"...Yes!"
"So, what's your connection with the General?" Leon Zane pressed. "Why should I help you just because of him?"
"Well... because..." Grace peeked at Evan Xiao, a little shy. "He... um... Didn't you see just now?"
"I saw it, but I didn't get it. What's going on with you two?" Leon Zane stared at her, his eyes calm but sharp underneath.
Grace took a deep breath. "I like him, he likes me. We're a perfect match and plan to overcome all obstacles to get married! So, I'll be his wife someday."
Leon Zane chuckled. "Overcome all obstacles and get married... You really think you can pull that off?"
"I'm totally confident I can do it," Grace said, sounding bold.
Leon Zane didn't reply, just reached out and picked up his tea, finishing it in one big gulp.
Evan Xiao, standing off to the side, curled his lips and poured Leon Zane another cup, looking pretty pleased with himself.
Leon Zane glanced at him. In a thousand years, he'd never seen Evan Xiao act like this...
"Grand Advisor?" Grace couldn't shake the feeling that something about the atmosphere was off.
"He agreed. What's the second thing?" Seeing Leon Zane quiet, Evan Xiao spoke up for him.
"The second thing... I suspect my aunt, Princess Ming Yue, has been cursed with a magic talisman," Grace said. "Could you check on her for me, Grand Advisor?"
"A magic talisman?" Leon Zane finally showed a different expression.
Grace nodded.
"Why do you suspect this? Ordinary people can't spot a talisman," Leon Zane asked.
"I heard it myself," Grace said. "They said it's a talisman that can be sensed within thirty feet."
Leon Zane nodded. "Alright, I can help you with both things."
Grace was overjoyed and thanked him, "Thank you, Grand Advisor!"
"But it's not because of the General," Leon Zane said. "I have a condition. If you agree, I'll help with the first thing. If you can do it, I'll help with the second."
"What condition?"
Leon Zane asked, "Miss Zhuo, have you heard of my sister?"
"Oh! I've heard of her!" Grace said. "Isn't she the new consort entering the palace this time, Lady Li?"
"That's right!" Leon Zane said. "She's head over heels for His Majesty. It took a lot for me to get her into the palace as a consort, but... for months now, the emperor hasn't favored her."
"So, what does the Grand Advisor want me to do?" Grace asked.
"I've heard the emperor dotes on the empress and obeys her every word—even which consort to favor is up to her," Leon Zane said. "I hope you can persuade the empress to have the emperor favor my sister."
"Ah? This..." Grace looked troubled.
Leon Zane's sister was named Lydia Zane.
But behind her back, everyone called her "Lydia the Unfavored."
All because she was just too ugly!
Grace had never met her.
But anyone who had seen her said she had a cleft lip, a turned-up nose, a face full of pockmarks, and hair so thin and yellow that, though only a teenager, she looked like a woman in her forties.
For a woman like that to enter the palace as a consort, Emperor Gu Xingyun was already doing Leon Zane a huge favor.
But for Gu Xingyun to actually favor her...
From what Grace knew about Gu Xingyun, he was super picky about women—only those with outstanding looks ever caught his attention.