The downfall of the Clifft family was something Felix had long been waiting for. It was his subtle machinations that had ultimately pushed the baron to his fall. This outcome was exactly what he had wanted.
With the family's collapse, and the capital now consumed by political chaos, no one paid attention to the once-powerful Clifft lineage anymore. It was then that Felix quietly sent someone to infiltrate Baron Clifft's bedroom—while the man was on his deathbed—to ask him one final question: why had he orchestrated the kidnapping of Wei Wei back then?
This move was made just in case there was something they didn't know. And sure enough, they got a useful answer.
The kidnapping had indeed been backed by the Clifft family, but the initial instigator was not the baron himself—it was his eldest son, the designated heir to the family, who had ordered it. After learning of his son's plan, the baron didn't stop him. Instead, he took over the operation, using trusted agents to secretly hire mercenaries and personally covering their tracks afterward. Without his intervention, those mercenaries could never have escaped the tight net cast over the upper city and hidden away in a remote monastery.
From beginning to end, the son remained out of sight. According to the baron, his son had been incited by his mistress.
She was a well-known socialite and courtesan. According to the baron, his son was hardly her only lover, and she might have been put up to the idea by someone else. The baron insisted she was being manipulated by external forces, though both he and his interrogators understood he was simply trying to shift blame and protect his son.
By now, Baron Clifft fully understood the real reason behind his and his family's sudden downfall. It would be a lie to say he wasn't filled with regret—but at this point, death was near. All he could do was try to preserve his son, the last hope of their house.
Yes, he knew clearly that he wouldn't survive. The fact that someone had come all this way just to question him proved that his enemies didn't intend to let him live. Even after being dismissed and exiled from the capital, he was still a baron, and the lands he left behind for his son were even larger than those of Sardinson. They were royal rewards granted over years of loyal service to the King. If his son could retain those lands, the Clifft family might one day rise again.
But the current Count Williams—Felix—would never allow a potential threat like that to remain. So Baron Clifft had to die. Only his death could ensure his son's survival. That was why he worked so hard to downplay his son's involvement in the affair.
If the interrogator hadn't been clever enough to bait him by pretending to already know the son was involved, the baron likely never would have admitted his part in it. In the end, all he could do was try to take the blame upon himself.
After the investigator left, the baron—who wasn't that old—died in his sickbed. The official cause was asphyxiation brought on by severe illness. Everyone believed it was natural. No one noticed anything suspicious. He was buried in the family's ancestral cemetery not long afterward.
But his son didn't inherit the barony. On the way back to his lands, he died in an "accident." With no direct heir left in the Clifft line, the title passed to a distant relative.
When Wei Wei heard the news, her first reaction was to look at her husband and ask, "Did you have someone do it?"
Felix was relieved to see that her expression remained calm—merely curious, not shocked or upset. He'd always worried that her kind nature might not accept his methods. That concern was unnecessary.
Wei Wei was indeed calm. Schemes and political games weren't new to her. She had seen plenty of them in movies, novels, and news stories—even if not in real life. Someone dying without her being there made it feel unreal, like hearing an interesting tale rather than witnessing a tragedy.
But Felix didn't take credit: "The baron was handled by my men. But I had nothing to do with the heir."
In truth, he had considered taking the heir out too. After all, Felix didn't believe for a second that the baron's son wasn't involved. From earlier reports, it was clear the original plot had been the son's idea. Felix had planned to eliminate him—until the baron's final statement gave him pause. He wanted to see if there were deeper forces at play behind the young heir.
Wei Wei raised an eyebrow. "Then who did it? The new baron who inherited the title?"
Felix was uncertain too. "Could be. Or maybe it was just an accident. Or perhaps, as the baron claimed, there was someone else behind the scenes who wanted to silence him. But I doubt that theory. It's been too long. If anyone had instigated him to target you, they'd likely already forgotten about it themselves. It happened a year ago, after all. And I've made a show of letting the whole matter drop. That's probably why Baron Clifft let his guard down in the end."
Clifft hadn't even suspected Felix would go around him entirely—attacking from the direction of the King. He'd made preparations to protect himself, but none of them had mattered in the end.
Wei Wei asked again, "What about that mistress of his?"
"Once the Clifft family was driven out of the capital, she stopped all contact with him," Felix said.
He had investigated her too. She was a popular courtesan in high society, and at the peak of her desirability. A baron's heir who'd been exiled from the capital was no longer worthy in her eyes. So she dumped him.
"But I've already ordered people to keep looking into her relationships. Maybe we'll find something useful."
That was the temporary end of the matter. If no more leads turned up, they wouldn't pursue it further. After all, the perpetrators were gone.
"Enough about that—come help me put this on." Wei Wei held up a necklace and waved him over.
