Do You Want to Ride With This General?

Then her mother and two younger sisters all looked at him with questioning, hopeful eyes.

Evan Xiao shot Grace a sidelong glance. After a moment, he nodded.

"See?" Grace grinned. "Our General is a man of his word! You can all relax now!"

"Well, my dear, the General pays you such a high wage—he's a true benefactor to our family! You must take good care of him!"

"Got it, Mom! Don't worry!" Grace called as she grabbed her little bundle and headed out. "Let's go, General."

Evan Xiao strode out, his long legs leading the way.

Louis Lin hurried after him.

Grace turned back and flashed a victorious smile at her nanny and sisters, then skipped out after them.

At the door, Louis Lin suddenly realized something big.

He and the General had come on horseback, so of course they'd be riding back.

But the problem is, there are only two horses!

How's Lily Bai supposed to get back?

Just as he was thinking, Lily Bai ran over to the General, flashing a fawning, starry-eyed smile. "General, your horse is absolutely magnificent—so free-spirited and full of energy!"

Evan Xiao looked at her, expressionless.

"So... could you give me a lift?" she asked, her smile blooming like a flower.

Evan Xiao: "You want to ride with this General?"

Wow, talk about getting straight to the point!

Grace said earnestly, "I'm really worried about Sophie! I want to hurry back and treat her face. If we walk to the General's manor, we'll get there after dark."

Evan Xiao seemed impressed by her dedication and asked, "Can you ride?"

"I can."

"Louis Lin, give your horse to Grace."

Louis Lin blushed and glanced at Lily Bai. "You mean I should ride with Lily Bai? Uh... men and women shouldn't be so close..."

"I meant, give her your horse," Evan Xiao said, shooting Louis Lin a look. "Don't you get it?"

"Huh?" Louis Lin was stunned. "Then... what about me?"

"Figure it out yourself."

Louis Lin: "..."

So Grace hopped onto Louis Lin's horse and followed Evan Xiao back to the General's Manor.

Poor Louis Lin, only realized after they left that he'd rushed out without any money. He had to walk all the way back, and by the time he got to the manor, the lanterns were already lit...

When Lily Bai entered the manor, she greeted everyone she saw, all smiles and sweetness, just to make sure she stood out.

The servants were all pretty baffled.

But with the General right there, none of the servants dared to ask anything.

Evan Xiao led Grace straight to Cecilia Chen's Moonview Pavilion.

But just as they reached the door, something unidentified came flying right at them!

Grace, who had no spiritual roots, was a bit slow on the uptake. She stared wide-eyed as the thing zoomed closer and closer to her nose—until it stopped just an inch away.

She turned her head just in time to see Evan Xiao catch it—a beautifully crafted bronze mirror.

"Miss Cecilia, the General really did call for Lily Bai. Please be patient, she should be here any minute," the maid reassured her.

"It's been so long! Why isn't she back yet?" Cecilia Chen's voice was heartbreakingly desperate. "You must all be lying to me!"

Grace hurriedly called out with a cheerful smile, "Miss Cecilia, they're not lying—I'm here!"

Cecilia Chen dashed out like she'd heard music from heaven, grabbed her and cried, "Lily Bai, Lily Bai, look at my face!"

Grace looked closely and saw that most of Cecilia Chen's face was covered in huge, scary purple-red blotches—big, raised, almost like lumps of flesh. The once-beautiful girl now looked like a terrifying monster. It was a real shock to see.