A Sudden Knock at the Door

Grace had a gut feeling: Gavin Gao probably wouldn't be delivering food anymore.

Unfortunately, her intuition was spot on.

Her predictions were just as accurate.

Seven or eight days later, someone really did call out to them at the entrance.

It was the voice of a eunuch.

All three hid inside the room and didn't go out.

Then the man muttered, "They must be dead by now! It's been so many days—how could anyone still be alive?"

After that, everything outside went quiet again.

Grace's cooking skills were top-notch. Even though every meal was basically the same few dishes, Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu and Lena still found them delicious, and every day they looked forward to the little eunuch bringing food.

Just like that, the three of them stayed behind closed doors, spending over twenty days inside the Sanctum.

......

This was a battle that hadn't happened in her previous life.

Grace had no idea how it would end.

Ever since her rebirth, everything at first followed the same path as her last life.

But as time went on, and as she influenced more people and events around her, history started to shift.

Gradually, there were fewer and fewer things she could predict...

Still, Grace was sure that Emperor Tuoba Hong would definitely win.

After all, the Tuoba Hong of today was really the Tuoba Hong from twenty years in the future.

So when Colin Gu suddenly returned and personally came to let them out, Grace was totally stunned.

At that moment, the three of them were eating together.

Just then, someone suddenly knocked on the door.

All three froze mid-bite.

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu asked, "I think I just heard someone knocking. Did I imagine it?"

"Knock, knock, knock!" The knocking came again.

Grace wiped her mouth, motioned for the other two to stay alert, and went to open the door.

She immediately saw Colin Gu standing at the door.

He looked full of energy, more striking than ever.

It took Grace a moment to find her voice. "Your Majesty? You're back?"

"I'm back. Are you all alright?"

"We're fine..." Grace swallowed nervously. "Your Majesty, how did things turn out?"

"When I left, the blessing you gave me—'Everything goes smoothly, all wishes come true'—actually came true." Colin Gu said with a smile. "You really are my lucky star!"

Grace was totally stunned: "..."

Wait... did Emperor Tuoba Hong actually lose?

No way!

Colin Gu peeked inside, stepped in, and bowed to Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu and Lena: "Grand-aunt, Mother-in-law, I'm sorry you had to go through this!"

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu smiled calmly, "It's good that Your Majesty is back! We've prayed for you day and night, and finally, you've returned victorious!"

Prayed for His Majesty day and night?

Grace suddenly realized Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu had quite the sense of humor.

"The Prime Minister is safe too," Colin Gu said. "You can rest easy now."

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu and Lena had a thousand questions, but all they could do was smile with relief and say, "Your Majesty, you are truly blessed. Thank you for your protection!"

"The barrier is open. Let's go." Colin Gu gestured for them to leave.

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu and Lena exchanged a glance with Grace, ready to head out.

But Colin Gu spotted the food on their table, paused, and asked, "What are you eating?"

Grace's stash was already gone; all that was left on the table were wild veggie buns and wild veggie fish soup.

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu replied, "Ever since Your Majesty left, Gavin Gao stopped bringing us food. A little eunuch snuck these in for us—they're just wild vegetables."

"What?" Colin Gu's expression changed, and he walked out of the cabin.

Sure enough, the barrier outside was gone and people could come and go freely. Quite a few had followed Colin Gu in.