General Evan Xiao, You Arrived Late

"But just now, Second Madam said I was already married!" Sierra's voice trembled with fear. "I'm so scared that when I go back, she'll marry me off to a servant, or worse, I might not even survive! Please, you've been so kind—can you save me?"

"It's not that I don't want to help you, but you know my position in the household is awkward. My words may not carry much weight," Grace said with a troubled look.

"Miss, you're the kindest person I know. If even you won't save me, then I really have no choice but to end it all!" Sierra said, ignoring her conscience.

Does 'Miss' and 'kindness' really go together?

"Alright then!" Grace said. "I'll go talk to my mother about it. Maybe she can protect you."

"Thank you so much, Miss!" Sierra said, tears of gratitude streaming down her face.

"Don't worry too much. You received the Empress Dowager's blessed pouch—I believe her good fortune will protect you. You'll be fine!"

"Really?"

"Yes."

......

Grace felt the person behind the wall leave.

She sneaked a peek through the crack and spotted the Empress Dowager, being helped by her favorite maid, looking anything but happy.

No doubt the Empress Dowager was disappointed by Grace Wan's lies and Kevin Zhuo's shady behavior.

With that kind of disappointment, she definitely wouldn't let her only daughter marry Kevin Zhuo.

Sure enough, when Grace got back, she overheard the matriarch and Grace Wan dropping hints about Princess Xinyao.

One minute, they were raving about how stunning Princess Xinyao was.

The next, they wouldn't shut up about her amazing talents...

The Empress Dowager smiled and chatted, but never breathed a word about marrying Princess Xinyao to Kevin Zhuo.

Princesses are supposed to marry into powerful families or top officials, obviously.

The Zhu Family is the top clan in Blue Moon Kingdom, and Minister Zhuo is the Prime Minister—so of course they'd be the first choice for Princess Xinyao.

Last time the matriarch went to the palace, the Empress Dowager was totally planning to announce the marriage at the birthday banquet.

So why isn’t she mentioning it now?

Grace, still sitting beside Empress Wendy, spotted their gloomy faces and couldn't help but smirk.

Everything was unfolding just as Grace had hoped. She picked up her tea and took a relaxed sip, feeling pretty smug.

Suddenly, Gu Xingyun's cheerful voice rang out, "General, you’re late!"

Grace paused mid-sip.

The General?

Which General?

She looked up and saw Evan Xiao walk in.

He wore a deep purple robe with a cross-collar, his jet-black hair falling neatly down his back. Tall, broad-shouldered, and radiating power—he looked every bit the noble general.

The moment Evan Xiao walked in, all eyes were on him—he stole the show without even trying.

Even the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, dressed to the nines, just faded into the background.

Suddenly, someone started coughing up a storm in the quiet hall.

Evan Xiao glanced over at the person coughing.

Sitting next to Empress Wendy, Lily Bai looked like she'd just choked on her drink, head down, hands covering her face, coughing so hard she probably wished she could crawl under the table.

Lily Bai?

Why is she sitting next to the Empress?

And what's with her covering her face? Does she really think Evan Xiao won't recognize her like that?

Wendy Zhu patted her back and asked, "Sister, are you okay? How'd you manage to choke so badly?"

Grace waved her hand, her face turning as red as a beet.

She really did choke.

Seeing Evan Xiao staring at Grace, Gu Xingyun smiled and said, "General Xiao, you probably don’t recognize her, right? She’s the Empress’s sister, and she just drank too fast and choked."