Can Brewing Tea Bring Out the Third Time

Shang Zhi looked at Grace as if he wanted to devour her.

It's all because of her—I lost face in Drake Abyss, thanks to her!

The Celestial Empress looked deeply displeased.

Mostly, she just felt like her son was about to be snatched away.

She looked at Grace as if she were a child-snatcher.

To her surprise, Grace caught her stare and flashed a sweet smile, calling out, "Celestial Empress!"

"Do you need anything else?" the Celestial Empress asked, clearly annoyed.

"Thank you, Celestial Empress, for supporting me and agreeing to the bet with Princess Bianca Whiteshire. I really need the Boros Fruit!"

At those words, the Celestial Empress nearly choked with anger.

Naturally, her real plan was to make Grace lose the bet and get kicked out of Drake Abyss—never to see Evan Xiao again.

But... now it seemed like she and Grace were in cahoots, scheming to take someone's Boros Fruit...

Although Empress Wendy was only the Azure Dragon Lord's daughter by a mortal, she was very clever.

Seeing the Celestial Empress flustered, she quickly smiled and said, "Oh! If Miss Zhu wants the Boros Fruit, just say the word! When it's ripe, I'll have Bianca Whiteshire bring it over!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress!" Grace said, smiling.

Empress Wendy smiled and nodded, but her smile didn't reach her eyes—it looked downright dangerous.

Grace figured that once she got back to the Eastern Luo Empire, this Empress would be out for her...

"The Spirit Festival is coming up soon," the Celestial Emperor said with a smile. "Celestial Empress, let's make it extra grand this year—let's have a real celebration."

The Celestial Empress nodded, "Yes!"

"Crown Prince, send the invitations yourself. Be sure to invite the Phoenix Lord and Qilin Lord to the Spirit Festival, so we can discuss the Fiend."

Evan Xiao: "Yes!"

...

Later, Evan Xiao escorted Grace to the Thatched Cottage.

Staring at the spot where the branch was chopped off, Evan Xiao asked, "Will it grow back?"

"It will," Grace replied.

Evan Xiao nodded.

Grace beamed at him and asked, "Crown Prince, surprised today?"

"Where's the surprise?" Evan Xiao asked.

"I did you a huge favor! From now on, you get to decide your own marriage!"

"Are you sure... you're really helping 'me'?"

"Absolutely sure."

Suddenly, Evan Xiao reached out and pinched her cheek.

"Ow! That hurts! I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing it for myself—I want to be Crown Princess, alright?"

"If that's what you want, why not just ask Father Emperor to grant the marriage?"

"Wouldn't that be pointless? The Celestial Emperor already said you'd decide your own marriage."

"Aren't you afraid I'll marry someone else?"

"Didn't you just tell the Celestial Empress you liked me?"

"That was only so you'd stay and treat her illness. Don't take it seriously."

Grace: "..."

Evan Xiao chuckled, tapped her on the head, and said, "You should stay here. I'll head back first!"

Grace grabbed his sleeve.

Evan Xiao: "What?"

"Where are you going?" He'd been busy helping the Celestial Emperor recover lately, so Grace hadn't had much chance to talk to him.

"I've got a mountain of memorials to go through."

"I'll come too, make you some tea?" Grace thought he was working really hard.

Evan Xiao paused, then leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Aren't you worried your third time will come out early?"

Grace: "...Making tea can bring out the third time?"

You should just stay in the Thatched Cottage! I think it suits you.

Evan Xiao left.

Grace pouted.