador waved his hand dismissively.
Samuel, once a prized scholar of the king, had tarnished his own reputation so badly that Salvador couldn’t stand the sight of him. Hot was swiftly removed by the palace guards, his pleas and cries echoing down the hall, completely bereft of the proud demeanor of a top scholar.
“Summon Blake Jaffe!” Salvador ordered angrily.
Blake entered the hall, his face pale and eyes dark with exhaustion.
Salvador looked at him, remembering how much trust he had placed in Blake, and how many times he had tried to support him. But the man was like useless mud-no matter how hard Salvador tried, he couldn’t make Blake stand firm.
Salvador’s roar echoed throughout the court, “Who do you think you are?! How dare you set up your own torture chambers and break the limbs of a civilian? If the Jaffe family can do that, why do we even need the Royal Citadel, the Ministry of Justice, or the Supreme Court?”
Blake had no knowledge of this matter. But given the Oversight Department’s accusations, it was clear that someone had gone to the Royal Citadel to lodge a complaint.
He had no other defense to offer, and could only plead repeatedly, “Your Majesty, forgive me. Please, Your Majesty, calm your anger.”
“Calm my anger?” Salvador’s voice rose in fury. “I told you to take Freya and apologize to the Marquis of Jadehill’s family, but when the marquis refused you entry, you simply walked away. Is this your attitude towards giving someone an apology? Not only did you fail to earn forgiveness, you also had the audacity to vent your frustrations on the common people?! You deserve to be pelted with dung, and I almost want to do it myself!”
Salvador’s anger left him speaking recklessly. Blake had truly disappointed him, far beyond his expectations. If Salvador hadn’t personally arranged the marriage and recognized Blake’s military achievements, he wouldn’t have promoted him at all. The intention was to give him a chance and salvage Salvador’s own reputation, but it turned out Blake was utterly unworthy.
Not a single official in the court came forward to speak on his behalf, not even Viola’s cousin, the Ministry of Finance’s senior administrator. Defending Blake would mean offending the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family and inciting public outrage.
Blake was left with the grim realization that he might not even keep his position in the Capital Guard. He felt a mix of complex and difficult emotions, nearly to the point of tears.
He choked out, “I understand my crime, Your Majesty. I beg for your punishment. I will certainly go again to apologize to the matriarch of the Marquis of Jadehill’s family and seek their forgiveness.”
Salvador’s chest heaved with anger. He thought of the old general from the Jaffe family-if his spirit were watching from the afterlife and saw how useless his descendants were, he would probably be rolling in his grave.
Salvador declared coldly, “Blake, you have failed to manage your household, allowed chaos in your residence, and neglected your duties. I hereby demote you to the ninth rank, and you’re now an ordinary guard. If you make any further mistakes, I will reclaim your estate. Blake, this is your final chance.”
Blake felt his mind go blank and his face turned pale as death. He knelt on the ground with difficulty and said, “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!”
He remained on the ground for a long time, afraid to rise, feeling the weight of every gaze in the court upon him. What made him most uncomfortable was the presence of the Hell Monarch. He didn’t want to face Rafael, or more accurately, he didn’t want Rafael to see him in such a pitiable state.
On the evening of the second day after his wedding, Blake had been ambushed in the back courtyard of his estate by a group of men. They had placed a sack over his head and beaten him mercilessly. He knew it was Rafael’s doing, and he knew it was because of that brief, tense exchange they had on their mutual wedding day as they passed each other.
However, without evidence, Blake dared not file a report. Revealing it would not only be humiliating, as it ? would suggest that the Jaffe family’s residence had as much net protection as a sieve. It would also expose him as a military general who had been covertly attacked in his own home, without even knowing who was behind it.