Only Five Days Until Entering the Palace

"I want you to find someone to keep an eye on Cindy Zhu for me. She's become a bit obsessed with getting into the palace," Grace said.

Xichun nodded, "That's easy enough! I have a close friend in Cindy's Courtyard. If I talk to her, she should be willing to help!"

"Thank you so much!" Grace said. "If anything happens, you don't need to send someone to find me on purpose. If you're discovered, it could be bad for you."

"Then what should I do?" Xichun asked.

Just pass the message to me on your way back from greeting the Chloe Family Matriarch every day... Grace explained in detail what she should do.

In her previous life, she was basically a spy for the Blue Moon Kingdom, planted in the Vermilion Kingdom, and had done this sort of thing countless times.

......

Ever since Claire Bai found out about Grace and Evan Xiao, and realized Grace had no intention of entering the palace, she asked every day: "Miss Grace, if we're not going into the palace, how can we avoid it? There's less than half a month left until the entry date!"

"Miss Grace, there are only twelve days left until you have to enter the palace..."

"Miss Grace, there are only ten days left until you have to enter the palace..."

......

But Miss Grace remained calm the whole time, never seeming anxious at all.

On the morning when there were only five days left before entering the palace, Grace went to greet Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu again.

It was especially lively that day—except for her mother, everyone else was there.

Grace Wan wore a virtuous expression as she asked Prime Minister Zhu, "Prime Minister Zhu, didn't you say you would arrange for Jason Zhuo to enter the palace as an imperial guard, so he could protect Grace? Why isn't he among the new batch of imperial guards?"

Grace's heart skipped a beat when she heard that.

In her previous life, her brother Jason Zhuo did serve as an imperial guard for a while. Was it really Prime Minister Zhu who arranged for him to protect her?

Too bad she hadn't known back then.

She'd had a falling out with Prime Minister Zhu before entering the palace, and even turned Jason Zhuo away when he tried to visit her...

Prime Minister Zhu glanced at Jason Zhuo and replied, "He lost in the selection for imperial guards."

"He lost?" Grace Wan was surprised. "Jason Zhuo's cultivation has always been impressive—I thought he'd be more than qualified!"

"You're just a woman, don't worry about this." Because of the issues with Cindy Zhu and Jason Zhuo, Prime Minister Zhu was annoyed with her and looked like he didn't want to talk to her at all.

A flicker of embarrassment flashed in Grace Wan's eyes. She said, "I'm just worried about Grace. There are sixteen candidates entering the palace this time, and Grace is the only one without a spiritual root. She grew up by my side, so as her stepmother, I really can't help but worry."

Prime Minister Zhu's expression softened a little. "I know you're concerned about her. I've made arrangements, so you don't need to worry."

"Yes," Grace Wan replied. "Also, Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu, Prime Minister Zhu, the day after tomorrow is Father's third death anniversary. I've made all the necessary preparations; please take a look."

As she spoke, she handed a booklet to Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu.

According to the customs of the Blue Moon Kingdom, the third and seventh anniversaries after someone's passing are important memorial days, called the 'Third Year Memorial Ceremony.'

This year happened to be the third year since Grace's grandfather passed away.

Traditionally, a large ceremony would be held at the residence.

Relatives and friends would come to offer incense and burn paper, honoring the departed in a grand fashion.

Grace's grandfather was no ordinary man—he had served as a senior minister through three reigns and was the Blue Moon Kingdom's general for many years.

Naturally, his third anniversary would be especially grand.