Secret Meeting at the Usual Place

Grace spoke honestly: "...After Silver tricked me away, someone covered my mouth and nose with a drugged cloth. I inhaled a few times and couldn't move anymore. That person dragged me into a room and took off my clothes. She left, and not long after, His Majesty arrived."

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu narrowed her eyes, saying nothing.

The maid Aunt Lianqiu, standing beside the Dowager Lady, frowned and whispered, "Dowager Lady, Silver said in front of everyone that she heard Grace's cries and a man's voice behind the ancestral hall. There might have been a thug who broke in and caused trouble."

Only now did Grace realize that's what happened.

Silver is really asking for trouble...

"Where is Silver?" the Dowager Lady asked.

"Prime Minister Zhu has already sent someone to detain her."

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu nodded, still silent.

"Grandmother, I'm truly innocent! Please interrogate Silver thoroughly and clear my name!" Grace pleaded, her voice full of pain and resentment.

The Dowager Lady frowned, lost in thought. After a moment, she said, "Your father is right. No matter the truth, this matter has already happened! You can't return to the palace anymore!"

"Oh..." Grace looked truly heartbroken.

"Don't be too sad. You don't have a Spirit Root, so marrying Sam Yuan isn't really a bad match for you," the Dowager Lady said bluntly.

"Yes, I understand!" Grace replied. "If I can't enter the palace, I won't force it. I just hope Grandmother and Father don't misunderstand me. As long as you both believe me, I won't feel wronged."

Seeing Grace so sensible, the Dowager Lady's gaze softened a little. She said a few words telling her to go rest, then left.

Grace felt her favorability in front of the Dowager Lady had gone up.

......

After Silver was taken away, only the Dowager Lady and Grace's father knew the results of the interrogation.

Later, it was said she died of illness.

A few days later, Cindy Zhu entered the palace as an eligible maiden.

Colin Gu gave the position meant for Grace to Cindy Zhu, conferring her the title of Imperial Noble Consort.

The imperial edict was announced to the whole kingdom.

And apparently, among the sixteen eligible maidens who entered the palace, Cindy Zhu received the highest favor.

When the news came back, Grace Wan sat motionless for an entire day.

What on earth has been going on lately?

Everything's gone wrong, like she's been cursed.

Both Kevin Zhuo and Cindy Zhu have been punished one after another.

And now Cindy Zhu has actually taken Grace's place and entered the palace!

After thinking it over, she realized it was all her own fault.

She shouldn't have kept the matter of the hostage from Kevin Zhuo and Cindy Zhu.

The key is, she never expected Cindy Zhu to be so determined to enter the palace, or to go this far...

Oh, and then there's Grace.

Ever since she returned from Moonwater Abbey, Grace Wan always felt Grace was getting harder to control.

Could she have suddenly gotten smarter?

That can't be it.

Or is it... Lena?

She didn't know what was going on lately, but apparently Lena's health had improved so much that she could get out of bed and walk around!

It must be Lena stirring up trouble for Grace behind the scenes!

Grace Wan's eyes narrowed, a chilling gleam flashing through them.

Now that things have come to this, she might as well take the chance to crush them both!

Both her daughters—one is Empress, one is Imperial Noble Consort—and she even bore the Prime Minister's only son. So why should that wretched woman still sit as Mistress of the Prime Minister's Residence?

Now that Grace's reputation is ruined by rumors of an affair, it's time to kick her down!

As for Cindy Zhu, she'll figure out a plan for her later!

She stood up, called for her trusted maid, and whispered, "Go tell Kevin Zhuo's second great-uncle I need to see him. Secret meeting at the usual place..."

......

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