A Blessing in Disguise

Back then, Joanna Zuo and Andrew Zhao were betrothed as children.

But later, the Zuo family ran into trouble and fell from grace. Joanna Zuo lost both her parents and was raised by her maternal family—the Yuan household, where Bobby Yuan grew up.

So, even though Joanna and Bobby aren't siblings by blood, they're even closer than real siblings.

When they grew up, since their childhood betrothal was well-known and Joanna was exceptionally talented, the Duke Zhao Mansion accepted Joanna as Andrew Zhao's wife.

Although she married into the family, it's not hard to imagine that with her family's decline, Joanna's days in the Zhao household weren't exactly happy.

Sure enough, when the Duke Zhao Mansion heard Bobby Yuan was coming, the master didn't show up. Instead, one of Andrew Zhao's concubines came out for a brief greeting, then sent them off to where Joanna lived.

There weren't many people there, just two maids attending to her.

Those two maids were brought from the Yuan family. The moment they saw Bobby Yuan, they broke down crying.

They said Joanna Zuo witnessed Andrew Zhao with a shameless woman on Spirit Alliance Mountain and was so furious that she jumped off the back cliff of the mountain.

Upon hearing this, Grace Qingluan immediately understood what had happened.

That shameless woman they mentioned was probably Lily Xu, right?

When they arrived, Joanna was asleep. Grace Qingluan checked her pulse and couldn't help but feel even more heartache for her.

Joanna had multiple broken bones and internal bleeding—her injuries were extremely severe.

"Luckily, she jumped from Spirit Alliance Mountain," one of the little maids said, her eyes red. "She hit several trees on the way down, and the Grandmaster of the Spirit Alliance personally saved her. That's the only reason she survived."

Grace nodded, "A blessing in the midst of misfortune."

"Where are Xiuer and Lian'er?" Bobby Yuan asked.

"They've both been taken to Concubine Zhen's quarters—the one who just brought you over," the maid replied.

"What about the other servants? Joanna's in this state, why are there only two of you here?"

"The young master said... since Madam is already like this, basically a living corpse who can't move, how many people does she need to look after her? So he sent all the servants to Concubine Zhen's place, saying they're to take care of the young lord and young lady," the maid said bitterly.

"Every time I came to see my cousin, she always said she was fine! I can't believe Andrew Zhao would treat her like this!" Bobby Yuan was furious.

"The Duke Zhao and the old madam didn't say anything?" Grace asked.

The Duke Zhao and the old madam referred to Andrew Zhao's parents, Joanna's parents-in-law.

Both maids shook their heads. "They only came to see her once and said... what's the big deal, just embarrassing the Duke Zhao Mansion. After that, they never came again."

"With a family like this..." Grace suddenly said in a serious tone. "She should just get a divorce!"

"A divorce?" Bobby looked at her in surprise.

"In our Blue Moon Kingdom, divorce isn't really a thing. But in the Vermilion Kingdom... it is possible," Grace said. "Let her take the two children and leave the Duke Zhao Mansion!"

"Bobby, Grace..." Suddenly, Joanna's voice came from the bed.

The two of them hurried over.

"Why are you here?" Joanna asked.

"Cousin, you're too muddle-headed!" Bobby said emotionally. "Even if you don't think of yourself, you should think of the two children and Grandma. Grandma fell ill after hearing about this!"

Joanna gave a bitter smile. "You're still young, you don't understand..."

"How do I not understand?" Bobby retorted. "No matter what, you mustn't throw away your life so easily! Look at me—I'm already a cripple, but I'm still living just fine!"

Tears streamed down Joanna's face as she said, "Don't worry, I won't! I already died once and survived. If I had to die again, I don't think I'd have the courage."