Wallace had urgent news, so Jane dismissed Candace, instructing her to return to the room and look after Wendy.The moonlight was cold and faint, casting a hazy glow over Jane. Her expression was calm and reserved."What is it that has you so worked up?" she asked.Wallace, already bursting to speak, began, "That woman… I followed your orders. I used medicine to temporarily make her mute and sent her to the brothel."The madam there, following their usual practice, inspected her first to decide whether to take her in. I waited outside, but not long after, the madam stormed out and started cursing at me. Can you guess why?"'Guess?'Jane shot him a sharp look, signaling her impatience.Wallace quickly abandoned his theatrics, unable to hold back any longer."The madam said she's not even a proper woman—turns out, she's a stone maiden!"Jane's eyes flickered at the revelation.A stone maiden? That meant Helena couldn't have complete intercourse with a man, couldn't bear childre
Wendy had been staying in Serene Palace for the past two days, evidently seeking Dina's protection.Steven tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, if Queen Wendy is with the queen dowager, and Lady Dina…"George lifted his gaze, his eyes cold and commanding."Lady Dina isn't someone who would overstep her bounds."Two days were long enough.-At Serene Palace, Jane soaked in the hot water, her body relaxed, but her mind remained burdened and uneasy.Knock, knock, knock!"Queen Wendy, His Majesty summons you."Thirty minutes later, Jane entered the royal study with plain attire. Her hair was adorned with minimal embellishments. She looked every bit the image of someone coming to admit her guilt which, in truth, she was.She knelt respectfully."Greetings, Your Majesty. I've come to admit I'm guilty."George's gaze remained cold."You admit your guilt—have you considered what punishment you deserve under the palace rules?"Jane lowered her gaze slightly."I am at Your Majesty's
Clara had served Helena for many years, just like Timothy, and had committed numerous heinous acts on her behalf.Jane couldn't let her leave. If one made a mistake, one had to face the consequences. Thus, Clara was sent to the Department of Discipline."Queen Wendy deceived me! She lied to me!"But no matter how much Clara screamed, no one paid attention to her.-At Zen Palace, Jane had decided to visit the forest where Wendy was abducted and conduct a thorough investigation.After nightfall, she quietly left the palace. She left Wallace to look after Wendy and brought Candace along to the forest.Candace, having experienced the events of that day firsthand, remembered everything vividly. The experience had etched itself into her memory and would stay with her forever.She pointed to a specific spot and recounted, "Your Majesty, it was right there! Our carriage was stopped by bandits, and the guards fought with them. Evonne and I helped Miss Wendy escape from the carriage and
The cemetery's eerie atmosphere was enough to make anyone's hair stand on end. Wallace, carrying a shovel, cast a half-smirk at Jane."Commander Foster, are you sure we're at the right place?"Before coming here, Jane hadn't mentioned that they'd be digging up family graves! All the Foster family ancestors rested here—how improper this was!Jane didn't waste words and walked straight ahead. She stopped in front of a tombstone bearing Evonne's name and gave a firm order."Dig it up."The guards buried at the same time as Evonne were interred nearby, their graves easy to locate. Jane instructed Wallace to dig those up as well.Realizing it wasn't the ancestral graves being disturbed, Wallace raised the shovel and got to work."Here we go!"Two hours later, several corpses, now heavily decomposed, lay on the ground. Unidentifiable fluids leaked from every orifice—eyes, noses, mouths—the scene was nauseating.Even Wallace, who was no stranger to death, was overwhelmed by the stenc
Jane hadn't expected George to visit this late.The carrier pigeon flew out of Zen Palace without making much noise.But George and the guards with him were skilled martial artists, and even the slightest sound would not escape their ears.Jane quickly hid the secret letter and glanced in the direction the pigeon had flown.The priority now was to create a bigger disturbance.Jane immediately shouted, "Assassin!"Lily quickly reacted and shouted along with her, "Someone! Protect the Queen!"Soon after, George and his guards entered the main chamber.George made his way directly into the inner chamber. But what concerned him primarily was not the queen's safety."Where is the assassin?"Could it be that female assassin causing trouble again?She had just cured him of Thiberium poisoning, and her strength had still not recovered—how could she dare to run around the palace? But it might not be her.Jane pointed to the open window."The assassin jumped out and fled just now,"
Lily was still shaken after learning the truth about Wendy's abduction."Your Majesty, this is exactly what you meant, right? The enemy has the advantage on us!"To think someone could impersonate Evonne and stay close to Miss Wendy—this person is terrifying! How are we supposed to catch them? Also, weren't you planning to leave the capital and return to the northern borders?"She had always known that her mistress didn't truly belong here.Jane's gaze remained calm."I'm not leaving anymore."She was determined to uncover the person behind it all.Besides, it was impossible to take Wendy away right now. Her only concern was the northern borders. She hoped there wouldn't be any major upheaval there.-Unlike the concubines who had a leisurely life, the queen had many duties to manage.In recent days, Jane had meticulously noted down all the bribes received by Cloud Palace and sent them to the treasury. Before, servants practically had the run of Cloud Palace, but now it was u
