You Must Not Harm Colin Gu

"Escape? How could she possibly escape?" Leon Zane's eyes widened.

"I don't know the specifics either," Bianca Whitefan replied.

"I offered to help her run away, but she refused. Now she's in the palace, and the national ceremony is being prepared at full speed. How could she possibly escape now?" Leon Zane shook his head. "You're overthinking it! No way!"

"She's not like us—her whole family is there. How could she run? And what about her parents if she did?" Bianca Whitefan said. "Her entering the palace must be a temporary measure."

"Why are you suddenly defending her?"

"Honestly, I kind of like her," Bianca Whitefan admitted.

Leon Zane rolled his eyes. "You've caught whatever the prince has—it's a disease! Needs treatment!"

Bianca Whitefan laughed. "Anyway, let's just wait and see!"

"Wait and see, then! I just don't believe it—at this point, how could she possibly slip away from Colin Gu's grasp?"

"By the way, cousin, you really should go see her."

"Why would I go see her?"

"Her cultivation is on a whole new level now! Aren't you worried she'll—" Bianca Whitefan made a throat-slitting gesture. "—do that to Colin Gu?"

Leon Zane sucked in a breath. "Whoa! That absolutely can't happen! Colin Gu is our only lead!"

"Exactly! Imperial Advisor, you need to head to Eastgate Palace and perform a ritual!"

Leon Zane frowned, nodded, and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Bianca Whitefan called out again.

"Now what?"

"Any news from Sophie Shang? How's His Highness doing?"

Leon Zane's expression grew serious. "Yes, Sophie Shang sent word. Ever since His Highness returned, he's been unconscious."

"He's been out for this long and still hasn't woken up?" Bianca Whitefan asked anxiously. "Is his life in danger?"

"Hard to say."

"I'm really worried... I just hope His Highness can turn bad luck into good."

Leon Zane's brows knitted tightly as he left without another word.

...

Grace watched as Leon Zane, acting all mysterious, cleared everyone out. She bowed to him. "Thank you, Imperial Advisor!"

"Tell me, what exactly are you up to?" Leon Zane asked with a sour look.

"Just buying a few days' time," Grace replied. "See if I can change anything."

"Do you have a detailed plan?"

"...Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

Leon Zane took a deep breath. "I don't care what you're planning, but there's one thing I need to make clear."

"What is it? Please advise, Imperial Advisor."

"Colin Gu is off-limits."

Grace looked at him in surprise. "Why?"

"Last time we couldn't find anyone at your place. Now, Colin Gu is our only lead," Leon Zane said. "Bianca needs him to track someone down."

"Who exactly are you looking for?"

"Don't ask what you shouldn't," Leon Zane said coolly. "Bottom line: you can't lay a finger on Colin Gu."

Grace said nothing.

"Even if you don't care about us, you should at least care about the general, right? Can you really stand to see him spend years undercover and get nothing out of it?"

"Fine, fine! I promise—I won't touch a single hair on him!"

Leon Zane snorted and turned to leave.

After a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned, and asked, "The general's been missing for days—aren't you worried?"

Grace paused, then said, "Actually, I have a pretty good idea where he went."

"What?" Leon Zane's eyes widened. "How do you know?"

"I dabble in a bit of divination, remember? I figured it out." Grace thought, since Evan Xiao was missing, Leon and the others must be worried sick. She could reveal just a little, to ease their minds.