Today was their wedding anniversary. Early that morning, Wei Wei had received Felix's gift—a bouquet of roses, extraordinarily rare for this season. He had arranged for the gardener to grow them specifically for the occasion. In addition to the flowers, there was also a pearl necklace.
Felix had wanted to prepare something more romantic and surprising this year—after all, gifting jewelry again felt a bit uninspired. But in the end, beyond flowers and gems, he couldn't think of anything better.
Fortunately, Wei Wei loved the necklace. And really, what woman wouldn't? It was a triple-stranded pearl necklace made of over a hundred perfectly round pearls, featuring a delicate pearl flower at the center with a 10-carat pink diamond as its heart. Below that hung a large teardrop-shaped pearl that rested just below the collarbone—perfect for pairing with a lower neckline, where it would become the most dazzling feature.
Of course, at this time of year, forget low necklines—people wanted to wrap their entire necks up. But even worn over clothes, the necklace was gorgeous. The only problem was that the clasp at the back was too complex, so Wei Wei needed help.
Felix immediately stepped forward and fastened the necklace for her, even carefully adjusting it for symmetry—and snuck in a kiss while he was at it. "You look as beautiful as ever today."
Wei Wei smiled at him in the mirror. "And you're as handsome as always, darling."
With that necklace on, she felt like she had a small mountain of treasure hanging around her neck. She didn't ask Felix to stop buying her such things; after all, they could afford it. This piece was well within their means. Jewelry also didn't depreciate over time—although pearls could dull if not stored properly, making them less ideal for long-term collecting.
She gently touched the pearls at her throat and said with a smile, "You've already given me so many pearl accessories—enough. Next time, give me something different. I love gemstones and diamonds too."
"Of course. Whatever you want." Felix had been fretting over what to get her anyway, so knowing she liked jewelry made future shopping easier. "Now, what about my gift?" he asked eagerly.
"There." Wei Wei pointed to a corner of the room. Felix followed her slender finger and saw something under a blanket. Who knew how long it had been sitting there?
"What is it?"
"Go look for yourself."
He walked over and lifted the blanket, revealing a painting.
It was an oil painting of a tall knight in armor, his face uncovered, standing beneath a large tree and reaching out to catch a green-clad girl leaping from its branches.
The two characters in the painting—down to their vivid, lifelike expressions—were unmistakably himself and Wei Wei.
"This is the scene from when we first met." Felix was visibly moved. He picked up the half-person-tall painting and turned back to her. "When did you paint this? I had no idea."
"Well, it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you ahead of time, would it?" Wei Wei said smugly, wiggling her fingers.
She had secretly coordinated with the maids, hiding the painting whenever someone approached the studio. Whenever Felix came by, she'd swap it out for another canvas. That's why their "couple's portrait" had remained unfinished for so long—she'd been working on this one instead.
"This is a big surprise. I'll have to think about where to hang it." Felix looked at the painting again and again, growing more fond of it by the minute. He couldn't decide if it belonged in the bedroom or the study.
"In the bedroom, obviously," said Wei Wei. "A painting like this in the study would feel a bit out of place."
The study was such a formal space, occasionally used to receive visitors. It would be embarrassing to hang something so personal there.
"Fair point. Then we'll put this one in the bedroom. And when that other painting is finally finished, we'll hang it in the study."
Wei Wei didn't argue. That other painting depicted their wedding day, which would be appropriate for the study.
Felix personally chose the wall directly opposite their bed. He hammered in a hook and carefully hung the painting, then told the maids to dust it daily so it wouldn't get dirty.
Wei Wei reminded him, "Alright, that's enough fussing. We need to get going now."
Today was not only their anniversary—it was also the wedding day for a large group of serfs. With so many couples getting married, Wei Wei thought it important for them to attend the ceremony and give their blessings. Naturally, Felix agreed. It was only a short visit to the church.
He even offered to serve as a witness. If any couple needed someone to sign their marriage certificate, he and Wei Wei would be happy to do so.
A certificate bearing the signatures of the Lord and Lady of the territory—what better wedding gift could there be? No one would pass up such an honor.
When the serfs learned that their Lord and Lady would attend the group wedding and act as witnesses, several who hadn't planned to marry that day quickly changed their plans—some moved their weddings up, others delayed theirs—just to be part of the ceremony.
What had started as a gathering of thirty couples suddenly ballooned to nearly a hundred. Many who had only been tentatively engaged rushed to the castle to register their marriage in time for the event.
Those who didn't yet have a partner were deeply disappointed, wondering if they'd ever get such a chance again.
While the coachman readied the carriage, Wei Wei went to visit her beloved horse, Jade Lion.
She hadn't ridden since becoming pregnant. And with winter in full swing, Jade Lion had been resting in the stables for months. Wei Wei visited regularly to brush him and bring treats. The horse, who didn't mind the cold, clearly missed running, but could only stretch his legs with short strolls in the garden—no riding allowed.
