The scenery at Planifolia Garden during winter is the most mesmerizing. But it is only spring and the scenery isn’t that captivating.
Grace was looking at Amy and apart from some disgust and unwillingness to participate fully in the conversations; she was eating and drinking normally. Grace was relieved to see that she was not making a scene. She was thinking that most likely Amy learnt her lesson yesterday and although she was upset today, she didn’t dare to throw a tantrum.
However, Luna was disappointed that there wasn’t sparks flying.
The sisters were eating and drinking and the servants also participated. Angelica laughed, “Today Lord Regent instructed for afternoon classes to be cancelled. Why don’t the Ladies go to the garden for a stroll after lunch, it’ll aid the digestion.” In fact, Angelica had another reason for this that she didn’t mention. She’d heard that fifth Lady has never completely explored the Planifolia Garden and its surroundings. She can take advantage of this occasion to nurture her relationship with her sisters and also have a good look at the surroundings.
Mary understood this completely. Looking at Angelica, she knew that she had chosen the right person. Angelica was indeed a very smart girl and always prioritized the wellbeing of her mistress without seeking credit. She certainly will continue to cultivate her.
Who knew that the person to continue Angelica’s words was Amy, “That goes without saying. It’s a sunny spring day and if we don’t go to the garden to have a stroll and soak in the sun, it’s disrespecting Mother Nature.”
Grace on seeing Amy finally speak out, was quick to nod in agreement and praise.
Luna cheekily said, “Come to think of it, the scenery at third sister’s Spring Court is the best at this time of the year. Shall we sisters all go to Spring Court afterwards? Third sister, don’t be stingy and not let us enter!” She said as she giggled with a napkin over her mouth.
Amy coldly laughed, “Why would I be stingy. I would also like to visit fourth sister’s June Hall later.”
June Hall where Luna was living does not have any nice scenery at this moment. The pond at the front entrance is empty, so Luna wasn’t afraid of Amy’s criticizing. Without a blink she replied laughing, “Third sister has never visited me at June Hall, I will be delighted if you can come every day to visit me.” She happily turned and said to Mary, “Today’s excursion is all thanks to fifth sister.”
Mary laughed without speaking and coolly observed. She’s worried that today there would be a big incident.
The lunch went by without any major incident. Seizing the opportunity that the others were dressing up, Mary pulled Angelica to one side and asked, “Do you have the information that I asked you to find out?”
Angelica nodded, “Servant Chole is the most street smart and able to find the latest information. From her sources, Side consort was only punished with a year’s wages. Third Lady was released by Lord Regent at the request of her Ladyship.
Mary nodded indicating that she understood. It seems that the fallout from this issue wasn’t big enough.
“Chloe did very well. Give her these coins, let her continue to mingle around and always bring around some candies. Be generous to the other servants so that she can get more information around here. I’ll handsomely reward her.”
Angelica was quick to agree. Mary continued, “Thanks for your efforts today. Get two silver coins from the accounts as a reward to you.”
Two silver coins are equivalent to a month’s wages for a second class servant. Angelica couldn’t accept, “Running errands for my Lady are my duties. How can I accept this from my Lady?”
“Accept it when I say so, you deserve it.”
Seeing that Mary was insisting, Angelica obediently accepted it.”
In a short span of time the area was tidied. Amy was accompanied by Brit and Gwen, Grace was followed by Molly and Sandy, Luna was followed by Jewel and Jade and Mary was followed by Daisy and Chloe. The gaggle of ladies walked casually towards Spring Court.
Along the way, they naturally passed by several landmarks, such as Dewdrop Pavilion where Grace lives, the Stars Towers and the Longevity Courtyard and others. All of them were enjoying the flora, chatting until they reached Spring Court.
The scenery at Spring Court was indeed fantastic. The magnolias are in full bloom and the snow orchids have extended its buds. Everyone was drinking tea and praising the beauty of Spring Court.
But the praises stop at Amy’s ear and does not go further into her heart. No matter how nice Spring Court is, it still cannot compare to Planifolia Garden’s scenery.
Comparing the size, although the layout is the same with three buildings, east west wing each had three rooms and a courtyard, Spring Court is half the size of Planifolia Garden. Previously Amy didn’t think much of it but when she went over to Planifolia Garden today, she now feels the difference.
The design concept of Spring Court and Planifolia Garden is the same. Both emphasized the gardens while the rooms are not too big. No matter how Amy sees it, she still prefers Planifolia Garden.
