Men and Women Should Keep Their Distance

Jason Zhuo's hand trembled slightly, but his face remained expressionless as he said, "Princess, please don't think about this anymore. I am not worthy of you."

"I don't care about status."

"I do."

Princess Olivia Gu: "...If you really care about that, I can stop being a princess!"

"Don't say such nonsense!" Jason Zhuo's gaze was icy. "That's all I have to say. Goodbye."

"Jason Zhuo!" Princess Olivia Gu suddenly rushed forward and grabbed his sleeve.

He had a faint scent of fresh grass on him. It was really pleasant.

Just like in her dreams.

"Do you hate me?" Princess Olivia Gu looked into his eyes and asked.

"Men and women shouldn't touch." Jason Zhuo said quickly. "If someone sees, it could harm your reputation, Princess."

"Answer my question."

"Princess, you and I barely know each other. I only happened to help you when you fell off the cliff. How could I hate or like you?" Jason Zhuo said. "I don't hate you, Princess, but I don't have any other feelings either."

Princess Olivia Gu's eyes reddened, but she didn't let go of him.

"Didn't you hear Kevin Zhuo today, Princess? He said I stole supplies from the army to sell, and I'm about to lose my post. I'm not worthy of you, so let go." Jason Zhuo said. "If you're looking for a husband, my younger brother Kevin is perfect—he's my father's biological son and will inherit everything from the Zhu family. You're a royal princess, only someone like him is worthy—"

"I don't like him. I like you." Princess Olivia Gu interrupted him.

Jason Zhuo took a deep breath, used force, and broke free: "Princess, you're just confused for a moment. You'll forget me in a few days! There's no need to meet again. Goodbye!"

With that, he turned and left.

Princess Olivia Gu's courage crumbled instantly. She squatted down sadly, hugging her knees.

Azure Phoenix stood behind a nearby thicket, holding the Antler Serpent.

She heard their entire conversation, loud and clear.

Honestly, whenever Grace looked at Princess Olivia Gu, it was like seeing her younger self.

Back then, she had also clung to Evan Xiao and confessed her feelings in almost the same way.

She understood exactly how Princess Olivia Gu was feeling right now.

Grace sighed, walked over, and gently patted her on the shoulder. "My brother’s just like that, you know."

Princess Olivia Gu looked up with tearful eyes and asked, "Does he already have someone he loves?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

"Then why is he so cold-hearted?"

"Because he’s stubborn! He’s always hung up on social status." Grace pulled her up. "Princess, don’t be too upset. I’ll help you figure something out."

Princess Olivia Gu gazed at her. "Grace, we weren’t close before. Why are you willing to help me?"

"...Because, as a princess, you’re elegant and gracious but never spoiled—truly rare," Grace replied. "Honestly, if my brother missed out on you, it’d be the biggest regret of his life."

Princess Olivia Gu grabbed her hand. "Will you really help me?"

Grace nodded.

"Thank you, Grace!" Princess Olivia Gu threw her arms around her.

Grace patted her back reassuringly.

...

Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, Grace Wan hurried toward the Red Plum Garden with a crowd trailing behind her.

Among the group were maids, guards, Mrs. Liu (Grace’s second aunt), Mrs. Yuan (her third aunt), and Lady Leng, Bella Wan’s mother.

There was also an old physician and his apprentice, carrying a medicine chest.

"Grace Wan, where are you off to in such a hurry?" someone suddenly called out.

Grace Wan turned around—it was the Old Madam.