Your Heart Has Shifted

"Deviation? What deviation? Let's be honest, you're just unhappy with the marriage I arranged for Jason Zhuo!" Grace Wan's face twisted in anger.

"Marriage is a lifelong matter. I truly disagree with the match you picked for Jason Zhuo. And I also don't agree with the marriage you arranged for Kenneth Lawrence!" Lena's voice was as clear and crisp as spring water—refreshing, direct, and without a hint of muddiness.

"And I have every reason to suspect that your push to send Grace into the palace wasn't because she wanted to go." Lena continued. "It was all about... the Hostage Prince."

As soon as Lena said this, Grace nearly burst into tears.

Ever since she decided to handle the palace matter herself, she hadn't spoken to her parents about it.

But her mother was just too clever.

She figured it out as soon as she heard Prince Tuoba Hong mention the Hostage Prince in the Grand Ceremony Hall.

"Y-you... that's nonsense!" Grace Wan's breath caught, and she shouted excitedly. "What Hostage Prince? I have no idea what you're talking about!"

Lena looked at the Dowager Lady. "Mother, do you understand what I'm saying?"

The Dowager Lady stared into Lena's clear, bright eyes, and for some reason, remained silent for a long time.

"Mother?"

The Dowager Lady looked away, took a deep breath, and said, "Lena, do you think running the Prime Minister's Residence is that easy? You've never done it before—you might not be up for it."

Lena replied, "Let me try first. If I prove I can do it, please give me your blessing!"

The Dowager Lady raised an eyebrow. "Fine! The Sacred Relic Festival is coming up—let's have you organize it!"

The Sacred Relic Festival falls on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, marking the day Buddha attained enlightenment.

In the Blue Moon Kingdom, noble families often invite renowned monks to perform rituals and blessings.

They also bring out their most prized spiritual artifacts for the monks to bless, hoping to enhance their power and cleanse away negative energy.

Whoever manages to invite the most famous monks will attract crowds of relatives and friends, making their household lively and auspicious.

"Yes," Lena said. "I'll do my very best."

The Dowager Lady glanced at Grace Wan. "Grace, at the end of the day, Lena is the Prime Minister's wife—the true mistress of this house. Her request is reasonable. You understand, right?"

Grace Wan's nails dug into her palm as she said stiffly, "Mother, it's only right for the Prime Minister's wife to manage household affairs. If she's truly up for all those trivial matters, I'd be happy to take a break."

"Mm." The Dowager Lady smiled and nodded, then said to Lena, "Go home and think about how you'll handle things. Tomorrow morning, share your plan with everyone."

"Yes," Lena replied.

"Alright, that's enough. Off you go! I didn't sleep well last night, and I've got a headache." The Dowager Lady waved everyone away.

After everyone left, Aunt Lianqiu looked at the Dowager Lady. "Madam, let me help you relax your head!"

The Dowager Lady nodded and got up, moving to the lounge chair to lie down.

Aunt Lianqiu loosened her hair and massaged her head with gentle, even pressure. As she worked, she said, "Madam, I can tell your heart has shifted."

The Dowager Lady kept her eyes closed. "Shifted toward whom?"

"Toward... the Madam."

The Dowager Lady glanced at her and sighed. "I just don't know if she's up to the task."

Over a decade ago, before Lena fell ill, it was the Dowager Lady who managed the entire Prime Minister's Residence.