"Lily!" Leonard Li burst in, his face full of worry. He was so anxious he nearly grabbed Lily Evans by the shoulders, checking if Governor Yale had bullied her.
Lucky stretched his arm across, blocking Lily's shoulder, and grinned at Leonard Li: "Leonard Li, are you here for a visit?"
The word "visit" sounded especially grating to Leonard Li. He glanced at Lily and Alexander Hayes, forcibly suppressing the emotions surging inside him, then flashed Lily a crooked smile, still acting the carefree heir: "I thought that dog of an official had hauled you away."
Lily laughed heartily, looking at Leonard Li. He was travel-worn, stubbled, and a bit disheveled—completely different from the charming, dashing nobleman she was used to seeing.
"I'm fine. Governor Yale isn't giving me any trouble now, and I really have to thank you, Leonard Li." Lily cupped her hands to Leonard Li in gratitude.
"Thank me?" Leonard Li was baffled. He'd just arrived and hadn't done anything yet—why was she thanking him?
"Governor Yale was all set to arrest and punish me, but suddenly changed his mind this morning and decided to let me off. Wasn't it you who spoke to him?" Lily asked curiously.
Leonard Li glanced at Lucky, who was smiling, and suddenly understood. He couldn't help but mock himself— with Alexander Hayes by her side, not even the Emperor could touch her, let alone a mere second-rank governor like Yale.
Thinking back to how he rushed here day and night after receiving news from Eugene Jr., Leonard Li couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.
"It wasn't me," Leonard Li shook his head. "I just got here, I haven't even had a chance to do anything yet."
"Huh? Then what happened? I thought it was you." Lily and Eugene Jr. exchanged glances. If Leonard Li hadn't intervened, why did Governor Yale suddenly change his mind?
"Maybe that dog of an official suddenly grew a conscience?" Leonard Li glanced at Lucky, then said to Lily, "Anyway, as long as you're safe, that's what matters. I'll send someone to the governor's office to deliver a message and give that dog of an official a good warning—how dare he touch someone under the protection of the Heir of Huainan! He must be tired of living!"
Lucky raised an eyebrow—what do you mean, 'someone under the protection of the heir'? Lily is his wife!
The two men exchanged invisible sparks in the air. Nearby, Sean Hayes watched nervously, thinking: So the Heir of Huainan and the Heir of Weiyuan are really butting heads now? Would Leonard Li end up getting his legs broken by General Hayes?
Lily was so moved by Leonard Li's wind-and-dust journey to rescue her, she called to Belle: "Belle, boil some water so Leonard Li can take a bath and rest!"
Eugene Jr. laughed, "Miss Lily, you probably don't know—Leonard Li really went all out! He was supposed to head back to the capital for urgent family business, but when I told him you were in trouble, he didn't say a word, just jumped on his horse and rushed here with me to Greenfield City. We traveled day and night, and in five days' journey, we ran five horses to exhaustion!"
Lily was even more touched and said warmly, "Thank you so much, Leonard Li. Tonight, I'll cook a feast myself to welcome you!"
Leonard Li's eyes lit up, his fatigue forgotten. "Lily, you promised! If you cook, I'll finally get to taste your dishes. I've been craving them for ages."
Lucky immediately pouted and tugged Lily's sleeve: "You're still not fully recovered—how can you cook?"
Lily laughed and coaxed Lucky: "Look, Leonard Li traveled thousands of miles to save me. I have nothing else to repay him with except a table of good food! Don't worry, Lucky, I promise not to touch cold water. I'll dress warmly and stay safe."
Lucky could only nod, his eyes still glued to Lily, as if afraid she'd vanish if he looked away.
Leonard Li smiled, his gaze lingering on Lily for a moment longer than necessary, before he turned and strode toward the guest room, his robe billowing with pride.