The main courtyard of Xiao Manor.
The first madam, Xia Qingke, was still pruning the flowers and plants.
Yet every movement she made seemed unconscious, as though she were pondering something.
"Madam."
The maid Huan Ying entered the courtyard and bowed to Xia Qingke.
"Mm." Xia Qingke nodded and turned to Huan Ying. "Well? Did the third madam accept the gifts?"
Ever since Zhou Ruoxi had been granted an imperial title, Xia Qingke, as the first madam, had been obliged to afford her the treatment of a principal wife.
But Zhou Ruoxi had neither moved to another courtyard nor accepted the service of additional maids. She still lived in that little courtyard.
To keep others from gossiping, Xia Qingke often sent people over with gifts, but Zhou Ruoxi refused most of the valuable ones.
This time, Xia Qingke had sent some pastries and silk.
"Yes, Madam. The third madam accepted them and asked this servant to thank you," Huan Ying replied.
"If the third madam needs anything from now on, tell the household staff to do their utmost to provide it. Understood?" Xia Qingke instructed.
"Understood, Madam." Huan Ying nodded, then offered her a letter. "Oh, Madam, Consort Die sent this letter. Please have a look."
Xia Qingke took the envelope, opened it, and read the letter over and over, her brows knitting involuntarily.
"Madam... has something happened in the palace?" Huan Ying asked.
Huan Ying knew that Consort Die in the palace was the madam's close friend. They had grown up together.
The madam often visited Consort Die in the palace.
Likewise, Consort Die frequently wrote to the first madam about matters within the palace.
"The Prince has returned to the capital." Xia Qingke set down the envelope and spoke slowly. "The moment he arrived, His Majesty summoned him