What Kind of Act Is This

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu gave her a look. "Don't wear yourself out with household chores. Let Grace or Maya handle it! Those two are old enough to get hitched, so it's high time they learned how to run things around here."

"Yes, Mother-in-law, I'll make sure to teach them well."

"You've been sick for years and haven't left the Moonlight Pavilion. Now that Minister Zhuo finally has some free time, let him take you out for a spin—see the sights, breathe some fresh air!" Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu said. "It'll do wonders for your mood and help you recover even faster."

"Mother," Lena grinned. "You're spoiling me these days! Honestly, your kindness works better than any fancy trip out—I'm over the moon!

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu let out a barely audible sigh.

Just then, Grace Wan let out a dramatic laugh. "Mother, Lena's only just started playing house manager, so of course she has to sweat a little! You don't need to worry about her so much. There's plenty of time ahead for her to kick back and enjoy the good life!"

Knowing Lena only has a year left to live, yet saying 'plenty of time ahead'—Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu frowned at her, but said nothing.

Grace Wan gave Lena a half-smile and asked, "Don't you agree, Lady Lena?"

Lena was just about to speak when Grace Zhu suddenly slammed her teacup down on the table with a loud 'clack.' "Auntie! How's Jason doing lately? Haven't seen him in forever! And where's my little Cutie Pie—oh wait, that's me!" (For readers: 'Cutie Pie' is Grace Zhu's affectionate nickname for herself and her magical pet, an Antler Serpent.)

Ever since the last scandal where he tried to frame Jason Zhuo, he was beaten half to death by Minister Zhuo, and still hasn't fully recovered.

The smile vanished from Grace Wan's face. She said, "He's just fine! No need for you to worry about him."

"Glad to hear it! He's usually running wild outside, but now that he's laid up at home, Auntie, you should totally take this chance to teach him how to be a decent human! Otherwise, if he screws up again, Dad might really finish him off next time!"

"What kind of talk is that? Is that something a little sister should say?" Grace Wan snapped.

"I'm only saying it for his own good," Grace Zhu replied with a smile. "But if it makes you uncomfortable, Auntie, I won't say it again."

Seeing tempers flaring, Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu waved her hand and said, "Enough, it's getting late. You should all head back now!"

With that, everyone bid farewell and dispersed.

After Grace Zhu escorted her mother Lena back to the Moonlight Pavilion, she grabbed Cutie Pie and got ready to head out.

She wanted to check where Charles Sun had stashed all that Mythril Ore.

And where did it all come from, anyway?

However, as she was leaving the estate, she ran into Grace Wan again.

It seemed she was deliberately waiting for her on the only way out of the estate.

"Grace Wan, are you waiting for me here?" Grace Zhu walked over, raising an eyebrow.

"Grace. Wan." Grace Wan stepped up to her. "Grace Zhu, your manners are getting worse! Even if I'm just a concubine, I'm still your elder! How dare you call me by my full name?"

"Elder?" Grace Zhu shot her a sarcastic look. "Please!"

Just then, Grace Wan saw Minister Zhuo returning to the estate.

A plan sparked in her mind, and she suddenly grabbed Grace Zhu's hand. "Grace Zhu, Auntie actually—"

"What are you doing!" Grace Zhu recoiled at her touch, shook her off, and sent her sprawling onto the ground.

"Grace Zhu, how could you treat me like this?" Grace Wan clutched her chest dramatically, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I was only trying to ask if you had any clue where those Legacy Stones vanished to—honestly, is that so terrible?"

What kind of act is this supposed to be?

Feeling something was off, Grace Zhu turned around and saw Minister Zhuo approaching.

"What's going on here?" Minister Zhuo asked, frowning.