William Baker waved his little hand: "You all go about your business, no need to wait on me."

The few people looked at each other, but in the end sat back down, watching the three children run into the house.

As soon as they entered, William Baker asked, a little unhappily, "Why didn’t you call me like you did just now?"

Grace Baker smiled sweetly, tiptoed closer to his ear, and whispered softly, "That’s our secret."

William Baker: Ah! Not again!!!

The small room where Grace Baker lived was very simple, without any extra decorations. Compared to the Changming Hall where he lived, it was practically a slum. But at least it was clean, and the room carried a unique sweet scent belonging to a little girl—refreshing and pleasant, not cloying.

While he was looking around, Grace Baker quietly said to Charles Baker, "Brother, go get a few persimmons."

Charles Baker was a bit reluctant, but always listened to his sister, so he immediately ran out to fetch the persimmons. Grace Baker walked to the bookshelf, climbed up on a stool, and picked out a book.

All these books had been brought into the palace by Violet Morgan when she entered. Back in the capital, she was known as a talented woman, but now, having fallen into the deep palace, these books had become worn from her reading and were gathering dust on the shelf.

She picked out a copy of "The Analects," and after coming down, took the crabapple flower from her arms and placed it between the pages, closing the book and pressing it gently.

William Baker asked curiously, "What are you doing?"

Grace Baker handed him the book: "Making the crabapple flower into a bookmark. Even if it withers, it won’t fall apart, and the luck will be sealed here forever."

It was the first time William Baker had heard of a bookmark, and he thought his Fifth Princess sister really was different from the rest!

He had always hated reading—just seeing a book gave him a headache, and he’d been scolded by his father and mother for it more than once. But now, he couldn’t wait to take the copy of "The Analects," turn to the page with the crabapple flower, take a look, then lower his head to smell it, and finally tuck it into his chest, reluctant to let it go.

Charles Baker soon brought over the persimmons, carrying them in his own clothes, and ran over to his sister: "Persimmons!"

Grace Baker picked out the biggest and reddest one and handed it to William Baker: "Brother Jingyuan, have a persimmon."

William Baker looked at it for a moment, frowned, and asked, "Is this the persimmon I gave you the other day? It’s been so long—how do you still have it?"

Grace Baker looked at him eagerly: "They can last a long time."

William Baker saw his sixth brother standing to the side, staring at the persimmon and swallowing.

A few days ago, he’d asked the palace maids and eunuchs about his Fifth Princess sister, and learned that her mother was out of favor and she herself was a princess with little influence. But he hadn’t expected her life to be so poor, saving even the persimmons that filled the whole garden.

Looking at his frail Fifth Princess sister, then at this shabby dwelling, his protective instincts surged.

He didn’t take the persimmon, but handed it to Charles Baker instead: "Sixth brother, you eat it."

Charles Baker was overjoyed, took it and started munching, while William Baker walked out the door and called to the little eunuch outside: "Andrew Scott, come here."

Andrew Scott had been anxiously pacing outside. Hearing his master call, he immediately stepped forward. William Baker's little face was rather serious as he whispered a few words to him. After listening, Andrew Scott pleaded, "I’ll take care of it right away, Your Highness, but please come with me."

He lifted his chin coolly: "You go ahead. I still have to take my Fifth Princess sister boating and fishing!"

His master was always decisive, so Andrew Scott had no choice but to leave first. Hearing that the two children were going out to play, Violet Morgan was worried. She wanted Hazel to follow them, but William Baker didn’t even want his own servant tagging along, let alone her. At this moment, his willful and arrogant side came out: "No one is allowed to follow!"

Violet Morgan wanted to say something more, but Grace Baker interrupted her: "Mother, with Fourth Brother here, nothing will happen."

Violet Morgan could only watch them leave with a worried face.

Hazel comforted her: "Even though no one is following, everyone in the palace recognizes the Fourth Prince. He treats the princess well and definitely won’t let anyone bully her."

Compared to the adults’ worries, Grace Baker's thoughts were much simpler.

Just following the NPC to refresh the quest.

William Baker had a noble status, and being with him would greatly increase the chances of meeting new NPCs. She figured her favorability with this NPC was already at about seventy percent—seemed pretty easy, so it was time to look for the next target.

The poor Fourth Prince had no idea that, in his little fairy sister’s eyes, he was just a tool. He happily held her hand all the way. The palace maids and guards they passed all greeted him respectfully, sneaking glances at Grace Baker as they did.

Isn’t that the Fifth Princess who’s out of favor? When did she get so close to the Fourth Prince?

The palace was full of people who went with the wind. Seeing the two so close, they thought to themselves that this quiet Fifth Princess had found a powerful backer, and they’d better not look down on her like before.

Grace Baker quietly followed William Baker the whole time. She could easily tell what these people were thinking, but didn’t care much, continuing to play her role as a gentle, obedient, and shy girl.

The fishing pond was at the far west end, almost all the way across the rear palace. The farther west they went, the quieter it became, and the scenery gradually took on a bit of untended autumn desolation. As they passed a palace hidden among green bamboo, faint voices could be heard from the roadside not far ahead.