"It's been decided? It's really been decided?" Grace felt a chill run through her heart.
"I've already replied to Her Majesty the Empress! So you don't need to say anything! Whether you want to or not, you're going!"
Grace remained silent.
Seeing her father's expression, Grace knew that if she spoke again, she'd probably get hit.
So, she decided not to bring it up for the time being.
She changed the subject: "Dad, after Grandmother's birthday, I want to go to Moonwater Abbey again."
"Why do you still want to go? You've stayed there for almost four months—isn't that enough? Stay home and get ready to enter the palace!"
"Last time, my silent prayer was interrupted by Auntie, so I need to start over! I can't give up halfway!"
"Impossible! You're not allowed to go!" Minister Zhuo refused sternly.
"The Phoenix Goddess at Moonwater Abbey is really powerful!"
"There's nothing more to discuss! Go back!"
Grace earnestly said, "How about this? I brought back some scriptures I personally copied and offered to the Phoenix Goddess for Mom. If she gets better after reading them, can you let me go back to Moonwater Abbey to finish the blessing ceremony?"
Minister Zhuo took a deep breath. "If it's really that effective, I'd even tie you up and send you there myself!"
"Thank you, Dad!" Grace smiled. "You're the Prime Minister of Blue Moon Kingdom—you have to keep your word!"
What's this girl really planning?
Minister Zhuo glanced at her and said, "Go back!"
Grace nodded and said, "Dad, last time I spoke to Mom like that, I didn't really mean it! Queenie Zhu and the others bullied me so much, I was just upset. I was wrong! I won't do it again! Can you forgive me?"
This troublesome child had grown up but had never said anything like that to him before.
Minister Zhuo looked at her, feeling at a loss for words.
"Dad? Will you forgive me?" Grace blinked her big, cute eyes, her tone playfully pleading.
After all, she was his own daughter. With such a cute and pretty face, it was hard for any father to resist.
Minister Zhuo's gaze softened, and his tone was much gentler than before: "Tomorrow is your grandmother's birthday. Behave yourself! And don't cause any more trouble with Queenie Zhu and the others."
"Okay! I'll behave, I promise! Well, I'm heading back now, Dad!" Grace cheerfully bade her father farewell.
Minister Zhuo watched her leave, feeling like this girl must be possessed.
But if she got possessed like this a few more times, he wouldn't mind at all...
......
The next day, Grace dressed up beautifully.
She wore a long robe with embroidered flowers on a misty collar, a light brown skirt woven with golden flying birds and dyed blossoms, and a pale purple cloud-patterned gauze cloak. Her black hair shone, her skin was flawless, and she looked as radiant as morning clouds, as lovely as peach blossoms, as beautiful as a fairy.
With this outfit, the Old Madam definitely wouldn't call her a mourner again.
Queenie Zhu was dressed up beautifully, too. The two sisters went together to the banquet hall.
Since it wasn't a milestone birthday, only the Zhu family attended the Old Madam's birthday banquet.
There were also some close relatives from other branches of the family.
But the Zhu family was so large that even without a grand banquet, the place was packed. There were enough people to fill over a dozen tables, and the atmosphere was lively and festive.
In her past life, Grace hated these kinds of gatherings the most.
The Zhu family was the top clan in Blue Moon Kingdom. Whether the marriage candidates were wives or concubines, they were all spirit wielders.
So, among their generation, the total number of people without a Spirit Root like Grace was... just one—her.