Cindy Zhu's expression suddenly changed: "So it really was you!"
"Now that you're pregnant, just focus on taking care of yourself! Overthinking won't help!" Grace said. "His Majesty might not even send you and the child to the neighboring kingdom."
Since Tuoba Hong said there would be trouble in July, who knows what will happen then!
"Hmph!" Cindy Zhu sneered. "Stop pretending to be kind, like a cat mourning for a mouse!"
"Do you need anything else? If not, I'm leaving." Grace stepped forward, ready to go.
"Don't go!" Cindy Zhu grabbed her hand, holding on tightly.
Grace could easily break free from her grip.
But worried she might hurt her, Grace frowned and asked, "So what do you want?"
A strange, sorrowful smile appeared on Cindy Zhu's lips: "I want you to pay with your life for my child!"
"What?" Grace suddenly had a bad feeling in her heart.
Cindy Zhu clung to Grace's arm and suddenly cried out at the top of her lungs, "Sister! Let go of me! Don't hurt my baby!"
As she shouted, she deliberately bumped her pregnant belly against Grace, trying to make it look like Grace was attacking her.
Grace cursed under her breath and leapt back, her body twisting in midair. She tapped Cindy Zhu's wrist, forcing her to release her grip.
Grace landed nimbly a full ten feet away, putting distance between herself and Cindy Zhu.
Throughout the whole scuffle, Cindy Zhu hadn't even touched the hem of Grace's clothes.
But Cindy Zhu dropped to her knees, wailing loudly, "Sister, how could you push me? Ah! My belly hurts so much!"
As she wailed, blood suddenly began to seep out from under her skirt!
Grace's eyes narrowed. She took a deep breath and looked around warily.
Just then, Wendy Zhu hurried over, her face pale with shock.
The palace maids who had been with Cindy Zhu also rushed over, panic written all over their faces.
Grace sneered, "So this is why you all came back? Not to celebrate my mother's birthday, but to get rid of your own baby and frame me in the process?"
Cindy Zhu shrieked, "Grace! How could you be so cruel? No matter what, we're sisters! How could you do this to me?" She was doubled over in pain, but her mouth never stopped hurling accusations.
Wendy Zhu rushed to Cindy Zhu's side, her expression horrified. "Cindy, what happened to you?"
Cindy Zhu, white as a sheet, pointed a trembling finger at Grace. "She pushed me! She knocked me down!"
Cindy Zhu clutched her belly and sobbed, "My baby! Empress Wendy, please save my child!"
"Quick, call for His Majesty!" Wendy Zhu cried out, her voice trembling with panic.
The palace maids scrambled to fetch Emperor Colin Gu.
Emperor Colin Gu and Minister Zhuo arrived quickly, their faces grim as they took in the chaotic scene.
As soon as she saw them, Cindy Zhu cried out, "Your Majesty! Father! Grace pushed me down! Please, save my child—save your royal grandchild!"
Emperor Colin Gu's face darkened, his eyes stormy with rage.
One look at the blood pooling on the floor and he knew—the child couldn't be saved.
"Grace, what happened here?" Minister Zhuo demanded.
"I didn't push her," Grace replied firmly. "She's trying to frame me."
Grace had barely finished speaking when Cindy Zhu shrieked, "Frame you? Why would I risk my royal baby just to frame you? You're the one who pushed me! You venomous woman! You're jealous that I'm carrying His Majesty's child, so you tried to hurt me!"
Grace stared at her, silent.
Lian'er hurried over, and seeing the blood still flowing, she shouted, "Quick, call Dr. Charles!"