Eula's mood was incredibly complex at this moment. Although she had just decided to side with the Knights of Favonius, she had never considered what fate awaited the Lawrence Family if their rebellion failed.
A thousand years ago, Vennessa had shown leniency to the Lawrence Family, only punishing the ringleaders and expelling the remaining members from Mondstadt. She didn't even confiscate the Lawrence Family's foundation, allowing their descendants to retain their excellent family education and maintain their aristocratic airs for a thousand years.
Now, if the Lawrence Family truly rebelled against Mondstadt again, Eula couldn't think of any reason for the Knights of Favonius to show them leniency once more. Confiscation of property at best, extermination of the clan at worst—this was almost a foregone conclusion.
These were her own relatives and elders, and the principle of blood being thicker than water wasn't something Eula could completely shake off with a single decision.
Thinking of this, Eula's body began to tremble uncontrollably. She suddenly looked at Miyashiro, as if grasping at a lifeline.
Eula: "Regent... Regent, do you... do you have a way to resolve this?"
Miyashiro smiled and tapped his empty wine glass. Eula quickly picked up a nearby Dandelion Wine, poured a full glass for Miyashiro, and then, very conscientiously, blew a breath of icy wind onto the glass to chill the wine. She then carefully handed the wine to Miyashiro.
Miyashiro took the glass, took a big gulp, and said, "There is a way, but I wonder if Miss Eula has the courage to cut off her tail to survive?"
Eula: "Cut off my tail to survive? What do you mean?"
Miyashiro: "The method of clan extermination is naturally not advisable, and I don't wish for another person in this world to suffer such pain. However, for those old stubborn members of the Lawrence Family, my suggestion is to abandon them. The young children are the key to changing Mondstadters' perception of the Lawrence Family.
Think about it yourself: you received family education from a young age and were influenced by those old stubborn people. Those young children are like a blank slate, arbitrarily painted on by your family elders. When they grow up, it would be strange if their hearts were turned towards the Knights of Favonius.
An anomaly as rebellious as you, you're probably the first in the Lawrence Family in a thousand years, aren't you?"
Eula was rendered speechless by these words, unable to tell whether he was insulting or complimenting her.
However, thinking about the aristocratic education she received since childhood, it was indeed true. Although some children would ask why they should be hostile to the Knights of Favonius, in that environment, no one could answer the real reason. Those elders would only demand that the juniors remember their words without question.
Obeying the elders' commands, helping the family regain its glory, and harboring a burning desire for revenge against the Knights of Favonius—these were the duties of a Lawrence Family member.
This kind of family education could no longer be called education; it was brainwashing, and it was brainwashing from top to bottom throughout the entire family.
As the saying goes, 'if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked,' and this is the truth. The Lawrence Family was almost driven mad by their desire for revenge and to restore their family. In this situation, Eula, who adhered to her original ideals, seemed so out of place within the Lawrence Family.
It is said that when Eula joined the Knights of Favonius, it caused a great deal of controversy. Not only did the Lawrence Family protest vehemently, with many people blocking the Knights of Favonius headquarters to demand an explanation from Eula.
Even the residents of Mondstadt submitted a joint letter to the Knights of Favonius, strongly demanding that the Knights of Favonius revoke their decision to allow her to join. She simply couldn't please either side.
It was Grand Master Varka and Acting Grand Master Jean who remained resolute, overriding all objections and suppressing these two conflicting forces. But they only pushed them into the shadows; they did not disappear.
Eula: "So, what you mean by 'cutting off the tail to survive' is to abandon those old-fashioned individuals who are deeply rooted in revenge, and instead place hope in those innocent children?"
Miyashiro: "Exactly. Those children are all blank slates. If the old stubborn members of your family don't instill the idea of revenge in them, they will be no different from ordinary Mondstadt citizens.
As long as they receive a normal education, they can also become Knights of Favonius like you in the future, truly protecting Mondstadt.
Furthermore, without those old-fashioned individuals causing trouble and ruining the Lawrence Family's reputation, I think in about ten or twenty years, the Lawrence Family's bad name should be cleared.
So, what you need to do is very simple. I don't care what method you use, whether you ask Jean for help or fight alone. In short, when the Knights of Favonius settles accounts with the Lawrence Family, I hope you can take the children you favor and keep them away from this storm, do you understand?"
Eula fell silent, seemingly contemplating the feasibility of this matter. After a moment, Eula picked up a nearby wine glass, drank it all in one gulp, and then slammed the glass heavily onto the wine table.
"Good! I understand, Regent. Thank you for your guidance. Eula thanks you, sir. I have received too much information tonight and need to go back to sort out my thoughts and methods. I will take my leave now."
With that, Eula stood up and went to the counter to pay. As she reached the tavern door, Eula stopped, looked in Miyashiro's direction, hesitated repeatedly, and finally asked her last question.
Eula stared intently into Miyashiro's eyes: "Mr. Miyashiro, I have one last question for you. Two days ago in Wyrmrest Valley, in the snowy mountains, was that you?"
Eula's words immediately made Miyashiro recall the stunning scenery he had witnessed that day. A trace of abnormality appeared on his face, and his eyes flickered slightly.
Eula, who had been intently watching Miyashiro's expression, seemed to have gotten the answer she wanted. Before Miyashiro could reply, she said with a blush on her face: "Hmph! It really was you! I'll remember this grudge!"
After speaking, Eula quickly left the tavern with small, hurried steps, leaving only Miyashiro, who wanted to explain but couldn't.
Miyashiro annoyedly patted his head. How could he have shown a weakness? It seemed he was still too young. Now, this had turned into leverage in Eula's hands.
If Eula were to reveal this, although her own reputation would also be ruined, as a member of the Lawrence Family, her reputation in Mondstadt was already poor, so an extra blemish or one less blemish was an indifferent matter to her.
But he was different. If this were to leak out, he, as the Inazuma Regent, would be saddled with the infamy of peeping at a woman bathing, and that would ruin everything. Not to mention anything else, he wouldn't be able to explain it to Shenhe, and that sly fox Yae Miko would definitely mock him for a lifetime.
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