Outside the Prime Minister's residence, three carriages were parked. Bai Chuxiao and Bai Chuyun had just reached the entrance when they saw Bai Chuwan and Bai Chudie also approaching.

Bai Chuyun muttered to herself, "Why is Fourth Sister here too?"

Bai Chuxiao smiled without saying a word. She observed Bai Chuwan's attire today: a fine pink dress that made her look delicate and beautiful in the sunlight, while Bai Chudie wore a pale yellow dress. Her round face, though not exceptionally pretty, possessed a certain girlish charm, suggesting that considerable effort had been put into her appearance.

Bai Chuwan also looked at her elder sister. She noticed that Bai Chuxiao wasn't as pale and haggard as she had been the day before. She was simply wearing a light blue dress with two jade hairpins in her hair. There were no other expensive accessories, yet she appeared elegant and refined, aloof and noble. Looking at her own carefully made-up self, Bai Chuwan felt somewhat vulgar and secretly resentful.

With a smile on her face, she said, "Eldest sister has arrived too, so let's go. Fourth sister isn't young anymore, so I'll take her along to see the world and keep Third sister company."

Bai Chuxiao said calmly, "Third sister, please come with me in the carriage. As for fourth sister, please make your own way." With that, she led Bai Chuyun into the large carriage at the front.

Hearing Bai Chuxiao's impolite tone, and then looking at Bai Chuyun, Bai Chudie wrung out her handkerchief and said ingratiatingly, "Second Sister, would it be alright if I sat with you?" She didn't want to sit alone in the carriage that a concubine's daughter should ride in; she couldn't let that girl Bai Chuyun outshine her today, no matter what.

Bai Chuwan thought about what she still had to do that day, smiled, and replied, "Then Fourth Sister, why don't you come up and sit with me?"

The Spring Banquet was held in the Hundred Flowers Garden, which belonged to the royal villa. Many famous varieties of flowers had been transplanted there, and this was the time when those flowers were in full bloom.

When Bai Chuxiao and her entourage arrived, a number of noble ladies had already gathered at the entrance, chatting amongst themselves. Upon seeing the carriage from the Left Prime Minister's residence, they stopped and curiously examined the carriage, eager to see what the legendary Miss Bai looked like.

Currently, the Great Xia Dynasty has seven princes. The first three princes were born before His Majesty ascended the throne; they are now quite old and rarely participate in court affairs, living as leisurely princes. The latter four princes were born after the war was quelled and His Majesty ascended the throne; they are all around the same age, currently only in their early twenties, and none of them are yet married.

His Majesty's sudden bestowal of a marriage upon the youngest Prince of Yan has fueled everyone's curiosity about the identity of this Miss Bai.

A girl in a light purple dress jumped out of a carriage in front, much to everyone's disappointment. Although she was pretty and charming, she lacked the air of a proper young lady.

"Big sister, we're here! Get off, there are so many people!" Bai Chuyun said happily to the carriage. Only then did everyone realize that this was not Miss Bai.

Bai Chuxiao stepped down from the carriage, playfully pinched her nose, and laughed, "You can't be too carefree today."

Everyone was secretly surprised as they watched Bai Chuxiao alight from the carriage. This Miss Bai was nothing like the sickly and talentless woman of the rumors. Although not strikingly beautiful, she possessed a refined and elegant air, and her demeanor was graceful. Looking at Bai Chuwan who followed behind, they secretly compared them and felt that this Miss Bai had more of the bearing of a legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's family. As for Bai Chudie, who followed her, they completely ignored her.

"This must be Sister Bai. Sister Bai is truly beautiful and has an extraordinary temperament," Liu Shuyao, dressed in a light blue dress, said with a smile as she walked over to Bai Chuxiao.

She glanced at Bai Chuwan again, then said to Bai Chuxiao, "The legitimate eldest daughter is just different. Unlike some people whose status isn't legitimate, no matter how much they try to pretend, they can't shake off their petty and narrow-mindedness."

