Violet Morgan turned pale the moment she heard that Consort Xian wanted to see the little princess. Grabbing Lillian Reed's hand anxiously, she said, "What should we do? It must be that yesterday's incident angered Her Ladyship. Quickly, Hazel, help me with my hair and makeup. I'll go with Little Grace to beg Her Ladyship for forgiveness."

Grace Baker thought that Violet Morgan always seemed sickly, most likely from being frightened in the harem.

A eunuch came out with Violet Morgan and said with a smile, "Lady Violet, Her Ladyship only summoned the Fifth Princess."

Violet Morgan was caught in a dilemma. She took off the jade bracelet from her wrist—the only piece of jewelry she had, a gift from her mother when she entered the palace—and handed it to the eunuch, lowering her voice, "Sir, did the princess do something wrong to anger Her Ladyship?"

The eunuch accepted the bracelet with a smile. "Don't worry, My Lady. Her Ladyship is in a good mood. The princess is a blessed child; nothing will happen to her."

Only after hearing this did Violet Morgan breathe a sigh of relief. She gave Grace Baker a few more instructions before watching her leave with the eunuch, still worried.

It was still early. The autumn morning was chilly. William Baker had gone to the Imperial Academy for lessons at dawn. When Grace Baker followed the eunuch into the Changming Hall, Consort Xian was sitting on the couch, drinking snow lotus and lily porridge.

The room was adorned with pearls and filled with a delicate fragrance, even more luxurious than Consort Jing's Zhaoyang Palace. It was clear that in the harem, quality of life was indeed tied to rank. Grace Baker only glanced around before lowering her head and walking up to Consort Xian, greeting her in a crisp, childish voice, "Little Grace greets Consort Xian."

Consort Xian had long heard of the Fifth Princess, but this was their first meeting.

The little girl was dressed simply, her figure slender, with two little buns tied on top of her head. She was still childish, but her features were delicate and extremely cute—especially her eyes, which sparkled like luminous pearls, full of spirit.

She looked a bit nervous but was very polite, the kind of girl who was obviously well-behaved and innocent at first glance.

Consort Xian said kindly, "You may rise." Then she turned to Pearl with a smile, "Just like her mother, she's a little beauty in the making."

Pearl nodded with a smile. "Her Ladyship is right."

Consort Xian personally took her hand and let her sit on the couch, then asked, "Has the Fifth Princess had breakfast yet?"

Grace Baker lowered her eyes and gently shook her head. "Not yet."

Consort Xian had Pearl bring another bowl of snow lotus and lily porridge, smiling as she said, "Come, try this porridge."

Grace Baker pursed her lips, glanced at Consort Xian's expression, and in a soft, childish voice said, "Thank you, Consort Xian," before slowly picking up the spoon and lowering her head.

She ate with great manners, chewing slowly and quietly, making no sound at all. It was as if she had never tasted such delicious porridge before; her eyes sparkled with delight. Children can't hide their preferences, and her face was full of joy.

After she finished the porridge, Consort Xian had someone brew some crisp tea and brought out pastries from the imperial kitchen. Grace Baker had always liked sweets, but in the past, she had to control herself for the sake of her figure and skin. After coming here, she couldn't have cake or milk tea, and Violet Morgan couldn't afford to give her pastries either. Today, she could finally indulge herself.

She didn't hold back, her cheeks puffed out as she ate, looking completely innocent and carefree.

Consort Xian observed her quietly for a while and finally confirmed that she really was an innocent child, so the wariness in her eyes faded. When Grace Baker finished the pastries, Consort Xian asked with a smile, "How old is the Fifth Princess this year?"

Grace Baker licked the corner of her mouth and replied softly, "To answer Your Ladyship, I am five years old."

Consort Xian smiled and said to Pearl, "In this palace, aside from Consort Su's daughter, the Fifth Princess is the youngest, and she's so well-behaved—no wonder William talks about his fifth royal sister every day." She looked at Grace Baker, "I heard that yesterday, you gave a copy of the Analects to William?"

Grace Baker nodded. "Yes."

Consort Xian asked again, "Why did you give him the Analects?"

Grace Baker replied in her childish voice, "Yesterday, Fourth Brother gave me many gifts. It would be impolite not to reciprocate, so I should give him something too. But..." She lowered her head in frustration, the two little buns on her head swaying, her voice a bit muffled, "Fourth Brother lacks nothing, and I had nothing to give him. Then I remembered that Mother once said, 'There are beauties in books,' so I gave him the Analects in return."

Hearing this, the smile on Consort Xian's face grew even wider, and her gaze toward Grace Baker became even more genuinely affectionate. "I didn't expect the Fifth Princess to be so young, yet so polite and eager to learn. If only William were as sensible as you, I could rest easy."

Grace Baker looked at her earnestly. "Fourth Brother is very good. He's especially, especially good."

Consort Xian was amused. "You're the first to praise him like that."

The Fifth Princess was straightforward, innocent, well-behaved, and polite. Compared to the eldest princess Alice Baker and the third princess Ethan Baker, she was especially endearing. Consort Xian chatted with her for nearly an hour, growing more and more fond of this little girl.

Of course, she didn't like the eldest princess, partly because the eldest princess's mother, Lady Helen, had been at odds with her since their days in the Eastern Palace. The two had openly and secretly competed for years, each seeing the other as a thorn in the side.

But Grace Baker was different. Her mother was just a concubine, not favored, and even disliked by His Majesty for giving birth to a foolish child. No matter what, she posed no threat. Consort Xian knew her own son well—he had been wild since childhood, hated studying, and whatever she or His Majesty said went in one ear and out the other. He was clearly determined to run wild down the path of a playboy prince.