Before the Duke of Richmond and his entourage could leave for the South, Isabel Walton felt that there was still much work to be done. The first thing to do is to calm the instability caused by the postponement of the marriage of her mother and sister Euphemia. Second, we still have to find ways to continue the work of reconnaissance and intelligence that was unexpectedly suspended.

Third, and very important, is to do everything possible to keep the stability and security of Henry's territory. In the event of a rebellion in the northern counties, the rebel ranks would inevitably have a huge impact on the people of Richmond County and the lord Henry Fitzroy.

Even if Henry VIII would not later blame his bastard son Henry for the rebellion of the people in his realm, she, as Henry's privy counsellor, might be forcibly stripped of all existing power and the basis of existence. If things get to this point, she will have to choose between being burned at the stake or fleeing Europe.

When Henry's retainers entered the dining room, Isabel had already moved from Henry's study to the first floor of the main building. Just as she was about to go to the stables of the guards to lead her horse, she heard a shout from behind her: "Your Excellency, please wait. When she turned around, she saw that old Beard Smith, who had begun to gain some weight, and a gentleman were smiling towards her.

After the two came to her and saluted, old Beard said, "Your Excellency, Your Highness's lunch is about to begin, where are you going?" ”

Isabel smiled and said, "Mr. Smith, I still have some things to go home to. ”

"Your Excellency, I recall that you and Sir Augustine were on your way to Lancashire with Mr. Althorp. What, is it something at home that has caused you to change your itinerary? ”

Isabel looked at the gentleman next to old Beard but did not speak, and old Beard nodded and said to the gentleman, "Hey, John, save me some black pudding and grilled pork chops for lunch when lunch starts." ”

After the gentleman left, Isabel continued in the direction of the stables. Old Beard followed and whispered, "Your Excellency, I have heard something. A postman dressed in royal postman's garb travelled from the city of London to Richmondshire and delivered a letter to His Highness. ”

"You know about it, too?" Isabel turned her face and said as she looked at old Yomanon with a curious expression.

"Your Excellency, we all know that Your Highness is the most noble duke, so I am not curious about those people in the city of London or people from the royal family writing a letter to Your Highness. It's just that Your Highness received the letter just the day before yesterday, and today I saw you rushing back. ”

"Old Beard, I am His Highness's Privy Counsellor, and His Highness has asked me to come back to consult on some matters."

When Yomanon saw that no one else was passing by beside them, he looked at her with the eyes of a father looking at his daughter: "Your Excellency, since I first met you in my house, I have felt how lucky I must be to have a daughter like you. And, every day my family and I pray to God three times, no, six. ”

"Alright, old Beard, call me Isabel if you want, and say whatever you want." Isabel still has a good impression of the old blacksmith.

"Isabel, you know that I and several others are retainers who are genuinely loyal to Your Highness. However, when His Highness needed help the most, we were unable to provide His Highness with the best advice. So ......"

"Old Beard, didn't Your Highness tell you the contents of the letter?"

"Yes, we can see that there is a sad and melancholy look on His Highness's face. It's just that we can't do anything about it. ”

"It's not as complicated as you think."

When the two reached the stable, old Beard hurriedly called a servant to lead the horse for Isabel. After taking the reins from the servants, Isabel looked at Yomanon and said, "Thank you for letting me lead the horse." Old Beard, do you want to know what the letter says? ”

"Yes, I guess Your Highness must have told you." Old Beard whispered as he walked beside Isabel.

Isabel glanced at Old Yomanon and continued to lead his horse Onix back slowly, thinking: "After the outbreak of the rebellion, the use of strong military and law and order measures to control the stability of the county may provoke a strong revolt from the tenant farmers, hired laborers, and craftsmen. Therefore, it was still necessary for Yomannon and other gentlemen like Old Beard to come forward to appease these people and dissuade them from participating in the rebellion. ”

When she thought of this, she looked at old Beard with an expectant look on his face and said, "Actually, nothing particularly important. It's just that His Highness may go to the south. ”

"To the South? Why? Is Your Highness leaving the North? ”

"No, this is His Highness's territory, and His Highness will not do this."

"However, I have heard that some nobles do not often live in their own domains."

"Old Beard, do you believe me?" Isabel stopped and looked at the red-faced Yomanon. Old Beard nodded thoughtfully, "Isabel, I believe in you. ”

Isabel then said with a serious expression: "You are talking about some high-ranking nobles who serve in the court. Old Beard, Your Highness and I will still be back. Therefore, on the days of your Highness's departure, you and the others must reassure the tenant farmers, hired laborers, and artisans of the county, and tell them not to listen to rumors, and not to join any of them. ”

"Isabel, you said it was the 'Parade of Grace', right? I think you should know that many of the homeless people in the bishopric of Durham have been talking to the tenant farmers in the county about it since they came to the county. ”

"Old Beard, I don't care what happens in the other counties. Now, I only care about Richmondshire, you know? ”

"Of course, my family and family, land and property are here, and I don't want to be robbed by those displaced people."

"Good. Go and tell the others that Your Highness has some business that needs to be dealt with back to the south. Once you're done, you'll be back right away. ”

"Don't worry, me and the others will take care of this."

At this point, Isabel did feel a little hungry. When he stepped on the horse, he chatted and said to Old Yomanon who was standing on the left side of the horse: "Old Beard, how is your son in the south now?" ”

Old Beard looked surprised and said, "Isabel, little Beard has just returned from the city of London. He said there was a plague in London, it seemed to have happened at the beginning of last month, don't you know? ”

Isabel stared at him with wide eyes and hurriedly asked, "Why didn't you say it just now?" ”

"Son, the city of London is more than three hundred miles away from us, so I don't think it matters if there's a plague there. It was only when you mentioned that Your Highness was going to the south that I remembered some of the things my son had said. ”

"Forget it, don't tell Your Highness about this matter first, I will tell Your Highness at the appropriate time."