"General, even if I can only be your wife for one day, I would cherish it!" Sophie Sun said. "All I ask is that you don't break off our engagement."
"It's already been broken off," Evan Xiao said, emphasizing his words.
Sophie Sun paused for a moment and asked, "Is it because of Chloe Zhu?"
"Miss Sun, you don't need to concern yourself with my affairs," Evan Xiao replied. "Please go enjoy the banquet!"
"But she can't get married anymore!" Sophie Sun insisted. "That emperor from the Upper Kingdom said he'd come for her someday! Even the emperor doesn't dare take her—how could you possibly!"
"Go back," Evan Xiao said, now sounding a bit impatient.
Sophie Sun bit her lip, then turned and walked away.
Once she was far enough away, Evan Xiao looked toward the bamboo grove and called out, "Come out."
Grace felt like he was talking to her.
She fumbled her way out and gave a big, toothy grin. "How did you know I was here?"
"Why did you follow me? Were you eavesdropping?"
Grace tugged at her sleeve and looked down. "I just wanted to hear what she'd say to you..."
"So, did you hear what you wanted to hear?"
Grace glanced at him but didn't say anything.
"I broke off the engagement. Are you happy now?"
Grace nodded and flashed him another big grin.
"So... was what she said true?" Evan Xiao asked.
"True about what?"
"That Henry Tuoba will come take you away?"
"No, that's just something I said for Colin Gu to hear! Otherwise, what reason would I have to stay, and why would Colin Gu be too scared to summon me to the palace again?" Grace explained.
Evan Xiao looked at her and gave a reluctant "Mm." "Go inside."
"Okay." Grace walked away.
After a few steps, she turned back and asked, "Where's Cutie Pie? When will it be back?"
"...Tonight, probably," Evan Xiao replied.
"Oh! That's great! I'll have the nursemaids make extra food for it!"
"You make it."
"Huh?"
"He likes your cooking best."
"How do you know?"
"I asked him. He can't talk, but he can nod."
"Alright! I'll make it tonight when I get home." Grace waved at him and walked off.
At the banquet, Grace was surprised to find that Princess Xinyao was there too.
After thinking about it, she understood why.
Princess Xinyao and Miss Sherry Shen from the Shen family were close friends.
When Sherry Shen was young, she was Princess Xinyao's study companion.
Most likely, that's why Princess Xinyao also came to the Sikong residence and received such a warm welcome.
Looking at her, Grace thought, Princess Xinyao is getting older—surely the Empress Dowager must be getting anxious.
Maybe this year, or at the latest next year, the imperial decree for her marriage will come down. I wonder who the Empress Dowager will choose for her...
While she was thinking about it, Princess Xinyao suddenly left her seat and came over to Grace. "Grace, could you come outside with me for a moment?"
Grace was a bit surprised, but nodded. "Sure."
Once they were outside, Grace asked what was up. Princess Xinyao said, "Do you remember when I told you that the time the Fire Demon Dragon appeared, I accidentally fell off a cliff in Eastwood Forest and someone saved me?"
Grace thought back—it was during that mountain hunt, and yes, Princess Xinyao had said that.
At the time, Grace even suspected that the person who saved her was Evan Xiao, who had actually run off and left her behind.
"Why bring this up now, Princess?" Grace asked.
"The person who saved me... was your older brother, Jason Zhuo," Princess Xinyao said.