The servants arranged to attend to her, including Edward Young, totaled six in all—three eunuchs and three maids.

At their first meeting, Henry Faulkner did not give them any sort of harsh welcome.

After all, her current status did not allow her to put on any airs; on the contrary, it might only invite resentment. So she simply chose to play the good person, handed out silver rewards, memorized their faces, and dismissed them.

Leading Alice Green into the room, she closed the door, and only then did the two of them relax a little.

“That Grace Carter just now was really too much. You never even offended her!” Alice Green said angrily.

Henry Faulkner lowered her gaze. “It doesn’t always take a grudge to make things difficult. In great households, people always act according to their master’s likes and dislikes. She’s just stepping on the low and flattering the high, that’s all.”

After she finished speaking, Alice Green looked at her with eyes full of pity and sighed, but didn’t bring it up again, turning instead to unpack their luggage.

But unexpectedly, not long after they finished tidying up, the Crown Princess sent someone with a message.

She said that since today was the day for newcomers to enter the residence, and it happened to coincide with the Crown Prince’s return from Huizhou, a welcoming banquet would be held in the Wutong Courtyard—both to welcome the Crown Prince back and to let the newcomers meet everyone.

After sending off the messenger, Henry Faulkner actually felt a bit better.

Alice Green was puzzled, so she simply explained.

If not for this banquet, who knows how long it would be before she could see the Crown Prince.

Hearing this, Alice Green understood at once and immediately went to prepare her clothes and jewelry.

Once she was dressed and ready, and judging the time was right, Henry Faulkner left her room.

Her residence was a bit out of the way, so she left early to avoid being late.

But because she left a little earlier, she unexpectedly ran into the master of the Eastern Palace—the current Crown Prince, Brian Parker.

“This concubine, Fang, greets Your Highness.”

At the fork in the road not far from Wutong Courtyard, Henry Faulkner respectfully stepped aside and saluted according to proper etiquette.

There was no immediate response. With her head lowered, Henry Faulkner could only see the pair of black brocade boots with cloud patterns before her.

After a moment, she finally heard a man’s voice.

“Daughter of Vice Minister Fang?”

Henry Faulkner’s father, Fang Hongshen, was a second-rank Vice Minister in the Cabinet; the title Brian Parker used referred to his official position.

“Replying to Your Highness, yes, I am,” Henry Faulkner steadied her composure.

Brian Parker’s voice came again. “Raise your head.”

Just two simple words, but they carried the full authority of someone in power. Henry Faulkner took a deep breath, squeezed her handkerchief, and slowly lifted her chin.

A delicate face came into Brian Parker’s view.

The woman’s looks were undoubtedly beautiful, but different from ordinary beauties. If one were to draw a comparison, she was perhaps like a Luoshen rose.

Within the pure white, there was a faint, tender desire; in her brows and eyes, a calm and composed patience, with a hint of charming allure that seemed to want to speak but held back.

Brian Parker had imagined what kind of illegitimate daughter the Fang family would send to muddle through the late emperor’s will.

Timid and cowering, or full of calculation, shallow and crude, or perhaps feigning reserve—but he had not expected such a face, such eyes.

On Henry Faulkner’s face, he saw none of the emotions he had imagined—no joy, fear, avoidance, or flattery—only calm and composure.

After a moment, Brian Parker withdrew his gaze, suddenly let out a soft laugh, and reached out his hand to Henry Faulkner.

“Rise. As expected of the Fang family’s daughter.”

The words were ambiguous.

Henry Faulkner lowered her eyes, obediently placed her hand lightly in Brian Parker’s palm, letting him help her up.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Brian Parker said nothing more. Once she stood, he withdrew his hand and left indifferently.

Henry Faulkner followed half a step behind him, quietly trailing after.

Soon, the two of them arrived together at Wutong Courtyard.

As soon as she entered the banquet hall, Henry Faulkner sensed a hostile gaze fall upon her.

Looking in the direction it came from, she saw a strikingly beautiful woman staring at her coldly.

But before she could react, the woman quickly withdrew her gaze, stood up, and moved toward Brian Parker.

“This concubine greets Your Highness. While you were away in Huizhou, I missed you every day! Look, I’ve even lost weight!”

With a coquettish tone, she took Brian Parker’s arm and, taking advantage of the moment, pushed Henry Faulkner, who was already standing at a distance, even further away.

She looked every bit the picture of someone monopolizing the Crown Prince.

Henry Faulkner quietly stepped back a little more.

If she guessed correctly, this must be the currently favored Grace Harris of the Eastern Palace.

The He family’s father was the Right Assistant Minister of War, holding some authority. “Hmm, you do look thinner,” Brian Parker said with a smile as he looked her over. “Now that I’m back, you must eat well, or I’ll be worried.”

Grace Harris was clearly pleased by Brian Parker’s concern. She beamed, thanked him, and then turned her gaze back to Henry Faulkner, giving a light snort.

“Who are you? You really don’t know the rules—seeing someone and not even offering a greeting.”

Chapter Two: A Good Thing

“Don’t be rude. She is Grace Faulkner.”

Brian Parker also turned his head, but this mild rebuke was clearly not sincere.

And if one looked closely, one would see a hint of amusement in Brian Parker’s eyes, as if watching a play.

To this, Henry Faulkner remained calm, and gracefully performed a formal bow.

“Greetings, Grace Harris.”