Looking at the little furrowed brows and the strange expression on Ian Brooks's face, Lauren Brooks found herself unable to offer much explanation. These days, aside from her books, what she inquired about most were the elders of the The Brooks Family through the generations. If Mrs. Carter hadn’t mentioned that Lady Ma, the second wife, wanted to move the young masters outside, it would have been one thing, but since she had, Lauren Brooks had no choice but to plan ahead.

Chapter 007 Princess Adams

First, with the end of the year approaching, and second, her injuries just healed, Lauren Brooks was temporarily excused from returning to her studies. Unlike the young masters, the young ladies of the The Brooks Family did not attend academies outside; instead, a learned and strict tutor was specially hired to teach at home. At first, they studied the traditional codes of conduct for women, while the Four Books and Five Classics were only touched upon lightly. She had little interest in these, so she was happy to spend her time in her room reading and writing, feeling much more at ease and free. Fortunately, she had learned calligraphy as a child and could recognize all the traditional characters. Now, after copying a few calligraphy sheets each day, her writing was gradually becoming more fluent.

That morning, she was sitting behind her desk, leafing with great interest through the copy of "Notes from the Jianyan Era" that Ian Brooks had somehow procured for her, when she suddenly heard footsteps outside. Immediately after, Fiona Quinn hurriedly lifted the curtain and came in.

Seeing that only the third-class maid Jack Hudson was serving in the room, she quickly stepped forward, gave a curtsey, and said, “Miss, Princess Adams has arrived. Since she didn’t bring her full entourage, and the main gate wasn’t opened wide, she’s already at Liao Xiang Courtyard and said she wants to see the young ladies. The old madam sent someone to pass the message, asking you to dress up nicely and go over quickly.”

Hearing this, Lauren Brooks immediately put down her book, thought for a moment, and asked, “Did Princess Adams used to come by like this? Always without alerting others?”

“The princess lives in the prince’s residence, so she can’t come often, but she’s always cared deeply for the old madam, her maternal grandmother, and sends generous gifts for every festival. This year, during the Dragon Boat Festival, the princess came once with the prince, and that time the main gate was opened wide. But this isn’t unusual—previously, when the Princess Qi or Princess Duan visited their family, they also didn’t like to make a big show of it.”

As Fiona Quinn spoke, she sent Jack Hudson to the west room to prepare, then helped Lauren Brooks up and explained in a low voice, “It’s just that the princess has been married for several years and has only had one daughter, so this year two more ladies joined the prince’s household. Their backgrounds are a bit lower, but both were chosen by the consort. Fortunately, the prince still treats the princess with great respect.”

As Lauren Brooks walked, she pondered. Leaving the east study, she went to the main room and sat before the dressing table in the west room. Ruby Hall came over with Samuel Smith and Jack Hudson. Ruby Hall opened the ebony jewelry box and casually picked out the pair of passionflower gold hairpins from before. “Miss, since the princess is here today, should we use these gold hairpins?”

“Use the pair with the cordyceps and pearls—the ones the princess gave. They’re simple, just right for meeting her.”

Lauren Brooks noticed Ruby Hall pause for a moment, then nod and bring over the delicate cordyceps pearl hairpins, along with a pair of white jade earrings and a string of fragrant wood beads. She knew this maid was perceptive and nodded approvingly. After dressing up, she changed into a new winter outfit made this year and draped over her the crane cloak that Ms. Turner had given her earlier. Then, with Fiona Quinn and Ruby Hall, she headed out.

When they arrived at Liao Xiang Courtyard, the place was much livelier than during the usual morning and evening greetings. Besides the young maids, several unfamiliar maids stood at the steps, all dressed in pale jade quilted jackets and lotus-pink satin vests. Their heads and hands were clean, with no jewelry in sight, but their embroidered shoes were of various patterns. As Lauren Brooks entered, everyone bowed low in greeting, and she nodded slightly as she passed.

Inside the main room, a maid led Lauren Brooks into the warm alcove. There, to the left of Ms. Turner, sat a splendidly dressed lady in her early twenties. Her hair was styled in a high bun, she wore a bright red silk robe with gold and multicolored sleeves, and a floor-length skirt with golden bird and pheasant patterns. Her face resembled Ms. Turner’s, but even more so, she exuded the same dignified air, though her eyes were gentle and her lips carried a warmer smile. After Lauren Brooks paid her respects, the lady quickly came down to help her up, holding her hand and examining her for a long while before personally seating her in the first chair to the right.

“It’s only been half a year, and I heard my third sister was injured. But seeing you today, you look so well—I’m finally relieved.”

Princess Adams said this with a gentle smile, then asked if Lauren Brooks had eaten the bird’s nest she sent, and how her diet and sleep were lately, showing great concern. Lauren Brooks answered each question, naturally mentioning the gold hairpins in her hair and the crane cloak she wore, expressing her gratitude. After chatting for a while, Ivy Brooks, Yvonne Brooks, and Sophie Brooks arrived together. Seeing that Lauren Brooks was already there, the three were a bit surprised, but quickly stepped forward to pay their respects to Ms. Turner and Princess Adams.

After the formalities, the four sisters greeted each other. Lauren Brooks noticed that each of them was adorned in splendid jewelry and brocade, clearly having dressed up carefully. She took note of this, and when they sat down again, sure enough, Ms. Turner smiled and said from above, “You all live so close by, yet somehow you’re slower than Lan’er and kept us waiting. How should you be punished for this?”