Rachel was liked by Dina, and from time to time, Dina would summon her into the palace to accompany her in spiritual rituals, a privilege none of the other harem candidates received.Even Wilhelmina, Dina's own niece, was forgotten and neglected.Wilhelmina felt discontent. One day, she decided to visit Serene Palace without being summoned.Laurel came out to inform her."Lady Wilhelmina, you've arrived at an inconvenient time. Miss Rachel is currently reciting spiritual scriptures for Lady Dina, and she has just said that no one is to disturb her. Perhaps you could come back in the afternoon."Wilhelmina suppressed her frustration and forced a smile."It's rare that Aunt and the young lady from the Markel family have such a good rapport. I won't disturb them."Laurel, ever perceptive, noticed Lady Wilhelmina's despondence. Seeing that no one else was around, she lowered her voice and gave a reminder."Your Highness, Lady Dina's actions are all for you, for the glory of your ma
At Tyrian Palace, George had just finished his bath, his black hair cascading loosely over his shoulders, the top of his robe slightly open, revealing his well-defined chest. An air of coldness radiated from him.His sharp, almond-shaped eyes focused intently on the nine-section whip lying on the desk in front of him. The assassin's weapon.Yesterday had been the tenth day since Dream Flower had begun to take effect. She should be coming to collect the antidote.As usual, he had instructed Karlsen to take the medicine to Faith Palace.But after waiting for a long time, she never came to take it. That morning, when Karlsen checked, the antidote had still been there, unopened.George pondered this, and just as he was deep in thought, Karlsen returned to report."Your Majesty, I went to Faith Palace again, but the antidote still hasn't been taken."Karlsen felt that something was off.Dream Flower's effects were extremely painful, and anyone poisoned by it would surely be unable t
When George arrived at Zen Palace, Wendy was taking her medicine. She wore plain clothes, which made her appearance even more ethereal, like a bright moon. The medicine smelled bitter. It probably tasted even more so.Jane stood up and performed a curtsy with a calm expression. "Greetings, Your Majesty.""I told you, your injury is not healed, there's no need for you to curtsy.""Very well."After George sat down, he intended to ask about the petition but noticed her complexion was very pale. Had she become so haggard after only a few days without him seeing her? What were the servants in Zen Palace doing? Why were they failing to properly care for their mistress?"Has the physician come to check your pulse?" he casually asked.Jane sat across from him, her face full of worry. "He has come. There's nothing serious."Lily spoke at the right moment. "Your Majesty, the queen misses her parents and has trouble eating and sleeping."Jane didn't deny this, lowering her gaze, appear
Inside the royal study, George's commanding presence inspired awe and submission.Rachel maintained her curtsy, her head slightly lowered, eyes fixed on the floor. The hall was silent, so much so that she could hear her own heartbeat.The king finally spoke in a deep voice."Your brother embezzled military funds, seized credit for others' achievements, and, to eliminate witnesses, resorted to private punishment. He even sent people to pursue them all the way to the Royal City. Have you heard of this?"Rachel bit her lip lightly."I was raised in a temple from a young age. The brother I remember was upright and kind. I had no knowledge that he–""The Autumn Feast. The gifts."The abrupt interruption unsettled her.George casually flipped open a book, his tone seemingly indifferent as he read and asked, "Did it have nothing to do with you?"Rachel had not expected the king to question her about this, given that the Autumn Feast had passed more than two weeks ago.She immediatel
Jane had a detached look in her eyes.Even without a physician's report, George could see that she was faking her illness. That meant she couldn't keep up the act any longer. She couldn't use this as an opportunity to fake her death and leave the palace.Now, she had to come up with another plan.First things first, she needed to contact Wallace and get her hands on the drug to stage her death. But with the palace under strict lockdown, that was proving to be a serious obstacle.However, despite not a single physician daring to speak up, George could tell that the queen's fever was mostly feigned. But with state affairs piling up, he had no time to dwell on the matter. At most, she was just trying to gain his attention.Since she had taken an arrow for him, he would let it slide. However, he wouldn't indulge her. After that day, George didn't visit Zen Palace again.Josephine and Julie, on the other hand, came often."Your Majesty, are you really feeling better?" Josephine asked
