Chapter 7:

After saying those words, in the eyes of others, Emma appeared to be very clever. If she were to complain to her mother about being mistreated, Luna Sandra would scold Luna Maccy a bit. Then she could shift the responsibility to the servants without any consequences for herself, leaving an impression that Emma is a bit ignorant of the world. That's why when Emma said so, Luna Sandra was very pleased and smiled, reaching out to take Emma's hand, saying, "It's good that you understand, now go back home. In the future, you should be closer to your elder sisters, and if you lack anything, just come and tell me."

Sitting next to her, Luna Jinny watched this scene with gentle eyes and did not speak up, while Luna Maccy, who had just lifted Emma, had a mocking smile. The matriarch Luna Sandra wore a calm expression and lightly pushed the prayer beads in her hand.

"Yes, Emma will follow the instructions of her mother. Being closer to... my elder sisters," said Emma with a blush in her eyes and a very obedient tone.

Luna Sandra glanced briefly at Ori and Qri behind her, nodded, and said, "Two maids are not enough for you. From now on, you should follow the Third young Lady and be careful in caring for her."

A maid with phoenix eyes and a graceful figure stepped forward and respectfully saluted Emma.

"You're growing up, and having just two high-ranked maids by your side is not enough. I will temporarily add one more, and we will consider adding another one after the new year. Your mother has already prepared the second-ranking maid; the third-ranking one is under consideration and should be finalized soon." Luna Sandra said these words with the demeanor of a caring mother.

Emma smiled and expressed her gratitude. She knew that at this moment, Luna Sandra and Beta Linda, Luna Maccy, and Luna Jinny were all evaluating her. In this family, her father was the Prime Minister, and her mother, Luna Sandra, managed household affairs, but the second and first palaces had been estranged for the past few years, and as for the third palace... In short, there was fierce competition among them. The standing firm was the most important thing for someone who had just returned like her.

Luna Sandra looked at her again, frowned, and said, "This child, why are you dressed so casually?" After saying that, she waved her hand, "Bring the robe I prepared."

Before everyone's eyes, she draped the robe over Emma.

The robe was light and warm, made of pale pink silk, embroidered single plum blossoms in gold thread, and black thread coloring cloud patterns. It was lined with white chinchilla fur, making it look very cozy. Emma gently touched it and found that it was old clothes inside, clearly indicating that Luna Sandra wanted to raise her profile in front of everyone, especially exchanging old dresses for the favor of someone.

She smiled and said, "Thank you, Mother."

At that moment, someone entered and reported to Luna Sandra, "Luna Sandra, the wife of Alpha Tasta, has sent five rolls of Baby Cashmere as tribute from abroad. Shall we show them--"

Luna Sandra nodded, smiled, and said, "Mother has some matters to attend to. Emma, after Mother finishes her work, she will take you to see your father."

Emma smiled and said, "Yes, I apologize for worrying you, Mother."

The prayer beads in Beta Linda's hand moved slightly, and she nodded briefly. Immediately, Luna Sandra filed a report and left. The ladies from the second and third palaces stood up as she went. Especially Lady Luna Maccy, from the second palace, looked disappointedly at Emma. She thought she would have the opportunity to see this little girl complain about Luna Sandra, but who would have expected her to be so timid and not say a word?

As the three ladies left, the whole atmosphere in the room dissipated, and all the maids followed suit.

Beta Linda glanced at Emma, kneeling on the ground with a submissive demeanor, and for some reason, she sighed. She told the nearby maid, Julia, "Take this little one outside."

As Emma followed the maid, Julia, she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh!" and stopped in her tracks, holding her neck as if unintentionally touching it. Julia said nothing more and continued walking ahead, deliberately slowing down. She glanced at Emma's neck and saw some red dots as if needles had pricked her. Blood was gradually seeping out, and it was a distressing sight.

Emma seemed to be trying to endure the pain, but tears were welling in her eyes even before she took a few steps. Julia couldn't bear to look any longer and smiled, saying, "The design of this cloak on Third Young Lady is truly exquisite. The Lady has also wanted to have a beautiful cloak recently. I wonder if I can borrow and look at it for a couple of days?"

Wearing an old robe underneath her official attire, the pattern and color naturally differed from the cloak. Emma understood immediately as she heard the request but pretended not to understand. She obediently removed the cover and handed it to Julia, who received it with her fingers, deliberately and seemingly carelessly brushing the soft white chinchilla fur inside. Then, Julia's expression changed slightly.

"Julia, what's wrong?" Emma asked innocently.

Julia glanced at the maids around them, maintaining a cheerful smile, and replied, "There's nothing wrong, Third young Lady. You should quickly go and see your new residence. This servant must return to the Lady."

