Chapter 705
The Grand Duke's Illegitimate Son
When the old butler heard Galan's impatient question, a troubled look appeared on his face.
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice even further, so low that only Garland, sitting at his desk, could hear him.
But in this overly quiet study, the faint sound of airflow and a few key words inevitably drifted into Greg's ears across the room:
"Master, you've been busy with important matters lately, so you may not have paid attention to some news within the family."
The old marquis specifically instructed me to come and inform him; it's not an overreaction.
"It's really... Miss Galina's fiancé has a rather special background, and his connections are... quite significant."
He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, his grey-blue eyes quickly sweeping over Greg, who appeared focused on his teacup but whose attention had actually been drawn to him, before continuing in an almost whispered voice:
"What the old marquis means is that the current situation is delicate, and the fact that Miss came here with her fiancé this time is of extraordinary significance."
The level of hospitality, the attitude—every detail requires extra attention; there can be no slightest negligence, lest…we lose our composure.”
"Fiancé? Special? Someone with a powerful background?"
Garland subconsciously repeated the key words from the butler's words, her brows furrowing habitually, revealing her displeasure at being interrupted and a slight doubt about "how powerful the fiancé of a distant relative could be":
"Speaking of which, Jialina, the girl, mentioned an engagement in a letter from home a while ago, but only said that she met him on her own, that his family background was decent, and that he was a good person... Who exactly is she engaged to?"
Although she is from a collateral branch, she is still surnamed Zhu En. What is the other party's background?
"It shouldn't be some shady character who needlessly tarnishes the family's reputation."
As the head of the family, Garland has a responsibility to ensure that the marriages of family members, especially those with the surname Jun, do not bring trouble or disgrace to the family.
The old butler did not answer directly; he simply bent his back even lower and stood there silently.
This unusual silence instantly froze the impatience on Garland's face.
He was not a dullard; on the contrary, he could sense something unusual from the old butler's hesitant yet unusually persistent attitude, and from the rare emphasis his father had placed on him, even specifically instructing him to personally greet the old butler.
If he were just an ordinary fiancé from a good family, his father would never have taken it so seriously, much less have used phrases like "the situation is delicate" or "be careful" to advise him.
He glanced at the silent old butler, then seemingly unconsciously glanced at Greg sitting opposite him out of the corner of his eye.
Gregor was picking up his teacup, pretending to drink, but Garland could sense that the prince's attention was no longer on the tea.
In a flash, Garland seemed to understand something. He immediately turned to Greg, his face now bearing a slightly apologetic smile:
"Your Highness, I am truly sorry, some trivial matters within the family have disturbed your enjoyment."
Please have a seat and some tea and snacks. I'll go out and say a few words, I'll be right back.
He stood up calmly, nodded slightly to Greg, and then followed the silent old butler out of the study.
Greg remained alone in the study, holding a cup of lukewarm spiced tea, his brows furrowed slightly, his gray eyes filled with doubt and deep thought.
As an outsider, especially an "ally" with whom a fragile alliance had just been established, it was neither appropriate nor advisable for him to pry into the affairs of the Junen family.
He understood this principle, and he also clearly saw that Galan's evasive attitude just now clearly indicated that "this matter should not be discussed with outsiders."
However, he couldn't suppress his curiosity and quickly searched his memory for information about the Junen family.
He did investigate the family, though not in every detail, but he was familiar with the main members.
It seems that there is no eligible unmarried young lady named "Galina" in the current generation of the Jun family.
There are quite a few collateral branches, but when a young lady from one of the collateral branches arrives in the capital with her fiancé, the head of the family, Marquis Garland, actually needs to personally go to the port to greet her.
We must also be mindful of our actions and not be negligent.
What did that butler say again?
"It has quite a powerful background," "The situation is delicate," "Its significance is extraordinary"...
These words, when put together, stirred ripples in Greg's mind.
What kind of extraordinary background could a young lady from a collateral branch of the family have for her fiancé that would make the old Marquis Gringoire take him so seriously, even going so far as to remind Garland to be mindful of the protocol for his reception?
This is by no means unusual.
Greg realized that the June family might be more complicated than he had imagined.
This seemingly low-profile, business-oriented ancient family may have an reach and network of connections that extend far beyond what is visible on the surface.
Various speculations have emerged, but none of them have any basis.
Greg could only suppress the questions surging in his mind, pick up the cup of tea that had gone cold again, cast his gaze at the gloomy sky outside the window, but his ears were involuntarily listening to the movements outside the door.
