Chapter 106 Marshall Wants to Marry Cressida?
Patrick opened his eyes and glanced at her.
He put down the teapot. "What is it?"
His attitude was cold.
Ever since Yosef came to The Hamilton Mansion last time without asking to see Rose, Patrick had felt that Rose was unlucky.
She hadn't been able to keep Yosef's favor—otherwise, why would Yosef have left without even looking at her?
Rose pretended not to notice Patrick's cold stare.
She walked over with light steps. "Father, I'd like to go out tomorrow. Ms. Howard has invited me to go shopping."
Patrick said impatiently, "For this kind of thing, you should tell Mabel. Why are you telling me?"
Rose looked a bit troubled. "Mabel is busy preparing for your birthday banquet. I didn't dare disturb her."
"So you dare to disturb me? Am I not busy? I'm not some idle person!" Patrick suddenly yelled at her.
Rose flinched, her eyes darting away. "But Father, Ms. Howard has also invited Princess Bella. She wants me to come as a companion. I thought such an important matter should be reported to you first."
Patrick immediately sat up.
Russell Bella was Yosef's younger sister, Odette's daughter, and also Doyle's most beloved youngest daughter.
When Bella was eight years old, she dreamed that she went to a moon palace. After waking up, she told Doyle about it, and that very year, Doyle ordered the Ministry of Works to build a moon palace for her.
It was filled with moonstone, and its construction was so luxurious it was rare in the world—a testament to Doyle's love for her.
"Then you should definitely go."
"I don't have many decent clothes..."
Ever since Cressida took charge of the household, she had cut off almost all the money to Rose's quarters.
"Noah," Patrick called out, "go tell the accounting office to get some money for Rose to buy things."
Afraid that Rose would embarrass the Hamilton family in public, Patrick generously gave her ten thousand dollars to get what she needed.
As soon as Rose left the estate, someone informed Cressida.
Cressida had Verity follow her. By evening, Verity had returned.
"I saw Rose first go shopping at some stores, then circle around the streets twice before going to Bustle Lane."
Bustle Lane was crowded with people of all kinds.
Cressida asked coldly, "Who did she meet?"
Verity replied, "She stayed inside for less than thirty minutes before coming out. I staked out at Bustle Lane all afternoon and saw a woman open the door and come out to buy things on the street."
"Oh, and that woman had a mole on her mouth."
Emma immediately said, "It must be Octavia."
Ingrid frowned. "Rose isn't buying some forbidden medicine again, is she?"
Octavia sold all kinds of vicious drugs.
Cressida had a general understanding of this.
The usual medicines that wives gave their husbands' concubines—abortion drugs, sterilization drugs, and fragrance pills to compete for men's favor—Octavia had them all.
Verity asked, "Should I capture her for questioning?"
Cressida said no need. "Wait a bit longer. If Rose bought medicine from her, she'll definitely take some action. Wait for the right moment, then strike with certainty."
They couldn't let her off easily again. Next time they made a move, it had to be fatal.
The summer sun blazed like fire. In front of The Hamilton Mansion, carriages came in an endless stream, and guests filled the entrance.
The main gate stood wide open. Cressida, Reid, and Noah stood with smiles, welcoming distinguished guests from all quarters.
Inside the estate, colored silk and flower garlands wound around the corridor pillars. Crystal chandeliers and gilded candlesticks complemented each other brilliantly. Servants in matching uniforms moved among the guests, offering champagne and juice in an orderly manner.
The banquet was set up on the garden terrace, surrounded by hanging lace curtains. When the breeze blew, the curtains swayed gently, dispelling some of the summer heat.
Maids held delicate feather fans, gently fanning the noble guests. Iced lemonade and exquisite fresh fruit towers were continuously presented to help guests cool down.
Cressida and Jessica accompanied Mabel in receiving the female guests, arranging everything in perfect order.
During this time, Cressida took a moment to scan the courtyard with her peripheral vision.
Doyle and Sophie couldn't attend in person today, but both sent envoys with generous gifts.
Joseph had just arrived in person, with attendants behind him carrying several boxes of gifts.
The boxes contained Mediterranean coral and precious gemstones, drawing gasps of admiration from the crowd.
Although Miguel and Yosef didn't come in person, they also sent trusted aides with gifts—boxes carried into the estate one after another, filled with velvet fabrics and classical oil paintings, a dazzling array.
The estate was filled with guests, raising glasses and drinking, talking and laughing.
Patrick's face glowed red, and surrounded by the crowd, he couldn't stop smiling.
When in his life had he ever been so glorious?
Mabel took Cressida's hand and said in a low voice, "Your father is completely delighted. However, he told me in advance not to let Michael come out, and to have Ethan help receive the male guests."
Cressida sneered inwardly.
Patrick feared embarrassment most of all. How could he allow his son Michael, who had become a fool, to be seen by others?
Just then, the butler Noah, dressed in formal attire, announced loudly at the entrance—
"Prince Marshall has arrived, presenting a box of thousand-year medicinal lingzhi!"
The crowd erupted in astonishment.
Everyone knew that hundred-year medicinal lingzhi was already rare—what about thousand-year?
