The emotion in Jiao Hongmiao's eyes turned utterly cold.
He had thought the Little Princess had suddenly kicked up this fuss because the children had quarreled on the way here. But now, seeing this woman's hideous expression, he suddenly had an entirely new suspicion.
The Little Highness must have learned that her little brother Jinshu had suffered here and come to vent his anger for him.
In that case, he could not simply let this matter slide.
Jiao Hongmiao gave a cold snort, then turned back toward the upholstered chair with the little girl in his arms and slowly sat down.
"Tell me, then. Just how do you intend to make an issue of this?"
Fang Yiwan cast Madam Zhang an expressionless glance, silently cursing her-
Useless thing, more likely to ruin things than accomplish anything. All she could see was that worthless son of hers. She had not the slightest ability to read the situation.
Fang Siwan had just been promoted in rank, but over all these years, she had never left the palace to visit her birth family. Fang Yiwan had never entered the palace to nurture her relationship with her younger sister either. The only bond left between them was that earth-shattering secret no outsider could ever know.
Her earlier back-and-forth with the Minister of Revenue had been nothing more than a show of strength masking her own weakness.
At that thought, Fang Yiwan curved her lips into a smile. "You misunderstand, my lord. Madam Zhang was merely anxious to protect her son and meant no offense. Please-"
"Sister-in-law, that is hardly fair of you," Madam Zhang interrupted Fang Yiwan without the slightest courtesy, her tone sharp and cutting. "Our Shanshan wasn't the one at fault today. Even if someone needs to apologize, it certainly isn't us!"