The waiting time wasn't too long.
But during this brief wait, Greg keenly noticed that when Garland pushed open the study door again and came back, his entire demeanor was completely different from when he left a few minutes earlier.
When he left, Galan had an apologetic smile on his face, but deep in his eyes one could still see impatience and reluctance.
Now, the lingering impatience on Garland's face had completely vanished.
His steps were lighter than when he left, and there was even a peculiar smile on his lips.
That was definitely not the expression one would have when dealing with trivial family matters; it was more like receiving some unexpected but absolutely positive and important news in a very short time.
Garland walked to the desk, but did not sit down immediately. Instead, he turned to Greg, this time with a more sincere and urgent expression of apology.
"Your Highness, I am so sorry."
It seems we can't enjoy this tea any longer; there's an urgent matter at home that I need to attend to immediately.
Yes, you probably heard it too. It was my little sister, Galina, whom I haven't seen in a long time. She and her newly engaged fiancé came from the sea.
The ship is about to enter the harbor, and my father is urging me to go pick it up in person.
His tone no longer betrayed any reluctance or displeasure, but rather carried a clear implication that he "must leave immediately."
Greg's suspicions deepened. Who exactly were this "Miss Galina" and her fiancé?
How could Garland June's attitude change so drastically in just a few minutes?
Greg maintained a polite smile and said:
"To be honest, I have known Your Excellency the Marquis for some time, yet I have never heard you mention that you have such a younger sister who is still unmarried. I must be very ignorant."
He spoke lightly, but his gaze seemed to fall unintentionally on Garland's face, capturing the other's most subtle reaction.
Garland's smile seemed to freeze for a moment, but it quickly returned to normal. He waved his hand, picked up the small silver pot on the table, and poured himself half a cup of slightly cooled spiced tea.
"Your Highness is joking. I did not mean to hide it. Galina is not my biological sister, but a cousin from a collateral branch of the family."
Moreover, this bloodline is too far away and rarely interacts, so it's not worth mentioning.
She is from a branch of the family that separated from my great-grandfather's generation. By that logic, Jialina should call me her cousin, but the blood relation has long since faded to the point that it is almost impossible to count.
About a hundred years ago, their branch migrated from the Southern Region and settled in the Central Empire to make a living.
A century has passed, and we are separated by thousands of miles. Apart from having a name recorded in the family genealogy, we are not much different from strangers.
He put down his teacup, making a slight clinking sound.
"Over the years, there have been occasional correspondence between the two sides, and some polite greetings are exchanged during holidays, but that's about it."
Sometimes, when they encounter difficulties, have trouble making ends meet, or need to handle something in the Southern Region, they will write back to their family for help, asking to borrow some money or ask for connections.
Out of consideration for our shared surname, my family members will help out a little if they can, since we are connected by blood.
But to say there's any deep friendship is impossible. It's perfectly normal that Your Highness hasn't heard of it.
Garland's explanation sounded logical and reasonable.
A distant cousin, who has lived overseas for a century and whose relationship with the family is distant but whose relatives occasionally seek help but are indifferent, does not seem to deserve much attention, much less the current head of the family.
However, it was precisely this "reasonable" explanation that increased Greg's doubts instead of decreasing them.
The reason is simple: if, as Garland said, she was just a poor relative who needed occasional assistance from her family and with whom she had a distant relationship, then why would the old Marquis personally intervene when this "Miss Garina" visited with her fiancé?
He also strictly ordered Garland to "personally greet" him and "be mindful of his manners."
The June family is not some impoverished noble family that is so obsessed with empty formalities that it is pedantic, and Garland June is not a pushover who would be easily held back by "family ties".
On the contrary, this family and its leader have always been known for their practical interests and calm judgment.
The problem doesn't lie with that distant "cousin".
Greg's thoughts raced, and he immediately recalled the old butler's low, pointed words: "Miss Galina's fiancé has a rather special background, and his connections are... quite significant."
The crux of the matter is this: that fiancé.
Garland had just spent a long time explaining how distant the collateral bloodlines were, but he hadn't mentioned the most crucial person—Miss Galina's fiancé—at all, only glossing over the details.
This in itself is an unnatural form of avoidance.
A knowing glint flashed deep in Greg's grey eyes as he adopted an intrigued expression and said:
"Oh? A cousin from the Central Empire?"
To be honest, although I have lived in the capital for a long time, I am quite interested in the customs and culture of the Central Empire.
Since you are going to welcome your relatives... I have nothing else important to do today, so I'll just have some tea at the villa.
