She Took Charge Anyway

Sierra quickly arrived at Jade Hall.

Seeing her arrive, Grace finally relaxed.

Here, under her mother's protection, Grace Wan's reach could not harm her.

Actually, at first, Grace hadn't planned to report Sierra's pregnancy to the Empress Dowager.

She just needed Sierra to raise a fuss so her father would find out, and he'd naturally give Sierra a proper status.

Her father would never do something so cruel as to bully a young girl.

But who told Grace Wan to set her sights on Grace's big brother?

So, don't blame Grace for what happens next!

Sierra had only been there about two hours when Aunt Crystal came to whisper to Grace, "Miss Grace, Steward Jeff Jia is here."

Grace nodded and called Steward Jeff Jia inside.

Steward Jia entered and, seeing only Grace and not Lena, lowered his gaze and said, "Miss Grace, I'm here to find Sierra. I heard Madam called her in for a talk. I've waited a long time for her to return, so I came to ask about her."

"What do you need her for?" Grace asked.

Steward Jia replied, "Mrs. Wan has arranged a marriage for Sierra. I'm here to take her out of the residence."

"Out of the residence?" Grace raised an eyebrow. "Do you know she's pregnant?"

"I didn't know," Steward Jia said, lowering his eyes. "I'm just following Mrs. Wan's orders to take her out."

"Then go back and tell Aunt Wan that Sierra is pregnant and can't be married off right now. My mother has already agreed to let her stay here for now. We'll wait for my father to return before making any arrangements," Grace said calmly.

Steward Jia was Mrs. Wan's trusted aide, always proud of being favored by her. Naturally, he wouldn't give up so easily.

He looked up at Grace, his tone forceful: "Miss Grace, isn't this a bit much? Sierra is Miss Cynthia's maid. How can Madam just decide to keep her?"

"So what you're saying is, because Sierra is Cynthia's maid, Aunt Wan can do whatever she wants, but my mother has no right to intervene?"

"That's not what I mean," Steward Jia said with a fake smile. "I just mean that Madam isn't well. Maybe she shouldn't worry about such trivial matters!"

"Well, she's meddling anyway!" Grace said coolly. "So, Steward Jia, what are you going to do about it?"

Steward Jia's face darkened even more. "Then, may I ask the Madam herself if this is truly her decision? That way, I can give Mrs. Wan a proper answer."

Grace looked down at her own hands and said slowly, "My mother is asleep. If you really want to ask her, you'll just have to wait."

With that, she walked away.

Aunt Crystal left too.

Steward Jia was left standing there, unable to advance or retreat, so he had no choice but to report everything truthfully to Grace Wan.

Grace figured Grace Wan would show up herself.

If she came in person, her mother wouldn't be able to avoid her.

So Grace took Sierra to see her mother and explained what happened at the palace today, how Sierra was found to be pregnant.

"...Sierra heard from Aunt Wan that she's already married and panicked, so she came to me for help, saying she's pregnant with Kevin Zhuo's child," Grace said. "But Aunt Wan wants to marry her off to the sixty-year-old cripple who guards the back gate, so I had to bring her to ask Mom what to do."

As she spoke, Grace gave Sierra a meaningful look.

Sierra dropped to her knees in front of Lena, crying as she confessed she was pregnant with Kevin Zhuo's child and begged Lena to help her.

Lena, ever kind-hearted, told her not to cry and promised that when Prime Minister Zhu returned, he would surely make things right for her.