Why Are You So Happy

"General Evan Xiao, we've misunderstood you so much in the past—it's really hard to put into words! I hope you'll be magnanimous and not hold it against us." Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu, the Emperor's aunt and a true princess by birth, usually carries herself with great dignity. It’s rare to see her like this.

"No worries. It was all just a scheme by Windspire Kingdom!"

Evan Xiao looked humble and courteous, handsome and striking. Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu kept nodding, saying, "The General is so generous! It only makes us feel even more ashamed."

"No need for that, Dowager Lady. I'll go pay my respects to the late General first," Evan Xiao said.

"Please." Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu gestured, and with Zhuo Minghan beside her, they escorted Evan Xiao inside.

As he walked in, maybe it was his dark, somber clothes today, or perhaps his serious expression, but he radiated a powerful aura that made all the mourning sons and daughters on both sides feel immense pressure.

Everyone fell silent, looking up at him.

Grace also watched him.

He kept his gaze straight ahead, went in to offer incense, bowed, and then, accompanied by Minister Zhuo, left again.

He didn’t even spare Grace a glance.

Grace bit her lip, her eyes tinged with a hint of grievance.

"Dad, was it really not General Evan Xiao who killed Grandpa?" At that moment, Queenie Zhu secretly asked her father.

Normally, Grace wouldn’t have been able to hear their conversation.

But now that she was a Third-rank Spirit Practitioner, she could hear everything clearly.

"Yes." Her second uncle, Charles Zhu, replied. "The Windspire prisoners confessed—it was all their scheme to turn us against each other."

"So, does that mean our Zhu Family and the General's Manor aren’t enemies anymore?"

"Of course not."

Queenie Zhu’s face instantly lit up, her eyes shining with an unusual, feverish excitement.

Grace shot her an annoyed sideways glance. Not enemies anymore, and you’re this happy about it?

With that glance, Grace realized it wasn’t just Queenie Zhu—every girl kneeling in their row had the same excited expression...

Uh...

Now that the feud between the two families was resolved, the Zhu girls all seemed to perk up!

After all, he wasn’t married yet.

Not even a single concubine in his manor.

With looks and status like his, even being his concubine would be a dream come true...

...

Suddenly, a eunuch’s voice came from outside: "His Majesty has arrived!"

Minister Zhuo was startled and quickly stood up to greet the Emperor.

Everyone else followed him outside, knelt down, and loudly proclaimed, "Long live the Emperor!"

Sure enough, it was Colin Gu.

He wore casual clothes, accompanied only by a young eunuch and a few palace guards in plain attire.

"Everyone, please rise!" Colin Gu said solemnly. "Today, I’ve come as a junior to pay respects to the late grandfather, so there’s no need for the formal court rituals."

"Your Majesty came in person, I am overwhelmed!" Minister Zhuo lowered his eyes, looking humble.

"No need, Prime Minister. For the nation, the late General sacrificed himself—he is a great hero of Blue Moon Kingdom. For the family, he is Wendy Zhu and Grace’s grandfather. As a junior, I ought to come and pay my respects myself," Colin Gu said.

Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu kept her head lowered and said nothing.

Minister Zhuo looked up and smiled, "Your Majesty is truly benevolent! Why didn’t Her Majesty the Empress come with you?"

"Mother isn’t feeling well today, so she stayed in the palace to rest," said Colin Gu.

"Ah, I see!" Minister Zhuo nodded.

Colin Gu dispensed with the formalities, and everyone returned to their places, still kneeling on either side.

He walked to the altar, earnestly offered incense with three bows, and personally burned paper money.