“It’s only you, little sister, who sees it this way. I’m a general’s daughter. Though I never learned any martial arts, I was spoiled by my family’s loose rules. As for being open-minded or not, it’s just that I lack discipline.”

　　Such words, paired with her demeanor, were very approachable, which made Henry Faulkner relax quite a bit.

　　The two were chatting and laughing when a graceful figure in rose-red entered at the doorway. Turning to look, it was Grace Harris.

　　After coming in, Harris unceremoniously shot Henry Faulkner a glare, then gave a rather perfunctory greeting to Consort Baker.

　　She was unruly as always, but now Henry Faulkner could not afford to ignore etiquette, so she stood up and gave her a formal bow.

　　Harris not only didn’t return the greeting, but instead snorted coldly and began to mock her.

　　“I could hear you laughing from far away. Truly, a concubine’s child has no sense of shame. Just one night serving His Highness and you’re overjoyed. Should I have someone set off a couple of firecrackers for you?”

　　Her words were extremely rude, showing just how favored Harris was—otherwise, how could she dare to act out like this in Wutong Court?

　　A trace of darkness flashed in Henry Faulkner’s eyes, but she replied neither meekly nor harshly.

　　“To have the honor of serving His Highness is naturally a blessing and a joy. But after all, it is Sister Harris who is more favored by His Highness. I am new here and still unfamiliar with the rules. I hope Sister Harris will guide me more in the future, so I can better serve His Highness and the Crown Princess.”

　　“If you want my guidance, I can’t even stand the sight of your face.” Harris snorted, turning away to sit opposite her.

　　Henry Faulkner’s expression remained calm, seemingly unaffected, and she sat back in her own seat.

　　Beside her, Consort Baker immediately cast her a reassuring look and gently shook her head.

　　It was probably a sign not to argue with Harris.

　　Henry Faulkner nodded slightly and responded with a smile.

　　All of this was witnessed by the Crown Princess’s personal maid Mark Reed from behind the screen, who then turned and entered the inner chamber.

　　The Crown Princess was sitting in front of the mirror, having her hairpin put in place by a maid. Seeing her maid enter, she spoke.

　　“What’s going on outside?”

　　“Replying to Your Highness, Grace Harris made things difficult for Grace Faulkner with a few words,” said Mark Reed.

　　The Crown Princess frowned. “Harris’s temperament really is too unruly.”

　　“Grace Harris has always been like this.” Mark Reed also showed some dissatisfaction, then added, “But this servant thinks Grace Faulkner is actually quite proper.”

　　Speaking of Henry Faulkner, the Crown Princess sighed softly.

　　“She’s a pitiful one as well. All right, it’s about time. I should go out now.”

　　With that, she stood up, tidied her appearance, and, holding Mark Reed’s hand, slowly walked out of the inner chamber.

　　The reason the Crown Princess knew Henry Faulkner was pitiful was because when she entered the residence, all arrangements were handled by the Crown Princess’s people. Just looking at the pitifully few belongings Henry Faulkner brought, it was clear that life as a concubine’s daughter in a noble family was not easy.

　　After the Crown Princess came out, everyone had already gathered.

　　Henry Faulkner served tea to the Crown Princess, listened to a few words of instruction, and received a reward—thus completing the formalities.

　　Next, the Crown Princess asked Grace Carter a few questions about the eldest son.

　　“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The eldest son is healthy and also misses you. I’ll have someone bring him over to pay his respects to you in a moment!”

　　Grace Carter replied with a radiant smile, quickly picking up the conversation.

　　The Crown Princess nodded slightly, then waved her hand.

　　“As long as the child is healthy, that’s good. I haven’t been feeling well these past two days, so don’t bring him over—lest he catch my illness.”

　　“Spring mornings and evenings are the easiest times to catch a chill. Your Highness must take care of your health,” said Grace Carter with concern.

　　The Crown Princess nodded and said no more to her.

　　After a few more words of small talk with everyone, she dismissed them all.

　　Perhaps she was a bit jealous over Henry Faulkner’s matter, for when the Crown Prince returned at noon, Grace Harris brought a few dishes she had made herself to the front courtyard.

　　She was favored, so naturally she was kept to have lunch with the Crown Prince.

　　Hearing this, Henry Faulkner only sighed softly.

　　She rather envied how Grace Harris could act so boldly, but she herself was a discarded daughter sent to the Eastern Palace as a scapegoat by the Fang family, not someone like Harris who entered the palace bearing her family’s hopes. So for now, she could only keep her head down.

　　What Henry Faulkner didn’t expect was that her second night serving the Crown Prince would come sooner than she thought.

　　After her, the Crown Prince, as if going through the motions, summoned the remaining two Shuren to serve him in turn.

　　Then, for about seven or eight days, there was no news. During that time, he dined with the Crown Princess, Consort Baker, and Grace Harris, but did not visit anywhere else.

　　This day, Henry Faulkner was idle and tending to a few newly planted flowers in the courtyard when she heard a commotion at the gate.

　　Second-class maid Irene Wynn came running in with a cheerful smile.

　　“Liangdi, I saw His Highness the Crown Prince heading toward Biluo Study. He must be coming to see you! You should tidy up and prepare to receive him!”

　　“If he’s coming this way, there’s still Grace Carter’s Jiangxue Pavilion ahead. Maybe His Highness is going to see the eldest son,” whispered another maid, Evelyn Lane, nearby.

　　Alice Green heard this and immediately glared at her.

　　Evelyn Lane shrank her neck and lowered her head.

　　Henry Faulkner said nothing, handing the small trowel she was using to loosen the soil to Alice Green, and said calmly,

　　“Even if His Highness is just passing by the gate, we should still greet him properly.”