As soon as they arrived, they could hear Aunt Leah (Queenie Zhu's mother) crying from afar: "...Mother, you didn't see it! You could see the bone! The doctor said, this hand—just a little more and it would've been crippled..."
Turns out, Queenie Zhu was here to complain!
Grace raised her eyebrows and walked in.
Aunt Leah was pushing Queenie Zhu in front of Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu, lifting her tightly bandaged hand to show the matriarch.
"Grandmother, Aunt Leah," Grace called out.
Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu glanced at her, her face stern. "Was Queenie's hand bitten by your spirit pet?" she asked.
"She tried to snatch my Antler Serpent, and it got angry—so it bit her," Grace replied.
"Grace, that's your fault," Aunt Leah snapped, not holding back. "You and Queenie are cousins! It's normal for sisters to have little spats! But you actually ordered your spirit pet to cripple Queenie's hand?"
"I didn't order it," Grace said. "Queenie grabbed the Antler Serpent by the neck and wouldn't let go. The Antler Serpent got scared and bit her! Brother Shen was there too—he can testify."
Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu frowned and asked Queenie Zhu, "Did you really try to snatch Grace's spirit pet?"
Queenie Zhu shook her head, tears in her eyes. "Of course not! I just thought her Antler Serpent looked weird and wanted to take a closer look. But she ordered it to bite my hand."
Grace sneered. "Why don't you mention that it also bit through your sword?"
Queenie Zhu's gaze flickered with guilt.
"Grandmother, it was Queenie Zhu who tried to snatch my Antler Serpent. After it bit her, she tried to slash us with her sword, but the Antler Serpent bit through it. Furious, she even struck at me. If Brother Ethan Shen hadn't been there, I'd be dead right now!" Grace complained right back.
"You're lying!" Queenie Zhu gritted her teeth. "Grandmother, Grace's words can't be trusted. If I really wanted to hurt her, how could she still be standing here?"
"If you want the truth, there were plenty of people by the bulletin board! Go ask anyone! I don't believe, with so many eyes watching in broad daylight, you could twist the story!" Grace retorted coldly.
Aunt Leah was surprised at how sharp-tongued Grace had become and, unable to win the argument, turned to Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu, crying, "Mother, no matter what, the fact is Queenie is hurt! Normally it wouldn't matter, but didn't you want her to compete in the Martial Bridal Tournament at the Empress Dowager's Birthday Gala? With her hand like this, how can she participate?"
Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu listened to both sides, knowing Queenie Zhu's temper, and frowned at her. "I have a bottle of Jade Skin Renewal Balm here. Use it, Queenie, and your hand will heal quickly. It won't keep you from competing."
Queenie Zhu's expression relaxed. "Thank you, Grandmother."
"Grace," Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu called again.
Grace replied, "Grandmother."
"No matter what, it was your spirit pet that bit Queenie," Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu said. "You should apologize to her!"
If this were her past life, Grace would definitely have said: It wasn't her fault, so why should she apologize?
But in this life, Grace didn't want to butt heads with Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu anymore.
It's not worth it.
If she wants an apology, I'll give one. At least I'll look obedient and well-behaved.
So Grace sweetly said, "Alright. Queenie, I'm sorry. Next time my Antler Serpent wants to bite you, I'll do my best to stop it."