The side consort was too enthusiastic that she insisted on keeping Luna and Mary for lunch, ignoring Amy’s refusal. She even let the kitchen of Prosperity Hall to prepare a few more dishes until both Mary and Luna were fully packed with food. Amy’s face was sour during the whole process. It was the side consort being the only one overjoyed as if celebrating New Year.
Amy only exploded when Mary and Luna left and went to Autumn Hall, “Mother! How could you be biased towards them two? And you even want to send me to Munashii Temple? Mother, are you going to abandon me now?”
The side consort hugged Amy and looked at her with sympathy. She said, “Silly girl, how could mother not want you anymore? You know, too, that your father does not have a pleasant mood when he returns these days due to the affairs in the court not going well enough, and yet you’re stubborn and always like to cause trouble, provoking your father without notice, so what for to stay in the palace and get beaten any further? Don’t worry, I’ve arranged everything in Munashii Temple. Go have a rest there peacefully for a few months, by then your father’s anger would have disappeared and I’ll send someone to fetch you back.”
Amy was still a bit reluctant but she had a second thought. If she stayed at Munashii Temple, away from the palace and Lord regent, no one could possibly restrict her anymore and she could do whatever she wanted. Having thought of this, she agreed happily.
The side consort hugged Amy and a grim smile appeared on her face. As long as Luna was tricked to go to Munashii Temple, there was no guarantee that she would be able to return back.
Mary was still laden with anxiety when she was at Autumn Hall in the afternoon. The side consort’s behavior at noon was too abnormal. The whole afternoon passed by with Mary immersing herself in thoughts and concerns. Her face was still not looking good when she returned to Planifolia Garden at night.
The whole house of maidens lived their days by speculating their master’s mood. If Mary was in a bad mood, the maidens would not dare to act too boldly.
Angelica served Mary a bowl of sweet soup and smiled, “My lady, please try this bowl of sweet soup, it was sent by Ruby from June Hall according to the fourth mistress’ order. A large box of not only rose dew, but also mayflower dew, water lily dew, cherry jam, plum blossom dew and tangerine jam was given, while the other box of rose cream is to be applied on face. These were all made by the fourth mistress and stored since last year. The fourth mistress even said to make apricot blossom dew, pear flower cream and peach blossom wine with your Highness when the apricot, pear and peach trees blossom a few days later.”
Mary nodded slightly. If Luna did really want to treat someone good, she would give her all the best.
“When I was not around, did anything happen in Planifolia Garden?”
After thinking for a while Angelica then smiled, “The moment your Highness left in the morning, Bethany Lewis asked for permission to leave because of something happening at her home. Therefore I’ve permitted to give her two days of holiday.”
She was only an old servant thus Mary did not pay any attention to it and replied with a soft hum. She then continued to figure about the side consort’s abnormal behavior.
The maidens outside were chattering about something. Seeing Mary’s face looking bad, Angelica asked Daisy and other maidens to look after Mary while she went outside to order the maidens to lower down their voice for Mary’s sake.
Upon opening the curtain, she saw a bunch of maidens surrounding Chloe, straining forward with excitement on their face while listening to her talking about something, dancing and eyes gleamed. Even Linda, Mandy and Jennifer who used to be staid also joined the excitement.
Feeling a bit annoyed, Angelica said to Chloe with her face fell, “Can’t you tell what time is it now? The mistress in the house is feeling anxious now while you hopping and acting like a monkey. I’m gonna punish you if you dare to disturb the mistress.”
Chloe stuck out her tongue mischievously, dared not to continue further. Abigail as the elder sister from the twin then smiled and replied, “Angelica sis, do let Chloe to continue. I heard big news from my mother this afternoon when she returned home and gave my sister and I things. I felt interested therefore I let Chloe to inquire about it, and now she’s telling us what she had inquired.”
The wives of the Winchester and Redfield family at Planifolia Garden were responsible to take on night duty whereas Bethany Lewis and Lily Evans were responsible for cleaning. Because they had families therefore they were able to return home if they were not on duty. Coincidentally, the mother of Abigail and Sophia who was from the Winchester family were not on duty today, hence she had gone home in the evening.
Angelica frowned and asked, “What kind of big news make you forget the time now?”
Chloe yelled with a low voice, slightly anxious, “Angelica sis, it’s really a big news! And it’s related to Bethany Lewis in our own Planifolia Garden.”
Angelica was impatient, who did not know about what had happened to Bethany Lewis’ home? It must be her son causing trouble again. She then wanted to return back to the inside after a few scolds.
Yet Chloe blurted it out, “Bethany Lewis’ daughter is entering the palace!”
“Oh?” That did spark Angelica’s interest.
Bethany Lewis’ daughter, Chelsea was the same age as Angelica and Angelica had met her before. She knew that Chelsea learnt some poetry and painting besides lute-playing and chess, and she possessed some pride in her personality, unlike them who were servants. Bethany Lewis only wanted her daughter to marry a decent man and not willing to sell her into the palace to become a servant, so why did her do that?
