A Treasure That Can Give Ordinary People Spiritual Roots

Plus, Grace Wan gave birth to the only male heir in the Prime Minister's Residence, so as the second wife, her status in the household was practically equal to the first wife.

The servants in the Prime Minister's Residence feared and respected Grace Wan far more than they did Chloe Zhu's mother.

......

Under Grace Wan’s aggressive questioning, Hope timidly replied, “Chloe Zhu really is meditating in the prayer room.”

This was the story Chloe Zhu had arranged with them—and with Master Jing'an of Moonwater Abbey—before she left.

If anyone from the Prime Minister’s Residence came looking, they’d say she was in the prayer room, meditating for three days, sincerely praying for her mother. She couldn’t be disturbed, or all her efforts would be wasted.

Three days would be enough time for the nursemaid and the others to send word to the General’s Manor.

“Take me to her. It’s urgent,” Grace Wan demanded.

Hope pleaded, “Second Madam, Chloe Zhu said she must meditate for three days, no interruptions allowed. Otherwise, her three months of prayer and cultivation here will all be wasted!”

Smack!

It was the sound of a slap.

Grace Wan’s voice rang out: “You useless servant! If I can’t see Chloe Zhu, at least let me speak through the door. Why are you dragging your feet? Are you trying to harm Chloe Zhu?”

“No! How could we?” The nursemaid answered anxiously.

“Take me there now! Otherwise, I’ll have all of you sold off this instant!”

“How about this, I’ll go ask Chloe Zhu first.” That was Claire’s voice.

This girl was still as clever and quick-witted as ever.

She was probably going to send her a signal.

Before leaving, Chloe Zhu specifically bought signal arrows and told Hope and Claire to use them in case of emergency.

Chloe Zhu stationed a guard named Chushi outside the General’s Manor to keep watch.

But Grace Wan didn’t give them any chance to send a warning. She said, “Just take me there, now!”

“Uh...” The group’s faces turned pale. They looked at each other, unsure what to do.

“If you won’t take me, I’ll get one of the nuns from Moonwater Abbey to do it,” Grace Wan said coldly. “But when the time comes, none of you will escape being sold off!”

The nursemaid had no choice but to reply, “If that’s what you want, Second Madam, we’ll take you. But if the young lady blames us, please speak up for us. You know how she can be...”

Outside the back window, Zhu Qingluan let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

In her previous life, at this age, her temper was truly terrible.

Spoiled, willful—everyone feared her, everyone hated her.

Because of her personality—and Grace Wan’s deliberate schemes—her reputation was ruined, everyone turned against her, even her parents didn’t want to claim her as their daughter...

Later, when she became the Imperial Noble Consort and traveled with the hostage prince to the Vermilion Bird Kingdom, her temper got her into endless trouble.

Only after many hardships did she finally learn to rein herself in.

......

The nursemaid and the others led Grace Wan and her group away.

A chilling glint flashed in Chloe Zhu’s eyes as she ducked and disappeared out the back window.

Outside Chloe Zhu’s meditation room, Hope and Claire were so nervous they were shaking.

If Second Madam barged in and found Chloe Zhu missing, what would they do? What would they do?

If they told the truth, Chloe Zhu’s plan would definitely be ruined.

Before she left, Chloe Zhu had told them she was going to the General’s Manor to fetch a treasure that could grant ordinary people a spiritual root.

They had no idea what that treasure was, but if word got out, how could the Prime Minister ever let Chloe Zhu run off to the General’s Manor as a maid?

He’d definitely drag her back!