Why don't I go with the Marquis to the port to take a look?
"Firstly, it would be a pleasure to accompany you, and secondly, I'd like to meet a guest from the Central Empire and perhaps hear some interesting tales from across the sea. What does the Viscount think?"
Garland was clearly taken aback by Greg's request. His relaxed expression froze for a moment, and he instinctively declined.
"This... Your Highness is too kind. With your noble status, how could I trouble you to deal with such trivial family matters?"
The docks are crowded and dusty; it's really not a place for you. I'm just picking someone up; I'll be right back.
Greg seemed oblivious to the reluctance in Garland's words; instead, his smile deepened, and his tone became even more insistent.
"It is precisely because they are your family members that I should go and meet them."
Didn't you say before that you would introduce me to some young talents from the Junen family?
There's no time like the present; today is just fine.
This sister, whom the old Marquis personally instructed and whom you, Viscount, are so concerned about, must be an extraordinary person.
The fiancé she chose and brought back to the Southern Region must be an exceptional individual.
I'd really like to get to know her and see what kind of outstanding person could win the favor of the jewel of the June family.
After a moment's consideration, Garland shook his head, his tone tinged with a helpless resignation at being swayed by "enthusiasm":
"Your Highness's hospitality is so great that I don't know what to do."
Since Your Highness doesn't mind the mess at the dock and is interested in meeting my sister who has come from afar and... well, her fiancé, it would naturally be their honor.
However, if there is any inadequacy in our hospitality, I hope Your Highness will forgive us.
He finally nodded, which was considered as agreeing to Greg's request, but that "agreement" carried a sense of having no other choice.
Without another word, the two walked out of the warm study one after the other.
Outside the door, the old butler stood at his sides like a statue. His wrinkled face showed no change in expression as he bowed deeply to Greg's companions, respectfully leading the two important figures.
A carriage was already prepared at the entrance of the villa, and the two quickly headed towards the port.
The people sitting inside the carriage had completely different feelings.
As Greg watched the street scene rushing past the window, his anxiety was temporarily replaced by a stronger desire to explore.
Garland leaned back against the soft seat cushion, gazing at the gloomy sky outside the window. His fingers tapped silently on his knees, as if he were sorting through some thoughts or thinking about how to deal with things later.
……
The carriage rolled along the streets of Whirlpool Fortress paved with huge stone blocks, heading towards the port area.
Inside the carriage, a brief silence filled the two, with only the rhythmic rolling of the wheels and the faint sounds of the bustling city outside serving as background noise.
It was Garland who broke the silence.
He coughed softly, adjusted his body to a more comfortable position in the soft carriage seat, and instead of looking at Greg, his gaze fell on his hands folded on his knees:
"Your Highness, there are some things that should not be publicized too much, especially those involving some... somewhat illogical situations within the family."
But since Your Highness insists on accompanying us, I think it's best to speak frankly beforehand, lest you harbor doubts when we meet later, which would be unpleasant.”
He paused, as if organizing his thoughts, before continuing, his tone tinged with self-deprecation:
"To be honest, logically speaking, Jialina doesn't need me, much less the June family, to make such a big show of welcoming her."
For a distant branch of the family, whose blood ties had long since faded, who had lived overseas for a century, and who rarely interacted except for seeking help or borrowing money, her arrival was enough to fulfill the family's duty of care by providing a housekeeper and decent accommodations.
Greg turned his head, assuming a listening posture, a hint of curiosity subtly appearing in his gray eyes, indicating that he was listening.
Garland shook his head slightly, a smile that was hard to decipher—whether it was a sigh of regret or absurdity—tugged at the corners of his mouth:
"But sometimes, fate is just that unpredictable."
Who would have thought that our little cousin, who was almost forgotten by the family genealogy, would quietly climb up to... well, to a 'high branch' so high that one has to look up to it.
"Gaozhi?"
Greg countered with a perfectly timed question, his eyebrows slightly raised, indicating appropriate interest. He knew the real drama was about to begin.
“Yes, high branch.” Garland repeated the word, this time with less helplessness and more weight in his tone, and Greg could even detect excitement in it.
Garland's tone became much more wistful:
"Your Highness is more aware of the current situation on the mainland than anyone else."
Since the announcement of the Covenant of the Gods, various forces on the continent have been intertwined, and the balance is as fragile as a spider web in a storm.
Any new weight could cause the net to tilt unpredictably.
Therefore, we not only need a strong ally like Your Highness at home, but also friends overseas.
