"I want to go to the Eastern Wilderness Forest to gather herbs..." Grace said timidly.
Why is he being so fierce?
"You're going to gather herbs all by yourself? Not even taking a guard?"
"I snuck out without telling my family..."
...
Serena Liu, who was still being threatened by the sword, saw Evan Xiao chatting away with Grace and ignoring her completely. She panicked and grabbed Evan Xiao's sleeve, pleading, "General, please save me! If you save me, I'll repay you—even if I have to be your servant—ah!"
Before she could finish, Evan Xiao flicked his sleeve, sending her flying like a rag doll into a tree. She crashed, spat blood, and passed out cold.
Evan Xiao brushed off the part of his sleeve Serena Liu had grabbed, then pulled Grace—who was standing on Jason Liu—aside and scolded, "Do you know what it means for men and women to keep their distance?"
"Of course I do!" Grace nodded earnestly.
"Then why are you standing on a man?" he asked, face dark. "From now on, no touching men—ever!"
Grace: "..."
After that, Evan Xiao took her away from the riverside and onto the main road.
There was a carriage nearby, low-key yet luxurious, emblazoned with the General's Mansion crest.
It was being pulled by two Silver Dragon Stallions!
"Wow! Silver Dragon Stallions! And two of them!" Grace stroked one of them. "Where did you get these? Using them to pull a carriage is just too extravagant!"
In the Blue Moon Kingdom, even the royal family didn't have such rare spirit beasts.
Evan Xiao said nothing and stuffed her into the carriage.
Then he climbed in after her.
Grace quickly protested, "I want to go to the Eastern Wilderness Forest! I'm not going back!"
Evan Xiao called out to Louis Lin, who was driving, "Go."
The carriage sped off toward the Eastern Wilderness Forest.
"Huh? You're going to the forest too?" Grace asked.
"Yeah."
"That's awesome!" Grace grinned. "Wow, your carriage is amazing! So fast, and not bumpy at all!"
No wonder it's pulled by Silver Dragon Stallions—it's way faster than riding a horse.
Even more impressive, the wheels must be specially made, because it's incredibly smooth inside.
Evan Xiao looked at her but said nothing.
"Ahem... Um, are you still mad at me?" Grace asked. "I already apologized, and I even showed you I broke things off with Gu Xingyun. Can't you let it go?"
"Last time at your house, you said... I had to marry you?" Evan Xiao suddenly asked.
That day, Grace had said those things in a very excited state.
Now... she felt a little embarrassed.
She didn't dare look at him. She bit her lip, nervously twisting her hands, and stayed silent.
"What? Don't want to marry me anymore?"
"...No!" Grace blurted, lifting her head. "I want to marry you!"
Evan Xiao suddenly smiled and pulled her onto his lap.
Grace was very familiar with this position.
Ever since they got together, he often had her sit on his lap while he worked on paperwork.
He always seemed to love holding her.
Loved being close to her.
And now, here he was holding her again...
Had he finally forgiven her?
Grace snuggled into his arms, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling with sweet happiness.
Evan Xiao looked down at her shy little face, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smile.
She had her Spirit Root now!
This is wonderful!
As long as she cultivates properly, her lifespan will be greatly extended—and so will the years he can spend with his wife...