"Look!" Grace was the first to notice, pointing excitedly at those blazing red swords in the sky.
Rina Chu looked over, and Shannon did as well; both of their expressions changed.
"What's going on?" Grace asked in amazement. "Look at those clouds—don't they look like thousands and thousands of flaming swords?"
"Hmm..." Shannon glanced at Cutie Pie.
Cutie Pie was perched on Grace's shoulder, also staring at the clouds.
"Burning swords... Something must've happened down south..." Rina Chu frowned deeply.
"Down south?" Grace asked. "Where do you mean?"
Cutie Pie nodded.
"You mean something's happened to the Phoenix Clan? That's what's causing all this?" Grace asked.
Rina Chu nodded.
So, the three exchanged addresses and returned to their respective estates.
Shannon didn't have anywhere else to stay in Yan City, so she stayed at General's Manor.
Not long after she got back, Evan Xiao returned.
Shannon greeted him, asking, "Your Highness, did you see the omen in the southern sky?"
"Yes," Evan Xiao replied.
"I just cast a divination—it's the 'War' hexagram. Something serious must've happened in the Southern Realm!"
"It's only a matter of time," Evan Xiao said calmly.
"A matter of time?" Shannon was puzzled. "The Scarlet Clan already wiped out the Phoenix Clan and rules the entire Southern Realm. Who would dare start a war now?"
Evan Xiao said, "Since ancient times, the Phoenixes have ruled the Southern Realm. They're noble and just, and under their reign, all clans prospered and lived in peace."
Now, the Scarlet Clan holds power, and they're incredibly greedy. The Azure Phoenixes, Swans, and other clans are being oppressed. Sooner or later, they'll unite and rise up against the Scarlet Clan.
Shannon snorted, "Where were they before? When the Phoenix Clan was slaughtered, nobody lifted a finger. Now they realize the Phoenixes were better?"
Evan Xiao said nothing, lost in thought.
Not long after she got back, Evan Xiao returned.
Grace returned home, changed her clothes, and went to greet her grandparents first.
As soon as she entered, she saw Rona Zhu attending to her grandmother.
Rona Zhu looked much more polished than before, taller and a bit plumper, her face round and soft—she seemed gentle and sweet.
You have to admit, the Zhu family really does produce beautiful women.
Even the most unremarkable, like Rona Zhu, turned out pretty after growing up.
"Grandma! I'm home!" Grace greeted her.
"You finally made it home!" the old lady said. "Your mom talks about you every day!"
"I'll go see her in a bit," Grace said. "How are Grandpa and Grandma?"
"We're doing fine!" the old lady replied. "It's just your grandfather—he drinks all day and gives us no peace!"
After Grandpa came home, the old lady seemed much less strict.
She was much kinder, just like a regular grandma who loves to fuss over her family.
Grace smiled.
"Grace, Grandpa and Grandma miss you every day—they never stop talking about you," Rona Zhu said with a bright smile.
You have to admit, the Zhu family really does produce beautiful women.
Even the most unremarkable, like Rona Zhu, turned out pretty after growing up.
"Grandma! I'm home!" Grace greeted her.
"You finally made it home!" the old lady said. "Your mom talks about you every day!"
I'll go see her in a bit," Grace said. "How are Grandpa and Grandma?
"We're doing fine!" the old lady replied. "It's just your grandfather—he drinks all day and gives us no peace!"
After Grandpa came home, the old lady seemed much less strict.
She was much kinder, just like a regular grandma who loves to fuss over her family.
Grace smiled.
"Grace, Grandpa and Grandma miss you every day—they never stop talking about you," Rona Zhu said with a bright smile.