Previously mentioned, Henry Faulkner believed that in terms of appearance, Helen Bennett was the most beautiful among the women of the Eastern Palace, so she also found it strange how these two ended up together.

It was Consort Baker who told Henry Faulkner that Bennett's father also served as an official in the Ministry of War and was a subordinate of Grace Harris's father.

With that explanation, everything became clear.

The Crown Princess remained as dignified and composed as ever. When she saw that Grace Harris had spoken out of line, she still reprimanded her a few times.

At present, Henry Faulkner felt that the Crown Princess Reed truly lived up to her reputation as a lady from a scholarly family—she indeed had the bearing of a noblewoman, acting with fairness and restraint.

Of course, that was just for now. Only time reveals a person's true nature, so she dared not make any absolute judgments at this point.

After the morning greeting at the main residence was over, Consort Baker invited Henry Faulkner to her Weiyang Pavilion for a chat.

Henry Faulkner also wanted to get to know her, so she did not refuse and followed along.

Once they arrived, Henry Faulkner noticed that although they were both concubines, Baker's life was much better than hers.

All the furnishings and ornaments in the room were exquisite. Previously, Henry Faulkner had thought Biluozhai was quite elegant, but compared to Weiyang Pavilion, it now seemed rather shabby.

As for Wutong Courtyard, there was no comparison—after all, that was the main wife's residence, so naturally everything there was the best.

After inviting Henry Faulkner to sit, Baker ordered her personal maid Yunrou to pour tea, then dismissed all the other servants, leaving only their two personal maids to attend them in the room.

"I heard yesterday that His Highness went to your place. I was quite worried, but thankfully, you are all right, sister."

"What do you mean by that, Side Consort?"

Although Henry Faulkner had sensed that Brian Parker was in a bad mood when he came yesterday, she hadn't had time to investigate, so she still had doubts in her heart.

When she asked, Baker sighed softly before speaking.

"I suppose you don't know. Yesterday, during the court session, your father spoke up for the eldest prince and refuted the crown prince's political views."

Henry Faulkner furrowed her brows, her heart growing colder.

Her dear father truly couldn't even be bothered to pretend anymore—he had openly aligned himself with the eldest prince.

"Thank you for telling me, Side Consort."

"You don't need to keep calling me 'Side Consort.' You look very much like one of my cousins from my own family. From now on, let's address each other as sisters."

Consort Baker took her hand and patted it gently, speaking softly.

"We are both women from noble families. My father also has many concubines. Sister, I understand your hardships."

Hearing this, Henry Faulkner looked up, her eyes reddening a bit, and she nodded silently.

After leaving Weiyang Pavilion and returning to Biluozhai, once inside, Henry Faulkner let her expression turn cold and told Alice Green to close all the doors and windows.

Chapter Six: Guarding Against Others

"Miss, please don't be sad..." Alice Green comforted her gently.

Henry Faulkner sneered, "Why should I be sad? He has never regarded me as a daughter, and I have never regarded him as a father. There is only hatred between us."

After speaking, Henry Faulkner took a deep breath, calming herself a little.

"Don't worry, I'm long used to this. It won't affect me."

Seeing her mood stabilize, Alice Green nodded and changed the subject.

"As long as you feel at ease, My Lady. The jewelry and fabrics rewarded by His Highness the Crown Prince yesterday have already arrived. Would you like to pick two bolts of fabric to have some new clothes made?"

"Alright, I do need to have two new outfits made."

Henry Faulkner smiled.

Clothes make the person. Since she intended to serve with her looks, she naturally had to put effort into her appearance.

Alice Green quickly brought out the fabrics, and the two of them began to look through them together.

They chatted as they picked.

"What do you think of Consort Baker as a person?" Henry Faulkner asked casually.

"She seems straightforward and easygoing, very approachable," Alice Green thought for a moment. "But she is the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Nanning's household, and like you, My Lady, she entered the Eastern Palace through the same path. By rights, she shouldn't be close to you, otherwise wouldn't that be going against the Crown Prince?"

The The Reed Family of the Crown Princess, as well as the Marquis of Nanning's household behind Baker, were both openly part of the Crown Prince's faction, while the The Faulkner Family had already defected to the eldest prince. Baker really shouldn't be on friendly terms with her.

Usually, even though the Crown Princess handled matters fairly, she always kept her distance from Henry Faulkner and rarely interacted with her.

"I think there are only two possible reasons. First, Baker suspects that I am not on good terms with my family and have a stain in the Crown Prince's eyes, so I can't please either side. Although she comes from a good family, her maiden home is far away in Huizhou and can't help her here, so she wants to choose me as a pawn to secure her favor."

Henry Faulkner lifted her eyes slightly, her fingers gently stroking the patterns on the fabric.

"After all, I am probably the person in this residence with the hardest time gaining a foothold. If an olive branch is extended, I will surely grasp it to survive."

That made sense, and Alice Green nodded.

"And the second reason?"

"The second is that Baker truly has no scheming or depth, and really feels close to me because I resemble her cousin."

After saying this, Henry Faulkner and Alice Green exchanged a smile, then both shook their heads.

Having struggled to survive for so many years in the snake pit that was the The Faulkner Family, neither mistress nor maid believed that a truly kind and simple person could be raised in a noble household.

Perhaps such a person did exist, but so far, Henry Faulkner had never met one.

As the saying goes, one must always be on guard against others. She would rather use the first explanation to guess Baker's motives.

After all, if her mental fortitude were any weaker, after hearing Baker say that her father had opposed the Crown Prince's political views in court and angered the Crown Prince, she would surely be left anxious and uneasy.