Cutie Pie and Beanie

Brilliant tricolored light illuminated everyone's faces, leaving all who saw it captivated.

Grace instantly broke into a radiant smile.

Beanie, the sprout, had grown a bit thin from lack of spiritual energy.

Starting today, it could finally eat its fill again.

...

“Most of these are high-grade Earth Spirit Jade! Thank you, General!” Grace said.

Evan Xiao nodded and said to Sophie Shang, “You all may return now.”

Sophie Shang stood there silently for a moment, then asked, “General, did you rush us to intercept this batch of Earth Spirit Jade just for Miss Grace?”

Evan Xiao: “Yes.”

Sophie Shang looked at Grace. “May I ask what Miss Grace needs so much Earth Spirit Jade for?”

“Nothing special.” Grace certainly couldn't reveal her true intentions. “I just like Earth Spirit Jade, so I asked the General to get me some to play with.”

Sophie Shang took a deep breath.

To play with?

She'd gone to all this trouble, just so Grace could play with them?

His Highness never did such frivolous things.

It seemed His Highness truly treated her differently.

But she knew Evan Xiao well—only by obeying him and strictly following his orders could she remain by his side.

So she said nothing and simply turned to leave.

After they left, Grace stowed all the Earth Spirit Jade away in her sanctum, placing two inside the illusion array.

Seeing that it was already late, Grace didn't linger and headed straight back to the Prime Minister's Residence.

But just as she stepped inside, Grace Wan blocked her way.

She looked fierce, as if she might bite someone.

“Aunt Wan? It's the middle of the night—why aren't you sleeping? What are you up to?” Grace asked.

“That's what I should be asking you!” Grace Wan snapped. “It's so late—where did you come from? What were you doing?”

“Do I really need to report my whereabouts to you?”

“I'm asking you! Was it you who stole the Earth Spirit Jade?” Grace Wan demanded.

“What Earth Spirit Jade was stolen? Did our residence get robbed?”

“Drop the act! I know it was you!” Grace Wan said. “Who else would sneak out in the dead of night except you?”

Grace grinned and leaned in to whisper in Grace Wan's ear, “It was me who took them!”

Grace Wan's expression changed instantly.

“When the Earth Spirit Jade was stolen, I was with Father! So, you know it was me, but you have no proof! You can't accuse me, you can't kill me, and you definitely can't get the Earth Spirit Jade back. You—are—powerless!”

These were Grace Wan's own words—Grace was simply returning them to her.

Grace Wan's chest heaved violently as she glared at Grace with murderous eyes.

Grace smiled faintly and turned to leave.

Grace Wan watched her go, her eyes brimming with murderous intent.

The next morning, as soon as Grace woke up, she went into her sanctum to check on Beanie.

To her surprise, Cutie Pie was already there!

He was sitting beside Beanie, staring at it with big, inquisitive black eyes.

After a night of spiritual nourishment, Beanie had plumped up again.

But its two sprout leaves stood up in alarm—clearly, Cutie Pie had startled it.

“Don't be scared, Beanie!” Grace said. “This is my spirit beast, Cutie Pie. Don't worry—he doesn't eat raw sprouts.”

Cutie Pie looked at Grace, as if asking: What is this thing?

“Cutie Pie! This Beanie just wandered into my sanctum on its own. It may have sucked up all the spiritual energy here, but it's pretty lively and cute. Let's just let it stay for now.”