The Antler Serpent with a Secret

Look at him, strutting around all proud—Evan Xiao must've given him a compliment!

Grace flashed him a little smile.

...

Back at the Zhu Estate, Grace was barely through the door when her nursemaid rushed up, flustered and anxious. She blurted out that not long after Grace left, her little cutie had disappeared.

They'd spent the last two days searching every corner of the Zhu Estate, but the little rascal was nowhere to be found...

It didn't want to go up the mountain with her, and then—poof—it was gone. Grace couldn't help but think her Antler Serpent had some secret up its sleeve...

Maybe it just burrowed somewhere to practice its cultivation in peace?

...

She'd just finished her bath, changed clothes, and settled in when Wan Xuezhen arrived.

Grace welcomed her inside.

The moment Grace saw her, she couldn't help but ask, concern all over her face, "Aunt Wan, is Cynthia alright?"

"Oh!" Wan Xuezhen sighed. "How could she be? She's been crying day and night, and she's lost so much weight..."

"Aunt Wan, please try not to worry," Grace said, trying to comfort her. "With Empress Wendy around, there's always a chance things will turn around."

"Grace, I really don't know how to thank you," Wan Xuezhen said, squeezing Grace's hand, her face a mix of guilt and gratitude.

"Oh, Aunt Wan, don't say that!" Grace replied. "You've always been good to me, so of course I'm good to you. In my heart, you're just like my real mom."

Wan Xuezhen lowered her long lashes. "Cynthia's heartbroken, but when she found out you'd spoken up for her, she really regretted everything! Grace, can you forgive her?"

"If I hadn't already forgiven her, why would I have pleaded on her behalf?"

Wan Xuezhen nodded, relieved. "Then, I have a favor to ask—would you be willing to help me?"

"What is it? Just say the word, Aunt Wan! If I can help, I will!"

"Come to the palace with me and let Cynthia kneel and apologize to you herself!" Wan Xuezhen said. "Only then will she—and I—be able to rest easy."

"The palace?" Grace thought, totally confused. What was Aunt Wan up to this time?

"Yes." Wan Xuezhen's face was gentle. "Normally, Cynthia should come apologize to you, but you know how hard it is for a palace concubine to leave, so I have to trouble you to go instead."

"Alright, so when are we going?"

"Tomorrow."

"Okay," Grace said.

Wan Xuezhen gave her a thoughtful look. "Grace, there's something else I want your opinion on."

"What is it?"

"Do you really not want to enter the palace anymore?"

"Mm." Grace nodded. "When Dad sent me to the ancestral temple, I made a vow to the gods: if my name was cleared, I'd give up any dream of entering the palace. So don't worry, Aunt Wan, I'm not going to make a fuss about it again."

Wan Xuezhen's brows relaxed and she smiled warmly. "Whatever you wish! Wear something festive tomorrow—we'll pay our respects to the Empress Dowager while we're at it."

Grace nodded.

Go pay respects to the Empress Dowager?

Could it be she knows Princess Xinyao and Evan Xiao broke off their engagement, and now she's cooking up some new scheme?

But why bring her into the palace?

Is she hoping Grace can somehow convince the Empress Dowager to match Princess Xinyao with Kevin Zhuo?

The next morning, just as promised, they headed into the palace bright and early.

Wan Xuezhen took Grace to Empress Wendy's palace first.

Then, from the Empress's palace, they went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager let them both in.

What a coincidence—Colin Gu and Princess Xinyao were both there.

And someone else, too—Evan Xiao.