"That Faulkner really knows how to keep her composure. She didn't become arrogant from being favored, nor did she quarrel with Grace Carter; instead, she even apologized to Grace Carter together with her own maid."

Seeing her say this, Harris's expression immediately darkened.

She grabbed the folding fan at hand and threw it over.

"If there was no commotion, why are you telling me about it? As expected, it was a foolish idea. I must have been out of my mind to listen to you—what a waste of effort!"

The folding fan hit Summer Reed squarely on the head, startling her so much that she immediately knelt down.

Ignoring her disheveled hair, she hurriedly begged for mercy.

"Please don't be angry, my lady. I still have something to say. It's not too late to punish me after you've heard me out!"

"Then go on, let me see how many excuses you can come up with!"

Harris glared angrily.

Summer Reed quickly said, "His Highness the Crown Prince already has a bias against that Faulkner. After this incident, even if Faulkner is innocent, the fact remains that a dispute arose because of her. This shows that Faulkner is not someone to be underestimated. My lady, this is the perfect opportunity for you to say a few words to His Highness."

"In this way, His Highness will surely think that Faulkner is restless and will naturally neglect her. If you join forces with Helen Bennett, how could you possibly lose to a single Consort Baker?"

After she finished speaking, the anger on Grace Harris's face gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful look.

After a while, she waved her hand.

"Get up. You did well this time. Go outside and keep watch. As soon as His Highness returns, invite him here for dinner."

"Yes." Summer Reed breathed a sigh of relief.

Chapter Eight Reminder

That evening, as soon as Brian Parker returned to the palace, he was invited to Grace Harris's quarters.

That night, Brian Parker stayed at Jinxiu Pavilion, so the next morning when it was time to pay respects, Grace Harris was positively radiant and quite pleased with herself.

For the next half month, Brian Parker spent most of his time at Jinxiu Pavilion with Grace Harris, occasionally summoning Helen Bennett to serve in the front hall, and only visited Consort Baker once. He dined with the Crown Princess twice.

As for Henry Faulkner, she didn't even catch a glimpse of the Crown Prince.

For a while, the winds in the Eastern Palace seemed to be blowing in Grace Harris's favor.

Every morning when they went to Wutong Courtyard to pay respects, Grace Harris would, intentionally or not, make a few jibes at Consort Baker.

As for Henry Faulkner, she didn't really target her, since in her eyes, Henry Faulkner wasn't even worth considering—someone she could crush with a flick of her finger. Consort Baker was the real opponent.

Henry Faulkner was actually quite happy about this.

Her position was awkward and already difficult enough; if she were to be under constant scrutiny, things would only get harder.

Why say "constant scrutiny"? Because Henry Faulkner had already noticed that Grace Harris had been watching her for several days, only recently withdrawing her attention.

That day, after Henry Faulkner noticed something odd about Evelyn Lane, Alice Green immediately went to investigate and indeed found that Evelyn Lane had connections with Summer Reed from Jinxiu Pavilion.

Combined with Brian Parker's recent attitude toward Grace Harris, it wasn't hard for Henry Faulkner to guess that Harris had been up to some tricks behind the scenes.

Of course, Henry Faulkner hadn't entered the Eastern Palace just to live out her days in peace; she certainly wouldn't sit and wait for doom.

Besides, with so many women in the Eastern Palace, not seeing the Crown Prince for half a month was hardly a long time.

So, after paying respects that day, Henry Faulkner took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Consort Baker.

The two of them went for a walk in the small garden and chatted idly.

"These days, Grace Harris is really in the limelight. Today I saw her speaking so carelessly that even the Crown Princess looked displeased," Henry Faulkner sighed softly.

Baker agreed, "You know her temperament—flamboyant and domineering. It's no surprise she acts spoiled when favored. But what can you do? His Highness likes that unruly side of her."

"But I think His Highness also likes you, sister," Henry Faulkner said with a gentle smile.

At this, a hint of shyness appeared on Baker's face, and she waved her hand.

"Don't tease me. How could I ever compare to Grace Harris when it comes to pleasing His Highness?"

After Baker finished, Henry Faulkner moved half a step closer and lowered her voice.

"You said it yourself, sister—His Highness's favor must be sought. I know you're kind and don't like to compete, but if you care for His Highness, you should at least let him know. If you keep everything bottled up, how could he possibly know?"

Over these days, Henry Faulkner had already figured out Baker's approach.

If she truly didn't want to compete for favor, then she was trying to present herself as someone who doesn't fight or vie.

But even this non-competition comes in different forms.

One is secretly longing for the Crown Prince but unwilling to make things difficult for him, so she waits quietly. The other is not caring about the Crown Prince at all, so she can't be bothered to compete.

It's important to distinguish between the two. Otherwise, if the Crown Prince thinks you're the second type, over time, you won't just seem aloof—you'll seem nonexistent to him.

So today's reminder from Henry Faulkner was to warn Baker not to overdo her persona, or it might backfire.

After hearing this, Baker lowered her gaze thoughtfully.

Then she gently nodded.

"Thank you for the reminder, sister. I know what to do now."

After finishing this topic, Baker asked another question.