After the smiling Madame Sir and her youngest daughter Euphemia left the study, Sir Augustine left Isabel alone. He wondered whether Isabel's proposal could really be tried.

After Sir had the servants bring two glasses of wine, Isabel sat lazily in her chair and drank the wine. Sir Augustine laughed and said, "Can you tell me, Isabel, how you know these things?" ”

Isabel made an ugly smile and simply said, "The London lawyer told me." He said that there were many wealthy merchants in the South today, and that the townspeople who held certain positions were knights or gentlemen. Moreover, these people have never learned the 'Seven Skills of Knighthood' and chivalry. ”

Sir glared and placed the wine glass in his hand heavily on the desk: "This is stupid, ridiculous! How could an ordinary person become a knight without even learning the 'Seven Techniques of Knighthood' and chivalry? ”

"Sir, relax. We are now in the midst of the great upheavals and changes of the 16th century, and all the affairs of the kingdom are changing. If the king could reform Catholicism, what could not be reformed? ”

"But let these merchants who only have money in their eyes become knights?? This is an insult from the king to the sacred title of knight!! ”

"Father, be sober, under the influence of the ideas of the Reformation and the Renaissance, the power in the hands of the king is increasing little by little. He needed these wealthy merchants and burghers to strengthen his rule over the entire kingdom. So, these people became knights or gentlemen. ”

"However, His Majesty still needs knights to fight for him and win every war."

"That's right. So, do you remember what year the last war that took place within the kingdom took place? ”

Sir Augustine was silent, but shook his head and took another sip of wine. Isabel took the glass and leaned back against the window, and said, "Father, you know very well that one day Ernest the eldest son of this family will not be able to inherit your title of 'knight'. ”

Sir stood up and faced the bookcase behind him, and said gently, "So, do you have any good advice for this knightly family?" I mean, once I die, how will you and your relatives face the difficult life of a family that is no longer a knight? ”

"It's easy. Father, as long as you stop thinking of yourself as a knight who only fights enemies on the battlefield. Isabel looked back at the somewhat old sir's back.

Sir Augustine Walton turned to look at her, "Well, you mean to let me do what those merchants do?" However, I am a knight officially canonized by His Majesty the King, how can I go into business? ”

"Well, it's okay if you don't want to go into business. However, you must try to get involved in the local affairs of the county and establish good relations with the squires of the county, the local officials sent by the king, and the retainers of His Royal Highness. Only in this way can our knight family not go into decline, or even die. ”

Isabel continued: "Even if the family loses the title of 'knight' by then, we can still regain it by virtue of family wealth, social status and fame, can't we?" ”

"Well, what if I'm willing to work my way up the social ladder and my status?"

"Father, you mean knighthood? Cool, if we can be knighted, I believe that our family will definitely go further. ”

"How far will it be? 20 years, or 30 years? ”

"Father, you should add a zero to the number you said."

"Hahaha......"

When Isabel returned to her room, she noticed that Euphemia had reappeared in the room. She just smiled at her sister, took off her tight jacket and threw it at the foot of the bed, then threw herself on the bed with all her might, and then stretched out comfortably.

Euphemia walked up to her, looked at her with a ruddy little face, and said, "Isabel, did you come up with that idea a long time ago?" ”

Isabel got up sideways, patted the mattress and smiled, "Come up and lie down, just like you did just now." ”

Euphemia held back a smile and deliberately lay down beside her with a straight face and looked at the ceiling and said, "Why did you think of that Herbert guy?" Even though he was doing his duty to protect you, I never spoke to him. ”

"Effie, actually, I only know that he likes you, I don't know if other people like you."

"He likes me, but I don't like him."

"Do you like Howard with only one good leg?"

"Isabel, you can always find a reason to contradict me. So you say, what should I do next? Euphemia pouted, rolled over and stared at her.

"You don't have to do anything. All it takes is to give Herbert a gentle smile or a simple greeting when he comes to the house. Isabel said as she rolled over and sat up, taking off her knee-high riding boots on her feet.

"It's as simple as that?"

"Well, your smile or greeting is the greatest satisfaction for him. Trust me, he'll work hard to achieve his dreams. ”

"What dreams?"

"Make you like him, and finally marry him."

———————————

After 7 o'clock the next morning, Isabel rode to Nottingham Castle in the dark. As soon as he came to the main building, he saw all the retainers and servants walking out of the building with Henry, who was dressed in new clothes. After greeting each other, Henry smiled at the two and said, "Sir Augustine, Isabel, let's go to church and watch Mass." ”

About an hour later, as the others left the church in Nazareth, Isabel Walton stopped Beard Smith Sr. as he was leaving. When the two came to Henry, she said solemnly, "Your Highness, Mr. Smith's son says that there is a plague in the city of London. As of today, it has been more than a month. ”

Henry's face changed, and then he looked at Old Joymanon tightly and whispered, "Old Beard, is this true?" ”

Old Beard nodded, "Yes, Your Highness." ”

"Old Beard, did your son say how bad this plague is? How many people died? ”

"Your Highness, my son left the city of London just after the outbreak of the plague, so... He didn't know how many people died. ”

"Isabel, there is a terrible plague in the city of London. If you rush back to the city of London at this time... It's horrible. Henry spoke in trepidation as he approached his privy counsellor.

"Your Highness, don't worry, you should write a letter to the king as soon as possible, requesting an extension of the ride." Isabel thinks the longer the delay on the road, the safer Henry will be when he returns to the small town of Windsor.

"Under the pretext of the plague?" Henry said.