This was precisely Lu Xia’s goal. Having achieved it, she couldn’t help but look over at Graces, raising an eyebrow at him with a smile in her eyes and a touch of smug pride.

When she spoke again, her voice was as composed as ever: "In that case, I thank you on Graces’s behalf."

Duke Leslie was delighted that she had agreed. This was tantamount to handing the honor of Graces becoming a Gene Fusion Expert over to the Leslie family. Graces was now Duke Lu Xia’s husband, after all; he belonged to her. According to the Empire’s rules, from the day he gained Duke Lu Xia’s favor, any honor he earned would no longer belong to the Leslie family.

How could Duke Leslie not be overjoyed that Duke Lu Xia was willing to relinquish such an opportunity?

After the call ended, despite her joy, Duke Leslie had not forgotten what Lu Xia mentioned about Hugheska.

Ordinarily, she wouldn’t have minded Hugheska bullying Graces. After all, Graces had been a disappointment. As a ’defective’ male, being bullied by his siblings was all too common; every family with multiple children went through it.

That was why she had never intervened.

But now that Graces had become a Gene Fusion Expert, whether by accident or coincidence, his status had changed. He could no longer be treated as he was before.

’Hugheska needed to be put in his place.’

When Hugheska received the video call from Duke Leslie, he tried to act casual, but his darting eyes betrayed his inner anxiety and fear.

He had been on edge ever since returning from the government affairs hall, because he knew exactly what it meant for Graces to become a Gene Fusion Expert.

Duke Leslie was bound to find out about it. He had only hoped she would learn of it later, which would buy him more time. That’s why he hadn’t informed her immediately.

But in the end, the call came.

"Mo-Mother, good day. Did you call for a particular reason?"

"You tell me. Hugheska, after everything that happened today, is there nothing you have to say to me?" Duke Leslie stared at her eldest son. If one disregarded his status as a Gene Fusion Expert, Hugheska was not as capable as Graces.

Graces had managed to work his way up to Colonel in the military despite his ’defective’ status, while Hugheska, despite being a Gene Fusion Expert, was merely an employee in the family business.

’The contrast between them couldn’t have been more obvious.’

Hugheska knew what Duke Leslie meant. He couldn’t hide it any longer and reluctantly began to speak. "I saw Graces and his Female Master, Duke Lu Xia, at the government affairs hall today. They were updating his information because Graces has become a Gene Fusion Expert. Mother, I think you must investigate this matter thoroughly! How is this possible? Graces is just a defective. There has never been a case in the entire Empire of a defective becoming a Gene Fusion Expert! I suspect they used some illegal means to fake the test report and deceive everyone!"

As Hugheska spoke these indignant words, Duke Leslie watched him in silence, as if waiting to see how far he would take his performance.

When he finished, Duke Leslie sneered. "So you think Duke Lu Xia faked Graces’s Gene Fusion Expert report? And why would she do that? Because Graces is just one of her many husbands? Are you looking down on your brother, or are you looking down on Duke Lu Xia? You think you’re so clever, but you’re as stupid as a pig!"

Facing Duke Leslie’s tirade, Hugheska lowered his head and didn’t dare to utter a word. He knew perfectly well the report couldn’t be fake; there was simply no reason for it to be. Just as Duke Leslie had said, why would Duke Lu Xia go to all that trouble for a single husband? What would she possibly gain?

If Duke Lu Xia needed a male Gene Fusion Expert for appearances, she only needed to say the word, and scores of males would be lining up for her to choose. Wouldn’t that be a hundred times simpler?

Seeing his silence, Duke Leslie continued, "I don’t care what you think. Graces is no longer someone you can bully as you please. You’d better be more polite to him the next time you meet. Furthermore, I’m planning to host a dinner party to celebrate him becoming a Gene Fusion Expert. You will be there."

"Mother, if it’s all the same, I’d rather not attend. You know my Female Master might not..."

"You must come. I’ll speak with her about it." Without another word, Duke Leslie ended the call.

*

Early the next morning, the gown Lu Xia had asked the old butler to prepare was delivered. Standing before the mirror to try it on, she watched as the loose-fitting skirt completely concealed her slightly swollen belly. This reassured her greatly; now she wouldn’t have to worry about anyone noticing she was pregnant.

The old butler smoothed out the hem of her skirt. "Madam, will this do?"

"It’s quite nice. Is everything else ready?"

"Everything is prepared. Whom do you plan to accompany you to Prince Li Mang’s banquet tonight?" The old butler had his reasons for asking; after all, Graces was no longer the only husband in the household.

"Has Graces left for work?" Lu Xia didn’t answer directly. Instead, something else occurred to her. "I wonder what the looks on his friends’ faces at the military headquarters will be when they see him."

"I imagine they’ll be quite shocked." For Graces to become a Gene Fusion Expert was a blessing in disguise, something every male in the Empire dreamed of.

"I imagine so," Lu Xia said with a small smile. "Who do you think would be best to take to the banquet?"

"Do you truly wish for my recommendation, Madam?"

"Let’s hear it."

"In my opinion, Graces is currently the center of attention. Taking him would inevitably make you the focus of the gathering, and you might even upstage Prince Li Mang. I believe it would be better to be more discreet. Smelian has only just arrived, and I can see he is very anxious and unsure of how to fit in. Perhaps you could take him with you tonight, Madam? It would also serve as a friendly signal to the Rafaelde Family, would it not?"

"Smelian is anxious?" Lu Xia thought back on his behavior over the last few days. He was very quiet and his expression rarely changed, but he answered any question asked of him. He seemed to have a very gentle and obedient nature, and she hadn’t sensed the slightest bit of anxiety from him.

’It made her start to doubt the old butler’s powers of observation.’ 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Having served Lu Xia for a long time, the old butler knew she wasn’t one to get angry. He smiled and said, "Perhaps I was mistaken. Or perhaps he simply doesn’t dare to show it and is only feigning composure. Ultimately, whether you take him is entirely up to you."

"You have a point, but Duke Leslie is coming to escort me there tonight. Do you think it would be appropriate for me to bring Smelian along with Duke Leslie?"

"That was an oversight on my part."

"I’m not blaming you. I won’t be taking anyone tonight."