The reason Angelica was concerned was because of Chelsea who entered the palace at this age was no longer able to start over as a maiden without class. Could Bethany Lewis possibly let her in if her daughter neither did heavy chores nor was a maiden with any class?
“Do you know which hall is she assigned to?”
Chloe smiled, “That’s the weirdest part. Madam Barbosa fetched Chelsea sis into the palace in the evening and let her serve in the Prosperity Hall, specifically serving her Ladyship.”
“Mind your words!” Angelica suddenly yelled, “Where do you think you are? What kind of Ladyship is her to you? The formal queen had passed away for years!”
Chloe was shocked until her face turned pale; she quickly replied obediently, “I’ve remembered your words, Angelica sis. It’s the side consort.”
Angelica, exasperated by Chloe’s lapse, said, “You better watch out your mouth, or else you’re gonna cause a big trouble someday. You said it was Madam Barbosa who fetched Chelsea in, and Chelsea was assigned to serve the side consort at Prosperity Hall upon entering the palace?”
Chloe nodded, “It is what told by Cornelia who sweeps the floor at Prosperity Hall.”
Cornelia and Chloe were sold to the palace together and they learnt the palace rules at the same place. They were the best sisters and always chatted with each other though they were assigned to different places.
Angelica could not help but gave Chloe a few more orders, “Get more deserts for Cornelia from Linda whenever you go talk to her, and also remember to watch out for other people. The people from Prosperity Hall are incompatible with us from Planifolia Garden, so remember not to cause Cornelia trouble. Also, I only allow you to ask for information from Cornelia, but don’t you inform her anything from Planifolia Garden.”
Chloe quickly nodded, patting her chest and promised, “Don’t worry, Angelica sis. My mouth is tightly shut.”
After ordering them to leave, she stood in front of the door thinking for a while and returned back to the house.
Mary had listened to what Angelica had said to the maidens in the court just now, especially regarding what she scolded Chloe. Mary could not help but nodded secretly. Angelica was indeed a servant knowing the rules; her standard was way higher than of Daisy’s. What was most precious was her loyalty that was shown in tiny details.
Mary needed to keep calm when Angelica came in with a worried expression.
“My lady, I had done something wrong, please punish me,” Upon seeing Mary, she plopped down the floor, shocking Daisy and the others.
Mary waved calmly to let Daisy and the others leave, she then ordered no one to enter without her permission. She did not ask Angelica to rise up, but stared at her and asked lightly, “Say it, what trouble had you caused?”
Mary knew Angelica too well. Angelica was cautious; she always thought back and forth before saying or doing anything and would not make a single mistake. Now that she knelt down directly to her, it looked like something big had happened.
Angelica did not cry, she looked anxious in the face but her voice was still loud and clear, “Just now, Chloe said that Madam Barbosa who serves the side consort had let Bethany Lewis’ daughter, Chelsea enter Prosperity Hall. That Chelsea is the same age as I and had not become a servant in the palace nor learnt the rules before. Yet she immediately begins to serve the side consort upon entering the palace.”
Angelica lifted up her head and glanced at Mary, seeing that Mary was still calm, she began to feel relaxed. From the process of getting along with Mary these past few days, Angelica had realized that Mary was a person with her own mind. Without consciousness, she had made Mary her backbone and could keep her calm when Mary did not show any panic.
“Your Highness might not know the rules here. A person who has not learnt the rules like Chelsea does not have the right to serve the master by the master’s side and needs to become a maiden without class first like Sophia and the others. Yet Chelsea’s age is already old, to start from becoming a small maiden and learn the rules, it would be impossible to serve the master in the future. Chelsea could only do heavy chores if she wants to work in the palace, yet now the side consort has asked her to directly become her side maiden, there must be something fishy going on.”
Mary had figured out that the side consort must have given Bethany Lewis some advantages when Angelica told her that Madam Barbosa had brought Chelsea in to serve at Prosperity Hall. A feeling of uneasiness grew when she related it to the side consort’s unusual behavior at noon.
“Angelica, stand up and continue.”
Angelica let out a sigh of relief; she stood up and continued humbly, “I have met Chelsea before. Bethany Lewis had always wanted to curry favor with those in power; therefore she had let Chelsea learn all kinds of skills from calligraphy to painting since young. Chelsea plays lute wonderfully, she has a goddess like personality and figure, was gentle and obedient yet she was proud deep inside. The servants all envied her and never expected her to be sold inside the palace as a servant.”
Mary nodded and replied lightly, “I get it. Do you know why Bethany Lewis asked for leave today?”
Slightly hesitated, Angelica said regretfully, “I’ve neglected my own duty. I thought it must be what Bethany Lewis’ son had done wrong when Bethany Lewis came to ask for leave. Bethany Lewis has a son who is addicted towards gambling and he had lost all of Bethany Lewis’ earned money. Owing a huge debt outside, he was often chased by the people asking for debt. I let her go without asking for details, seeing her being quite anxious. But don’t worry, my lady. I’ll ask her for further information when she comes back tomorrow night.”