Born into a powerful family with a long history of more than 400 years, and living a privileged, carefree life as a noblewoman of high class from an early age, Mary, the daughter of the Duke of Norfolk III, would certainly value the noble spirit above all else. For her, the aristocracy could fully meet the expenses of daily life by relying on the land income in the domain.

The Duchess's travelling procession travels at a leisurely pace on the less than 3-mile road from Nottingham Castle to Aske Manor. Looking around the vast tracts of farmland, farms, and pastures around the road, Mary's mood became particularly relaxed, "See, Isabel, if one day you become a duchess and have all this, do you think you will still love the commercial trade of the merchants?" ”

Isabel moved her ass to make herself more comfortable in the saddle, "Mary, if I did become a duchess, I would have to pay for a lot of expenses every day. ”

"Well, a lot of expenses? Do you mean two banquet meals a day, building a manor or what? ”

"It's not all. Well, there are probably family expenses, political expenses, economic expenses, cultural expenses, and show-off expenses. ”

"Will there be so much expense?" Mary's question seemed a bit idiotic. Of course, these family matters did not need her to care at all until she was appointed by Henry VIII to marry the Duke of Richmond. Even in the nearly four years since she married the duke, she has not had the slightest contact with substantial aristocratic life.

Isabel didn't laugh at her face, just smiled faintly, "Mary, now you're a Duchess." Therefore, you should always pay attention to these family financial matters. ”

Mary, who was on the left side of the road, sitting sideways on horseback but facing the other side completely, looked at the other person's face, "Uh, I... I can let the housekeeper do the work. ”

"Butler? Not bad, but the steward is only the executor of the lord's orders, and you are the wife of the lord who issued the orders. If you and the Duke have a daughter with the title of 'Madame', you have to plan for the dowry expenses of the daughter's future marriage, right? ”

"And because the Duke is a royal duke, if the king comes to the duke's territory for a few days, then the cost of receiving His Majesty the King must be left to the butler?"

Isabel gave only two very simple, realistic examples, and Mary was silent. His face became a little faintly sad, and he just spit out a sentence from his mouth: "Isabel, I... I never knew that the lord's wife had to make decisions on these matters. ”

"There are also expenses for the construction and maintenance of the family castle and estate, the purchase and collection of books and paintings, the maintenance of servants and guards and noble horses, the marching for the king, the serving of foreign envoys and the election of parliamentary seats, the pacification of the electorate, the holding of large banquets and balls, etc., all of which are for you, the Duchess of Richmond, to decide."

When the other party finished speaking, Mary's face became even more sad. Under the clear sky, the mood of the trip also became gloomy, "Isabel, it seems that I should really follow my decision. ”

Isabel gently tugged at the reins and looked sideways at her, "What a decision." ”

"Never get married."

"Of course, you can choose not to get married. However, now that you are married, you are also planning to give birth to a male heir for Your Highness. ”

"Isabel, so what should I do?"

"You want to know?" Isabel saw from afar the iron fenced gate of Asker Manor on the road leading to the manor, "You can continue to stay in the Duke of Norfolk's castle if you don't want to live a very bad life." ”

Then, calmly, he said, "You can also let the butler and the secretary do these things, and you only need to issue orders yourself." ”

Mary hurriedly raised her unsmiling face, "Well, your opinion is really good. But what if there is a natural disaster, war, or pestilence? No one will come to cultivate crops and raise livestock for me......? ”

"At a time when land income is very low, you need to engage in some commercial trading activities."

"Ah...... So am I going to deal with those low-level civilians? Bargain like a merchant, buy goods and sell them? ”

"Mary, you're saying a good job." Isabel nodded and smiled, "If you are very disgusted with this kind of life, you can maintain your duke life with Your Highness by increasing your land rent, giving Your Highness a high-ranking position, entering into a profitable marriage, and seeking the king's reward." ”

"Well, that's a very good idea. Let His Highness enter the court and be rewarded with land, gold and silver treasures, and concessions from His Majesty...... Isabel, how did you come up with these ideas? ”

"Your Highness's library is a collection of books, isn't it?"

The Duchess's face bloomed again with the bright smile of an adolescent girl, "Well, Isabel, I have no objection to you engaging in the activities of merchants. However, I hope that you will do your best to fulfill your duties as Privy Counsellor. In this way, His Highness can enter the court and become a minister favored by His Majesty. ”

Isabel deliberately frowned and glanced at her, "Your Highness, at my suggestion, has become the chairman of the committee that governs the five northern counties, do you think Your Highness is still a long way from entering the court?" ”

"Giggle...... That's a great point. Mary turned her head to look at the towering, large, iron-barred gate that highlighted the majesty of the county magistrate and the power of the magistrate, "Isabel, that's the gate of your father's estate, right?" ”

Thanks to Isabel's prior notice, everyone at Sir Augustine's estate dressed up and waited for the Duchess's arrival. When the team reached a large clearing in front of Sir Manor's house, Isabel jumped off her horse first. Then he helped the Duchess Mary to jump off the horse.

Sir and Lady Sir Knight, John the eldest son of Baron Latimer who lived at home, the butler and the servants stood in front of the door of the house smiling and staring at Mary. By this time, Mary's two maids had already come to her side and arranged her dress. Later, Mary, accompanied by Isabel, went to the crowd, looked at Madame Sir's face, and whispered to her, "I know that this is your mother." ”

Antonia Walton, dressed in a knight's lady-class dress, greeted Mary with a gentle salute. Mary smiled and nodded in return, then looked at Isabel and then at Madame Sir, "Lady Walton, may God always have mercy on your family." ”

Antonia was stunned for a moment, then replied with a smile: "May God always protect you, Duchess." ”