The East Courtyard of Xiao Manor.
Xia Qingke, the first madam of Xiao Manor, was trimming the flowers and plants.
Her personal maid, Huan Ying, hurried into the courtyard and curtsied to the first madam. "Madam."
"Mm." Xia Qingke nodded and slowly asked, "Did Her Highness come looking for Xiao Mo yesterday?"
As the mistress of Xiao Manor, she naturally knew that the Third Princess had come to see Xiao Mo.
She simply had not asked much about it yesterday.
"Yes, Madam. The Third Princess came to play with Xiao Mo. She had a meal in the Fifth Madam's courtyard, then took Xiao Mo out to play. Xiao Mo only returned between nine and eleven last night," Huan Ying reported truthfully.
"I see. You may go," Xia Qingke said evenly.
"Madam."
Huan Ying hesitated, but ultimately decided to speak.
"Xiao Mo is now Senior Huang's disciple. He even attended the grand hunt as Her Highness's guard, rendered meritorious service, and received a reward from His Majesty.
"Now Her Highness has come to our door herself, and she seems very close to Xiao Mo.
"Could this..."
Just as Huan Ying was about to finish, Xia Qingke turned and gave her an icy look.
Huan Ying immediately fell silent and dropped to her knees to beg forgiveness, slapping her own face as she said, "I deserve death! I spoke out of turn! I deserve death!"
"Huan Ying, I know what you were going to say."
Xia Qingke stepped forward and looked down at the maid kneeling before her.
"You came with me from the Xia family when I married into Xiao Manor. I know your heart is set on my interests, and you're worried about the hereditary succession to the title of Prince Zhenbei.
"But let me tell you this: since we