Cressida and her family went to welcome him respectfully. They saw the wooden box being carried in, opened to reveal thousand-year medicinal lingzhi stored separately in glass boxes, with complete caps and clear patterns—truly treasures.
Marshall was at the entrance chatting and laughing with Patrick.
Jessica muttered, "Why is Prince Marshall giving thousand-year medicinal lingzhi again? I heard that last time he gave the same thing to Mr. Gomez, his fiancée's father."
Peter happened to be standing right behind Jessica, very close to her.
Hearing Jessica's words, Peter gently pinched her earlobe.
"You dare say such things?" He made a shushing gesture.
Cressida turned to look at them. Peter, who had been about to tease Jessica, immediately withdrew his hand.
He was somewhat afraid of Cressida, always feeling she carried an aura of natural authority.
Marshall followed Patrick into the courtyard. Joseph had already stepped forward to exchange pleasantries with him.
At that moment, Marshall looked up and glanced toward Cressida.
His temperament was gentle and refined like jade. He wore royal formal attire with gold-trimmed edges, his chest embroidered with the family crest. As he approached with an elegant smile, he made people feel as if bathed in spring breeze.
"Ms. Hamilton," Marshall stopped in front of Cressida, "I also have a gift for you."
Cressida looked up. "For me?"
Marshall beckoned, and an attendant immediately presented a brocade box tied with velvet ribbon.
Inside were rows of neatly arranged tea bags.
Marshall's pampered hands had distinct knuckles and wore a signet ring set with sapphire.
He took out a tea bag and held it to Cressida's nose. "Smell it. Can you tell what it is?"
"This fragrance is highland smoked tea." This was a specialty tea from the border military fortress, with a rich flavor, perfect for staying alert.
Marshall smiled. "I heard that General Hamilton used to drink it most often, so I guessed you'd like it too."
Cressida quickly bowed in courtesy. "Thank you, Prince Marshall."
Patrick made an inviting gesture. "Prince Marshall, you've arrived at just the right time. The banquet can begin."
Everyone headed toward the seating area.
Peter said to Jessica in a low voice, "I think Prince Marshall has a particular fondness for Cressida."
"Stop talking nonsense!"
"Really, my mother said that Prince Marshall privately inquired whether Cressida was betrothed to anyone."
"How could that work? He's already engaged to Ms. Gomez. Wouldn't Cressida only be able to become his concubine? That would make her a mistress."
"What's wrong with being a concubine? That's Prince Marshall—even as a concubine, she'd be one of the future mistresses of the royal palace." Peter laughed.
Jessica shook her head. "Cressida is so wonderful, she'd be qualified to be the future queen."
Peter raised his eyebrows. "I didn't realize you had such high standards. Fortunately, my family is proper—my father has no concubines, so you can rest assured in the future."
Jessica's face suddenly turned red. She lightly hit him.
"You dare tease me again?"
Peter laughed and stepped back, accidentally bumping into someone.
"Sorry!" He quickly apologized.
Jessica looked over with him and saw it was Rita, Reid's daughter.
"Rita, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Rita looked up, quickly glanced at Peter, turned her shy face away, and hurried forward with Rose.
Cressida was originally going to sit at the female guests' table, but unexpectedly, Patrick sent Noah to invite her to sit at Marshall's table.
When Cressida arrived at the seating area, Marshall was saying, "Ms. Hamilton dared to train alongside General Hamilton at the military fortress—she's truly a heroine among women. It's my honor to share a table with her."
Hearing this, Patrick couldn't help but feel flattered.
"Prince Marshall, you praise my daughter too highly!"
He looked up, caught sight of Cressida, and immediately beckoned. "Cressida, come here and toast Prince Marshall."
The surrounding guests all stood up and tactfully gave Cressida the empty seat next to Marshall.
"Prince Marshall, please forgive me. I'm not good at drinking. I'd like to substitute tea for wine to thank you for taking the time to attend today." Cressida bowed respectfully, then drank the tea in her cup.
Joseph held his wine glass, glanced over with a look of disdain, then tilted his head back and drained his cup in one gulp.
Marshall also bowed in return, toasting her from a distance, then said, "I was inconsiderate. Come, Ms. Hamilton, please sit. I have many questions I'd like to ask you."
Before this, Cressida's understanding of Marshall wasn't deep. She only knew that he always wore a gentle smile and had a mild manner, but his methods were extremely ruthless, no less so than the other princes.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to maintain his position as heir to the throne so firmly even with Odette's power being so strong.
Now sitting beside Marshall, Cressida listened as he asked her many questions about governing the military fortress.
Issues such as defensive deployments, whether the army's grain supplies were sufficient, and the frequent shortage of medicinal materials the soldiers faced—whenever he mentioned these matters, he would furrow his brow, fall into deep thought, and seek solutions.
Clearly, he truly had great ambitions and desired to achieve real political accomplishments.
With her peripheral vision, Cressida noticed that several noble council members from Miguel's faction were also looking in this direction.
It was time for her to put some pressure on Miguel.
She cleared her throat and said, "Prince Marshall, there's one more matter I'd like to report to you."
Marshall looked slightly surprised. The light in his gentle eyes brightened a bit as he said, "Please speak."