Garland didn't say it directly, but the meaning was crystal clear—the June family, an ancient family that has always relied on commerce and is good at surviving and growing in the cracks, has keenly sensed an opportunity, an opportunity that may allow the June family to find allies overseas.
And this opportunity rests on Galina's mysterious fiancé.
Therefore, the old Marquis broke with convention and strictly ordered Garland to personally and solemnly welcome him, with only one purpose: to do everything in his power to befriend this young man who was about to become a relative by marriage to the Junen family (even if it was a collateral branch).
"What kind of person could make the old Marquis value them so much, even going so far as to trouble you, Marquis, to come all the way here?"
Greg followed up on Garland's words, knowing that since Garland had brought it up, he wouldn't just tell half the story.
Garland leaned forward slightly, moving closer to Greg.
With limited space in the carriage, his action significantly shortened the distance between the two.
He lowered his voice, making sure every word reached Greg's ears without being caught by any ears that might be outside the carriage:
“It’s the Central Empire,” he said, his tone unconsciously taking on a serious tone, “the Minister of Finance’s… illegitimate son.”
illegitimate child.
This word, like a silent thunderclap, exploded in the not-so-spacious carriage.
For some ancient families that value the purity and legitimacy of bloodlines, the status of a legitimate child born in wedlock may be tainted, or even a mark of shame.
However, in certain specific contexts, especially when it involves the upper echelons of power in a behemoth like the Central Empire, its meaning becomes extremely complex, extremely subtle, and extremely... open to interpretation.
Greg's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment.
Although he had long suspected that his fiancé was of extraordinary origin, the answer "illegitimate son of the Finance Minister of the Central Empire" still carried more weight and potentially involved more complex interests than he had anticipated.
He turned his head sharply, his gray eyes fixed on Garland's face, his pupils slightly contracting in shock and rapid thought.
"The illegitimate son of the Finance Minister of the Central Empire?"
He repeated, his voice low but carrying a clear tone of doubt and confirmation, "Viscount, are you sure? You can't just rely on rumors for this kind of thing."
A smile that was hard to hide appeared on Garland's lips:
"When I first received the news, my reaction was the same as His Highness's: disbelief, and even thought it was a misrepresentation or a smokescreen deliberately released by someone."
After all, this sounds like something out of a third-rate novel, but…
He paused, a shrewd glint in his grey-blue eyes:
"My father, the old Marquis of Gringoire, personally intervened and used the connections that the family had cultivated over many years in the Central Empire to repeatedly verify the information through different channels and in different ways."
The final conclusions all point to the same fact.
He sat up straighter, as if to emphasize the weight of his next words.
"Lord Adrian, who accompanied Galina back, is indeed the son of Archduke Finch Edwards, who currently controls the economic lifeline of the Central Empire—the largest and most powerful empire in the human world."
Garland said the name—Finch Edwards.
The name itself represents wealth, power, and a terrifying energy capable of influencing the economic trajectory of mainland China.
The Minister of Finance of the Central Empire wields power and influence far exceeding that of officials in the same position in the Southern Empire.
He was one of the people who truly stood at the top of the pyramid of power in the human world.
Garland added, his voice even lower, almost a whisper, but the meaning behind it was all the more striking:
"Moreover, according to our information, Grand Duke Finch's legitimate son, who is also his rightful heir, seems to be in poor health and... does not seem to be very much favored by the Grand Duke."
This Lord Adrian, although nominally an illegitimate son, was highly valued by the Grand Duke. He was not only sent to the Holy Radiance Academy, the premier academy on the continent, for further studies, but was even granted the title of Lord.
What this means, Your Highness, you should know better than I do.
It's clear now, everything is clear now.
Why would a distant cousin from a collateral branch of the family cause such a commotion in the Zhu En family, even requiring the patriarch to personally greet her?
Why did the old marquis emphasize "the delicate situation", "being mindful of boundaries", and "the necessity of maintaining good relations"?
Why did Garland's attitude undergo a complete 180-degree turn after receiving the definite news, transforming from "an impatient trifle" to "an important matter that must be handled personally"?
This is not a simple visit between relatives; it is a crucial political investment, a high-stakes gamble that could change the fate of the family for decades or even centuries to come.
The stakes are on Lord Adrian, the illegitimate son of Grand Duke Finch Edwards, the Finance Minister of the Central Empire, or rather, the potential heir whose status could very well undergo a dramatic transformation at some point in the future! (End of Chapter)