Evan Xiao turned his head, jumped out of her hands, and dove into the water, sinking below the surface.
"Cutie Pie!" Grace called out.
However, he didn’t come back up.
Grace waited for a long time, but he never came out. Feeling disappointed, she left.
Louis Lin was outside the door, staring blankly at the sky.
Seeing her, Louis Lin asked, "Miss, what’s wrong with the Antler Serpent? He doesn’t seem happy."
"Ah! I have no idea what’s up with him!" Grace sighed. "He wanted to bite something of mine, but I wouldn’t let him, so now he’s mad."
"Bite something of yours? What thing?"
"It’s... never mind. The General should be coming back soon, right?"
Louis Lin thought for a moment and said, "Miss, I’m afraid the General won’t be back for eight or ten days this time."
His Highness was still badly injured. If he transformed back into his dragon form, it would take even longer than before to recover.
"Huh? Eight or ten days? Where did he go?"
Louis Lin: "On military duty."
"Military duty again?" Grace frowned. "Who did he go with? Why didn’t he tell me anything?"
"Well... It’s probably a secret mission. Old Qin and I don’t know anything either! The General just sent a note back, saying he’d be gone eight or ten days, and asked us to let you know."
Grace thought it was strange. When she saw him at Elder Shane’s manor today, he didn’t look like he had any urgent military business.
Why did he suddenly leave the birthday banquet, and for so many days?
"Oh right, the General also said if you have any urgent matters, you can find the Imperial Advisor."
Grace frowned and said, "Alright. If he comes back, make sure someone lets me know."
"Yes, Miss."
So Grace trudged back, feeling down.
Lately, she and Evan Xiao hardly spent any time together.
She’d planned to find him today and spend some real time together, but he left again.
Even Cutie Pie was mad and ignoring her—it felt like nothing could cheer her up...
Back at the estate, she wandered alone, heading toward Serenity Pavilion step by step.
Unexpectedly, at the entrance, she saw her eldest brother standing there, his brows furrowed, hesitating to go in.
Grace had never seen Jason Zhuo so indecisive before. She called out curiously, "Big Brother, are you here to see me?"
"Grace!" Jason Zhuo turned around. "Why are you coming in from outside?"
"My Antler Serpent got upset and ran off, so I went to look for him."
"Even a spirit pet can throw a tantrum?" Jason Zhuo laughed.
Grace smiled, "Are you here to see me? Good timing, I was just about to look for you. Come in and let’s talk."
"No, no!" Jason Zhuo hurriedly said. "It’s fine to talk right here."
"Alright then. What did you want to talk about?"
Jason Zhuo took several deep breaths, but seemed to have trouble speaking. Finally, he said, "You go first. Didn’t you say you had something to ask me?"
"Mm." Grace thought for a moment, then asked, "Big Brother, do you see Second Brother often in the army?"
"Of course." Jason Zhuo’s eyes darkened a little. "We meet four times a month at the military council."
Those meetings are for discussing strategic deployments. The General often tests their training results and leadership skills.
Jason Zhuo is practical and capable, and he quickly stood out among all the Spirit Cavalry Commanders.
Although Kevin Zhuo has more seniority, next to Jason he looks like nothing but a fancy pillow.
So, Kevin Zhuo’s hostility toward him kept growing.
"You’re both Spirit Cavalry Commanders, cooperating in battle, but... off the field, you’re rivals, aren’t you?" Grace asked.
Jason Zhuo smiled faintly, "Little girl, you sure know a lot."