Chapter 1396

Xia De originally planned to go to the study to see Margaret before she officially appeared. But Miss Sylvia stopped him and told him to have some confidence in Margaret.

So, Xia De continued to chat on the sofa with the two Great Witches and Miss Lathers; during this time, Miss Sylvia was very curious whether Xia De's chest badge would directly burn his skin when four Great Witches appeared together.

And Xia De replied based on the content in Felianna's notes:

"The main function of this badge is just to detect whether there are witches around; for the witches of the Fifth Era, this is a supplementary means to enhance their own perception. Perhaps the existence of one witch around and the existence of three witches would lead to different heat, but when the number is more than three, there is no big difference."

In other words, even if Xia De wore this badge and entered the Council to watch the witches' meeting one day, his badge wouldn't turn into a flint.

The chat didn't last long; when Margaret's personal maid first appeared at the top of the golden staircase spiraling upward at the end of the banquet hall, the noise in the banquet hall gradually subsided.

The band stopped playing, and everyone who was sitting, including them, stood up.

The maid and the chamberlain cleared the way, and Margaret soon walked down from upstairs with Prince William. Xia De was very familiar with this Princess, so he could see slight annoyance from her expression. And her brother, the Prince of the Kingdom, had a look of self-satisfaction and even went downstairs one step ahead of Margaret.

There were three representatives of the Stonemason Association, but Xia De only knew President Pigman among them. Behind the representatives were lawyers in black formal suits. Margaret's lawyer was Marquis Berkeley in the entourage, and the Stonemason Association's lawyer was hired locally in Randall Valley.

Although no one summoned them, people walked towards the staircase spontaneously. The respected old noble with gray hair, the middle-aged noble with sharp eyes and hair groomed meticulously, the gorgeous noblewoman wearing high heels and jewelry, everyone looked up at the descendants of the Anjou family.

And the group of people walking down the stairs finally stopped at the corner platform of the banquet hall in front of the stairs, and the stairs continuing downward were located on the left and right sides of the platform.

"It is a great honor to invite everyone to attend this banquet today."

Margaret's voice was loud and calm, while Prince William stood beside her with a very formulaic smile. The local newspaper's camera had already begun to flash lights; Margaret looked at everyone below, but only stayed on Xia De for a moment:

"When the shipyard cuts the ribbon next week, there will be an even grander banquet to celebrate the expansion of the kingdom's naval forces; I hope everyone can be present by then, as for today..."

She looked at President Pigman of the Stonemason Association, who walked to the Princess's side knowingly, with a document tucked under his left arm:

"It is a great honor to accept the invitation of Princess Margaret and Prince William to attend this grand event."

"The slight contradictions between the royal family and the Randall Valley Stonemason Association, perhaps everyone has heard of them. It just so happens that while all the local nobles and celebrities are here today, I want to announce one thing."

She paused, and that sharp look made most people unable to look her in the eye. Xia De was not very familiar with Margaret in this state, but had to admit that she was still very beautiful even if she was so serious on such an occasion:

"The safety accident of the royal mausoleum caused by the storm more than ten years ago, after long negotiations and mutual understanding, has been officially reconciled today. The royal family will compensate for the overdue project funds, as well as the interest calculated by the bank and other losses caused by this, and the Stonemason Association will continue the unfinished project of that year and extend the contract with the royal family."

Prince William added with a smile on the side; compared to the serious Margaret, he seemed much more relaxed, which formed a sharp contrast with his sister:

"In addition, Margaret and I will fund the construction of a stonemason statue in St. Maria Square in the center of Randall Valley to commemorate this reconciliation. A stone tablet will be erected beside the statue to record the friendship between the royal family and the Randall Valley Stonemason Association, and the subsequent maintenance will be funded by the local city hall."

"This idea is very good."

Xia De said to Miss Bernice beside him in a low voice, and the latter added in a low voice:

"This is the inspiration obtained from the statue of the little princess in the Northern Kingdom you sent as a birthday gift."

That armless statue was photographed by reporters after the birthday banquet and then published in the Tobesk newspaper. Because of Xia De's relationship with Miss Galina, the gossip about the statue and the knight and the princess spread quickly to Carsemark, so even the nobles of Randall Valley knew about this.

After all, discussing the gossip about the neighboring princess and the Grand Duchess is also a way for nobles to show their status and improve their social style.

