Finding the Key to the Problem

"I—I didn't think much at the time... I just thought if I made up a reason, half true and half false, it'd sound more convincing..." Louis Lin was so regretful he could cry.

"You didn't think much then, so now you'll have plenty of time to think!" Quentin Chin said. "You've got three whole days to think it over! I've got things to do, so I'm heading out."

"No way!" Louis Lin grabbed him. "Old Qin, you have to help me!"

"I can't help you."

"Help me think of something!" Louis Lin was on the verge of tears. "The older, the wiser, right?"

Steward Qin gave him a sideways look. "Am I that old?"

"No... I mean... You're full of life's wisdom." Louis Lin's expression was genuinely sincere.

Quentin Chin stroked the mustache on his lip and smiled mysteriously. "Since you look so pitiful, I'll give you a hint! You have to pinpoint the real problem."

"The real problem? What's that?"

"You tell me."

Louis Lin thought for a while. "The Empress Dowager?"

Quentin Chin shook his head.

"Then... Princess Xinyao! She's the key, right? As long as Princess Xinyao doesn't want to marry the General—"

"I'm afraid you won't live long enough for Princess Xinyao to refuse the marriage."

"Then..."

"Where's your usual cleverness?" Quentin Chin said helplessly. "Miss Lawrence!"

"Miss Lawrence?"

"Where did the General come back from?"

"From Lawrence—oh, I get it now!" Louis Lin's eyes widened. "I think I've figured it out!"

"Oh? What have you figured out? Tell me!"

"The General came back from her place, but he was full of murderous rage, cruel and unreasonable. That proves Miss Lawrence must've fought with him over this! And when he got back, he took it all out on me!"

Steward Qin gave him an approving, 'the-student-can-be-taught' look and smiled, nodding.

"I'll go find Miss Lawrence right away and explain everything! As long as they make up, the General won't want to kill me!" Louis Lin turned to leave.

"Wait!" Steward Qin grabbed him.

"What is it?"

"You mustn't reveal the General's true identity. Don't forget."

"Of course I know that! Relax! I'll just tell her... At the time, the General was badly injured and didn't want her to worry, so..."

...

Zhu Family Ancestral Temple.

Grace's little cutie was missing again.

She was still searching everywhere when Hope came to report that Louis Lin from the General's Manor was requesting an audience.

"Not seeing him!" Grace said without even turning her head.

"But he says he's here to beg you to save his life..." Hope frowned. "He looks pretty bad."

Grace frowned. "Save his life? Who wants him dead?"

"No idea."

"Then let him in." Louis Lin had helped her before, and she wasn't about to let him die.

When he came in, Grace noticed he was nothing like when he'd entered the city.

His clothes were all dusty gray, dark circles under his eyes, face haggard, and he even had a beard.

Grace stared at him in surprise. What happened to him...?

"Miss Lawrence." Louis Lin called out, looking utterly miserable.

"Louis Lin, what's wrong with you?" Grace asked.

"Miss Lawrence, I've let you down."

"What exactly happened? Tell me!"

"I lied to you! I must've caused a misunderstanding between you and the General."

"Lied to me about what?" Grace frowned.

"When the General was in the forest, he wasn't escorting Princess Xinyao back," Louis Lin said. "He was badly injured, nearly dead, but didn't want you to worry, so he had me keep it from you."

"Badly injured, nearly dead? I saw him two hours ago!" Grace narrowed her eyes.