"Every physician in the Royal Medical Bureau?" Dina was stunned for a moment.It was rare for the entire Royal Medical Bureau to be summoned for a diagnosis. Normally, when someone in the palace fell ill, at most, two physicians would take turns attending to them.Was the queen's injury that severe?Laurel bowed and stood respectfully. "Lady Dina, I suspect that His Majesty believes Her Majesty is feigning her illness."Dina raised an eyebrow. "If that's the case, it's possible." However, this was an excessive display. If the queen were truly faking her illness and got exposed, what would become of her dignity?-At Fragrant Palace, Aurelia sounded almost gleeful when she spoke."Lady Rachel, with the Royal Medical Bureau conducting a joint diagnosis, we'll soon find out whether Her Majesty is pretending or not."Rachel had been worried about her brother's case, a constant shadow of concern on her face. It was only after hearing Aurelia's words that a faint smile appeared.I
George stood there, his expression darkening, cold as the harshest winter frost. Despicably, he blamed everything on the queen.Suddenly, Jane's strong internal energy sensed his presence. Their eyes met, and she saw the disgust in his gaze.Lily followed Jane's line of sight. Seeing that it was the king, she hurriedly grabbed the robe from the bed and draped it over Jane's shoulders. She completely ignored the fact that it was only natural for a king to look at his own woman.Fortunately, the wound had just been bandaged."Greetings, Your Majesty." Lily stepped out of the bed curtains and performed a curtsy first.Jane dressed herself without greeting him. Inevitably, the movement pulled at the wound on her back, but she could endure it.George asked coldly, "The queen's fever still hasn't subsided?"Lily lowered her head. "Y-Yes."She was somewhat nervous. She had no idea when George had come. Thankfully, she and Jane hadn't said anything confidential just now. Otherwise, t
"Yes."If it were any ordinary person in danger, she would still step in to help.Then, Jane added, "Within my ability."Marissa had often reminded her that this life of hers belonged to her first and foremost.George cared only about that single word, 'Yes'.He couldn't quite describe what he was feeling at that moment. Helena had also risked her life for him, given her heart's blood for him, and even sacrificed years off her lifespan. By comparison, the queen had merely cured him of Thiberium poisoning and taken an arrow for him–nothing close to Helena's four years of devotion.Yet, it was the queen's actions that stirred something in his heart.Perhaps it was because Helena gave, but also demanded something in return. Whereas the queen never had…However, the gentleness in George's eyes was once again replaced by cold indifference.Who could say for certain that the queen was truly without wants? What if it was simply a strategy of retreating in order to advance?He had
Teressa arrived at Zen Palace with an air of authority. The chief maid, Maya, hurriedly led her into the inner chamber.Inside, Teressa saw George next to the table, his gaze fixed on the bed where a maid was feeding Jane her medicine. He was so focused on the queen that he didn't even notice his grandmother's arrival.Her presence wasn't acknowledged until Steven saw her. "Greetings, Lady Teressa!"Only then did George snap out of his thoughts and rise to welcome her."Grandmother." His voice was hoarse, as if he had developed a fever and hurt his throat.Teressa felt a pang of sympathy for her grandson."George, you were up all night dealing with the assassins and barely rested. The queen has plenty of people attending to her. You should go back and get some rest."George's expression remained indifferent, as though it didn't trouble him much. "I only stopped by to take a look. I was just about to leave."Teressa nodded before turning her gaze to the woman on the bed."What
Dina was usually kind and gentle. If not for being pushed to the limit by Wilhelmina, she would never have raised her hand.She gazed at Wilhelmina, her palm still tingling, and felt uneasy."Wilhelmina! I told you to watch your words and actions. Now look at you. You have truly disappointed me!" she scolded. "A few words from Lady Rachel were enough to make you lose your senses? Do you really think she has your best interests at heart?""She knows you are not like Rosalie, that you will never be favored by the king, and that you are easy to manipulate. That is why she wants to support you in rising to power. "But once she bears a royal son, you will be left guarding an empty title, only to be cast aside in the end! Do you understand?"Dina's words jolted Wilhelmina back to her senses. She covered the side of her face where she had been slapped and forcibly steadied her emotions."Aunt Dina, you are right. I was wrong."Upon leaving Serene Palace, Wilhelmina felt troubled.Bac
Lily wasn't sure whether she should announce that Jane had woken.Fortunately, at that moment, a voice came from behind the curtain. "Your Majesty, I just woke up."After hearing her speak, George lifted the curtain with one hand. His slender fingers grasped the fabric, leaving noticeable creases.Their eyes met. He gazed at the frail woman before him, his fists clenching slightly."Rest well."Beyond that cold, distant expression of concern, he said nothing more.Jane broke the tense atmosphere, supporting herself as she sat up.George frowned, stepped forward, and reached out to steady her by the waist. Unknowingly, he pressed against an old wound.Jane drew in a sharp breath and froze.George noticed her reaction. "What's wrong?"He rarely displayed such patience with her."It's nothing." Jane shook her head gently, though inwardly, she was rolling her eyes. Enduring the pain, she mustered her strength to sit up.George had no idea about the injury on her abdomen. When h