Summoning of Rune Power

Grace Wan nodded. "But how did she find out? I just can't figure it out..."

"This Grace has suddenly gotten so freaky!" Leon Wan said angrily. "We should've wiped out her and her mother back then!"

Grace Wan frowned. "Wasn't it because, if we killed them, that old geezer would definitely marry Minister Zhuo to some highborn lady? Letting that bitch keep her spot as Minister Zhuo's wife was best for us!"

"True, but it's pointless talking about it now! We have to find a way to get rid of Grace!" Leon Wan said.

"Easier said than done. She's a Fifth-Rank Elementalist now, and her cultivation is skyrocketing." Grace Wan frowned. "The Celestial Five-Element Root... That's way out of our league."

"What about that side? Should we... send word? If he comes, crushing Grace would be easier than squashing an ant!" Leon Wan's face twisted with malice.

"Let's wait and see." Grace Wan said. "Unless it's absolutely necessary, we can't let him come..."

...

That afternoon, an imperial decree summoned Grace to the palace.

After entering the palace, she was taken to the Golden Splendor Hall, where Colin Gu usually handled state affairs.

Wendy Zhu and Grace Wan were both there.

Wendy Zhu looked annoyed, while Grace Wan sat beside her with red eyes.

Minister Zhuo was also present, his brows furrowed and his face tense.

For some reason, even Evan Xiao was there.

"Grace!" Empress Wendy Zhu, no longer acting like a loving sister, called her full name angrily as soon as she saw her. "Why did you try to kill my mother?"

"Your Majesty, I did not try to kill Grace Wan," Grace replied calmly.

"Don't try to deny it! I believe my mother! Why would she joke about something like this?" Wendy Zhu really was Grace Wan's daughter. "If you confess, we'll talk things out. If you keep denying it, don't blame me for getting serious!"

"Your Majesty, I really didn't do it," Grace replied, still calm.

"A daughter killing her stepmother is a serious crime!" Wendy Zhu said sternly. "Are you sure about this?"

Grace said, "If I did it, I did it. If I didn't, I didn't. What does it matter what I think?"

Wendy Zhu nodded. "Fine! If my mother can prove you really tried to kill her last night, both the Emperor and I will punish you according to the law!"

"Prove it?" Grace looked at Grace Wan. "Does Grace Wan really have evidence?"

"Evidence..." Grace Wan's eyes flashed with a quick smile. "Actually, I do."

"Oh? What evidence?" Minister Zhuo frowned.

"My late father left me a life-saving Rune Talisman," Grace Wan said. "When Grace was injured by the talisman, some residual Rune Power remained in her body!"

As she spoke, she pulled out a yellow talisman paper from her sleeve. "This is it. If I ignite the paper, its Rune Power will call out, and Grace's body will emit white Rune Light."

Rune Power?

Grace secretly tested her spiritual power—it flowed smoothly, and she didn't feel anything wrong.

"Mother, go ahead and try!" Wendy Zhu said. "Grace keeps insisting she didn't attack you. Once you burn the talisman, everything will be clear!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Grace Wan gave Grace a sly look, then struck a spark and lit the talisman paper.