"I’ll ask you just once: do you want to, or not?" Colin Gu pressed, his tone growing heavier.
Anyone could see—the Emperor was not happy.
Minister Zhuo watched Grace nervously.
Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu’s brows knitted tightly.
Grace’s hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched into a fist. She answered slowly but clearly, "No."
Colin Gu stared at her, silent.
The council chamber was dead silent.
Some people were worried, some were scared.
But Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu and Minister Zhuo stayed calm, saying nothing.
For a long moment, just when Grace thought Colin Gu was about to lose his temper, he suddenly reached out, flicked her forehead lightly, and said, "Still got quite the attitude!"
Grace pressed her hand to her forehead, staring at Colin Gu in disbelief.
What the hell was that move supposed to mean?
Only couples who are super close would do that kind of thing, right?
Are we even that familiar with each other?
And he dares say I have a bad temper?
Does he think I'm just throwing a tantrum at him?
Seeing her pout, clearly annoyed, Colin Gu chuckled. "Enough! We'll talk about this later. I'm heading back."
Minister Zhuo finally let out a sigh of relief and hurried forward to see him off. "Your Majesty, allow me to escort you!"
The others all knelt to send him off as well.
Colin Gu glanced at Grace with a smile, then turned and walked away.
Grace stared at his departing figure, unable to describe what she was feeling.
A man who ordered the death of your whole family suddenly acts like he's interested in you...
Seriously, that's just insane!
...
After Colin Gu left, Minister Zhuo turned to Sam Yuan and his father, puzzled. "How did the verdict get overturned?"
Mr. Yuan hesitated for a moment, then whispered the truth in his ear.
Minister Zhuo looked at Sam Yuan in surprise, his expression full of sorrow.
The Zhu Family and the Yuan Family had been close for generations. He'd watched Sam grow up, and never imagined something so terrible would happen to him...
Sam Yuan shook his head sensibly and said, "Uncle Zhuo, I'm really fine."
Minister Zhuo patted Sam on the shoulder, made plans with Mr. Yuan to catch up another day, and sent the father and son on their way.
Grace thought this whole farce was finally over.
But as soon as the outsiders left, Second Granduncle brought up divorcing her mother again.
Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu happened to be present, so he went straight to her. "Sister-in-law, now that Grace Wan has two daughters in the palace—one of them is even the Empress! Shouldn't our Zhu Family elevate her status? Otherwise, people will talk. The Empress being a mere concubine’s daughter is a disgrace to the royal family, isn’t it?"
"Second Uncle, please don't bring this up again!" Minister Zhuo said sternly. "I've already said, even if it kills me, I won't divorce Lena!"
"But—"
"There's no need to keep arguing about this," Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu interrupted. "I've thought it over. Lena's been sick for years, and as the main wife, she hasn't fulfilled her duties. But if Minghan divorces his sick wife and makes a concubine his main wife, what will people think of him?"
Second Granduncle fell silent, looking embarrassed.
But he shot Grace a glare out of the corner of his eye.
It's all because of her!
Wasn't she supposed to be the adulteress?
How did the Emperor end up helping her clear her name?
Grace Wan must've promised him some huge benefits.
If he pulls this off today, the Zhu Family's lucrative spiritual herb business will be his to control.
Plus, his useless son Zhu Jingrong could finally join the military and land a cushy job...
...
"But," Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu continued, "Grace Wan is the Empress’s mother and has worked hard for years. It really does seem unfair for her to remain a concubine."