A Lively and Adorable Person

"Dad, what exactly did you write? Can you tell me? Maybe I can help you analyze why he's upset?"

"It's nothing, nothing! You go back first! Hurry and go to the General's estate to find out what happened today! I have things to do, I'm leaving now!" With that, he hurried off.

From the way he walked, Grace could tell he was feeling guilty.

He kept sending her to the General's estate—not just to gather information, but clearly with other motives in mind.

Does he really think so highly of Evan Xiao?

He'd even consider sending his own legitimate daughter to be his concubine?

Watching his retreating figure, Grace couldn't help but feel that her dad was nothing like the person she remembered from her previous life!

In her previous life, her memories of him were only of scolding and beatings, and that look of utter disappointment—cold to the bone.

She'd never tried to get close to her parents, so back in the Vermilion Kingdom, whenever she thought of him, his image was just a blur.

But looking at him now, he really is someone who knows gratitude and repays kindness—a lively, adorable person!

Grace smiled and went back to her mother's room.

Ever since Lena took the Infernal Drake Pill, the chill in her body was further suppressed, and she looked much more lively.

She only wore two or three more layers than most people now, and there were far fewer stoves in her room than before.

Grace hugged her mother's arm and happily recounted everything that happened today.

Lena listened, finding it strange but still feeling genuinely happy inside.

She and Minister Zhuo had made vows before the Phoenix Goddess, and finally, they wouldn't have to break them.

But her guilt toward Grace Wan only grew deeper. She asked Grace, "How's your aunt? Is she very upset?"

"Probably! She cried, and she looked really pale," Grace replied.

Lena frowned and called out, "Aunt Crystal."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Go see Aunt Wan yourself and tell her... to take it easy," Lena said.

"Yes, ma'am," Aunt Crystal replied. "I'll go right away."

...

Originally, after today's events at the ancestral temple, there was supposed to be a big banquet for the Zhu family clan.

Grace Wan had everything prepared in advance, of course.

Even the clan's congratulatory gifts had already been delivered, piling up in half the room.

But that sudden bolt from the blue made everything awkward.

Grace Wan, dazed and distraught, returned just in time to see a few distant aunts taking back the gifts they'd brought.

As they walked, they gossiped: "That was terrifying! The Imperial Advisor almost got struck dead!"

"What on earth happened? Could it be that Aunt Wan is actually a jinx for our Zhu family?"

"I still remember the day the Prime Minister married Grace's mother—the weather was just as beautiful as today, and there were even rainbow clouds in the sky!"

"Yeah! Doesn't that mean... even if Grace's mother is frail, she still brings luck to our Zhu family?"

"Hmm... maybe."

"I really didn't expect it... Hey, I heard Grace's mother is feeling much better lately. Should we go visit her sometime?"

"Sure. I was thinking the same thing..."

Grace Wan, overhearing from behind the trees, nearly ground her teeth to dust.

"Mother, don't get angry. They're not worth it," Kevin Zhuo said, supporting Grace Wan and trying to comfort her.

"Kevin... I can't be a co-head wife now. That lightning... I'll never get ahead in life!" Grace Wan sobbed. "Why? Why does Heaven treat me this way?"