That Garment Belongs to Grace

Grace smiled, "The stitching will be done soon."

"What's the rush? Slow down! Don't make it crooked."

"Relax! Don't you trust my skills?"

"Will it leave a scar?"

"I've got excellent medicine. There won't be any scar, I promise."

...

On the palace road.

Evan Xiao and Sophie Shang walked side by side.

"The Southern Realm has ceased fighting," Sophie Shang said in a draconic tone only Evan Xiao could hear. "A Phoenix Deity who had been hidden for thousands of years has appeared, stabilizing the situation."

"And the result?" Evan Xiao asked.

"The Scarlet Clan has agreed that if the Phoenix Clan is willing to submit, they can have the southeastern region of the Southern Realm to thrive and multiply."

Evan Xiao frowned. "The Scarlet Clan has truly flourished over the past few thousand years. Even with the emergence of a hidden deity, this is all they've managed to achieve."

"Yes." Sophie Shang replied.

Evan Xiao glanced at her and said, "Things here have settled down. You should return to the Drake Abyss."

But Sophie Shang said, "I was sent by the Divine Empress to assist you. Since you haven't reported back yet, how could I return first?"

"There's not much left for you to do here now."

"Please, let me take care of some mundane matters for you! May I continue to serve as your Left General, Your Highness?"

"Alright," Evan Xiao said.

Sending her back abruptly might arouse suspicion among those with ulterior motives.

"I heard His Majesty skipped the morning court today. Why don't we go see what's happened? It's a good chance to bring this up with him," Sophie Shang suggested.

Evan Xiao nodded and headed toward the Hanyuan Hall.

Outside the Hanyuan Hall, Zeng Fu paced back and forth. When he saw Evan Xiao and Sophie Shang, he hurried over and bowed. "General, you've arrived!"

"Why are you outside? Where's His Majesty?"

Zeng Fu looked a bit nervous and said, "His Majesty... His Majesty is resting in the inner chamber."

"Resting at this hour?" Evan Xiao frowned. "Is His Majesty ill?"

It was just before mid-morning, and Henry Tuoba had never rested at this time before.

"His Majesty didn't sleep well last night, so he's taking a nap now. If you have business, General, please come back this afternoon!"

Evan Xiao glanced into the room.

Inside, there were two palace maids.

Both were Henry Tuoba's personal senior palace maids.

The palace maids grew nervous when they saw him peeking inside.

The bedroom door inside was tightly shut.

Evan Xiao had no intention of prying into Henry Tuoba's private affairs and turned to leave.

Suddenly, he spotted something and stopped in his tracks.

On the soft couch inside, there was a neatly folded robe.

That robe... belonged to Grace.

Worried he might be mistaken, he walked over, picked up the robe, and sniffed it.

No doubt about it—it was her scent.

"Is this Grace's robe?" Evan Xiao asked the senior palace maid.

"Th-this... she... she..." The maid stammered, unable to get the words out.

"Oh, what's with all the stammering!" Zeng Fu stepped up. "General, that really is President Grace's robe. The Queen Dowager is ill, and President Grace was summoned by His Majesty to treat her. For the acupuncture, she changed into the attire from the Imperial Medical Bureau."

"Where is she?" Evan Xiao asked.

"She... went to the Queen Dowager's quarters," Zeng Fu replied.

The emperor had strictly ordered everyone to keep quiet, so he dared not say more.

Evan Xiao paused for a moment, then strode inside.

He knew Grace was inside.

"General!" Zeng Fu knelt in front of him, trying to stop him. "His Majesty has ordered that no one is to disturb!"

"Move aside," Evan Xiao said, giving Zeng Fu a look.