17 Chapter 17: Hearing the Wind

5:45 AM.

In the early winter, the sky had just started to turn white, and Shuanghua Residence was brightly lit.

"Your Highness, how about wearing this golden peony hairpin?"

At this moment, Lin Jiaojiao was sitting in front of the bronze makeup mirror, while Xuemei was holding an extravagant golden hairpin against her hairstyle.

Just then, there was a knock on the door outside the bedroom.

"Your Highness, it's servant Qingtao."

It was Qingtao, she must have something to report, so Lin Jiaojiao said, "Come in."

Qingtao saluted her and said, "Your Highness, Concubine Zhang is on her way. I have sent someone to escort her to the Apricot Blossom Manor outside the city. She should arrive by 7:00 AM tomorrow."

Apricot Blossom Manor? Although the name sounded nice, it was actually a remote estate.

They really put some thought into this.

As she put on her jewelry, she asked, "What did the Prince say?"

Since Qingtao was handling the matter, Yan Sihan must know as well. She wondered what his reaction was.

From the reflection in the bronze mirror, she saw Qingtao's indifferent face. Qingtao respectfully said, "His Highness said that all matters in the backyard are to be decided by Your Highness, and I do not need to report back."

All matters in the backyard were left to her? Did Yan Sihan really say that?

It seemed that Yan Sihan's trust in her had increased.

It was a good thing and a good beginning. She would work hard to make Yan Sihan trust her completely.

"I see, you can go now."

At 6:00 AM, other people would come to pay their respects in her yard. She didn't want to get up at 5:00 AM, but Xuemei insisted.

Main hall.

"Your servant and others pay respects to Your Highness, wishing you a long life of happiness and safety."

Lin Jiaojiao sat upright on the sandalwood chair, accepting the greetings from the three people below.

It was obvious that the absence of Mrs. Zhang made the two madams uneasy, probably because they had heard some rumors.

As for Zhao Shuang Er, she showed no extra expression apart from reluctance.

It was Maid Wang, who stood beside Zhao Shuang Er, that looked at her with a stern face, as if she had something to ask.

Lin Jiaojiao said with a gentle smile, "Please have a seat."

After everyone sat down, the maids began to serve tea. Xuemei handed her a tea cup, and she said to everyone, "Taste this Guzhu Purple Bamboo Shoot tea. It has a fresh and mellow taste with a sweet aftertaste. I believe you all will like it."

Zhao Shuang Er cast a disdainful glance at the tea cup beside her.

Only Lady Li and Mrs. Yang picked up their tea cups with smiling faces and sipped the tea carefully.

Lady Li praised, "The tea served by my elder sister, Her Highness, is naturally good. I have never tasted such good tea before."

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Shuang Er glared at her. Lady Li's smile froze, and then she lowered her head and stopped talking.

Zhao Shuang Er then slowly picked up the tea cup, took off the lid, and shook it. With a sneer, she said, "A palace maid has no taste. Hasn't Her Highness ever had good tea from her aunt's place?"

This statement seemed to mock Lady Li, but it was actually meant to indirectly mock her.

Ignoring such sarcastic words, she smiled at Lady Li and said, "If Li'er likes it, I will have someone send some to you later."

Lady Li was the easiest of the three to deal with. These words could also be seen as giving Lady Li a chance. If she accepted her offer, Lin Jiaojiao would give Lady Li a good outcome.

At this, Lady Li's heart tightened. She quickly stood up and saluted, "With my humble status, I'm afraid I'm not worthy of receiving such fine tea."

This was a roundabout way of refusing, but she could tell that Lady Li was hesitant.

At this moment, seeing that she could no longer bear it, Maid Wang stepped forward and saluted her, "May Your Highness be at peace."

She then raised her face to look at Lin Jiaojiao. Her aged face held a pair of bright eyes, which were rather imposing.

Maid Wang said, "I heard that Mrs. Zhang was sent out of Prince Manor last night. Does Your Highness know about this?"

It was a rhetorical question. Since Qingtao had handled the matter openly, everyone in the manor knew about it by now.

In response, Lin Jiaojiao calmly said, "Mrs. Zhang is seriously ill and relies on medicine to survive. I thought that the noisy atmosphere in the manor might not be conducive to her recovery. Apricot Blossom Manor, on the other hand, is quiet and a perfect place for convalescence. Don't you think so, Maid Wang?"