Ensure he stays far away from me?

Xia Lin frowned slightly but nodded as though she understood perfectly. "Ah, I see. You're nervous. That's perfectly normal, young lady. But don't worry, it'll get easier with time!"

"I'm not nervous!" Hua Jing shot back, though the heat rising to her cheeks suggested otherwise. "I just think it's unnecessary to follow such ridiculous rules. Why can't everyone just... do their own thing?"

Xia Lin let out a small sigh, her tone softening. "Because that's how things work in the palace, young lady. Everyone has their role to play, and this is part of yours. You're his seventh consort. It's tradition."

"Tradition is overrated," Hua Jing muttered, crossing her arms and looking away.

Xia Lin didn't press the issue further, but her cheerful smile never wavered. "Well, whether you like it or not, you're here now. And if the prince does visit, you'll want to make a good impression, right?"

Hua Jing didn't respond, her lips pressing into a thin line.