Taking Her to See the Plum Blossoms

She picked up the Soulveil Bamboo and dipped it into the wine. Gradually, a patch of yellow appeared on its surface.

It's an aphrodisiac.

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu asked sternly, "After triggering the mechanism, who drank this wine?"

"Big Brother drank it, Second Brother drank it himself, and... Princess Xinyao."

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu swept her sharp gaze across the banquet hall and called out, "Aunt Autumn."

Aunt Autumn replied, "Dowager Lady."

"Take the maid who served the wine and question her. Be careful not to alarm anyone."

"Yes." Aunt Autumn answered solemnly.

"By any means necessary, make her talk," Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu added.

Aunt Autumn's expression tightened. "Understood."

"Grace, go find the princess," Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu said. "Make sure you protect her well."

"Alright." Qingluan left.

Grace had no idea where Grace Wan had taken the princess to rest.

Luckily, at that moment, the Antler Serpent arrived, tugged at her skirt, and led her away.

It led her to Guanyuan.

That used to be where Wendy Zhu lived.

Ever since Wendy Zhu entered the palace, the place had been vacant.

Wendy's Garden isn't considered a good spot in the Zhu Estate.

It's small, and the furnishings inside aren't great either.

Because her daughter was placed in such a shabby spot, every time someone visited, they praised Grace Wan for being virtuous and Wendy Zhu for being sensible.

...

Just as they were about to reach the front gate of Guanyuan, the little cutie suddenly veered off and ran behind a cluster of bamboo.

Grace followed, puzzled, and was about to ask when she saw Jason Zhuo supporting Kevin Zhuo as they walked over.

As they walked, Kevin Zhuo, sounding tipsy, said, "Big Brother, take me to Wendy's Garden! I want to go to Wendy's Garden! The princess is here today, and my mother won't let Sierra go out to see anyone. She's staying in Wendy's Garden. I have to go check on her."

"Alright, let's go!" Jason Zhuo helped him along.

Qingluan raised an eyebrow. Wan Xuezhen really was a master schemer—every move calculated, every step connected.

First, she pretended to have Kevin Zhuo offer the wine.

Then she had him fake being drunk and asked Jason Zhuo to take him to Wendy's Garden.

Once the drug took effect on Jason Zhuo, everything would fall into place.

Right, the drug Kevin Zhuo took should be kicking in soon, too.

Grace picked up the Antler Serpent, avoided them, and nimbly climbed over the wall.

Guided by the Antler Serpent, she found the room where the princess was resting.

Grace called her out, saying she would take her to see the plum blossoms, and the two left through the back door.

...

With the current weather, every room had the floor heater burning.

Once inside, people didn't wear shoes.

Shoes were all arranged on the wooden rack outside.

Jason Zhuo helped the increasingly dazed Kevin Zhuo to Wendy's Garden and saw a pair of women's shoes at the door of one room. He assumed they belonged to Aunt Sierra, so he helped Kevin Zhuo over and said, "Go on in!"

Kevin Zhuo, already tipsy, felt the wine speeding up the drug's effects, driving him by instinct.

He smelled a woman's fragrance in the room and couldn't wait to open the door and go in.

As for Jason Zhuo, he couldn't be bothered anymore.

Naturally, Jason Zhuo wasn't about to enter Aunt Sierra's room. Seeing his brother go in, he left.

...

Not far from the back door of Wendy's Garden, there was a Red Plum Garden, all in full bloom.

The two arrived at the Red Plum Garden, admired the blossoms for a while, and then Princess Xinyao said, "Grace, actually, I came today... because I wanted to ask him myself. Can you help me again and bring him here?"