Chapter 503

At this moment, the Queen Mother realized Jenny had manipulated her. Fury surged within her, yet she could not openly disregard the duke’s estate. If the duke’s house lost face, she, the Queen Mother, would share in the disgrace.

Overcome by anger, she struck Jenny hard across the face. Jenny toppled to the ground with a scream, then scrambled to kneel properly once more.

The Queen Mother’s face darkened to a livid blue, her finger trembling as she pointed at Jenny and scolded, “As the wife of the duke, you allowed your son to commit such atrocities. You have utterly disregarded my teachings. You have disappointed me beyond measure.” She raised her hand to strike again, but a sudden fit of coughing wracked her chest. Her fury was so intense she could scarcely breathe.

Seeing this, Athena interceded, “Queen Mother, please calm your anger and take care of your health.” All present could see that the Queen Mother was merely posturing. What she wanted was a path of retreat, a way for Athena to yield her some face. Satisfied that her intention had been conveyed, she clasped Athena’s hand.

The Queen Mother began, “Good child, I knew you were the most sensible and considerate. Now, though their deeds are appalling, how can a couple not quarrel at times? Jude knows his fault. Let him apologize to Gracie today. If you remain unsatisfied, I myself will punish him to vent your anger for Gracie. But do not mention divorce again. It concerns the reputation of both houses—such things cannot be spoken of lightly.”

“Does the Queen Mother truly wish to send Gracie back to the very place that seeks her death?” Athena cut in sharply, her tone full of disbelief. “Let us set aside whether Jude has been restrained or whether his mistress has been dismissed. Today, Mrs. Patton made false accusations before all. Does the Queen Mother believe she shows any remorse? Would you have Gracie return only to be beaten to death by Jude, or bullied by his mistress, or abandoned when the duke’s estate contrives an excuse to cast her out a year hence?”

The Queen Mother faltered at Athena’s words, hastily waving her hand and denying, “It is not so dire. With my protection, he would never dare.”

Athena did not retreat. She stepped forward, unflinching, and met the Queen Mother’s gaze. She replied, “Queen Mother, I understand your wish to shield the duke’s estate. But do not forget that Gracie is the Prince Regent’s niece, the honor of Xander Manor, the very face of the Regent himself, and even His Majesty’s trust. If you mediate today and send Gracie back, all of Pidence City will say the Queen Mother favors her own family, condones violence against pregnant wives, and mocks royal marriages as trifles. Then it will not be only the duke’s estate whose reputation is ruined.”

The Queen Mother’s expression darkened further. She had not expected Athena to be so unyielding. This mire was far too deep for her to smooth over. Athena then instructed the maid, “Show Lady Gracie in.” The maid obeyed, and the Queen Mother’s face grew uglier still. She had not requested Gracie, yet Athena had already decided for her. Were she not herself at fault, she would have punished Athena’s insolence long ago. She leaned back against her cushion, weariness tugging at her frame.

Before long, several matrons carried Gracie into the hall. On the chair, her face was mottled blue and purple, swollen beyond recognition. Her head was grotesquely distended, her condition almost lifeless. The Queen Mother’s heart lurched at the sight.

“This… this is the young lady of the duke’s estate?” she asked Jenny in disbelief. Jenny bowed her head, guilt flooding her features, too afraid to speak.

The Queen Mother gripped the armrest until her knuckles whitened. Suddenly, she lashed out, slapping Jenny viciously across the face. The crack rang through the hall. Jenny’s vision spun as stars burst before her eyes. If the earlier blow had been for show, this one was with full force.

The Queen Mother’s hand shook with rage. She exclaimed, “What a fool! What kind of son did you raise? The daughter–in–law of the duke’s estate should be treasured and exalted, yet you have reduced her to a pitiful, broken thing. A beautiful girl has been ruined to this state by your house. And you still dare to plead for mercy?”

Jenny’s cheeks burned with swelling as she dropped to her knees, kowtowing frantically. She begged, “Queen Mother, please calm your anger. It is my failure in teaching my son. I accept whatever punishment you decree.”

The Queen Mother’s fury boiled over, and she ordered, “Guards! Bring Jude, and that shameless woman of his, into the palace at once!” Athena stood aside, watching silently, intent on seeing how far the Queen Mother would go. The guards outside did not dare delay. At her command, they hurried away. Jenny remained on her knees, her forehead already bruised from incessant kowtowing, her whole body trembling like a sieve.

In no time, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the hall. Two guards dragged Jude inside, bound and trussed. His hair hung disheveled, his robes disordered, his face strained—yet strikingly, without fear. Behind him came his mistress, Ruth McGee, hauled forward by her arms. Her makeup was ruined, her gown torn, and she sobbed as the guards forced her to kneel.

“Queen Mother, save me!” Jude cried the moment he saw her, lunging forward like a drowning man grasping at a straw. But the guards forced him flat to the ground. He cried, “Athena framed me! Gracie fell on her own, yet they laid the blame on me!”

Ruth wept too, “Your Majesty, please spare me! Prince Jude forced this upon me. He insisted on marrying me. I never wished to harm Lady Gracie!”

The Queen Mother nearly fainted from rage at their cries. She thought, ‘Whatever the case, Athena was the Regent’s Princess Consort, ennobled as Serene Princess by the late King himself. And what was Jude? How dare he address her by name?’

Disappointed beyond measure, the Queen Mother snapped to her maid, “Strike him. Strike him hard!” The maid seized Jude by the hair and slapped him again and again. Blood poured from his nose and mouth, his vision blurred with stars. Ruth shrank into herself, shivering in terror, unable to speak further. Afterward, the maid returned to her post. Only then did Jude’s arrogance wane slightly.

“Do you acknowledge your wrongs?” the Queen Mother demanded, her glare searing.

Jude looked first at Gracie, then at Athena with her icy, murderous air. His tone softened, “I was wrong. I know I was wrong. Please, have mercy.” Though his words bent, his eyes still burned with defiance. He even cast Athena a resentful glare.

Seeing his obstinacy, the Queen Mother longed to drive him out at once. She caught Athena’s cold smile from the corner of her eye. Athena sneered, “It seems Prince Jude still bears resentment. Perhaps he blames me for ruining his scheme.”

“Queen Mother,” Athena said with a graceful curtsy, “shall we invite His Majesty to judge this case?”

The Queen Mother’s eyelids twitched. If the King intervened, even the Duke himself might be dragged down. She waved her hand firmly and replied, “There is no need to trouble His Majesty with affairs of the inner court. Since I preside here, I will see justice done for Gracie.” She knew that to appease Athena, Jude must suffer.

Raising her hand, she commanded, “Drag this unfilial wretch out of the palace. Give him thirty heavy blows!” At once, Jude panicked. He had never believed the Queen Mother would go so far. In desperation, he turned wide eyes toward Jenny and begged, “Mother, save me, save me…”