What Is Her Motive

Grace smiled and said, "Prime Minister Quentin Shaw, dare to trust me one more time? If we discover a Souljade Mine during your term, that would be a huge achievement for you, wouldn't it?"

Prime Minister Quentin Shaw pondered for a moment and said, "Souljade Mines are incredibly valuable. Ninety percent of the yield must be offered as tribute."

The more precious the mineral deposit, the higher the tax rate.

"No problem!" Grace said. "When the time comes, can I pick out ten percent for myself?"

Prime Minister Quentin Shaw didn't think much of it and nodded.

The next day, he submitted Grace's application to the Emperor.

Naturally, Emperor Tuoba Hong wouldn't make things difficult for her. After asking for the details, he gave his approval with a stroke of his vermillion brush.

So, Grace recruited miners, bought equipment, and made all kinds of preparations, launching a grand mining operation in Eastwood Forest.

After the geomancer surveyed the land, the mining entrance was set right inside the Infernal Drake's cave.

But just as she was guarding the mine every day, dreaming of digging up piles of Souljade ore, Grace heard something unusual again.

The commotion came from Rona Zhu.

At that moment, Grace was guarding the mine with Little Cutie, directing the digging, when she overheard Rona Zhu talking to someone.

"Hey, Miss Rona, Winston Wu hasn't come for days. Do you know what's going on?" The speaker was a woman, her voice like a drake.

She was the famous Bigmouth Duck from Spirit Alliance Mountain.

She was a cook, and her food was delicious.

But her voice was deep, just like a drake.

Plus, she loved spreading gossip and could chat with anyone for hours, so everyone called her Bigmouth Duck.

"What else could it be? He's too embarrassed to show his face!" Rona Zhu replied.

"I heard that because of what happened last time, the Dowager Princess took it to the Emperor. The Emperor scolded Winston Wu and even took out his anger on Wu Liang, Winston Wu's son, removing him from his post as imperial guard and sending him to work in Yan City," Bigmouth Duck said.

"Heh! Is that so?" Rona Zhu chuckled. "Auntie, you sure know a lot."

Bigmouth Duck continued, "Tell me, how could that incident be such a coincidence? They were caught red-handed!"

"Do you really think it was just a coincidence?" Rona Zhu's voice was soft.

"If it wasn't a coincidence, then what was it?"

"Is there really such a thing as coincidence in this world?" Rona Zhu said. "Lily Xu and Winston Wu offended President Zhu—what good could come of that?"

"Oh... hahaha!" Bigmouth Duck laughed. "Our President may be a young lady, but she's got some serious tricks up her sleeve!"

...

When Grace heard this, her face immediately darkened.

Saying this to Bigmouth Duck was basically saying it to Duke Winston Wood.

Given Rona Zhu's usual cautious nature, she shouldn't make this kind of mistake.

If she did it on purpose, then what was she after?

To put it bluntly, without Grace, Rona Zhu would be nothing in Yan City.

How could she have gotten engaged to a noble family in Yan City?

Let alone established herself on Spirit Alliance Mountain.

So why would she stab her in the back?

Ever since that painting, Grace had started to suspect Rona Zhu.

That's why she gave her a Listening Bracelet.

These days, she hadn't made any moves, working diligently in the Spirit Alliance every day.

Grace gradually began to wonder if she was just being paranoid.

But now she was saying things like that to outsiders again.

Not long after she said it, something happened.

Mr. Wayne and Morgan Jay had already been brought to Yan City by Grace, where they opened a Spirit Artifact shop in the best location, still called: Lucky Star.