In short, each has their own merits.

At this moment, it was not wise to make any further moves, as it would draw too much attention, so Henry Faulkner simply ate in silence, taking the opportunity to observe the actions of those present.

After all, in the future, they would all be involved in the same game—whether as enemies or friends, it was necessary to understand them first.

But perhaps because Brian Parker was present, everyone behaved very properly. During this time, Grace Harris was the liveliest, and apart from speaking with the Crown Princess, Brian Parker conversed with her the most.

Among the newcomers, only Consort Baker was asked a few questions. She was also good with words, and the Crown Prince seemed rather satisfied.

Henry Faulkner guessed that, barring any surprises, it would likely be Baker who would serve in the bedchamber tonight.

However, when the gathering finally dispersed, Brian Parker stayed behind at Wutong Court to accompany the Crown Princess, which was his way of showing everyone how much he valued her.

The next day, Brian Parker went to Baker's Weiyang Pavilion.

In Biluozhai, Henry Faulkner listened to the news that Alice Green had gathered and said calmly,

“If the next one isn’t me, I’m afraid things will get difficult.”

Alice Green didn’t respond, but it was clear she shared the same thought.

Yet, for the next half month, except for the fifteenth day when he visited the Crown Princess, Brian Parker didn’t come to the rear court at all, as if he had forgotten all about the new arrivals in the palace.

This behavior left Henry Faulkner uncertain about his intentions, and she couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

And just at this time, someone suddenly arrived from the front court, notifying her that she was to serve in the bedchamber that night.

Chapter Three: Serving with Beauty

After sending off the messenger from the front court, the atmosphere in Biluozhai became lively.

To be summoned to serve in the bedchamber was, of course, a good thing.

Not all the servants in the Eastern Palace were fools; they naturally knew about Henry Faulkner’s background. In fact, though they hadn’t shown it, many of them were somewhat reluctant to serve her.

They feared she had no future.

But now, as long as Henry Faulkner could serve in the bedchamber, the people in Biluozhai, confident in her looks, believed the Crown Prince would surely like her.

Alice Green instructed Edward Young to arrange for someone to heat water for a bath and to fetch the evening meal, then went inside to help Henry Faulkner choose her clothes.

This led to a bit of an awkward situation.

Henry Faulkner had only a few decent outfits, and as for jewelry, there was nothing worth mentioning. The money she had was all saved up from her frugal days in the boudoir.

Back then, her life had not been easy.

After looking through everything, Henry Faulkner chose the outfit she had worn at the family banquet.

“Grace, His Highness has already seen this one. Why not change into something else?” Alice Green suggested.

Henry Faulkner shook her head. “This is the best I have. It’s good that His Highness has seen it before—it will leave a deeper impression.”

At this point, Alice Green didn’t catch the meaning behind her words, but knowing her mistress always had a plan, she said nothing more.

After dinner, once she had bathed and dressed, Henry Faulkner took Alice Green with her to the front court.

When they arrived at the Crown Prince’s residence, they were told that he was still dining and that she should wait in the side hall.

Henry Faulkner was very compliant and did not ask to go in and serve at the table, quietly following the young eunuch away.

Chief Eunuch Robert Holmes took note of everything, silently entered the room, and whispered a few words in Brian Parker’s ear.

Henry Faulkner sat in the side hall for a full half hour.

By this point, even a fool could sense that Brian Parker was deliberately leaving her to cool her heels, or perhaps testing her temperament to see if she could endure it.

But for Henry Faulkner, being left out in the cold was nothing new. Ever since her aunt died when she was ten, for the past seven years, she had long since learned to endure and bide her time.

After half an hour, someone finally came to summon her to serve in the bedchamber.

Henry Faulkner let out a slight sigh of relief.

In truth, she had been worried that the Crown Prince had only called her over to leave her waiting all night, just for show.

Fortunately, that was not the case.

Once she entered Brian Parker’s bedchamber, the servants withdrew, leaving the space to the two of them.

Henry Faulkner walked slowly toward the inner room and saw, not far behind the gauze curtain, a tall man sitting on the couch, reading a scroll.

“Your concubine greets Your Highness.”

The woman’s gentle and warm voice pulled Brian Parker’s thoughts away from the book.

He looked up to see a graceful figure respectfully waiting outside the curtain.

“No need for that, come in.”

Brian Parker put the book down on the tea table beside him and spoke in a deep voice.

Only then did Henry Faulkner rise, lift the curtain, and enter the inner room.

Sure enough, seeing that apart from a slight change in hairstyle and jewelry, her outfit was exactly the same as the one she wore at the family banquet, Brian Parker glanced at her a couple more times.

But he said nothing, only put on a gentle demeanor and smiled.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I was busy with official duties today and had a late meal.”

“I wouldn’t dare, Your Highness. It is only right that you put state affairs first,” Henry Faulkner replied softly.

Brian Parker curled his lips noncommittally and beckoned her to come closer and sit beside him.

“What’s your name?”

“Just the single character 玧,” Henry Faulkner answered, then added, “The ‘yun’ from ‘permit’, with the jade radical added.”

Her name had been chosen rather carelessly, with no particular meaning—just something related to jade, as all the daughters of the The Faulkner Family generation had jade-related names. Otherwise, she would probably have been called Fang Yun.

It sounded as if being born into the The Faulkner Family was already a blessing for her.