Chapter 151 Chapter 151 An Elaborately Choreographed Puppet Show

The Fool's shoulders slumped heavily. "There are a thousand forked roads," he stated calmly. "Some are clear and level, some are shadowy, and others are clearly marked by hardships, which can only be changed by great force or a catastrophe. Others are Hidden in a thick fog, and I don't know if there's a way out or where it leads. You're like a fog over me, little bastard! Your mere presence makes the future a thousandfold possible, what a Good catalyst! In the mist some roads are the darkest and twistiest, the ones that lead to destruction, but others are the bright and shining golden ones. It seems that you take the road that goes up and down in the mountains and deep valleys, and I Longing for the mean. I long for my master to live his life in peace, for he has been truly merciful to my eccentric and mocking servant.”

He stopped blaming me, pulled the latch and released the lock, and left quietly. His gorgeous attire and cautious footsteps made me feel that he was out of shape, and the spotted clothes and previous laughter and jumping seemed to be gone.I closed the door softly behind him, and stood leaning against it to collect and tidy, as if I could support the future. I dressed myself for dinner with the utmost care.When I finally put on the new clothes that Master Frightwind had made for me, I looked almost as respectable as a jester.I decided not to mourn Verity at the dinner, much less to look sad.As I descended, I saw most of the castle flocking to the Great Hall, and it was evident that all, high and low, were present by order.

I found myself at the same table with Burrich, Hand, and the rest of the stable mates.I've sat in this unremarkable seat since Shrewd took me under his wing, but I'd rather be at this table than at the head table.The guest seats in the hall were filled with a group of people I didn't know, mostly dukes and dignitaries from Tirs and Faro, though I recognized a few faces.Patience was sitting in a seat that nearly matched her rank, and Lacey was indeed sitting a step above mine, but I didn't see Molly anywhere.The people of Buckkeep City are also scattered in the hall, most of them are rich people, and most of them have better seats than I imagined.At this time, the king was led into the hall, and he was seen leaning on the elegantly dressed fool, followed by Kettricken.

I was taken aback by how she looked.Dressed in a simple drab robe, her hair was cut short to no more than a palm's width in mourning for Verity, and the loss of weight made it protrude from her head like a dandelion seed, and the color was faded by the trimming. , looking as pale as the Fool's hair.I was used to her thick blond hair tied into thick braids, but now her head looked oddly small on her broad shoulders, and her lifeless blue eyes stood out from under her swollen red lids.She looked less like a queen in mourning than another eccentric jester new to court.The woman in front of me is not like my queen, nor Kettricken in the garden, nor a barefoot warrior wielding a sword, but a newly widowed foreign woman here.On the contrary, Regal dressed luxuriously as if he was going to court a lady, and moved confidently like a hunting cat.

The dinner party seemed to me like a well-choreographed puppet show.There was an old thin-skinned King Shrewd who kept nodding to his dinner, or talking with a feeble smile at no one.The Princess didn't smile, barely ate, and was silent in mournful silence.Regal, in control, sits beside his aging father like a dutiful son, while the jester in fine attire sits next to the prince, embellishing and emphasizing Regal with exaggerated wit from time to time. The quips in the speech made the prince's speech more lively than it really was.The other guests at the main table included the Duke and Duchess of Farrow and Tiers, as well as some of the lower-ranking nobles they currently favored, but they could not see the dukedoms of Biens, Reben and Hux. represent.

The guests honored the emperor with wine twice after the meal, the first time being the Duke of Hudson of Farrow.He raised his glass very generously to respect the emperor, declaring that he is a hero who defends the territory, and also praised him for his quick actions for Jieyi Bay, and even more for all the measures he has done for the well-being of the six principalities, which makes me stand up ears.However, these words of congratulations and appreciation sounded vague, and they didn't make it clear what Emperor Zun had decided to do before. If this continues, I'm afraid it will become a eulogy.

Early in the speech, Kettricken sat up straight and looked at Regal with disbelief, evidently in disbelief that he could calmly nod and smile at a compliment that was not his.If anyone but me noticed the queen's expression, no one dared to comment.As expected, the second time was toasted by the Duke of Ram of Tirs.He raised his glass in honor of Crown Prince Verity, a tribute but a derogation of Verity's status.He speaks of all of Verity's attempts, intentions, dreams and hopes.However, all of Verity's achievements have long been passed on to Regal's icing on the cake, so there is nothing to add.Hearing this, Kettricken turned even paler, and her lips were pursed even tighter.

I believe that when the Duke of Ram finished speaking, she would immediately stand up to speak, but Regal stood up abruptly, holding a full wine glass to signal everyone to be quiet, and then raised his glass to the queen. "There has been too much praise for me tonight, and too little for our most beautiful Princess Kettricken. She has faced the saddest bereavement upon her return, but believe my dead brother only The grief of his death will not overshadow all his wife's efforts. Regardless of her condition..." The smile on Regal's face was almost mocking. "However, she was still loyal to the interests of her husband's family and went out to fight against the Red Ship herself. There is no doubt that many robbers must have died under her heroic sword, and our soldiers also decided to fight for them because they saw their princess, and Everyone is excited."

Kettricken's cheeks were flushed, and Regal continued to boast of Kettricken's exploits in a humble and flattering way, reducing hers to mere show. I hoped helplessly that someone at the main table would come out to support her, because as a commoner, I stood up and spoke out against Regal, and the whole situation was probably more like a farce.Kettricken, who had never been sure of her place in her husband's court, looked shorter now without his support.God respectfully replicated her exploits, making them sound dubious and reckless rather than an act of bravery and decisiveness.I've seen her make herself smaller and smaller, and I know she won't defend herself now.The meal resumed, and a very depressed queen accompanied the bewildered King Shrewd, listening gravely and silently to the king's lisp.But worse things are coming.When the feast was over, Regal once again asked everyone to be quiet, and assured the gathered guests that there would be a bard and puppet show after the meal, but asked everyone to bear with him while he announced another matter.He said that after careful consideration and lengthy discussions, despite his reluctance, he understood that the attack on Jie Yi Wan had been confirmed.Buckkeep is not as safe and secure as it used to be, and it is definitely not suitable for the weak.He therefore decided to send King Shrewd (who also winked at his own name) to go inland, to live safely on the Merchant Beach on the Wine River in Farrow, until his health improved. .He paused, and then went to great lengths to thank the Duke of Houde of Farrow, who was willing to arrange for the royal family to temporarily stay at Merchant Beach Castle. He kept in good touch with his dukes, who often had to travel long distances overnight, to come to help him solve his troubles at this extremely difficult time, and he was even more gratified that these nobles who had to travel far in the past could share the royal life.He paused to accept the applause and thanks of the dukes, who also offered their continued support, and fell silent submissively when he raised his hand again.