Daniel Chen, Who Is He

"Why did you run over there for no reason?" The Stable Steward's face changed slightly.

"I... I overheard two maids talking about the Forbidden Garden. I got curious and went to check it out myself," Grace replied, eyes wide with playful innocence.

The Stable Steward glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then warned, "Don't ever go there again! Especially on the first day of every month—never go near the Forbidden Garden."

"Why?" Grace blinked, her curiosity sparkling with mischief.

"Honestly, I don't know the details. But anyone who goes near the Forbidden Garden on the first of the month—poof! Never comes back!" The Stable Steward said, lowering his voice mysteriously.

"Huh?" Grace felt like she'd just dodged a death sentence. "Wait—what day is it? The thirtieth! Whew, lucky me! If it were the first, I'd be toast!"

The Stable Steward nodded with certainty.

The next day was the first of the month.

Grace saw Louis Lin leading Evan Xiao's horse back to the stables, so she dressed herself up as pretty as a flower and tiptoed toward Frostmoon Quarters.

She planned to put on another dramatic show and resign in front of Evan Xiao.

Grace thought, if I keep teasing him, maybe one day he won’t just slam the door—maybe he’ll finally just pull me in and... well, you know. Hehe.

But just as she reached the entrance of Frostmoon Quarters, she bumped into Anna, who was rushing out in a panic.

The moment Anna saw her, it was like spotting a savior. She called out anxiously, "Little Fish!"

"What's wrong?" Grace asked.

"Little Fish, please help me!" Anna said, almost in tears.

"What happened? Calm down first," Grace comforted her.

Anna checked to make sure no one was around, then whispered, "I lost something in the back garden. Can you come help me find it?"

"What did you lose that's got you so worked up?"

"It’s... it’s..." Anna bit her lip and whispered in Grace's ear, "It’s my sachet—the one embroidered with my name and Daniel Chen’s."

"Daniel Chen? Who’s that?"

"He’s one of the manor’s guards," Anna’s face flushed, then paled. "We started seeing each other a year ago, but then the General gave an order: if a maid and a guard get involved, they’ll both be beaten to death. I’m terrified! If someone finds it, we’re both doomed!"

"How could you lose something so important there?" Grace groaned, half amused, half exasperated.

"I saw him, and then... I lost it by accident," Anna said, blushing.

"Alright, let’s go. I’ll help you look for it," Grace said.

So the two of them headed to the back garden to search for the sachet.

Anna is the most timid and cautious of Evan Xiao’s maids. She’s always careful with her work.

So Grace never thought Anna would lie to her.

This time of year, the back garden was lush, filled with birdsong and flowers.

When they arrived, Anna didn’t linger in the garden. Instead, she pulled Grace along, heading straight for the path to the Forbidden Garden.

Grace suddenly stopped. "Anna, why are we going this way?"

"That's where I lost it!" Anna pointed at the narrow path.

"Today’s the first. Let’s not go over there, okay? Haven’t you heard? The Forbidden Garden—every first of the month, people go in and never come out!" Grace said, her voice dramatic.

Anna froze for a second. "I’m so flustered, I forgot."

"Don’t worry. No one will come this way today. Tomorrow morning, I’ll come with you to look for it again."

Anna gave her a complicated look, then suddenly lowered her head and said, "Little Fish, I’m sorry. I was forced to do this."

Grace’s guard went up instantly. "What?"

Anna stared at her, backing away step by step.

Three figures stepped out from behind the thick bushes nearby.