This Matter Isn't Over
Nina Zhao pursed her lips, made a snipping gesture, and waved her delicate, fair hand in front of Justin Zhao—so pale it almost seemed to reflect light.
Justin Zhao grabbed Nina Zhao's hand, turned his face to look at her, and lowered his voice: "Nina Darling, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say whatever you please. Queen Lily of Qin is nothing like the previous imperial inspector. She's not someone you can deal with so easily!"
"Why not? You're the local emperor in Anchester, my lord. Even if the real emperor from the capital came, he'd have to give you some respect." Nina Zhao slipped into Justin Zhao's arms, whispering in his ear, "If you don't deal with this bunch now, are you really willing to hand Anchester over to someone else?"
"This...!" Justin Zhao's face darkened. He stroked his beard, his eyes darting around as he pondered, then said to Nina Zhao, "Enough, Nina Darling. I know what I'm doing. Stop making trouble here. Go back to your room and wait—tonight I'll come and spoil you."
"Then I'll take my leave, my lord." Nina Zhao bowed gracefully and sashayed out of the room, just in time to see a panicked servant rushing over.
Nina Zhao reached out to stop the servant. "You look so flustered—are you being chased by ghosts or something?"
The servant, seeing Nina Zhao, quickly put on a fawning smile.
This newly promoted concubine was in favor now; everyone in the mansion had to give her some respect.
The servant said, "Reporting to Concubine Nina, Queen Lily of Qin's people are here. They've asked us to invite the lord out to greet the guests."
With that, the servant entered the room to report to Justin Zhao.
After that, Nina Zhao watched as Justin Zhao hurried out of the room, following the servant outside.
Nina Zhao twisted her handkerchief tightly in her hands, gritting her teeth. "Fine, go ahead and greet them! Hmph! That group hurt my brother—this isn't over!"
===
In the main hall of the Magistrate’s Mansion, Princess Jade Hayes had already finished two cups of tea, but Justin Zhao still hadn’t appeared. She frowned impatiently.
Martin Wu had long since grown impatient with waiting, but for the sake of the bigger picture, she held her temper and went with Belle and Mrs. Penny to the side hall to look after the children.
"Why hasn't he come yet!? Justin Zhao is far too arrogant!" Even Simon Yu, usually so calm, was starting to lose her composure. "As the local magistrate, Justin Zhao should have gone to the docks to greet his superiors. But look at this—here we are, coming to him, and he still refuses to show up. What kind of attitude is that?"
No sooner had Simon Yu finished speaking than a haughty female voice rang out: "How disrespectful! Our magistrate works tirelessly for the people of Anchester, handling official business day and night. If he’s a little late because of work, you shouldn’t gossip behind his back and slander him! Do you think you’re more important than the people of Anchester?"
Princess Jade Hayes and Simon Yu looked up to see a stunningly dressed, alluring woman enter. Her skin was so fair it seemed almost luminous.
Princess Jade Hayes sized up the woman, noting the dazzling jewels she wore. Her clothes and accessories were all extremely expensive—her outfit was even more luxurious than that of the Princess Consort of Qin.
Hearing the woman’s words, Princess Jade Hayes couldn’t help but curl her lip: Justin Zhao handling official business? That’s a story for fools! If he truly cared for the people, Anchester wouldn’t be in such a sorry state.