Regardless of the excitement and joy of the Bai and Chen families, after the news spread throughout the capital, Xiao Guangyuan naturally received the news as well. Looking at the letter in his hand, he fell into deep thought.

"Master, have some chicken soup." Zheng Fangyu brought a food box into the study. Seeing Xiao Guangyuan's furrowed brows, she smiled gently, "What's wrong, Master? Are you worried about the Bai family's affairs?"

Xiao Guangyuan sighed softly, turned around, took the chicken soup, and nodded: "My father-in-law sent word that he thought he could bring down Bai Haotian and cripple the Bai family because of the peace talks, but he didn't expect Bai Haotian to return unscathed, and even bring back the titles of princess and county princess!"

"There are only five princesses now, and the Bai family has two of them. The Emperor still favors the Bai family so much."

Thinking of this, Xiao Guangyuan lost his appetite. After putting down his soup bowl, he slowly said, "It's a pity that the Bai family doesn't have any eligible young men. Otherwise, we could arrange a marriage for Ruyan and bring the Bai family to our side."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Fangyu shook her head: "The Bai family cannot be won over. The Bai family is loyal to the emperor and will not take sides."

"Oh, right." Xiao Guangyuan seemed to have thought of something and hurriedly said, "Madam, let's not talk about the other people in the Bai family for now, but we can befriend the legitimate daughter and granddaughter that the Bai family has found."

Zheng Fangyu laughed: "I would have taken care of this even without the master's permission."

"My wife understands me best." Xiao Guangyuan grasped Zheng Fangyu's hand, his face full of smiles. "I will never forget your kindness, my wife!"

Zheng Fangyu chuckled and said softly, "What are you saying, sir? After all, we are family. If you are well, we are well."

"Don't worry, sir, I know what I'm doing."

Xiao Guangyuan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that it was fortunate he had divorced Chen Zhixiu, otherwise, a peasant girl like her would have been better off not being a hindrance than a help.

In Bai Fuzhong.

Chen Zhixiu and Bai Tuantuan, holding the imperial edict, would be lying if they said they weren't happy.

"How about we set the banquet for the tenth of next month?" Yuan Chenchen said slowly, calculating the days. "The tenth of January is Tuantuan's sixth birthday, isn't it?"

Bai Tuantuan raised her head and looked into Shangyuan's deep, loving eyes: "Grandmother, it's Tuantuan's birthday."

"That's wonderful! Double happiness!" Du Chunhua clapped her hands. "Let's set it for the tenth of the month. I'll come over early in the morning to help!"

"By the way, in the days to come, I'll take Xiu'er, Tuan Tuan, and Aunt Feng to familiarize themselves with the capital!"

Du Chunhua couldn't hide the smile on her face.

Everyone expressed their gratitude.

After all, with the Lady Hou leading the way, no one dared to bully them anymore.

As it was getting dark, Ning Nanxiao dragged his unreliable parents away to say goodbye.

Inside the carriage, Ning Nanxiao watched the two people whose smiles slowly faded, his brows furrowed: "What happened?"

"What's going on?" Ning Chengzu looked at Ning Nanxiao in confusion and said irritably, "Son, don't beat around the bush when you talk to us, can't you just tell us directly? Your mother and I aren't very bright, you know that, right?"

Ning Nanxiao's lips twitched: "Although my parents are hospitable and on good terms with the Bai family, why are they so enthusiastic towards Grandpa Chen and the others? Although Grandpa Chen and the others are extremely easy to get along with, but..."

"Tsk, I knew my son took after me, and he noticed something was off so quickly!" Ning Chengzhu said smugly. "He's really smart!"

Du Chunhua glared at Ning Chengzhu before saying, "It's nothing serious. Uncle Chen and Aunt Feng's family are the saviors of your father and me."

Upon hearing this, Ning Nanxiao was stunned.

Du Chunhua said slowly, "This happened more than ten years ago. Back then, I went to the battlefield with your father and almost lost my life in the Battle of Qingshui."