Noticing that Amy’s expression doesn’t seem right, Grace laughed and said, “We’ve been here for a while and we are starting to get tired. Why don’t we all go home now? We can always visit another day.”
Amy didn’t accept Grace’s good gesture and said, “Just now at Planifolia Garden, fourth sister said that she’s inviting us to June Hall for some snacks.”
Luna was having a side conversation with Mary and was startled on hearing this. She originally was trying to instigate Amy to offend Mary. These few days Mary is the apple of Lord Regent’s eye and Amy often gets into trouble. She definitely cannot be the cause of another incident. Luna was trying to light another fire and let it burn out of control so that Amy’s misfortune can continue.
Unexpectedly, Amy did not look for trouble with Mary; instead, she turned her attention on Luna.
Luna was unhappy and barely smiled, “Look, third sister must have had drunk too much. Why don’t we rest today and visit me another day. Moreover, at this moment June Hall’s environment isn’t very good. When the Lilies bloom, I’ll invite all sisters over for a gathering, how about it?” She didn’t want June Hall to become a place where Amy vents her anger.
Amy was restless and wanted to vent on whoever crosses her. She continued to insist, “Fourth sister, how can you be so stingy, don’t tell me you have hidden some treasure in June Hall and don’t want us to see it?” Her eyes rolled around, laughed as she continued, “Or did you hide a handsome man in June Hall?”
“Third sister, mind your words!”
Luna “Huffed” and stood up, “Third sister must not taint a person’s innocence! I wanted to let third sister rest out of concern but I didn’t think that you would reject my good will. In that case, let’s go with me to June Hall for a visit.”
Mary thought that it was very funny, with a wave of her hand, she signaled Chloe to her side, whispered a few words to her and Chloe slipped away before anyone could notice.
Luna was upset and leading them from the front in quick steps. Amy followed closely with Brit and Gwen in hand. Grace was worried that both of them would have another incident and also followed closely behind. She is after all their elder sister. If something really happens, she can’t escape from the responsibilities.
Only Mary was not concerned, holding onto Daisy’s hands and enjoying the scenery along the way to June Hall.
Daisy noticed that the atmosphere wasn’t right, “Lady, why don’t we sneak away when the three sisters are distracted. Why be dragged into this?”
Mary laughed and said, “The days are long, isn’t it boring if we simply stay in Planifolia Garden by ourselves? Let’s go along for the show, isn’t that more interesting?
Daisy was surprised and looked at Mary, when did her Lady become so mischievous?
When the strolling pair reached June Hall, Amy and Luna were already in an argument.
Mary started to pretend, “Sisters, what’s the matter? Why didn’t both of you enter and are fighting at the entrance?”
June Hall does not have a courtyard. There is a water feature planted with lilies. It’s spring and the lake is bare. There is no scenery to boast of. June Hall however is large and airy and gives a feeling of huge open space.
Luna was now in tears and looking at the laughing Mary, she burst out crying, “Fifth Sister, you’ve finally arrived, hurry and be the voice of reason.”
Mary has decided not to meddle and said, “I’m the youngest here and the issue between two of you elder sisters, as the younger sister, I have no right to interfere. Isn’t second sister here?”
Luna was brutally honest, “They are kin sisters and naturally second sister will side with her. Why will she take care of us?”
“Luna, don’t spout nonsense! This issue can’t be resolved just because you said so. Am I right?”
Amy laughed, “The other day if you convinced fourth Prince to come to June Hall, even if you were to fall into the pond, you won’t be covered in mud. How can you be so foolish? Instead you got fourth Prince to go to Swallow Pavilion, there is a muddy area beside the pavilion, it didn’t taste good, did it?”
Luna was shocked that Amy said all these in front of the servants! Luna screamed and rushed forward to scratch Amy’s face!
Grace didn’t want her own sister to be hurt and dashed over to help Amy. This was at the entrance to June Hall. All the servants of June Hall rushed out to help their Lady. The servants of Amy and Grace, Molly, Sandy, Brit and Gwen all couldn’t allow their Ladies to suffer and fought with the other servants.
At the moment of struggle, a scream, “You useless beings dare to bully my Luna! I’ll fight to the death!” A middle-aged woman rushed into the fight.
Mary clapped and laughed, “Daisy, isn’t this interesting?”
Following behind this woman was Chloe and she rushed over, scratching her head and reported, “My Lady, when I was returning, I met Concubine Talbert and invited her to come over.”
Mary was elated and laughed, “Well done, later have Odessa make something nice for you to eat.”