Chapter 1322

"There is someone disloyal here."

Xia De said simply, then asked the surprised President Pigeman sitting there:

"If I am not mistaken, was the negotiation between Her Highness and you just now not very smooth?"

Xia De did not intend to let him answer either:

"I just received news that this Mr. Jiles has connections with Delarion's official intelligence agency."

"What? What connection do I have with the Intelligence Agency?"

The somewhat chubby middle-aged man widened his eyes in surprise.

"Being pointed at by a gun from an Intelligence Agency ace agent."

Xia De thought to himself, while his mouth said:

"I didn't say the Intelligence Agency."

Mr. Jiles widened his eyes again, and Xia De continued:

"Clear evidence shows that someone promised Mr. Jiles a condition he could not refuse, making him sabotage the negotiation between Her Highness and the Society."

Margaret put on a serious expression, and President Pigeman was even more surprised:

"Jiles, is what this gentleman said true? I was just wondering why your performance today was so strange. If you have been wronged, explain it clearly now."

"I, I..."

The man wearing the monocle was already sweating on his forehead at this time.

"You took benefits from the Intelligence Agency; those Delarion people don't want Her Highness Margaret to resolve the historical legacy issues of the royal family."

Xia De's muzzle was already pressed against his head:

"Since you are working so hard, you must have already received a portion of the benefits; it is not difficult to find these out."

"Don't, I... I am not a person from the Intelligence Agency! I didn't take benefits from the Northerners!"

The fat man defended himself nervously.

"Then who did you make a deal with?"

Xia De continued to press, but Mr. Jiles closed his mouth immediately after opening it.

He had already completely offended Princess Margaret now; if he said the name and offended Prince William as well, then he would truly be unable to continue living in Kaisenrike.

President Pigeman had already stood up with anger at this time; he was not unable to see the situation:

"Jiles, did you really take benefits from others? You... who made you do this? Can't you see how many craftsmen affected by the accident more than ten years ago could benefit from a reconciliation with the royal family?"

Mr. Jiles looked at him with a desperate expression and took a step back:

"I... indeed someone gave me benefits, I don't know who that is... yes, I don't know."

"Your Highness, let someone take him away first. I suspect this is espionage activity by a foreign group targeting this country."

Xia De said with a straight face, so Margaret nodded:

"In the name of investigation, please invite Mr. Jiles to have a cup of tea; do not make things difficult for him."

Afterwards, she said to Mr. Pigeman:

"I will show my sincerity in wanting to reconcile with the Stonemason Society. I can guarantee that as long as Mr. Jiles is not a person from the Intelligence Agency, he will be able to return to work tomorrow morning."

The fat man shivered, likely imagining what he would encounter during this time before tomorrow morning. But everything was out of his control; the female guard at the door went downstairs to find people, and soon someone took Mr. Jiles away.

Although he could have completely exposed the matters here by shouting at this time, and perhaps even used this to escape, this shrewd and greedy fellow at least had basic sanity. Of course, it might be because Xia De's muzzle had been pressed against his waist the whole time while sending him downstairs.

The matter of Mr. Jiles being taken away did not interrupt the continued conversation between Margaret and President Pigeman. It was just that the Stonemason Society was in the wrong after all, so in the subsequent conversation, Margaret held a slight upper hand.

She presented the share document from when the Stonemason Society was first established, which Xia De had found in the Society's secret room and which was held by Mr. Guardian Fleming. But just as Xia De had expected, the current Society did not recognize this document; after Mr. Fleming's accidental disappearance back then, his equity had already been inherited and distributed relatively properly.

But even so, at least in legal terms, this document still had legitimacy. Margaret used this point as a breakthrough, hoping to conduct more cooperation and exchanges with the Society.

Of course, she did not forget to express her idea of trying to repair the relationship between the Society and the Anjou royal family, and to make up for the impact of that accident more than ten years ago. And President Pigeman, who had already anticipated this matter, was silent for a moment:

"If it can be done, that would of course be better. But Your Highness, you know what our requirements are: an apology and compensation, nothing more. Time has let hatred ferment like fine wine; more than ten years ago, I was just an ordinary clerk in the Society... I am very happy that someone who wants to resolve this matter has finally appeared in the Anjou royal family. I can provide you with help, but you should understand that the one who decides this matter is not just you, but also your father."

After all, at this time, Margaret did not have the qualifications to represent the royal family in apologizing.

