Her Graceful War Song by Summer's Blaze

Chapter 1414

The garden at Tranquil Palace wasn't small, but it couldn't be compared to the royal garden.

If one took their time strolling along, admiring the flowers, or stood still to enjoy the view for a while, one could easily spend a good portion of the afternoon.

But Carissa was accustomed to walking briskly. Flowers didn't require her lingering attention-she could glance at them and move on, seeing little difference between one bloom and the next.

She had seen fields upon fields of flowers, all of which had left a lasting impression on her. These

meticulously tended peonies in their pots, though, hardly stirred any great interest.

By the time they finished their walk, some of the other ladies hadn't even finished their coffee. Just as Jeanette began to speak of Skye Embroidery, they found themselves back at the main hall of Tranquil Palace.

Jeanette forced a smile. "Shall we go inside and congratulate Lady Sylvia?"

Carissa shook her head. "I have matters to attend to, so I'll have to excuse myself."

"Your Grace." Jeanette's voice was hurried, and she quickly called after her.

turned. "Is there something you

behalf of all women, Your Grace. Your kindness and generosity, your concern for the suffering of the people, are truly humbling to those of us here

mean by "concern for the suffering of the people"? She certainly wasn't as

felt humbled, what was with the "us" she referred to? Was she speaking

gratitude, or an attempt to stir resentment? To praise Carissa and, at the same time, subtly undermine the other concubines was that an act of foolishness, or

she noticed several pairs of eyes trained on them,

just about to return home as well. Shall we leave together?"

I'll bid farewell to

room together and left together, deliberately avoiding another glance at Jeanette as they made

by His Majesty. He showered her with affection for a time. But lately, he has been too preoccupied with

behavior today. Don't take it to heart, Your Grace. I'm sure the other ladies

nod. "I didn't take it to heart. I

animosity toward Jeanette. Yet today, the woman kept approaching her first to admire the flowers, then with compliments. Then just before Carissa left, Jeanette

was unlikely to cause any significant discord. What would truly spark a conflict between Kylie and Sylvia was that Sylvia had paid attention to Skye Embroidery and Gracewood Women's Academy, while Kylie had stayed

Carissa didn't know much about the palace's complicated matters. She just analyzed it on the surface. After leaving the palace, she forgot about it and considered it a small

-