The room was eerily quiet.Lily pointed at the belt and asked, "Your Majesty, what should we do with this?"She had no idea whose belt it was. What had Jane been doing tonight? Lily was shocked but didn't dare ask directly.Jane, on the other hand, felt awkward.She placed the belt on the table and stared at it for a moment.There was no way she could keep it, but throwing it away didn't seem right either.She still had to treat the tyrant king. She couldn't let personal emotions mess up the bigger picture.That was the strategy.The king, as powerful as he was, probably wouldn't be small minded about something like this."Hide it for now," Jane instructed.She'd return it the next time she treated him.Lily picked up the belt and casually asked, "Your Majesty, whose belt is this?""The king's."'What?'Lily almost dropped the belt, it felt like it was burning in her hands."Your Majesty, did you actually go out tonight just to steal this belt?"Jane took a sip of tea,
At Zen Palace, Jane was eating when Maya entered, carrying a bowl of soup."Your Majesty, this was sent by Lady Julie. Please be sure to taste it."Jane glanced at the other dishes on the table. "Leave it here," she said coldly.After Maya left, Lily immediately took out a silver needle to test the soup for poison.The last soup had poison ivy in it, but luckily Jane had gotten into the habit of testing her food for poison during her time traveling the kingdom.Lily grew more uneasy, wondering if this soup was poisoned too.The silver needle showed no change in color.Jane scooped a spoonful and smelled it. "It has an antidote for poison ivy mixed in," she said."An antidote? Does Lady Julie know?" Lily asked.Jane picked up a piece of meat. "It's clear that she's the one who had it poisoned.""Huh? But then she...""She's not a bad person, just someone who knows how to make clear distinctions between love and hate," Jane said calmly.Julie's temperament reminded her of a f
Timothy reported what he had seen to Helena. There was a sharp glint in her eyes at the news.Although concubines had their palace quarters, they still needed money to reward the palace servants and maintain relationships outside the palace. Having grown accustomed to a life of luxury, if Helena lost the favor of the concubines' families, it would be a major loss."Aside from Mr. Sommer, find out who else has secretly sent things to Zen Palace," she ordered.-That night, the king arrived at Stella's chambers.Stella personally arranged the dishes, her hands trembling with nervousness."Your Majesty, please enjoy."George was distracted, his mind elsewhere. Tonight marked the ten-day appointment with the assassin. He wondered if she would go to Clarion Palace. After all, he had almost caught her the last time."Your Majesty..." Stella ladled out some soup and eagerly looked at him.George was already tired of dining with different women. With important matters to attend to, he
Jane struggled with all her might, but she had been poisoned with a sedative, her entire body weak. Her punches felt like nothing more than an itch.The man's entire body pressed down on her like a massive boulder, hard and scorching. She could hear his breathing that grew heavier and warmer by the second.It felt like she was trapped in the scorching heat of summer, the burning sun's rays wrapping around her. It was as if a fireball enveloped her, searing her and making her body temperature rise…Jane tilted her head to one side as her vision became increasingly blurry.The exit seemed within reach, but it was still far out of sight.Just as she was about to lose consciousness, a familiar figure appeared in her mind.They wore a white robe and had a worried tone. "Jane, wake up…"In that instant, Jane's drooping eyes snapped wide open.Using the last of her strength, she drove a silver needle into an acupoint to keep herself conscious from the pain.But it was like a drop of
The sky was dark. The guards stationed outside had waited for a long time but hadn't heard any movement from within the palace.Since the king hadn't given any orders, they dared not leave their posts.The silence lasted for nearly half an hour, when suddenly, a figure flew out.It was the assassin!Just as they were about to activate Divine Net, they heard a cold command from inside the palace."Let her go!"The guards were confused but could only watch as the assassin escaped.The head guard wanted to enter the palace to ask for instructions, but as he reached the palace doors, he heard the king's low, booming voice."Leave!"The head guard was baffled. What was going on with the king?It sounded like he was suppressing a raging storm of anger.A moment later, Steven was summoned.Inside, George stood by the bed, his facial expression sullen."Burn it."Steven didn't understand, but when he looked up, his gaze fell on the disheveled bed, and then...He froze as it dawn
Helena looped her arm through the king's, her eyes filled with affection."Your Majesty, I heard that Garry gave the queen a gift.”A cold flash appeared in George's eyes.Private exchanges were strictly forbidden in the palace. Was the queen courting death?Helena, quick to pick up on the king's mood, continued to speak, "Your Majesty, perhaps the queen doesn't fully understand the palace rules, which is why she made such a mistake. "I'm concerned that after Stella's attempt to take your life, many have been implicated. And since the queen has had contact with Garry, I fear others may speculate that they've been secretly conspiring."After all, all the women in the palace seek your favor, but the queen is the exception. She humbly wishes for you to favor another, which gives Stella the opportunity to strike…”George's gaze grew colder still.Even setting aside the matter of private exchanges, the queen should be punished for this.-At Zen Palace, Maya saw the royal entoura
The guards stepped forward to take Jane out for her punishment.She did not beg for mercy. Her eyes were calm and unwavering."Your Majesty, I knew that once I was discovered, I would face punishment. But I do not regret my actions. I would rather bear the punishment alone than have all the concubines in the palace suffer."I have but one request. Punish me as you will, but I ask that the silver and goods be given to the concubines of each palace in the name of a reward. In this way, I shall have no regrets."George met her obstinate gaze. He felt an inexplicable urge to destroy her. She stood like an unyielding pine tree, stubbornly facing him, making her presence a constant irritation.The more she resisted, the more he wanted to break her spirit. He wanted to show her what it meant to know one's place and to obey."Take her outside!" he ordered.Lily immediately knelt. "Your Majesty, I am willing to take the punishment in the queen's place!"George was always domineering in
The fact that the queen was punished by copying out the palace rules spread quickly throughout the palace.The concubines knew even more than that."Those valuables didn't just come from our families—some of them we sent ourselves. But the queen didn't expose us, so we can see she truly cares for us.""I heard from someone in Zen Palace that the queen was very considerate of our struggles. She had already planned to give those things to us, without keeping a single one for herself.""The queen was even willing to bear the punishment alone and take the blame for us..."The more the concubines talked, the more moved they became. Some of them even shed tears. After all, true kindness was hard to come by in the palace.Wilhelmina, however, sneered at them condescendingly."You are all so easily fooled. As for me, I know better—nothing comes without a price. Has the queen not benefited from this? "You think you're all so grateful to her, but this is exactly what she wanted. Mutual
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