Is There a Better Opportunity Than This

Grace turned back to look at the wooden cabin. "This place must be where His Majesty does his daily cultivation, right? The spiritual energy here is absolutely overflowing. Why would we ever want to break out of this barrier? If you’re kicking us out, we’d actually rather stay!"

Colin Gu smiled and said, "Tonight, I have to leave. Grace, can you say something to encourage me?"

"Of course!" Grace replied. "I hope Your Majesty returns victorious and unbeatable in every battle!"

"Not that kind of encouragement."

"Then, I hope everything goes smoothly for Your Majesty and all your wishes come true."

"Still not it."

"Then what does Your Majesty want to hear?"

"I want to hear you say... you'll wait for me to come back."

Seriously?! He’s still going?!

Grace smiled sincerely. "Of course I’ll wait for you to come back."

Colin Gu looked at her, then suddenly reached his hand through the Spirit Barrier and held Grace’s hand. "I’ve already instructed Gavin Gao to take good care of you all. If you need anything, just tell him."

Grace suddenly felt the urge to pull him into the barrier, pin him to the ground, and force him to let them go.

But she managed to hold herself back.

This formation must be under Colin Gu’s control.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Grace said.

Colin Gu gazed at her deeply for a moment, then turned and left.

......

Inside the barrier, surrounded by Spirit Trees and abundant spiritual energy, it was the perfect place to cultivate.

All three members of Grace’s family were Spirit Practitioners. Besides eating, sleeping, and the occasional chat, they spent most of their time cultivating in their own rooms.

Gavin Gao personally brought them imperial meals three times a day.

He was always very respectful toward Grace.

But those good days didn’t last long before something went wrong.

That day, from morning till night, not a single meal was delivered.

Grace was starving and yelled desperately at the door, but no one came.

......

Inside the Empress’s palace.

"...Are we really going to do this?" Kevin Zhuo asked uneasily.

"Is there a better opportunity than this?" Wendy Zhu’s voice was full of excitement. "That Eight Trigram Array draws power from the Spirit Trees. Once they’re locked inside, not even the gods could escape!

As long as we cut off their food and water, we won’t even have to lift a finger to get rid of that mother and daughter!"

Kevin Zhuo felt a rush of excitement, but he was still conflicted. "But... Grandmother is in there too. Are we really going to starve her as well?"

"That old witch! I’ve served her carefully for over twenty years, and has she ever said a kind word about me?" Wendy Zhu sneered.

"You don’t understand. Now Father barely acknowledges me as his son. Sometimes I don’t see him for weeks, and even when I do, he won’t look me in the eye. If Grandmother dies too... my position in the family will be even worse."

The Dowager Lady has always doted on him. Right now, she’s his only support in the family.

"Are you stupid? Once Grace and that woman are dead, dealing with Zhuo Xuan will be a piece of cake! Then Father will only have you left. Even if he wants to play favorites, he won’t have any other choice!"

Kevin Zhuo was still worried. "But what if His Majesty finds out?"

"Only I and Gavin Gao know where they’re being held!" Wendy Zhu said sourly. "And His Majesty must be worried I won’t feed his precious Grace, so he put Gavin Gao in charge of their meals! When the time comes, I’ll just say Gavin was responsible for them—I’ll act like I know nothing!"