Chapter 502

Jenny's face turned ashen in an instant.

If this document were truly presented to the Queen Mother, not only would there be no protecting Jude, but the duke's estate itself would be reprimanded for failing to manage its household properly.

Yet the thought of paying silver taels for the divorce, of letting Gracie leave with all her dowry, even of filling in the courtyard well, made her heart twist in pain once more. Jenny begged, "Princess Consort, is there truly no room to negotiate in this matter?"

Athena glanced at Gracie, who had been beaten beyond recognition, and sneered, "There is–but I fear Mrs. Patton will not have the courage to accept it."

"As long as the Princess Consort makes her request, I will see it fulfilled without fail," Jenny responded.

Athena's lips curved coldly, "Very well. Gracie's ribs are broken. If Jude is willing to break his own legs, kneel before the mansion, and beg for three days while admitting his crime, then Xander Manor may consider an exception."

Jenny was stunned, her eyes nearly bulging from their sockets. She shrieked, "What? Princess Consort, you actually demand my son’s legs be broken? How could that be?

"He is the only son, the heir of the duke’s estate. How could he endure such humiliation?"

"Are the sons of your duke's estate made of gold? And the girls of our manor, nothing more than dandelions to be trampled?" Athena retorted as her voice rose sharply.

She had not intended to press matters to this point, but the Miller family’s obstinacy was intolerable.

To continue quibbling would only leave others heartsick.

Athena ordered the guards behind her, "Go to Gracie's courtyard, list all her personal belongings, and pack them.

"If anyone from the duke's estate dares obstruct you, seize them immediately.

"Have the servants fill in that well this very moment and pack it tightly so that no one may use it again for foul deeds."

Seeing the guards preparing to leave, Jenny grew frantic and rushed forward to block them.

But she was held down firmly by the maid beside Athena.

She struggled, crying out: "Princess Consort, how can you do this? We will not sign the divorce papers. Do not dream of breaking up their marriage!"

Athena questioned, "You intend to stall for time?"

She gave a cold smile and added, "Then we shall see whether you can afford the cost.

"Someone, go report this matter to the authorities: Prince Fermin has beaten his pregnant wife, nearly killing her. This Princess Consort wishes to see whether he can escape justice."

Having said this, she bent down to steady Gracie's shoulder, speaking gently, "Can you still endure?"

Gracie nodded weakly in response, "Yes."

Athena summoned two older maids and instructed, "Carry her back to the manor."

During the process, anyone from the duke’s estate who attempted to interfere was swiftly kicked aside by Jessa.

Jenny collapsed to the ground, powerless, as she watched Athena lead Gracie out of the estate in full defiance.

Recalling Athena's stinging words, Jenny burned with both anger and dread. She ordered, "Someone, quickly help me up. I must go to the palace and seek the Queen Mother."

The carriage rattled along the palace road. Jenny sat inside, twisting her handkerchief tightly between her fingers.

She repeatedly rehearsed how she would plead before the Queen Mother–how she might emphasize Athena’s tyranny while softening Jude’s guilt in striking his pregnant wife.

If luck favored her, the Queen Mother might compel Gracie to return to the duke’s estate, void the divorce, and rescind the compensation.

As soon as Jenny crossed the threshold of the Palace, she fell to her knees and bowed three times.

She cried loudly, "Your Majesty, Queen Mother, please rescue us! Xander Manor is overbearing, and they are insisting on forcing Gracie to divorce Jude, demanding silver, even ordering us to fill in the well. They mean to destroy our family!"

The Queen Mother slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes falling on Jenny’s tear–swollen face, her tone cool and detached.

The Queen Mother asked, "Rise and speak. I’ve just heard that Jude struck Gracie?"

Jenny's heart clenched. She shuffled forward on her knees, clutching at the Queen Mother’s skirt and explained, "It is a misunderstanding, a mere misunderstanding, Queen Mother! Jude only quarreled with Gracie, and in the heat of the moment accidentally brushed against her.

"Who would have imagined Princess Consort Athena would storm into the duke’s estate with guards, refusing to distinguish right from wrong, and force this wife to sign a divorce contract!

"Even Gracie was bewitched, siding with Princess Consort Athena, utterly ignoring the bond of husband and wife!"

The Queen Mother paused her prayer beads, a flicker of conflict flashing in her eyes.

She naturally favored her maiden family, the duke’s estate, yet Gracie was a royal–appointed daughter–in–law.

The injury report lay in black and white: Gracie had been beaten beyond recognition, her bones shattered, and even her child was lost.

In this matter, the duke’s estate was indefensible.

If she openly shielded Jenny, word would spread, and she would be branded as one who condoned relatives and ignored the law.

The Queen Mother responded, "As the Queen Mother, I know you cherish your son."

Setting down her beads, she accepted a cup from her maid and blew lightly across it.

"But Jude's violence against his pregnant wife is a fact. Athena’s demand for divorce and compensation is justified.

"Xander Manor is at its height, and the Prince Regent is the Emperor's trusted pillar. If you challenge them openly, the duke’s estate will gain nothing," she added.

Jenny wept harder, tears streaming down, "But once the divorce is finalized, Jude's name will be ruined, and the duke’s estate’s honor destroyed!

"Queen Mother, you are Jude's great–aunt–you cannot turn a blind eye!"

The Queen Mother sighed and, at last, relented. "Very well. I will mediate for you."

She looked to her maid and instructed, "Go to Xander Manor and deliver my message: summon Athena to Palace."

Jenny's eyes lit with hope. She bowed gratefully, "Thank you, Queen Mother, thank you!"

"Do not be so quick to thank me," the Queen Mother's voice carried a warning edge. "When you see Athena, say little. I will persuade Gracie to return to the duke's estate and have Jude apologize.

"Send her some tonics. The divorce shall be annulled, the compensation cancelled.

"After all, they are husband and wife–how can there be grudges that last overnight?"

These words were exactly what Jenny longed for. She eagerly agreed: "I will heed the Queen Mother! So long as Gracie returns, Jude will surely treat her well!"

Meanwhile, within Xander Manor, Athena had just settled Jessa Kent when a summons arrived from the Palace.

After hearing the maid's words, a cold smile curved Athena’s lips.

She chuckled, "The Queen Mother seeks to smooth things over? Very well. I will go to the Palace, so she may see with her own eyes how the duke's estate treats Gracie."

The Xander Manor carriage halted outside the Palace.

Athena helped Gracie alight, but seeing her too injured to walk, arranged for her to rest on a cushioned chair outside the hall.

Athena then entered alone.

Jenny was waiting at the side, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

The Queen Mother reclined on a soft couch, twirling her rosary beads, her tone intentionally gentle. She explained, "Today, I have summoned the Princess Consort of Xander Manor to act as mediator.

"The Princess Consort has always been learned and courteous; surely you will grant me this favor."

But Athena did not step forward. Instead, she handed the booklet in her hand to the Queen Mother’s maid and said, "Queen Mother, you may wish to examine this first."

The nanny passed it over, and as the Queen Mother read, her eyes widened in shock.

"Gracie suffers three fractures in her left arm, abdominal trauma causing bleeding, and miscarriage. She requires three months of bed rest," she uttered in disbelief.

The Queen Mother’s brow furrowed deeper with every word, her face darkening with fury.

She cast the booklet at Jenny with a sharp rebuke, "And this you call a quarrel between husband and wife?

"To maim her so, and yet as a mother, you shield your son’s crimes? You are utterly deluded!"

Jenny, terrified, collapsed into a kneel: "Queen Mother, please calm your anger, calm your anger!"