Two Docile Mother Hens

"I... I just wanted to ask you, why am I assigned as my father's aide-de-camp?"

"Then who did you think you'd be assigned to?"

"I thought... it would be you!" she said, a bit embarrassed.

"You want to be my aide-de-camp?" Evan Xiao asked.

"Not that I want to... I just thought it would be you..."

"You don't want to?"

"Oh, come on! Why are you like this?" Grace playfully punched him.

Evan Xiao chuckled and said, "With your father here, how could I dare assign his precious daughter to be my own aide-de-camp?"

Grace couldn't help but laugh, "How can you say 'Father-in-law' so smoothly?"

"We're already husband and wife in every way that matters. He is my father-in-law."

After all, we're not married yet!

In my heart, it's as if we're already married.

Wow... I think your skin is thicker than most!

Thicker than yours?

Am I thick-skinned?

Thicker than the city walls...

...

The army set out late at night, and after several days' march, Evan Xiao ordered a three-day rest at the border closest to the Vermilion Kingdom.

None of the commanders understood why they had to rest here.

But surely the General had a strategy that ordinary soldiers couldn't comprehend, so no one questioned him.

Once everything was arranged, two Red-crested Golden Eagles quietly landed at the rear of the camp late that night.

Minister Zhuo led Grace out of the camp to meet up with Evan Xiao.

Staring at the two Red-crested Golden Eagles, each taller than a man and with wings spanning ten zhang, Minister Zhuo stiffly asked, 'Are they tamed?'

These are Red-crested Golden Eagles...

Judging by their size, they're probably more powerful than he is. With one swipe of their claws, they could tear a person in half...

Don't worry, Father-in-law," Evan Xiao said. "They'll behave.

As he spoke, he beckoned to them.

The two Red-crested Golden Eagles obediently crouched down.

Like two gentle old hens.

Father-in-law, go ahead and get on," Evan Xiao said.

Minister Zhuo walked over, hesitated for a long time, and said, 'Maybe we should just ride horses instead!'

This is much faster. We'll reach Yan Capital in half an hour, and we won't have to pass through any checkpoints.

But..." Minister Zhuo's legs were trembling.

Dad, don't worry! I've ridden Red-crested Golden Eagles before. They're very steady," Grace said. "Just hold onto the bone feathers on both sides, you won't fall off.

Minister Zhuo reluctantly climbed on.

Then, without asking Minister Zhuo's opinion, Evan Xiao took Grace's hand and climbed onto the other eagle.

Grace sat in front, and Evan Xiao wrapped his arms around her from behind.

'Chirp!' The Red-crested Golden Eagle called out and took off smoothly into the sky.

Don't make a sound," Evan Xiao said.

The eagle was about to cry out again, but at Evan's words, it swallowed the sound back down.

'This eagle is really obedient!' Grace said. 'Did you raise it?'

'No,' Evan Xiao replied. 'But they recognize me, so they'll obey.'

'What's up with Red-crested Golden Eagles these days? Why are they so gentle?' Grace wondered. 'Last time when Sophie Sun forced me to jump off a cliff in Eastwood Forest, a Red-crested Golden Eagle caught me.'

'Really?' Evan Xiao said.

'Yes! I always thought Red-crested Golden Eagles were man-eating beasts, but it turns out that's not true!'

'They are man-eating beasts.'

'Huh?'

'It's safer if you keep thinking that way.'

...