"After you return this to him, you shouldn't see him again," Edward Lawrence said.
"Why not?"
Edward Lawrence let out a long sigh. "To be honest, the Emperor issued a marriage decree before. Evan Xiao once told me he would find a way to call off the engagement."
Grace glanced at her father.
He actually said that to his father?
"Later, at the Royal Hunting Grounds, it really happened," Edward Lawrence said. "My original thought was, since he had feelings for you and you didn't dislike him, I actually wanted..."
As he spoke, Edward Lawrence shook his head with deep regret. "But now, the Empress Dowager has come up with this martial arts marriage contest! You're not a Spirit Practitioner, so you and him are impossible! Since it's impossible, you shouldn't accept his kindness anymore!"
"What about the Imperial Advisor? Shouldn't we ask him for help?" Grace asked.
"The Imperial Advisor... Since we've already asked him, of course we need to keep relying on him," Edward Lawrence said, feeling conflicted.
"One favor or two, it's all the same. I've already accepted the medicine, and if I return it now, it'll make our Lawrence family look petty," Grace said. "Besides, for Mom, this might be a life-saving remedy! Are you really willing to give up this chance?"
Edward Lawrence grew even more conflicted after hearing her words.
For Lena's health, he was willing to pay any price...
"Dad!" Seeing his expression soften, Grace continued, "Trust me, let Mom try the medicine first. As for owing General Evan Xiao a favor, we can repay him in other ways later!"
Edward Lawrence was clearly moved. He looked at the pill in her hand and asked, "Is this medicine really good for your mom?"
"Don't worry, I've checked the records. The Infernal Drake Pill is especially effective for cold ailments! Mom will definitely feel a lot better after taking it."
"If that's the case, go ahead and let your mom try it." Edward Lawrence finally relented.
So Grace took the medicine inside and gave it to her mom.
In less than fifteen minutes, Lena exclaimed in delight that the chill in her body was mostly gone! She felt so much better.
Edward Lawrence was naturally happy for Lena, but he couldn't help feeling more uneasy.
Evan Xiao had helped their Lawrence family, and him, so much already.
He understood the reason behind all this... Even though Evan Xiao never said it directly, he knew.
He was here for Grace!
Otherwise, why would he send such a precious pill to Grace's mother?
How could he ever repay this favor?
He couldn't just marry Grace off to Evan Xiao as a concubine, could he?
If only Grace were a Spirit Practitioner. Then he could train her well, let her win the tournament, and everything would fall into place...
Never before had Edward Lawrence wished so much that Grace was a Spirit Practitioner.
......
Grace left her mother's room and went straight to her aunt Maya Summers.
Maya Summers was practicing her whip technique in the courtyard, fierce and powerful.
Grace carefully walked around her, waiting a long time until she finished practicing.
"Auntie, here, wipe your sweat!" Grace offered her a towel.
Maya Summers took it and asked, "Why are you here?"
"Auntie, the Guardian Temple's festival is coming up in a few days. Do you want to go?" Grace asked.
"Festival? You're not a kid anymore, why do you still like going to temple fairs?" Maya Summers shook her head. "Not going."
"Then... could you go with me?" Grace asked timidly.
Grace Lawrence, are we even that close?" Maya Summers replied, clearly annoyed.
"Oh, come on! You're my real aunt. We even slept together at the Royal Hunting Grounds!" Grace flashed her a pure smile.