The castle's stable was a massive wooden structure that housed not only the lords' and ladies' horses but also the knights' mounts and everyday draft horses. Each stall was well-maintained and protected against winter winds.
Jade Lion, known for both his bad temper and for being the Lady's favorite, had a spacious stall all to himself, complete with individual troughs for hay and water. He lived quite comfortably.
Felix's horse, Rios, was housed next door. Recently, Jade Lion had finally accepted Rios and had even allowed him to get close. Wei Wei had caught them cuddling in the same stall more than once.
As soon as Wei Wei entered, Jade Lion left Rios's side and pressed his big head into her arms, nuzzling her gently with wet, pleading eyes and a soft whinny.
Wei Wei fed him sugar cubes she'd brought and petted his mane, chatting with him all the while. It was almost like the two of them were having a real conversation.
Rios tried to join in, nibbling Jade Lion's mane playfully, but was kicked away with clear irritation. With her beloved owner present, Jade Lion had no time for other horses.
The poor black stallion had no choice but to seek comfort from his own master.
Wei Wei chuckled at their antics, her eyes drifting between the black and white horses—then she suddenly noticed something.
She turned to Felix and asked quietly, "Phil, has Jade Lion gotten... chubby?"
Jade Lion, modeled after the famed Celestial Jade Steed from the Western Regions, resembled a Mongolian horse—compact and sturdy. Compared to Rios, who had Arabian blood, Jade Lion had always been the smaller of the two.
But now, standing side by side, Jade Lion's belly looked noticeably larger—possibly even bigger than Rios's, which was odd for a male-to-female comparison.
Felix hadn't noticed until she mentioned it. He stepped into the stall and, with Wei Wei's help, gently examined Jade Lion's belly. A knowing smile spread across his face.
"If I'm not mistaken, she's pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Wei Wei blinked, surprised. She had thought Jade Lion had just put on winter weight.
Now she turned toward the black stallion with a look that said, So you're the one who knocked up my girl.
The only candidate was Rios.
"Judging by the size of her belly, she's probably due around the same time as our baby," Felix said, delighted. "A horse's gestation lasts about eleven months, so their foal should arrive not long after ours. That means our child will have a horse of their own."
The surprise was unexpected but welcome. Wei Wei resolved to read up on how to care for a pregnant mare once their errands were done.
After giving instructions to the stablehands to treat Jade Lion with extra care, they finally left the stable and boarded their waiting carriage.
Because there were so many weddings to host, the church had rearranged its interior, removing most of the seats to make space. Only the couples' immediate families—parents and siblings—were allowed in as guests, and they had to stand.
Even so, they felt honored—especially since the Count and Countess were seated in the very front.
Everyone was thrilled to be so close to their lords. Most forgot to even pay attention to their children getting married. The newlyweds themselves couldn't help but sneak glances toward the front.
Look how strong and noble their Count was. How elegant and beautiful their Countess. Just seeing them felt like a blessing.
In the past, peasant weddings had been simple affairs. Brides and grooms wore their best clothes, and the bride might make herself a flower crown or carry a small bouquet. Ceremonies were usually held in warm weather.
But this year, most families had some savings. While many still couldn't afford formal wedding attire, most wore clothes newly made before winter. Some had even tailored special outfits well in advance. The brides wore wide skirts, styled after the current trend Wei Wei had popularized. Their hoop skirts, made from woven twigs, were smaller than those worn by nobles—so as not to offend class sensibilities, since many things were reserved only for the aristocracy.
A hundred couples gathered together made for a spectacular sight. Though their outfits weren't uniform, the brides' carefully styled hair and lightly made-up faces helped set them apart from everyone else.
Of course, commoners couldn't buy the same sought-after cosmetics that even nobles had to compete for. Many didn't even know how to apply makeup. So all the makeup and styling had been provided by the castle, a wedding gift from Wei Wei and Felix.
It was, after all, a once-in-a-lifetime moment—and the brides deserved to look their best.
Because of the sheer number of participants, the maids had started preparations before dawn. Father Matthew had lent them space in the church, and the brides waited patiently in line to have their makeup done. When they saw their transformed reflections in the mirror, their delight was beyond words.
As this parade of radiant brides emerged before the ceremony began, they stunned not just their grooms, but also all the assembled guests. The sheer sincerity of the compliments—spoken in awe even in front of the Count and Countess—said everything.
Those compliments made the brides beam with pride. They stood tall, clutching their grooms' arms, walking hand-in-hand down the long red carpet to stand before the priest.
At that moment, they were the center of attention.
Even those few who had previously harbored regrets—those who'd missed out on being chosen for castle service—had no time for such thoughts now. They were about to begin a new chapter, with a spouse and a solid job. Maybe they hadn't gotten into the castle, but they weren't worse off than anyone else.
There was nothing to complain about. These were their own choices, and they would walk this path with heads held high.