Emma looked at the cloak the maid was hugging tightly and smiled lightly, "Yes, Julia, you should hurry back!"

Julia returned to the Perfumed Palace with the cloak, and after all the maids had left, she reported to Beta Linda, "Madam, this servant has something to report."

Beta Linda saw the severe expression on Julia's face, nodded, and asked, "What is it?"

Julia carefully recounted everything: "Although this servant should not interfere in such matters, Third young Lady is pitiful. She knows nothing and treats everyone as friends. But ultimately, she is still a little child, unaware of the dangers lurking around her. These tiny needles are short and not easily noticeable, especially with the soft fur covering them. When someone wears it, they won't feel anything. But if the person moves, the needles will prick and cause injuries to the skin."

"The maidservants are so cunning, daring to do such things!" Beta Linda said in anger.

Although she hadn't seen Emma grow up, she was still her niece and a young girl who understood things with a delicate and clever demeanor. How could someone enter the residence and dare to treat her like this? Beta Linda thought it over again. Apart from Luna Sandra, this was the first time anyone had the guts to do such a thing! Her face became even harder to look at as she said, "They presented this cloak before me. Are they trying to provoke me?"

Nyah rarely saw Beta Linda angry, so she quickly lowered her head and said, "Madam, this might not necessarily be Luna Sandra's doing. Look how well Luna Sandra treats the Third Young Lady—"

"Well? Even if it crawls out from inside her, it's still no good! I thought it came from a prestigious aristocratic family, someone who knows how to handle matters and wouldn't do such things. It seems she's cunning, after all. Our family absolutely cannot allow the mistreatment of our kin. Julia, take Luther with you and go see Third Young Lady."

"Yes, Madam." Julia quickly responded. Although Beta Linda rarely asked about matters within the residence, she was cold outside but warm inside. If it were something that couldn't be overlooked, she would undoubtedly intervene. If it were just a few tiny needles, they could be removed easily. Still, Beta Linda feared that Luna Sandra might resort to violence, damaging the Seldom family's reputation if it got out. Nevertheless, this time, the Third young Lady was lucky to have someone from Madam's side nearby, so Luna Sandra would hesitate and wouldn't dare to act too harshly.

Beta Linda continued, "Since you've brought it here, remove all the needles before returning it, but don't say too much to Third young lady."

"Yes, I understand," Julia replied.

At that moment, Emma was walking towards the flower garden. Although a little maid led the way ahead, she couldn't calm her mind. She didn't know the extent of the effect of those tiny needles. Of course, the hands were not Luna Sandra's doing. She would only act after thoroughly investigating the situation. Emma had taken the opportunity to insert the needles herself while no one was paying attention. She used it to inform Beta Linda that Luna Sandra was acting differently in front of others than behind their backs, tearing apart her fake façade. Just then, the sound of a clear, pleasant voice reading a book came from the study, making Emma startle.

"Third young lady, that's the first young lady reading a book with the other young ladies!" Nyah smiled and explained.

Emma looked over and didn't say anything. Nyah thought she was listening and continued, "The first young Lady in our residence is like a fairy. She is kind-hearted and extremely talented, excelling in everything. In the past, the other young ladies in residence didn't study, but the first young Lady spoke to the Patriarch, saying that young women should also be knowledgeable and well-educated from a young age. As a result, the Patriarch personally invited the most famous female scholar in the district to teach her. The treatment she receives is truly unparalleled in our Blue Moon pack!"

Emma silently tightened her grip with her hand resting on the railing as a calm and confident smile appeared. "Is that so? The eldest sister is indeed amazing."

Just then, the sound of laughter from a young female servant echoed from afar. "Who is that? I've never seen her before."

Emma looked from a distance and saw two beautiful young ladies leaving the study. One of them pointed at her. Nyah quietly reminded her, "The one speaking is the fifth young lady, and the one next to her is the fourth young lady."

In no time, the fifth young Lady, Emily, had approached Emma. She wore a light blue short-sleeved gown with a delicate hairpin in her bun. She wore a gold necklace with a gemstone; her face was oval-shaped, with slightly slanted eyes and a small dot between her eyebrows. Her rosy cheeks complemented her bright smile, revealing her charming white teeth. She was genuinely endearing. Beside her was another female servant dressed in a light pink short-sleeved gown, with a face somewhat similar to Emily's but softer demeanor—she was the fourth young Lady, Erica.

"It turns out to be Fourth Younger Sister and Fifth Younger Sister." Emma smiled, showing her innocence yet also a hint of sadness. The sunlight shining on her face added to her dazzling beauty.