Minister Zhuo looked at Grace Wan. "But anything more than that is impossible!"
All these years, I've borne children for you, managed this household, and poured my heart and soul into it—only to hear you say 'impossible'?
"Impossible." Minister Zhuo repeated firmly. "My wife can only be Lian'er, and will always be her! Even if she doesn't live another year, I will never marry another woman in this lifetime!"
Grace Wan's expression changed, her gaze turning icy cold.
"From today on, you will stay in Snowdrop Garden. Without my order, you are not to leave even a single step!" Minister Zhuo added.
Grace Wan said nothing.
"Of course, with your skills, leaving would be a piece of cake," Minister Zhuo said. "But if you defy my wishes, you will no longer be my concubine. Do as you please!"
With that, he turned and walked away.
The doors of Snowdrop Garden slammed shut behind him, leaving only Grace Wan inside.
Her gaze gradually twisted, becoming venomous and cruel.
......
General's Manor.
Grace had Evan Xiao invite Leon Zane and Bianca Whitefan over to discuss how to deal with Grace Wan.
"...In theory, as long as we lure Grace Wan into my formation, her protective talisman will be suppressed, and taking her out will be a breeze," Bianca said. "But in practice, it's not so easy!"
"Why not?"
"First, the formation relies on spiritual energy from the world itself, so it has to be set up somewhere with plenty of it."
Grace nodded.
"Second, the formation is built with rune stones and it's pretty big—there's no way to hide it," Bianca continued. "Why would she walk right into it?"
Grace frowned, saying nothing.
Evan Xiao said, "Actually, there is one place that's perfect for a formation."
"Where?" Grace asked.
"The Stone Forest behind Evermount," Evan Xiao replied. "It's not far from the Spirit Tree, the spiritual energy is strong, and there are lots of stone pillars and hills—perfect for setting up a formation."
"Yeah, that's a great spot!" Bianca's eyes lit up.
Grace nodded enthusiastically as well.
"Alright, I'll go scout the area and set up the formation. Once it's ready, Grace can lure her over."
"Got it!" Grace nodded, energized.
"So, Miss Lawrence, how are you going to lure her over?" Leon Zane asked from the side.
"Isn't it obvious?" Grace smirked. "Just kidnap Kevin Zhuo and leave a note for Grace Wan—she's bound to show up."
"Oh... So direct and simple. That's totally your style."
"Am I really that direct and simple?" Grace pointed at her own nose, feigning innocence.
"Well, you definitely don't come off as deep or elegant."
"Imperial Advisor, I think you've always misunderstood me and been a little biased."
"Not at all!" Leon Zane rolled his eyes.
"General, do you think I'm direct and simple?" Grace asked Evan Xiao.
Evan Xiao looked at her. "A little."
"How am I rough?"
"Want to know?"
"Tell me!"
Evan Xiao leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Back when you seduced me, you drugged me and stripped off your clothes. Wasn't that rough?"
Grace's face instantly turned red as she shot him a glance.
Yet Evan Xiao, from his expression to his gaze to his entire aura, was nothing but serious.
For some reason, seeing him like this, Grace suddenly thought of the antlered snake.
Whenever it did something naughty, it always looked just as calm, didn't it?
......
Behind the Blue Moon Palace stands a mountain.
No one remembers what the mountain was originally called, but ever since the Blue Moon Palace was built here, it's been known as Evermount.
Legend has it, the Spirit Tree is planted somewhere within a magical formation between Evermount and the palace's rear gardens.