The oil-paper packet containing the talisman was buried at the order of Lady Blue Moon—he had no idea what was inside.
After confessing, he fainted dead away.
As for what he said after waking up—no one bothered to listen.
Serenity Pavilion.
Bianca Whitefan, who had stayed behind at Serenity Pavilion to care for Grace Zhu, finished her spellwork and nodded to Grace Zhu, her face pale.
"Bianca, thank you," Grace Zhu said, gripping her hand. "If you hadn't been here, I really couldn't have handled Grace Wan."
Bianca shook her head. "I'm just glad I could help you and the General."
"Take this pill," Grace said, handing her a spirit-restoring pill. "Rest up."
......
Miles's confession was, of course, a lie.
Those were words spoken under Bianca Whitefan's Control Talisman.
Such control consumes an enormous amount of spiritual power.
Seeing her pale and exhausted, Grace Zhu was deeply moved.
Bianca Whitefan had helped her so wholeheartedly—if Grace Zhu ever got the chance, she’d definitely repay her kindness...
...
Serenity Pavilion.
Minister Zhuo stared darkly at Grace Wan. After a long pause, he said, "Speak."
"What does Minister want me to say?" Grace Wan actually already knew what Supervisor Miles had confessed, and she was full of grievances.
"Why did you use a curse to harm Lena and Grace Zhu?"
"I did not!"
"Supervisor Miles has already confessed."
"That’s Grace Zhu framing me!"
Smack! Minister Zhuo slapped Grace Wan hard across the face. "We have witnesses and evidence—are you still going to deny it?"
Grace Wan clutched her cheek and slowly raised her eyes to Minister Zhuo. "Minister, you actually hit me?"
Minister Zhuo glared at her, furious. "So what if I hit you? Grace Wan, what more do you want? You’re a concubine—haven’t you gotten enough? How could you be so ruthless, even wanting to kill them both?"
"You think I’ve gotten enough?" Grace Wan sneered. "Tell me, what exactly have I gotten? What have I really gained?"
"First-rank Lady of Blue Moon! Birth mother of the Empress! The future heir of the Zhu Family is your son! What do you mean, what have you gained? What more do you want?"
"Those were all supposed to be mine!" Grace Wan shouted, her face twisted. "The position of Lady, and you! They were all mine, but that wretched Lena stole them from me! Why? Why is she the wife and I’m the concubine when we’re both of humble birth? I was the one who came first!"
Minister Zhuo’s eyes turned cold. "So this is what you’ve always thought?"
"That’s exactly what I think!"
Minister Zhuo was livid. He stared at her for a long moment, then turned and left.
"Minister!" Grace Wan grabbed his arm.
Minister Zhuo stopped in his tracks.
"Everything I just said was out of anger," Grace Wan’s voice softened, trembling slightly. "You understand, don’t you? You know what I really want..."
Minister Zhuo frowned a little and looked back at her.
"Just one day! Even just one day!" Grace Wan gazed at him through tears. "If you could treat me like you treat her, I could die happy!"
Minister Zhuo pulled his hand away. "When your family sent a matchmaker, I was against taking a concubine. Later, things happened... I believe those weren’t accidents. You planned them, didn’t you?"
Grace Wan’s eyes flickered, but she said nothing.
"I had no choice but to let you in. All these years, I believe I haven’t wronged you or the children. My conscience is clear."