One-Year Lifespan Extension

Fiery red, with tiny sparks of light swirling inside.

He asked Grace Zhu to help Lena sit up, then carefully poured the liquid into her mouth.

Then, he watched Lena nervously.

Seeing him so anxious, Minister Zhuo and Grace Zhu grew even more tense, almost unable to breathe.

Soon, the dark, bluish tint on Lena's face gradually faded, her complexion returning to a healthy rosy glow.

In fact, Grace Zhu had never seen her look so healthy before.

After a while, Lena slowly opened her eyes.

Her big, watery eyes were clear and bright, without any trace of that strange blue-black color.

Minister Zhuo crouched in front of her, delight lighting up his face as he grabbed her hand. "Lena, you're awake?"

Lena smiled at him and nodded.

She really woke up.

And she looked unbelievably well.

Leon Zane let out a sigh of relief, glanced at Evan Xiao, and nodded.

This meant his medicine had worked perfectly.

"Imperial Advisor, Lena looks wonderful! What kind of medicine did you give her?" Minister Zhuo asked, barely containing his excitement.

"It's a secret recipe. I can't share it," Leon Zane replied.

"Oh... oh! Thank you so much, Imperial Advisor!" Minister Zhuo said. "Um, may I have a word with you in private?"

Leon Zane nodded and followed Minister Zhuo out.

Grace Zhu followed them out as well.

"Imperial Advisor, Lena looks amazing—just like a normal person!" Minister Zhuo said, his eyes shining. "You said before... you could only extend her life for a year, so..."

"Prime Minister, I know what you're going to say," Leon Zane said. "But I'm sorry, my medicine only works for a year. If the poison isn't cured by then, your wife... will have no hope."

Minister Zhuo's eyes dimmed, and he forced a bitter smile. "Seeing her so lively, I thought..."

Grace Zhu overheard their conversation and quietly turned away, feeling sad.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.

It was Evan Xiao.

"What's wrong?" Grace Zhu asked.

"I need Bianca Whitefan to do one last check. Can you find a way to get the old lady, Grace Wan, and the other women out of the room—just leave Bianca and Colin Gu inside?"

Right now, they're all crowded in the room, and Bianca Whitefan still can't tell if Lena is really herself.

Grace Zhu thought for a moment, then nodded.

She went back inside and said to the old lady and Grace Wan, "Grandmother, Aunt, could you come out for a moment? I have something to discuss with you."

The two women followed her out.

"What do you want to say?" the old lady asked.

Grace Zhu said, "Just now, I heard the Imperial Advisor tell my father that my mother... only has one year left to live."

The old lady frowned.

Grace Wan's lips curled slightly.

"I want to ask you, please, don't let my mother know about this," Grace Zhu said. "Let her believe she's cured, so she can spend her last days happy and without worry!"

The old lady sighed and nodded. "Alright."

Grace Wan added, "Of course. We can't tell her this, or she'll be terrified."

"Mm," Grace Zhu nodded.

......

After their conversation, Colin Gu and Lillian Lee walked out together.

Colin Gu said something to Lillian Lee, and she stopped where she was. Colin Gu walked straight over to Grace Zhu.

"Your Majesty," Grace Zhu greeted him.

"I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you," Colin Gu said.

Grace Zhu nodded and walked with him to the garden outside.