“What friendship!” Grace Harper’s expression changed dramatically, and she coldly interrupted William Foster, “If the coup really succeeds, what matters more to the Crown Prince— the throne or me? As long as those old men like Charles Brooks can guarantee the Crown Prince’s smooth ascension, whatever they want to do, the Crown Prince will agree. Are you stupid or what?”

“This…”

William Foster was instantly speechless, all his anxiety stifled under Grace Harper’s angry gaze, unable to vent at all. He could only pace back and forth in the room, his face full of deep unease.

Bored, watching the pair—one sitting, one standing—Eric Blake suddenly yawned. When she saw Grace Harper shoot her a reproachful look, she shrank her head, then said earnestly, “Aunt, you’re both imagining things to be too dire. Charles Brooks and the others’ top priority is to eliminate the two Zhangs and support the Crown Prince’s ascension, so they can solidify their own achievements. Everything else comes later. As long as Uncle keeps a low profile and makes himself seem non-threatening, those self-important guys won’t be in a hurry to act. After that, won’t there be plenty of time to make plans?”

“Exactly!”

Grace Harper immediately nodded, then realized she’d lost her composure out of concern. She stepped forward and spoke quietly with William Foster for a few moments, instructing him to stay in the Xianju Hall for now to lay low, then called a maid to escort him out. Once only she and Eric Blake remained in the room, she turned around with a smile, and lightly flicked the little girl’s forehead.

“I’m the one blinded by being in the thick of things, while you, the bystander, see it all so clearly! Now that scoundrel should finally realize that the Wu family has someone capable at last, not just a bunch of good-for-nothings!” Seeing Eric Blake grinning silently, she couldn’t help but ruffle her messy hair. “Back when His Majesty brought several Wu family daughters into the palace, you were the only one who stood out. The others all tried to curry favor with the Empress, but you, of all people, chose to stick with a wretched servant like me.”

“What daughters of noble birth? It’s all just empty reputation from family background!” Eric Blake shook her head and stood up, smiling. “They went all out to flatter Her Majesty, but what good did it do? One got a little too close to Samuel Brooks and nearly lost her life; another said the wrong thing and got thrown out; but I, who kept my distance, ended up best off. Besides, you’ve taught me so much— isn’t it only right that I call you Aunt?”

“This little girl’s mouth is as sweet as honey!”

Grace Harper scolded with a laugh, then her smile faded. “Tonight, you’ll stay here with me. In a bit, I’ll have someone bring you a set of palace maid clothes. Change into them and sleep in your clothes, and stay alert. Since that scoundrel said the coup will start early tomorrow, he’s probably right. Whether or not they succeed, I must get there in time. Do you understand?”

“Aunt, are you planning to use this opportunity to gain the greatest benefit?”

“Little girl, even if you know such things, you don’t need to say them out loud! Crisis is also opportunity— I’ve told you that more than once!”

The two, with no blood relation, looked at each other for a long moment, then burst out laughing together. Unlike Grace Harper’s ambitious heart, Eric Blake was filled with a strange excitement. At that moment, a dim oil lamp suddenly flared up with a burst of light.

Chapter Four: Charging Straight into Yingxian Palace

Late at night, Eric Blake was suddenly jolted awake by an indescribable sense of dread. As she sat up, she heard a commotion outside. Grabbing a long jacket and hastily throwing it over her shoulders, she quickly pulled on the boots she’d prepared in advance and rushed into Grace Harper’s bedchamber.

At such a critical moment, she naturally didn’t see William Foster’s troublesome figure, but she did see two palace attendants with snow still on their clothes. After Grace Harper dismissed them, she hurriedly asked, “Aunt, has it already begun over there?”

Though she’d been full of confidence while joking earlier, at this moment, Grace Harper’s hands were trembling slightly. Taking a deep breath, she quickly calmed herself.

“Just got the news— the Left and Right Yulin Guards have escorted the Crown Prince through the Xuanwu Gate, breaking in by force. They should be in Yingxian Palace by now, and the Samuel Brooks brothers are probably doomed. Edward Foster is truly useless— a Right Yulin General who can’t even control his own men, and at this hour he’s still sleeping at home! Her Majesty has been wise all her life but muddled for a moment, thinking that with Henry Thompson she could balance Huan Yan Fan and Jing Hui, but it was Henry Thompson who just persuaded the Crown Prince to leave the Eastern Palace!”

Eric Blake’s first reaction wasn’t that the coup had reached its final stage, but rather amazement at Grace Harper’s far-reaching intelligence network. Such swift news!

“There’s no point talking now. Let’s go— we’re heading to Yingxian Palace right away!”

At Grace Harper’s command, Eric Blake immediately threw on a snow cloak, slipped on her wooden clogs, grabbed her usual self-defense dagger and tucked it into her clothes, then left Xianju Hall together with Grace Harper.