United as Husband and Wife, Never to Part

"That's right!" At that moment, Grace Wan's trusted maid Lucy chimed in, "Today, Miss Grace even helped Mrs. Wan win the position of Co-Head Wife! Miss Grace grew up by Mrs. Wan's side—she's even closer than a real daughter!"

Of course, here it comes.

Grace Wan came over with her usual fake sympathy—apologizing, thanking, but really just here to deliver this news to her mother and deal a blow.

Her mother was stunned, and asked, "Co-Head Wife?"

"Lucy! Who told you to speak out of turn!" Grace Wan's face changed instantly, scolding her.

Lucy hurriedly knelt down and said, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Wan! I shouldn't have spoken out of turn!"

She's already calling her 'Mrs. Wan'...

Mrs. Wan didn’t correct her. Instead, she commanded with full authority, "Go back and take twenty strokes, and forfeit three months’ pay!"

"Yes." Lucy pretended to be scared, but her eyes were full of smug, malicious delight.

"Is it really necessary to punish a maid so harshly?" Lena spoke up. "Forget it! Am I really so fragile that I can't handle hearing such things?"

"That's not what I meant," Grace Wan said, looking troubled. "Actually, I wasn't even there today. I heard that during the family council, one of the elders brought it up. The Prime Minister was dead set against it, but Azure Phoenix persuaded him, so he agreed."

Lena glanced at Azure Phoenix, her gaze dimming.

She and Prime Minister Zhu had once sworn before the Phoenix Goddess: to be husband and wife, never to part until old age.

Now... it was all because her body had failed her...

A glint of satisfaction flashed in Grace Wan’s eyes, but she quickly put on a guilty face and said, "Madam, are you blaming me? If I had been there, I never would have agreed!"

Lena took a deep breath, shook her head, and gave her a comforting smile. "Honestly, I’ve thought about giving you the Co-Head Wife position for a long time. It’s just... back then, the Prime Minister and I swore before the Phoenix Goddess that we’d only ever be husband and wife. I couldn’t break that vow, or risk the Phoenix Goddess’s wrath! I’ve always felt I owed you, so maybe this is for the best."

They made a vow in the temple?

Only ever be husband and wife?

The guilt on Grace Wan’s face twisted slightly, but she forced herself to say, "Madam, you really don’t blame me?"

"By age, you’re older than me. By time in the family, you entered the Zhu household before I did. And as for merit, I can’t even compare to you." Lena shook her head and said, "How could I blame you? Honestly, I just feel relieved."

Grace Wan's expression started to crack.

She thought Lena would be so upset by the news, she'd cough up blood.

If that happened, not only would Lena be crushed, but the Prime Minister would double down on blaming Azure Phoenix.

But... she looks perfectly fine?

That look of genuine relief was so real.

From what she knew of Lena, she never hid her feelings. That sense of relief was truly from the heart...

Not even this could shake her?

She’s a total monster!

Seeing her pale face, Lena reached out and held her hand, saying, "Grace, you don't need to feel burdened. You've been part of the Zhu family for over twenty years, raising children and managing the household—this is what you deserve."

Grace Wan: "..."

Then Lena patted Azure Phoenix’s hand and said, "Azure Phoenix, you really are getting more and more sensible!"

Azure Phoenix: "..."