Please Pretend to Be Sick

Grace's heart skipped a few beats uncontrollably, but she stubbornly refused to believe him just yet. Her expression was full of conflicting emotions.

She looked absolutely adorable like that.

Evan Xiao slowly lowered his head, wanting to kiss her.

Grace's mind went completely blank...

Just then, Steward Qin's voice came from outside: "General, may I come in?"

Evan straightened up, his face darkening. "I'm changing clothes!"

"Oh, then I'll just say it from outside!" Steward Qin replied. "Louis Lin has already gone to see the Eldest Miss. He'll tell her about Princess Xinyao, saying that you were gravely injured that day and almost lost your life, so you came back first to avoid worrying her. This way, it explains why you didn't escort Princess Xinyao and why you weren't present at the time. General, if the Eldest Miss comes looking for you, please pretend to be sick—"

Steward Qin was still talking enthusiastically when the door creaked open.

Grace appeared at the doorway, half-smiling. "Pretend to be sick?"

Steward Qin jumped in shock, staring at her, then glanced at the Crown Prince—famous for his ruthlessness—who was walking out while getting dressed. Steward Qin covered his mouth, pale-faced. "E-Eldest Miss? How did you get here so fast?"

Louis Lin still hasn't returned!

"Haha!" Grace chuckled. "I got here a little too fast, huh?"

"No, no... that's not what I meant... I—Hey? Eldest Miss, don't leave!" Steward Qin tried to stop her.

But nowadays, with his current cultivation, he couldn't stop her at all.

Grace strode away, cursing herself for being so lustful as she walked.

Whenever he got close, just a few sweet words from him and she almost let him kiss her.

How did she end up like this?

She wasn't like this before, was she?

Back in the Vermilion Kingdom, she was pretty, and plenty of decent and not-so-decent guys tried to flirt with her.

She used to be able to handle it just fine.

Now... could it be because she'd slept with him?

...

Evan Xiao stood at the doorway, looking at Steward Qin with a calm expression.

Steward Qin's face went pale as he stammered, "General, I... I really didn't know she'd be here! This is so weird, Louis Lin hasn't come back yet, so how could she be here?"

"Three days from now, if the engagement isn't called off, you and Louis Lin can bring your heads to see me!"

"No, General—"

Bang! The door slammed shut.

Steward Qin's graying hair was whipped up by the forceful wind, making him look especially dramatic.

...

On her way back, Grace ran into a group of riders on the street.

Several carriages, and a group of guards.

The carriages bore the emblem of the Yuan Family.

The leader of the guards was a trusted aide of Sam Yuan's father—Grace recognized him.

They're finally back!

Grace tightened the black gauze veil on her hat and galloped back to the ancestral temple.

She took out a small medicine bottle from her storage and handed it to Hope, asking her to deliver it to Yuan Manor: "...Just say that since Sam Yuan came back from the Prime Minister's residence, he's been out of it. My father searched everywhere and found this bottle of Clearwind Elixir—it's the best for clearing the mind and improving eyesight. Have them give it to him, and he'll definitely recover."

"Yes, Miss." Hope replied.

"If Uncle Yuan or Aunt Yuan ask about what happened, just tell the truth—say both of us were harmed by someone."

"Understood." Hope turned and left, her expression serious.

Claire, standing nearby, asked curiously, "Miss, will that Clearwind Elixir really work?"