All Precautions Failed Against the Prime Minister

"So, are you saying you've planted your own spies in the Snowdrop Garden?" Lucy asked sharply. "Madam, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"I haven't planted any spies in the Snowdrop Garden," Lena replied.

"Then, Madam, are you saying you could tell this dress had been washed before?" Lucy pressed on. "If that's the case, I'm afraid it's not very convincing."

Lena stood up, walked over to the Old Madam, took the dress, and asked Lucy, "Lucy, do you know what fabric this dress is made of?"

Lucy narrowed her eyes, staring at the dress. "It's... cotton and silk, right?"

"This dress is made from golden peacock feathers mixed with cotton thread," Lena explained. "The colors are vibrant, it's light yet warm. Even after many washes, it won't lose its shape or fade. The Prime Minister only received two bolts of this fabric—one for the Old Madam and one for me."

"So what?" Lucy asked, her face darkening. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"The Prime Minister recognizes this fabric," Lena said. "He saw this dress drying in the back garden of Snowdrop Garden and even asked me about it when he returned."

At that time, Prime Minister Zhu had said, "That golden peacock feather fabric is extremely precious! It was so hard for me to get it, and I only received two bolts. One went to Mother, and one to you—why did you use it to make a dress for Xue Zhen?"

Lena had laughed and asked, "How did you know?"

"It was drying right there in the back garden of Snowdrop Garden!" Prime Minister Zhu said. "She invited me for lunch to discuss the birthday banquet, and that's when I saw it."

"The color was too bright for my taste, but it suits her better," Lena said with a smile.

"You! Always thinking of others..." Prime Minister Zhu said fondly, pulling her into his arms.

...

Grace Wan's face instantly turned pale when she heard this.

She had insisted there was no way Lena could have spies in Snowdrop Garden!

She guarded against everything... but didn't expect the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister was always busy and never bothered with household trivialities.

Who would've thought he'd notice a dress?

"So," Lena continued, "if there really is Beastcatcher Scent on this dress, someone must have tried to harm you. Lady Blue Moon, you should thoroughly investigate the servants in Snowdrop Garden!"

Grace Wan took a deep breath, barely daring to look toward Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu. She said, "Maybe Lucy just remembered wrong. Mother, I'll go investigate and report back to you!"

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu looked at Grace Wan for a long moment without saying a word.

Grace Wan was so nervous, she broke out in a cold sweat.

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu was sharp-eyed and meticulous—definitely not someone to fool.

But in the end, she only said, "Go investigate thoroughly! You're the one managing the household now. No need to report back to me—just make sure you get to the bottom of it yourself!"

Grace Wan felt a wave of relief.

With Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu's shrewdness, she must have already guessed something.

But ultimately, the Dowager Lady was still on her side.

"Xue Ying, help your lady back to her room," the Dowager Lady said. "It's getting colder. No need to come greet me every day—just take care of yourself."

"Yes! Thank you, Dowager Lady!" Xue Ying replied, gratefully bowing to Lena before helping Grace Wan up.

"Mother, I'll take my leave now!" Lena said, leaving with Azure Phoenix and Aunt Crystal.

Back at Jade Hall, Azure Phoenix excitedly asked, "Mother! Did you see that? She's already made her move! This time it was Aunt Crystal—next time, who knows, it could be me or Big Brother!"