Chapter 512

Alexandra didn’t like Hedda very much and thought she was too snobbish.

Marquita glared at Trina. “What are you saying in front of Princess Consort? If it gets out, outsiders will gossip about her."

“If she gets a reputation for being mean, can you afford it?”

Trina pouted unwillingly. “I also feel sorry for Princess Consort, who has to run around for such a person.”

Athena smiled indifferently, looked left and right in the mirror, and was very satisfied.

Athena said, “If she wants to take advantage of me, it has to be me who lets her. Without my say-so, she can kick and fuss all she wants. It won’t get her anywhere.”

Hedda smugly thought she had a hold on her, but little did she know that in Athena’s eyes, she was just a clown.

Hearing Athena’s words, Trina finally smiled. “Princess Consort, you are so mighty.”

Athena got up. “We can’t keep Jessie waiting for too long. Let’s go.”

Athena had just walked to the moon gate in the front yard when she saw Hedda standing next to the carriage. She was draped in a gown of blazing red, its hem ablaze with golden blossoms–stitched so densely they bloomed like fire, each petal shimmering with untouchable splendor. When she walked, the golden light flickered, as if she had draped the entire royal brocade over her. Her hair was adorned with a gold-inlaid ruby peony hairpin, and her earrings were pigeon-egg-sized pearls. Her wrists were adorned with three pairs of crimson gold bangles that jingled melodically with every move, turning her into a dazzling, living tree of treasures.

Seeing Hedda’s appearance, Trina almost laughed out loud. She thought, ‘Is this to have afternoon tea or to sell jewelry? Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?’

Seeing Athena coming, Hedda immediately greeted her. With a bit of flattery, she said, “Princess Consort, why are you so late? This brocade dress I just had made was rushed by a Southvale embroiderer for half a month. And I specially wore it today to meet Jessie, so I can’t lose the dignity of the Xander Manor.”

As she spoke, her eyes swept over the white and simple dress Athena was wearing, and the smugness in her eyes couldn’t be hidden. In her opinion, Athena was dressed so plainly that she would definitely be overshadowed by her. At that time, Jessie would definitely notice Hedda.

Trina quietly curled her lips aside and whispered in Athena’s ear. “Dressed so flashy, it’s like she’s shouting to the world that she’s rolling in money.”

Athena gently patted her hand, signaling her not to say more. Her gaze fell on Hedda’s brocade skirt, and her tone was calm. “The attire is gorgeous, but the key to keeping an appointment is sincerity. Jessie has never liked extravagance. Such a dress may upstage her.”

The smile on Hedda’s face stiffened, but she remained stubborn.

Hedda said. “You must be joking. I am also doing this to support the Xander Manor. I can’t let outsiders look down on the manor.” Speaking of this, she changed the subject. She grabbed Athena’s arm and said in an affectionate tone. "Princess Consort, when you see Jessie later, you must say good things for me. Although Benson loves to play, he really wants to find a good wife. He has improved a lot these days.”

Athena withdrew her hand calmly and straightened her sleeves. Athena said, “Jessie has her own opinions. Matters of marriage are guided by fate, and forcing a match would only do more harm than good.”

She looked up at the carriage behind Hedda and said, “It’s getting late. Any further delay, and Jessie might get impatient.”

With that, she took the lead towards her own carriage, with Trina quickly following behind.

Hedda froze in place, the smugness on her face gradually turning into unwillingness. She had expected Athena to play along, but instead, Athena’s cool, indifferent reply made her look like a desperate clown scrambling to make a connection. Hedda gritted her teeth, glared fiercely at the back of Athena’s carriage, and then turned to board her own.

Inside the carriage, Benson was listlessly playing with his gold pendant. Seeing her enter, he didn’t even raise his head.

“Mother, why were you gone for so long? If we don’t leave soon, I’m going to fall asleep,” Benson said.

“Shut up.” Hedda slapped him unhappily, “When you see Jessie later, speak properly! If you dare mention anything about the brothel, I’ll break your legs!"

Benson responded impatiently, “Got it.” But his eyes were looking out the window, his thoughts had long since flown away.

The carriage stopped in front of the Star Pavilion, and the waiter was already waiting respectfully. As Athena stepped down from the carriage, she spotted a woman approaching from the direction of the private chambers–dressed in a pale moonlit-blue skirt with subtle patterns, her only adornment a single creamy-white jade hairpin nestled in her hair. A string of clear water pearls was wrapped around her wrist. Although not as extravagant as Hedda, she exuded a calm and elegant demeanor. It was Jessie.

“Princess Consort Athena," Jessie stepped forward with a smile, her eyes swept over Athena’s simple and elegant dress, and a hint of appreciation appeared in her eyes.

Athena said, “I’d long heard that the Princess was sharp and capable–seeing you today, it’s clear the praise was well deserved.”

Athena smiled politely, “You flatter me.”

The two smiled at each other and were about to sit down. Seeing that Jessie didn’t give her a proper look, Hedda was so anxious that she couldn’t care about etiquette. She squeezed forward and said, “Good to see you, Lady Garrick.”

Jessie glanced over her with a faint look and just smiled and nodded. “Good to see you. Coffee and snacks have been prepared upstairs. Let’s go up and talk in detail,” Jessie said.

After saying that, she led Athena inside, not even looking at Hedda again, let alone Benson beside her. Hedda was so angry that she clenched her dress, but she could only follow with a forced smile.

After entering the room, the maid served coffee and exquisite refreshments. They were all light and refreshing, except there were no candied treats with heavy oil and rich sweetness–the kind Hedda loved.

Just as Hedda was about to ask, she saw Jessie look at Benson behind her and asked gently, “This is your son, right? He looks very energetic.”

Hedda immediately pushed Benson and said, “Greet the Lady Garrick. Aren’t you the best at writing poetry? This is a good opportunity to learn from her.”

Athena knew Benson’s character best. However, since she was determined to dispel Hedda’s idea today, she didn’t stop her.

“Good to see you, Lady Garrick," Benson stood up and bowed respectfully.

Jessie watched him and nodded with a light smile, “He is a good boy.”

Hedda became even more pleased when she saw this. Before she could speak, Jessie asked again, “I wonder what books your son has read and where he is currently employed?

Children of Benson’s age usually had a peerage, even if they did not have an official position. They were either in school or accompanying the princes and princesses in their studies. However, since there were no young princes born in the palace yet, he was studying with Erick Bass. All of this worked in his favor.

When Hedda heard this, she panicked a little. But seeing Athena looking calm and composed, she thought that Athena should be able to help. So she plucked up her courage and made an exaggerated statement. “Now he is studying with Erick in the Imperial College, and Erick often praises him for his active mind and unique insights! He praised his interpretation of political essentials for its originality, saying that after two more years of experience, he would find him a good job." These words were so vividly fabricated that even she herself almost believed them.

As she spoke, she reached out and patted Benson’s shoulder, winking at him vigorously. But Benson was playing with the gold pendant. When he heard the words, he looked up blankly. “What? The Imperial College, Erick? When did I…?”

“You child!” Hedda hurriedly interrupted and pinched his arm hard. Benson grimaced in pain.

“Weren’t you just telling me the other day how Erick praised you for how well you’d been reading those history books? And now look–you’ve already forgotten!" She glared at Benson while smiling ingratiatingly at Jessie, saying, “This child just has a poor memory. He gets so absorbed in his studies that he can’t remember these trivial matters.”

Chapter 513