Out of Your League

Chloe Zhu grinned, "Take a guess."

"Did you take an Explosive Spirit Pill?"

Aside from that, she couldn't think of any other reason for Chloe Zhu's sudden surge in strength.

"Whatever I took, what's it to you?" Chloe Zhu replied cockily. "You slapped me, I slapped you back—simple as that!"

Queenie Zhu's face darkened. "Just you wait! If I don't get my revenge—"

"Oh, please!" Chloe Zhu cut her off, full of swagger. "You probably won't get the chance!"

"What do you mean?"

"Did you forget? In two months, I'm—going—to—the—palace!"

Chloe Zhu flashed a mocking smile. "And you probably didn't know, huh? The Empress sent word—once I enter the palace, I'll be the Imperial Noble Consort! The Imperial—Noble—Consort! After that, even if you want to grovel at my feet, you won't be worthy!"

Queenie Zhu was so furious her breathing sped up, her well-developed chest heaving rapidly—clearly, she was livid.

After Chloe Zhu finished, she turned to Cindy Zhu beside her. "Cindy, don't you think so?"

Cindy Zhu took a deep breath, her expression twisted. "We're all sisters here. No need to say things like that."

Chloe Zhu chuckled, "You're right, Cindy. You're so sensible—we're all sisters! No need to say things that hurt feelings! Queenie Zhu, you should hurry home and pick out those thorns in your skin! The Thornbell Flower's needles are thin and brittle. If you don't remove them properly, they'll fester!"

With that, she hooked Cindy Zhu's arm. "Come on, Cindy, let's head back too!"

Cindy Zhu stiffened as Chloe Zhu dragged her along.

Queenie Zhu stared at Chloe Zhu's arrogant retreating figure, so angry she nearly coughed up blood.

How could a worthless girl like her have the Zhu family's most prestigious status?

And now she's going to the palace as Imperial Noble Consort!

It was enough to make her explode with rage!

Cindy Zhu, arm in arm with Chloe Zhu, listened to her talk about going to the palace, feeling just as upset inside.

After all, she was the Empress's own sister.

And she was a Spirit Practitioner.

So why was Chloe Zhu the one going to the palace?

No way! She had to go talk to her mother about this!

With that thought, she quickly bid Chloe Zhu farewell and rushed to her mother's quarters.

Chloe Zhu watched her leave, her gaze deep and unreadable.

Their family was determined to send someone else into the palace.

If not her, then it would be Cindy Zhu.

Whether she could escape her fate of entering the palace all depended on Cindy Zhu.

Hopefully, Cindy wouldn't let her down.

Chloe Zhu didn't return to her own rooms.

She went to see her mother instead.

Back at Moonwater Abbey, Grace Wan had come to see her, acting all aggressive.

Yesterday, in front of Grandmother, she deliberately made her suspicious, and Grandmother even checked her scriptures.

At first, she hadn't thought much of it.

But today, she purposely led Lu Xin into the birthday banquet hall.

And secretly watched her reactions.

Chloe Zhu wondered if Grace Wan had figured something out.

She decided to ask Aunt Crystal about it.

In this mansion, the only people she could ask for news were her mother's servants.

Arriving at Jade Pavilion, her mother was asleep, so Chloe Zhu called Aunt Crystal over to the warm chamber, dismissed the other servants, and left Hope and Claire to guard the door.

"Miss, is there something you need from me?" Aunt Crystal asked softly.

"Aunt Crystal, how's my mother? Is she getting better?" Chloe Zhu asked.

Aunt Crystal smiled. "Maybe your filial piety really moved the Phoenix Goddess. Madam woke up this morning saying she felt much warmer and lighter, and she even ate more!"