Sneaking into the Forbidden Garden

Evan Xiao sensed what she was thinking, his heart skipping a beat. He let go of her and said, "It's been a while since I've had your tea. Make me a pot, will you?"

Grace nodded and got up to brew him a pot of tea.

Then, Evan sipped her tea while reading his official documents... completely absorbed.

The documents were made of a material Grace had never seen before—shimmering gold, soft yet thick, with intricate patterns and dragon totems that looked mysterious and magnificent.

Grace couldn't help but pick up a scroll and ask, "What kind of material is this? I've never seen anything like it."

Evan glanced at the divine clan's memorial in her hand and said, "This was bestowed by the Vermilion Bird Empire. Ordinary people never see fabric like this."

"And... what language is this? Why can't I recognize a single word?"

"It's... military code."

Grace eyed him suspiciously. "Really?"

The Spirit Alliance was closely tied to the military. She'd spent over a decade there in her previous life—how had she never heard of any 'military code'?

Evan nodded seriously and went back to his documents...

...

Grace spent the whole afternoon in the study with him, while Evan just read his papers the entire time.

She thought Evan kept her around for something more exciting!

So this is what "keeping her company" meant?

Back when she was still Bai Xiaoyu, every time he was alone with her, he'd always get pretty intimate.

Now, though, he barely does anything. No passionate kisses, no clingy hugs, and definitely no pinning her down...

Has he just lost interest over time?

But her feelings for him were stronger than ever! What was she supposed to do?

She wanted to be close to him all the time—what now?

Grace rested her chin in her hand, lying on the desk across from Evan, gazing at him a little sadly.

It was as if Evan could read her mind. He looked up and said, "Even though we've already acted like husband and wife, we can't do that again until we're officially married."

"Why are you telling me this!" Grace sat up, blushing furiously.

"Weren't you just fantasizing about this general's good looks?"

"I was not!" Grace hopped off the couch, annoyed. "I'm going home!"

Seeing her embarrassed and angry, Evan just smiled and said, "Alright, be careful on your way."

Grace felt so mad, she turned and stormed out.

At the door, she couldn't help but glance back—and caught the mischievous grin flickering in Evan's eyes.

With a loud bang, she slammed the door and left.

Ugh, he's so annoying!

He kept her around just to pour tea and grind ink—what, does he think she's a maid?

Hmph!

Leaving the general's residence, she rode her horse home, pouting all the way.

Halfway there, she suddenly stopped, her big eyes darting around. Then she turned her horse and snuck off toward Cat Ear Alley.

She wanted to sneak into the Forbidden Garden for a look.

First, to check on her little cutie.

Second, to see that dragon.

Last time she saw it, she was so scared and flustered, she didn't even get a good look...

With her current cultivation, scaling the Forbidden Garden's wall was a piece of cake.

Just like before, she climbed in from that tree, leaping a few times to land on the garden wall.

But as soon as she landed, she let out a miserable scream and tumbled right off the wall.

She'd been shocked!

What the heck was that?!

It took her a moment to get up. Dazed, she looked up and saw that the wall was just as it had always been—except for a few streaks of golden light flashing right where she'd landed.