Bianca Whitefan nodded thoughtfully. "To craft a protective talisman, you need not only powerful spellwork, but your own cultivation must reach a very high level too. My spellwork is strong enough, but my cultivation just isn't there yet."
Grace just raised her eyebrows and stayed silent.
Evan Xiao said, "Grace, from now on, don’t act rashly against Grace Wan or Leon Zane. Just keep them steady. In the future, I’ll help you deal with them myself."
Grace glanced at him, feeling a warm rush in her chest. That was exactly what she needed to hear.
Leon Zane rolled his eyes and said, "Shannon, let me help you change your face and get you back to the palace."
Bianca Whitefan nodded, and the two of them left first.
Grace looked at Evan Xiao with a hint of envy. "Your healing magic is amazing. She recovered so fast!"
"What’s wrong? Want to learn it too?"
Grace snickered. Of course I want to learn, but you’d never teach me.
Sure enough, Evan Xiao said, "It’s a secret technique from my Master’s Sect. Not for outsiders."
"Where's your Master’s Sect located, anyway?"
"Not telling," Evan Xiao replied. "Besides, in a few days, I’m heading off to battle."
"Battle?" Grace stared at him, wide-eyed.
"Did you forget? I gave Commander Gu my word—I’d win the war against Fengqi Kingdom for him. Only then did he agree to let me break off those three arranged marriages."
"Oh... So that means you won’t be able to watch the fireworks with me at the Lantern Festival?" Grace couldn’t hide her disappointment.
"You like fireworks?"
"Yeah! They’re gorgeous!"
"Alright."
"Alright? Does that mean you’ll go with me?"
"I will," Evan Xiao said. "I’m not leaving until after the New Year."
"That’s awesome!" Grace said happily. "Let’s invite the Imperial Advisor and Shannon too. We can all go to the Lantern Market together, shop around, and then hit up a restaurant for some delicious food. Sound good?"
"Mm-hmm." Evan Xiao wrapped his arm around her waist. "Remember, don’t act impulsively when it comes to Grace Wan. If anything happens, come find me."
"Okay..."
"So, what do you do if you’re in danger?"
"Huh?"
"I’ve told you before—when you’re in trouble, what should you do?" Evan Xiao teased.
Grace thought for a long moment. "Did you really tell me that?"
Evan Xiao reached out, his hand moving toward her chest.
Grace grabbed his hand. "Hey! What are you doing? This is the Imperial Advisor’s mansion!"
Evan Xiao switched tactics, reaching for her neck instead. He pinched the silver chain and pulled out the Dragon Scale pendant.
"Oh! Now I remember!" Grace exclaimed, suddenly enlightened. "You mean this! I remember—you said if I ever get into trouble, all I have to do is bite down on it, and you’ll come save me!"
"That Dragon Scale has a spell from the Divine Dragon. Both Cutie Pie and I can sense it," Evan Xiao explained. "So if you’re ever in danger and I can’t make it, Cutie Pie will definitely show up. Isn’t he always with you?"
"Yeah, he's hibernating."
Evan Xiao chuckled, then tucked the Dragon Scale back inside her collar. "So, remember that!"
"Got it!"
...
Soon, the Lantern Festival arrived. That afternoon, Grace headed out with Evan Xiao to Danyang City’s busiest Lantern Market Street.
Every year, this street is the liveliest, most fun place to celebrate the Lantern Festival.
They met up at the agreed spot—Leon Zane and Bianca Whitefan were already there.
Both of them were on horseback.
Evan Xiao sat in the carriage, waving Grace over when he saw her.
Grace hopped in and asked, "Aren’t we supposed to walk around the Lantern Market? You planning to cruise in the carriage?"
"Nope." Evan Xiao handed Grace a mask, black with white patterns—the kind everyone was wearing on the street. "Put this on before we go out."
"Why do I have to wear a mask?"
"So we don’t draw attention."
"But I hate wearing these!" Grace pouted. "It makes my face itch."
"It won’t. This one’s soft—feel it," Evan Xiao reassured her.