Chen Zhixiu was furious: "We haven't taken any advantage of the Xiao family, and the Xiao family shouldn't even think about taking any advantage of my son!"

“My brother has already promoted you, my husband, out of consideration for me and Tuantuan. One should be content with what one has. My husband has repeatedly sided with Zheng Fangyu and Xiao Ruyan. Do you think Tuantuan and I are easy to bully?”

"Or do you think I'm brainless and don't think about myself? My Bai family has always treated you with all our hearts. Think about it carefully, has the Zheng family ever helped you over the years? If it weren't for my elder brother's help, you would probably still be just an ordinary official in the Hanlin Academy!"

“If my husband continues to favor the Zheng family, I cannot guarantee that my father and mother will help him in the future.”

Chen Zhixiu looked at Xiao Guangyuan with disappointment: "What my husband has done is too hurtful."

With that, Chen Zhixiu took Bai Tuantuan's hand, led Granny Bai and Ruotang out, and got into the carriage.

Xiao Guangyuan stood there stunned for a long time before asking, "Could it be that we've really gone too far?"

“Master, that invitation was obtained by the Bai family with great effort. If you just let the First Madam give it to the Second Miss, the First Madam will naturally be heartbroken.” The steward said humbly, “Master, this servant thinks the Bai family is good. After all, the Prime Minister is not only the Prime Minister, but also the Imperial Tutor, and is highly valued by the Emperor. The four sons of the Bai family are all outstanding individuals, and they will surely achieve great things in the future!”

"If you can see it clearly, how could I not know it?" Xiao Guangyuan sighed. "But the Zheng family is, after all, a Grand Secretary, and they have Prince Ping behind them. If they succeed... they'll rise step by step!"

Xiao Guangyuan's eyes flickered: "But you're right, in the current situation, it still comes down to the Bai family."

Xiao Guangyuan seemed to have thought of something and returned to his study.

Meanwhile, Bai Tuantuan was comforting Chen Zhixiu in the carriage, saying, "Don't be angry, Mother. Let's just pretend we were bitten by a dog. Can we bite back?"

"You silly girl, how can you insult yourself like that?" Chen Zhixiu couldn't help but laugh. "If your father is a dog, then you are a little dog."

"No!" Bai Tuantuan immediately retorted, "I only inherited my mother's features, not my father's! Look at me, when I go out, everyone says I look like you!"

“Miss is right,” Ruotang quickly echoed. “I think Miss is just as beautiful as Madam.”

Granny Bai offered Chen Zhixiu a few words of comfort. Chen Zhixiu sighed and slowly said, "I'm just angry that he's biased. It was clearly my Bai family who helped him, and Tuantuan is also his daughter, so how could he..."

"Never mind, I should have known he was heartless long ago," Chen Zhixiu said calmly.

Upon returning to the Bai family home, they learned that Chen Luo and Feng Yue were also there.

"Knowing you'd be coming today saved you the trouble of running away," Feng Yue said with a smile. "Did you receive the invitation?"

Bai Tuantuan nodded: "Grandma, I received it! My dad even told me to give the invitation to Xiao Ruyan, but my mom scolded me for it."

With a chuckle, Feng Yue laughed out loud: "Go ahead and let her in. Even if you agree to let her in, Xiao Ruyan still won't be able to get in."

"Why is that?" Chen Zhixiu asked, sipping her tea.

“Because Tuantuan had Dean Hu’s letter of recommendation,” Yuan Chenchen said with a smile. “And I took Tuantuan’s work with me, which is why the Capital Academy accepted Tuantuan.”

"Although the academy in the capital is complicated, the teachers there are all talented and of high status, not to mention the dean. Even if you have an invitation, he has to take a liking to you first. After all, if someone is sent in halfway through, even if the emperor comes, he won't listen."

Yuan Chenchen looked at Bai Tuantuan and said softly, "If Tuantuan has been bullied in the past, go to your fifth uncle and seventh uncle. They both have positions at the Capital Academy."

Bai Tuantuan exclaimed, "Wow! Does that mean I can walk around the academy like a hog and nobody will dare to bully me?!"

Seeing Bai Tuantuan's funny antics, everyone laughed.

"Tuantuan." Chen Xingfeng and Chen Lingfeng walked in from outside and were overjoyed to see Bai Tuantuan.

"Alright, you kids go play now."

Yuan Chenchen waved his hand, and after Chen Xingfeng and the other two bowed, they ran to the back garden.

"I thought I could continue studying in the same academy as Tuantuan, but I never expected that we would become the prince's study companions and have to go to the palace every day." Chen Lingfeng sighed and rested his chin on his hands.

"Is the prince easy to get along with?" Bai Tuantuan looked at the two of them curiously. Seeing that they were tired but not resistant, she felt a little relieved.

"Yes, the Crown Prince is about my age, and he is a refined and well-mannered person." Chen Xingfeng praised the Crown Prince highly.

Chen Lingfeng nodded: "Although the Second Prince is a bit lively, he treats me very well and shares any good things with me."

"But now that the Imperial Concubine is imprisoned, the Second Prince is also in a bad mood."

"The reason why the Imperial Concubine was investigated is partly due to me. Didn't the Second Prince cause you any trouble?" Bai Tuantuan looked at Chen Lingfeng with suspicion. "Second Brother, don't keep this from me."

"Don't worry, the Second Prince knows this isn't your fault," Chen Lingfeng said with a smile. "The Second Prince isn't like the Imperial Concubine; he gives me the feeling of..." Chen Lingfeng thought for a moment, unsure of how to describe it.

Chen Xingfeng added, "He is generous, honest, and doesn't like to compete."

“Yes, yes, yes!” Chen Lingfeng nodded. “Several times I saw people from the Imperial Concubine’s side come to see the Second Prince. Every time afterward, the Second Prince would be unhappy and lock himself in his room.”

Bai Tuantuan seemed to be deep in thought.

"What about the Third Prince? Have you met him?" Bai Tuantuan asked curiously.

“The Third Prince is not often seen. He is in poor health and does not come to class frequently.” Chen Lingfeng shrugged. “However, this Third Prince is different from the Crown Prince. The Third Prince is too pampered.”

The atmosphere here was harmonious and joyful, but in Zheng Fangyu's courtyard of the Xiao family, upon hearing Yutou's report, Zheng Fangyu slammed her hand on the table: "She actually refuses? What right does she have to refuse!"

Taro quickly said, "Madam, don't worry, there's nothing we can do about it."

Zheng Fangyu's chest heaved with anger, her eyes blazing with fury: "What can Bai Tuantuan learn at that academy in the capital? She won't learn anything, and she'll probably just bring shame to the Xiao family!"

"If she refuses to acknowledge her ancestors, that's one thing, but if she delays Yan'er's marriage in the future, I will definitely not forgive her..."

"Mother!" Xiao Ruyan rushed in, her little face full of anger. "I don't care, I'm going to the Capital Academy!"

"Yan'er, don't be angry, I know what I'm doing." Zheng Fangyu narrowed her eyes. "There are still three days left..."

"Madam, what are you planning to do?" Taro asked cautiously.

Zheng Fangyu stood up and chuckled, "The dean of the Capital Academy values ​​promises the most. If Bai Tuantuan doesn't go that day, the dean of the Capital Academy will never pay her any attention again. Since my son can't go, then Bai Tuantuan shouldn't even think about going!"