She Cannot Succeed

Just then, Minister Zhuo (Prime Minister Zhu) returned.

As soon as he saw everyone gathered in the garden, he called out, "The wind is getting chilly—why are you all still outside? Hurry and help Madam inside!"

Lena smiled at him, "I'm fine."

Minister Zhuo glanced at Grace Wan, frowning, "What are you doing here?"

"Because of Cindy Zhu, I've come to apologize to Madam," Grace Wan immediately put on her usual virtuous act.

Speaking of Cindy Zhu, Minister Zhuo frowned, "The latest news from the palace: the Emperor has pardoned her from the Cold Palace, but... her rank has been lowered. She's now a Lady of Grace."

In the Blue Moon Kingdom's palace, there are seven ranks for consorts: Empress, Imperial Noble Consort, Consort, Concubine, Lady of Grace, Beauty, and Virtuous Lady.

Cindy Zhu was demoted straight from Imperial Noble Consort, dropping three ranks to Lady of Grace.

"What? Didn't the Emperor already promise Grace to forgive Cindy?" Lena exclaimed. "That girl is so proud—how will she ever accept this?"

Minister Zhuo sighed and said to Grace Wan, "Go to the palace and comfort her. Make sure she doesn't do anything foolish!"

Grace Wan seemed lost in thought for a while before finally replying, "Yes, I'll have someone send a message right away."

"Go on, then!"

With that, Grace Wan hurried off.

"Minghan, honestly, since Cindy Zhu was so eager to enter the palace, you shouldn't have promised Grace in the first place," Lena complained. "Now look—it's turned the sisters against each other, and Cindy Zhu's been hurt so badly..."

Minister Zhuo looked at Grace, his eyes full of questions.

Grace nodded at him, signaling that her mother already knew about the Co-Head Wife arrangement.

"Lena, let me help you inside," Minister Zhuo said. "Grace, you head back first!"

Grace nodded, packed up her Antler Serpent, and got ready to leave.

"Miss Grace." Aunt Crystal called out with a frown.

"What's wrong, Aunt Crystal?" Grace asked.

"Just now Lucy said you convinced the Prime Minister to agree to the Co-Head Wife arrangement?" Aunt Crystal looked quite upset.

Grace glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then whispered, "Relax, it's just to shut up the Dowager Lady and those clan elders. It's never going to happen!"

Aunt Crystal instantly relaxed.

She thought to herself, Miss Grace has only just recovered—could she already be confused again?

"But don't tell my mother," Grace whispered. "She wouldn't allow it..."

"I know," Aunt Crystal replied. "Madam is pure and kind, she never thinks badly of anyone. But I see it clearly—Grace Wan only came today to say that one thing, didn’t she?"

Grace nodded.

"By the way, have you heard about Sierra?"

Grace nodded, "I heard the Empress Dowager betrothed Princess Olivia to General Evan Shaw, and Sierra knelt all day?"

"Mm." Aunt Crystal's face showed sympathy. "If the Dowager Lady hadn't intervened and sent for the doctor, the child might not have survived."

"What about Kevin Zhuo? Has he gone to see her?"

"Second Young Master hasn't been home these days."

Grace thought for a moment and said, "The day after tomorrow is Autumn Hunt Day. I'm going to the hunting grounds with Father, and Kevin Zhuo should be there too. Tell Sierra to make a pair of kneepads for him and give them to me."

If you're going to help someone, help them all the way—she'd help Sierra one more time.

"You want to help her give the kneepads to Second Young Master?" Aunt Crystal frowned.

"No. Just tell her to hurry and make them. I'll handle the rest."

Aunt Crystal nodded.

"We'll probably leave tomorrow afternoon, so tell her to hurry up."

Aunt Crystal: "Alright."