The Princess was also deep in thought:

"I understand what you mean, but I also want to express my apologies. Mr. Pigeman, you can selectively disclose this meeting between me and you to some high-level members of the Society within the next week. This friendly conversation between the two of us can only be considered the first step toward reconciliation; I hope you can also cooperate as much as possible."

"Yes, I understand."

This middle-aged President stood up and bowed slightly:

"The conflict between us and the Anjou royal family is actually a conflict with your ancestors. I am not qualified to represent others in accepting your kindness, but at least from my personal perspective, you are indeed a qualified princess."

Margaret revealed a smile:

"Then today's meeting ends here. I will take this document away; on the day we formally reconcile, this will become a gift presented to you. I will communicate with my father; although this is not easy, at least it can be attempted. As for the Society..."

"Not everyone is willing to let hatred continue forever. If the Anjou royal family is truly willing to compensate and apologize, we will not insist otherwise."

The President said. Margaret nodded and turned her head slightly to look at Xia De, obviously wanting to ask if Xia De had anything to say.

Xia De thought for a moment:

"President Pigeman, you probably understand that many people will not want to see the reconciliation between the royal family and the Stonemason Society. Among them, there are not only foreign hostile forces, but also... so, before this matter is truly achieved, please do not spread the word. If you feel someone is very strange, please also notify Her Highness as soon as possible for investigation."

"I understand."

So Margaret reached out her hand to Xia De and stood up with her hand resting on Xia De's. President Pigeman wanted to see the group downstairs, but was refused by Xia De:

"Her Highness's trip this time is completely secret; please do not attract attention."

President Pigeman nodded immediately, only watching the group leave from the office door, but he was very curious about what Xia De's identity was.

"Smoother than expected."

On the stairs going down, the two female guards walked in front, and the maid followed behind. Xia De said softly to Margaret, and the girl with light golden long hair said with a smile:

"Before this, the royal family had never thought about communicating with the Stonemason Society; I am the first princess to come here directly to talk with the President. Although the Society has conflicts with the royal family, no one can deny the power and strength of our family. Pigeman respects my status as a princess, and coupled with the fact that you found the problem with Jiles, he naturally has to express his respect, not to mention..."

Margaret looked back at the high place:

"President Pigeman also knows very well that maintaining a hostile relationship with the royal family for a long time actually affects the Stonemason Society more. Since more than ten years ago, they have not received any business in the Weillandale area. In some respects, this is also one of the reasons for the decline of the Randall Valley Stonemason Society."

Xia De did not comment on this, holding Margaret's hand as they passed the stair corner between the second and third floors:

"Then how are you going to convince your father to agree to express an apology?"

"Expressing an apology also depends on different situations—who says it, how it is said, whether it is public or private; these are all very particular."

She looked at Xia De:

"Lei Qianya Cavendish said that you have a very good political sense of smell, so guess what I will do?"

"A public apology from the royal family is impossible. Therefore, what you want to facilitate is a private apology from the royal family, and it is best not to leave any paper documents. But even so, it requires the Society's agreement, as well as your father's agreement. The Society's agreement is relatively simple, as long as you offer them conditions they cannot refuse. But your father, His Majesty the Lion 'Ryan', his agreement, I'm afraid..."

The group walked past the second floor and continued toward the first floor:

"You are going to use your own merits to exchange for his agreement? As long as it is a private apology without leaving documents, I suppose your father will not refuse; just dispatching his private secretary or chamberlain to handle it locally will suffice."

"Yes, I will communicate with the Stonemason Society during this time. After the shipyard opening is over, I will talk to my father."

Margaret praised softly:

"You really do understand me."

"In other words, resolving this matter in early spring this year... it really is that all things are concentrated in early spring..."

Xia De was thoughtful.

"What did you say?"

Margaret asked.

"Nothing, nothing."

Xia De shook his head immediately, and just at this moment, an old gentleman leaning on a cane happened to be walking up the stairs from downstairs. The Stonemason Society's stairs were not very narrow, so the group going downstairs just dodged to the side slightly, and that somewhat thin old gentleman was able to pass.

The old man was wearing a relatively fashionable plaid coat, leaning on a cane with one hand and pressing his hat with the other, nodding to the group to express his gratitude. However, just as he brushed past Xia De, the old man's movements suddenly paused, and then he fell forward onto the stairs.