"Yes, we had few soldiers back then, so I thought I would go with your mother to launch a surprise attack. But we were ambushed on the way. Your mother and I escaped with all our might, but we were covered in wounds. It was at that time that your Grandpa Chen and the others rescued your mother and me."

“I remember clearly that your Grandpa Chen was so poor back then that he was short of a certain herbal medicine. It was your Grandma Chen who pawned her only hairpin to buy the medicine and cured us.”

"By the time we wanted to repay them, your Grandpa Chen and the others had already left."

Ning Nanxiao understood: "However, judging from Grandpa Chen's expression, he doesn't recognize you..."

"Yes!" Ning Chengzhu nodded, his face full of nostalgia. "Back then, I was handsome and dashing, and your mother was as beautiful as an angel. But after you were born, my belly got rounder, my hair almost disappeared, and your mother got wrinkles..."

"It's normal that you can't recognize it."

Ning Nanxiao had a head full of black lines; was he handsome and dashing? Or as beautiful as a celestial being?

Fine, it's all his fault!

"If we don't know each other, we don't know each other. It's not too late to get to know each other now!" Ning Chengzhu said with a smile. "Alright, you guys go back first. I'm going to the palace. I want to have a good chat with the Emperor."

Watching Ning Chengzhu jump down from the carriage, Ning Nanxiao rubbed his temples. It's quite difficult for an emperor to encounter a minister like this...

At this moment, everyone in the Bai family was sitting in the hall. In the middle stood a slender woman with a sorrowful expression and tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Godfather, Godmother, I don't know what I did wrong, but my fourth brother insists on kicking me out... Waaah..."

Bai Han frowned and looked at Bai Hanri: "You drove her away?"

Bai Hanri dismissed it: "Of course, my sister is back, what's the point of keeping her around?"

Upon hearing this, a look of confusion flashed across Zhu Jiaojiao's eyes. She wiped away her tears and said, "Godfather, please don't blame Fourth Brother. Perhaps he has some unspeakable difficulties... But even if you let Jiaojiao go, you must let Jiaojiao understand the reason..."

"I've told you so many times, don't call me brother! I don't have a sister like you!" Bai Hanri said irritably. "Can't you see my own sister is here? You keep calling me 'brother,' what if my sister misunderstands?"

Zhu Jiaojiao was furious inside, but her face showed grievance, and she looked at Yuan Chenchen with her eyes.

"Hanri!" Bai Han shouted in a deep voice, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Zhu Jiaojiao was secretly pleased, knowing that Bai Han still cared about her, and quickly said, "It's alright, Godfather, I'm fine..."

"I know you're alright." Bai Han didn't even spare Zhu Jiaojiao a glance, but continued, "My Xiu'er is broad-minded and would never blame others for such a trivial matter, besides..."

Bai Han glanced at Bai Hanri: "Xiu'er has so many brothers, it's not like she can't do without you."

"father!"

Bai Han panicked: "I'm your own son!" After saying that, he quickly went to Chen Zhixiu's side, "Good sister, don't listen to your father's nonsense, I'm the one who loves you the most!"

"Hmm?" The three Chen brothers raised their eyebrows and looked at Bai Hanri.

"Hehe." The three Bai brothers looked at Bai Hanri with cold eyes.

Bai Hanri hid behind Chen Zhixiu: "Good sister, you have to protect me!"

Chen Zhixiu couldn't help but laugh out loud. She looked at the dumbfounded Zhu Jiaojiao and said the harshest words in the gentlest voice: "I, the real daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion, have returned. You, the fake daughter, should step down."

"As for why I kicked you out, it's because I saw you were in a bad mood, and when I'm in a bad mood, my brothers naturally have to stand up for me."

Are these reasons enough?

Bai Tuantuan sighed and muttered to herself, "Shao, I'd better just enter the space in my soul form and continue studying. It's not my place to deal with these scumbags!"