"At the same time, as a witness to friendship, today I will donate this contract to the Stonemason Association; may our friendship last forever."

Margaret took the share contract belonging to Mr. Johnson Fleming, the founder of the Stonemason Association, from the maid behind her.

She showed it to the people below and explained the content of this ancient contract. Except for Xia De and the witches, no one knew about this in advance, so it really aroused the surprise of the guests below.

"Finally, the royal family will also conduct further cooperation with the Randall Valley Stonemason Association."

Prince William said with a smile:

"We will work with the Stonemason Association to jointly develop a large-scale mineral deposit. As for what that mineral deposit refers to, please allow me to keep it secret for the time being, but in more than a month, everyone should be able to get the news."

Because there had been rumors of a gold mine in Randall Valley for the past few months, most of the guests who were discussing it guessed it was a gold mine. And the guests who were better informed, such as Earl Granger, knew that Prince William was cooperating with Stone Osenfort to develop a silver mine in the outer sea, so they guessed that the mineral deposit referred to a silver mine.

And Xia De said to Miss Sylvia who had just come to Randall Valley in a low voice:

"The silver mine in the outer sea is the devil's conspiracy; the Seksais Higher Medical College has even found out clearly. This is a gold mine; the legend of the local gold mine is true."

Miss Sylvia asked while applauding:

"I heard Vanessa mention your first trip to the Night Temple. But that vein, although it is near the Night Temple, hasn't it not been found yet?"

"But it probably exists, so it counts as a bargaining chip."

At this time, the applause had drowned out the banquet hall, and Margaret stretched out her gloved hand and shook hands with President Pigman of the Stonemason Association; the smoke from the magnesium flash lamp even made the banquet hall look foggy.

"Margaret decided to cooperate with the local church to find the gold mine after the Randall Valley business is over. At that time, the royal family, the local church, and the Stonemason Association will each hold a share."

Miss Bernice looked at Xia De with some worry:

"I know that gold mine was found by us, especially the cube in your hand played a decisive role; the gold mine should have belonged to you. So, Margaret will take out 15% of the shares, give you 8%, and give me 7%... She just said she wanted to apologize to you; this decision was also made yesterday, and she didn't have time to tell you."

"It doesn't matter, I don't invest, and I don't provide people; it's already very good to get 8% of the shares for nothing."

Xia De said, and Miss Sylvia continued:

"According to my understanding of Margaret, she will compensate you with other things."

As soon as she said this, Miss Lathers and Miss Bernice both looked over; Miss Sylvia thought for a moment, her face blushing slightly:

"What are you thinking; she herself also has some industries, and it's not difficult to get some fixed assets that can make money for Xia De. As for Vanessa, if a gold mine is really discovered by then, you will only have 7%."

"It doesn't matter, I didn't do anything; this money fell from the sky... Can it be paid directly in gold? I prefer gold."

The witch joked amidst the applause.

"However, speaking of which, besides Princess Margaret's own efforts and mediation, Xia De also played quite a role in these things."

The four people looked up together at Margaret who was signing the agreement, and Miss Lathers said softly:

"Statue, ancient documents, gold mine. All three things are related to Xia De, but for Xia De, they were just things that could be done, but also things that didn't have to be done. The three things gave this Princess different help, leading to the near-perfect ending of this matter."

"Optional tasks must be done."

The outlander muttered words only he could understand in his heart, looking at Margaret who was dressed up, under the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, the firm, spirited, and even slightly arrogant look in her eyes:

"She is truly beautiful."

Xia De praised softly; this voice was suppressed by people's loud conversation and applause.

"Not just beautiful."

Miss Sylvia heard the sigh:

"In court politics, tonight's matter has very significant meaning. Margaret, without the King making the decision, actively represented the royal family to resolve a major event related to the royal dignity. Since King 'Lion' Ryan didn't oppose it and provided support, this will have a different interpretation in the eyes of many people."

"My apprentice, it seems her ambition is indeed not small."

The blonde witch also said, looking up at the Princess in the high place, her tone carrying a bit of arrogance:

"But it's more interesting this way."

Miss Lathers laughed lightly:

"Vanessa, you finally found new fun?"

The three gorgeous ladies stood together, and the spotlight seemed to shine directly on them. Xia De held his wine glass and looked at Margaret beside them; tonight might be a very important day in the Princess's life, but for the witches, it might just be slightly different.