"Duke Lu Xia, it’s wise not to push things too far. I’m sure you understand that principle!"

"But you didn’t leave me any leeway either, did you?" Lu Xia was completely unfazed by the threat. In her eyes, both Lady Victoria and Lady Dain were the same kind of people.

’This was the type of person who, even when they were in the wrong, never considered it their own fault. They only ever thought others were being ungrateful.’

Lady Dain hadn’t expected to gain no ground with Lu Xia, even after intervening personally. Her temper flared instantly. Having never been rebuffed before, Lady Dain didn’t know the meaning of backing down. "Fine. We’ll see about that!"

’She’d just see what this Duke Lu Xia was capable of.’

"Okay," Lu Xia replied, her calm acceptance of the threat utterly galling.

After her call with Lady Dain, Lu Xia contacted Lady Daina. She needed to see Her Majesty Queen. In fact, she had planned to see the Queen regardless of the incident with Lady Victoria. Promoting and popularizing the gene fusion agent wasn’t as simple as just passing clinical trials; it required many more procedures and official approval from the Empire.

"Lady Daina, when you arrange the audience, please don’t mention the matter between myself and Lady Victoria."

Hearing this, Lady Daina was a little surprised. "You’re seeking an audience with Her Majesty Queen... isn’t it to report what happened?"

"I am, but that’s not my main objective. My primary goal is the distribution of the gene fusion agent. Which do you think is more important: distributing the gene fusion agent to benefit the Imperial Citizens, or the fact that Lady Victoria and I have disturbed the peace of the Empire?"

"That would naturally be... I understand." Even someone like Lady Daina had to admit how clever this young female was.

’Her sister had no idea who she’d just crossed.’

’But she was more than happy to watch the drama unfold.’

With Lu Xia’s stated reason for the meeting and Lady Daina’s introduction, a reply came quickly from Her Majesty Queen, and a time for the audience was set.

Early that day, Graces and Smelian came out to see her off. Regarding the recent events at home, everyone couldn’t help but worry—everyone except for Lu Xia, who acted as normal as ever.

Graces, being at the center of the incident, was especially filled with self-blame.

"All right, don’t look so nervous. Nothing will happen when I meet Her Majesty Queen. Go on back now." Lu Xia opened the car door, got in, waved, and left without a moment’s hesitation.

"Graces, since Xiaxia said she’ll be fine, you shouldn’t overthink it." Seeing Graces standing frozen, staring in the direction Lu Xia had left, Smelian couldn’t help but try to comfort him.

"I know. I just feel like I’m still not strong enough." ’Not strong enough for his young female to rely on him completely. Instead, he was the one making her solve his problems.’

At these words, a wave of melancholy washed over Smelian as well.

Lu Xia was unaware of the mood of her two husbands. She was already meeting Lady Daina outside the Imperial Palace.

An attendant of Her Majesty Queen came out and led the two of them into an inner hall.

Her Majesty Queen, seated upright, looked quite young—perhaps in her thirties or forties. In reality, she was over fifty but was exceptionally well-preserved. Dressed in simple, elegant clothes, she appeared kind and approachable.

Seeing Lady Daina enter with Lu Xia, the Queen smiled. "So you are Duke Lu Xia. You’re much younger than I imagined."

"Her Majesty Queen is too kind," Lu Xia said, bowing her head respectfully, putting on an appearance of perfect obedience.

Her Majesty Queen gestured for an attendant to bring them seats, then said, "Daina mentioned you wished to see me to discuss the release of the gene fusion agent. Are you quite confident in it?"

"Of course. Although the gene fusion agent currently has only a fifty percent success rate, clinical trials have shown excellent results with manageable side effects. Moreover, the fact that there are no age restrictions will benefit many citizens in need. To be frank with Her Majesty Queen, my main husband, Graces, recently used the gene fusion agent. He has now become the Empire’s first Gene Fusion Expert with a one hundred percent gene fusion degree. The same is true for Admiral Snop. And it’s not just them. My other husband, Smelian, also recently went from being a defective male to officially becoming a Gene Fusion Expert. Once his condition stabilizes, his official records can be updated."

"I say all this because I want Her Majesty Queen to know that the gene fusion agent truly represents hope for the Imperial Citizens. I do not wish for its name to be tarnished. That is why I troubled Lady Daina to arrange this audience, so I could explain the situation in person. I pray Her Majesty Queen will not fault me for overstepping my bounds."

"How could I blame you? Everything you are doing is for the Imperial Citizens. You have a patriotic heart. As for the gene fusion agent, I will assign someone to oversee it directly; it will not fall into the hands of others. The things you are worried about will not come to pass. Go and do your work well. I will be waiting for your good news." At this point, the Queen seemed to recall something. "Oh, that’s right. I heard from my staff that your research has been suspended. What happened? To be honest, I use the beauty cream and hair growth liquid developed by your No. 1 Institute myself. They are truly excellent products. Will you no longer be producing them?"

At the sudden mention of this, Lu Xia put on a troubled expression, looking as if she didn’t know what to say.

It was Lady Daina, however, who sneered from the side. "Your Majesty is unaware of the circumstances. Duke Lu Xia asked me to arrange this audience out of desperation. That ’wonderful’ niece of mine, so well-raised by my dear sister Lady Dain, has been using her Imperial Family bloodline to run amok. She took a fancy to Duke Lu Xia’s main husband, Graces, and tried to trade one of her own husbands for him. Not only did she humiliate Duke Lu Xia, but she then had the relevant authorities seize the institute’s raw materials and launch an investigation. Duke Lu Xia had no choice but to suspend her research. Lu Xia, there is no need to cover for them! Her Majesty Queen has the right to know!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xia quickly added, "I know Lady Daina means well, of course, but it is best not to trouble Her Majesty Queen’s ears with such matters."

"Outrageous! To commit such a scandalous act and show no remorse! Duke Lu Xia, Lady Daina is right. For people who would do such a thing, what face is there to save? Attendant! Contact Lady Dain at once. Tell her to bring Victoria to the palace immediately!"

The attendant bowed obediently and departed.

Lu Xia looked slightly at a loss, appearing a bit panicked.

Seeing her like this, Her Majesty Queen’s heart softened. "For them to dare bully even you means they must do such things often. It is my failure for not having properly educated the members of the Imperial Family. You have been wronged. Rest assured, I will handle this matter to your satisfaction."

"That’s not necessary, Her Majesty Queen. I have done nothing to be ashamed of, and my institute and its raw materials have nothing to fear from an investigation. Suspending the research is only temporary. I have faith that the Empire will see that justice is done."