"Most of the spirit beasts in this forest are low-level, but that doesn't mean there aren't any high-level ones." Evan Xiao tried to scare her: "Are you sure you want to go alone?"
Chloe Zhu's courage vanished in an instant, and she hurried to follow Evan Xiao...
Evan Xiao rode ahead on his horse, while Chloe Zhu followed closely behind on her little black horse.
But as they traveled, Evan Xiao suddenly stopped.
Chloe Zhu rode up until she was side by side with Evan Xiao, and suddenly noticed a group of riders up ahead.
Leading the group was none other than Colin Gu!
He sat high atop a spirit beast, flanked by a group of guards, standing beneath a cluster of bamboo, staring straight at them.
The air suddenly felt heavy, like everyone forgot how to breathe.
"Your Majesty," Evan Xiao greeted calmly, "it's already noon—why are you still in the forest?"
But Colin Gu asked, "Why are you and Chloe Zhu together?"
"Miss Zhu got separated from the Prime Minister, and I happened to run into her, so I brought her back," Evan Xiao explained.
"Oh, I see," Colin Gu smiled at Chloe Zhu. "Chloe, come here."
Seriously, why should she go over there?
Chloe Zhu didn't move and asked, "Your Majesty, have you seen my father? He must be worried since he can't find me."
"Come here first," Colin Gu called out again.
Chloe Zhu took a deep breath and rode her horse over.
"The Prime Minister is indeed worried. That's why I came to find you," Colin Gu said. "Are you hurt at all?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm not hurt," Chloe Zhu replied.
"Good. Let's go," Colin Gu suddenly reached out, took the reins from her hands, and led her little black mare along with him.
Evan Xiao watched their backs with a blank expression, the coldness in his eyes growing deeper.
Suddenly, dark clouds began to gather in the once clear sky.
"Y-Your Highness!" Louis Lin glanced at the sky and quickly said, "Please don't get angry! If you trigger a weather anomaly, someone might discover your whereabouts!"
Evan Xiao took a deep breath, and the dark clouds slowly dispersed.
"Your Highness, I know that Colin Gu's feelings for Miss Zhu are... pretty obvious..." Louis Lin said worriedly. "But please, don't act impulsively. No matter how angry you get, you have to keep Colin Gu around! The Third Princess said if we lose him as our anchor, all our efforts over the years will be wasted!"
Evan Xiao shot Louis Lin a sideways glance and rode on.
Chloe Zhu only has eyes for you, I can tell!" Louis Lin hurried after him, still trying to calm him down. "Colin Gu is just wishful thinking! So, you—
"Today is the third day," Evan Xiao interrupted, his tone flat.
"Third day of what?" Louis Lin asked, confused.
"Breaking off the engagement."
"Huh? Oh! General, can you give her a few more days? We're still stuck in the mountains today—there's no way she'd bring it up now! If she wants to call off the betrothal, she'll wait until we're back at the palace and speak to the Empress Dowager, right?"
"Since when can my word as General be bargained with?"
"But... but..."
Before he could finish, Evan Xiao had already ridden off.
...
Chloe Zhu followed Colin Gu out, and soon they ran into her father and her older brother.
They both looked really worried.
But her dad was just putting on a show.
Her brother, though, was totally clueless and genuinely worried.
"Chloe, you're finally back!" Edward Lawrence exclaimed. "It's all my fault for being careless—I didn't even notice when you got separated from me."
"I'm fine, Dad," Chloe Zhu said. "I happened to run into General Evan Xiao, and he brought me back."
"Oh!" Edward Lawrence nodded. "As long as you're safe, that's all that matters! Ah, Your Majesty, thank you for your trouble!"