"A campaign?" Evan Xiao looked stunned. "Where are we going to fight?"
"This campaign will be commanded by me," Colin Gu said. "When the time comes, you only need to follow my orders."
Evan Xiao replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"It's just... your wedding date..."
"Then I'll just postpone the wedding!" Evan Xiao said.
"That's fine," Colin Gu said. "General Evan Xiao, if you win this campaign, I promise you won't be disappointed. I'll make you a king—your family will be honored for generations!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Evan Xiao bowed.
"Mm." Colin Gu nodded. "You may go now. I need to sober up a bit myself!"
Evan Xiao: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Colin Gu watched his figure disappear into the Grand Ballroom, then turned to the two guards beside him and said, "I have a favor to ask of you both."
One of the guards said, "We're here under King Skyroc's orders to assist you. Whatever you need, just say the word—no need to stand on ceremony."
Colin Gu said quietly, "When Evan Xiao leaves for this campaign, he won't be coming back."
The guard smiled and said, "Understood! You can count on us!"
......
Grace helped Shannon change into a new outfit, and the two of them headed back the way they came.
But halfway there, they ran into Cindy Zhu.
She was standing in the garden near Cynthia's Garden—her old residence and the only way back to the Grand Ballroom—looking as if she was lost in memories.
"Lady Cynthia, why are you out and about when you're pregnant?" Grace asked.
"The house felt stuffy and noisy, so I wanted to come back to Cynthia's Garden for a look," Cindy Zhu replied. "Big Sister, Miss Bai, why are you coming from Serenity Pavilion?"
"Shannon's dress got stained with wine, so I took her to change," Grace said.
"Oh..." Cindy Zhu nodded.
"We'll head out first, we don't want to disturb Your Ladyship's peace," Grace said as she prepared to leave.
"Big Sister." Cindy Zhu called out.
Grace: "Does Your Ladyship have any instructions?"
"There's something I'd like to talk to you about."
"What is it?"
Cindy Zhu glanced apologetically at Shannon. "I'd like to speak with you alone."
Shannon looked at Grace, and Grace nodded.
So Shannon excused herself and left.
Cindy Zhu ordered her maids, "You may all leave!"
The head maid hesitated, "Before we left the palace, the Queen Dowager reminded us again and again—we're not to leave Your Ladyship's side for even a moment..."
"This is my own home, and she's my real sister! Do you think she'd hurt me?" Cindy Zhu retorted. "Go further away, and don't eavesdrop on our conversation!"
"Uh..."
"What are you waiting for? Move it!" Cindy Zhu snapped.
"Yes, ma'am!" The maids didn't dare make a pregnant woman angry, so they hurried off.
Grace raised an eyebrow. "So, what is it you want to talk about?"
"I want to ask you something," Cindy Zhu said.
"What is it?"
"Why am I pregnant?" Cindy Zhu stared at her.
Grace chuckled, "My guess? You got pregnant because the emperor slept with you!"
"I've been taking contraceptive medicine all along."
"Well, I wouldn't know!" Grace said. "Maybe that medicine just didn't work!"
"Grace Zhu, you wretched woman! Stop pretending!" Cindy Zhu suddenly burst out. "You think I don't know? This is your doing!"
"My doing?" Grace replied with a faint smile. "Are you talking about that apology tea you gave me when I first entered the palace—the one spiked with Fertility Elixir?"