Xu Bai immediately understood, and felt a little sorry for Xiao Yuan, but thinking that his father was feeling frustrated, he didn't say anything more, just nodded and continued eating.

Afterwards, Xu Bai told Chen Zhaoci that Xiao Yuan was pitiful. Chen Zhaoci looked at his kind-hearted youngest son and advised, "Alright, your father is right. You should watch your mouth. People think things through three times before they speak. If you can't think it through three times, at least think it through once, right? Brother Bai, we are just ordinary people. It's just that we had the opportunity to walk alongside the Crown Prince for the first time. In the future, your lives will intersect with Xiao Yuan's less and less because the life goals you two are striving for are different. So, you have to start adapting to this change now. Don't let your words and actions become a target for others to attack you, your father, or even our Marquis's mansion."

Xu Bai nodded dejectedly. He even felt that the capital city was not a good place. Relationships between people changed over time, and some people changed their minds. Xu Bai suddenly felt very sad.

Chen Zhaoci said with some reluctance, "Brother Bai, I think you should pack up and go to Tai'an as soon as possible. There's a poem that goes, 'Hidden in a small building, one becomes a world unto oneself, regardless of winter, summer, or autumn.' Isn't that how it goes?"

Xu Bai said weakly, "Mother, it's kind of you to still remember these two lines of poetry, but these lines can't express my feelings right now."

Chen Zhaoci said nonchalantly, "That's what I mean. After you go to Tai'an, stay in your uncle's academy and don't come out on weekdays. You must pass the county exam next year, otherwise it will be difficult to explain to your elder brother."

Xu Bai pouted and said, "I was thinking of waiting until A Yuan got married before leaving. Before going to Tai'an, I wanted to visit my nephews in Miaozhou and my grandnephew in Luzhou. But now I'm like a stray dog. I have to pack my bags and go to Tai'an."

Chen Zhaoci said with a smile, "If you want to meet, it doesn't matter where you meet. Your elder brother and the others are going back to Beijing in a few days. I'll write him a letter and ask him to take your sister-in-law and nephews to Tai'an to see how you are doing."

Xu Bai shook his head and said, "Let's forget it. My nephew is too young. Let's not bother him. I'll go see them properly after I pass the county exam next year. Mother, I'm going to see Grandmother."

The old lady's health has been deteriorating in recent years, and Chen Zhaoci visits her every day. For the sake of the old lady, Chen Zhaoci dares not go anywhere now, otherwise she would have Xu Di bring the children back from afar. She really misses her grandsons.

When Xu Bai went to the old lady's courtyard, she was sunbathing in the courtyard. When she saw Xu Bai coming, she beckoned him to come and sit down with her, and then had the servants serve Xu Bai his favorite food.

Looking at the much older Madam Xu, Xu Bai felt even more saddened. The old lady was so old; there were few people her age still alive. Perhaps for the sake of her children, Madam Xu had always listened to Doctor Chen Zhaoci. If she were to pass away now, her children would have to return home to observe three years of mourning, which would not only delay their future but also deprive Xiao Yuan, who had just entered the Eastern Palace, of much support. Over the years, the Xu family had sacrificed so much for Xiao Yuan, and Madam Xu was unwilling to let all those efforts go to waste because of her.

Seeing Xu Bai's expression, the old lady smiled and said, "I think our Seventh Master has something on his mind. Come, tell your grandmother what's on your mind?"

Xu Bai didn't want to disturb the old lady's peace, but he really wanted to talk to someone, so he started by talking about his conversation with Xiao Yuan in the East Palace, and continued until he talked about his conversation with Chen Zhaoci just now.

Finally, Xu Bai said, "Grandma, it's not that I have any complaints, it's just that I feel a little sad. I'm sad that A Yuan will become more and more lonely, and I'm sad that the feelings between A Yuan and me are no longer as pure as they used to be. Actually, I really don't have any other thoughts."

Looking at her anxious great-grandson, the old lady smiled and said, "Grandma understands, Grandma understands how our little Qi is feeling right now. It's just that we can't speak freely, right? We'll just keep quiet. Life goes on no matter what. Little Qi, you've traveled to so many places with your great-uncle, met so many people, and experienced so many local customs. These feelings will gradually fade away with time, because both you and A-Yuan will work hard to build your future and do what you should do."