"Grandmother, Xiang'er and I are going to play in the courtyard."
Madam Zhan stood up.
"There's no need for you to follow, Madam Zhan. Let the children play by themselves."
Madam Zhan wanted to follow, but the Empress spoke up to stop her.
"Qian Ning, don't wander off too far," Madam Zhan called out as a reminder.
"I know."
Madam Zhan still looked worriedly toward the doorway.
"You truly dote on this child, Madam Zhan," the Empress said with a smile, though she was quite puzzled.
'Why is she so devoted to someone else's child?'
She glanced at Noble Princess Consort Zhan to see her reaction. Seeing none, she couldn't help but scoff inwardly. 'Madam Zhan has never been this devoted, not even to her own children.'
'Isn't she jealous?'
"We just get along well," Madam Zhan said lightly.
The Empress said nothing more.
Princess Chu Yue of East Shu entered the hall, crossing paths with Ye Qianning and her companion. They exchanged only a brief, passing glance.