Bai Chuwan was furious. Liu Shuyao was always going against her. She was determined to make Liu Shuyao grovel before her once she married the Crown Prince.

On the surface, she feigned weakness and looked at Liu Shuyao, saying, "When did Wan'er offend Sister Liu? Why must Sister Liu be so sarcastic towards me?"

Liu Shuyao found her behavior most annoying. "Who's your sister? You're good at currying favor, but you don't show any respect to your own legitimate eldest sister."

Bai Chuxiao simply watched with amusement, not wanting to say a word. She had no interest in the mess between these two. Liu Shuyao was the eldest daughter of the Right Prime Minister's family, her aunt was the Virtuous Consort in the palace, and the Prince of Xiang was her cousin. The Left Prime Minister's family and the Right Prime Minister's family were already at odds, and these two would have even more to contend with in the future.

“Sister Liu, you’re wrong. When has Wan’er ever been disrespectful to her elder sister?” Bai Chuwan turned to Bai Chuxiao and asked, “Elder sister, please say something for Wan’er!”

Seeing that it was no longer appropriate to remain silent, Bai Chuxiao said, "I truly like Sister Liu's personality. However, Second Sister has been very well-mannered by Aunt Xie and is extremely obedient. She has never been disrespectful to me, her eldest sister."

A soft laugh came from the side. "You, Bai Chuwan, always act all high and mighty as the legitimate daughter of the Left Prime Minister's mansion, but in the end, you're just the daughter of a concubine," Li Zhirou, dressed in a lotus-colored dress, stepped forward and mocked.

Li Zhirou is Empress Li's niece and the Crown Prince's cousin. She has long harbored feelings for the Crown Prince, but unfortunately, the Li family is weak, and the Empress has no intention of making her the Crown Princess. Instead, she intends for the Crown Prince to marry Bai Chuwan. Rivals meeting are bound to be hostile, and Li Zhirou naturally despises Bai Chuwan. She certainly wouldn't miss an opportunity to annoy Bai Chuwan.

Just then, Princess Yongcheng, dressed in a purple palace gown, stepped down from her carriage and walked over. "What are you all doing gathered at the door? Hurry up and go inside!" Everyone quickly bowed.

Chu Fengle then affectionately took Bai Chuwan's hand, saying, "Wan'er, come with me." He then turned to Bai Chuxiao and smiled, "Chuxiao, you can call me Fengle from now on. Once you and Seventh Brother are married, we'll be family."

Chu Fengle is the younger sister of the Crown Prince, born to Empress Li. Now eighteen, she has yet to be chosen as a consort. She understands the intentions of Empress Li and her brother, the Crown Prince, and is quite close to Bai Chuwan.

Bai Chuxiao simply smiled and said, "Chuxiao wouldn't dare address the princess by her given name." She was well aware of their intentions, and she had no intention of putting on a show of a warm and harmonious family with them.

Once inside, Bai Chuxiao couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the Hundred Flowers Garden. Along the way, there were numerous pavilions, each containing various items such as musical instruments, chess sets, writing brushes, and inkstones. There were also areas specifically for archery, pitch-pot, and other games. Since it wasn't yet time for the banquet, everyone was exploring in groups.

Bai Chuxiao and Bai Chuyun were strolling around with great interest when a voice suddenly came from behind, "Miss Bai, wait for me!"

Bai Chuxiao turned around and looked at the girl in the moon-white dress with a puzzled expression.

"My name is Kong Xihan. My father is the Minister of Rites, and he is very familiar with your second uncle's family. If Miss Bai doesn't mind, you can call me Sister Xihan."

Kong Xihan was just outside the door. She really liked Bai Chuxiao's personality, and since Bai Chuxiao's second uncle was the Vice Minister of Rites, the two families were indeed on good terms. That's why she caught up with Bai Chuxiao, hoping to get to know her and perhaps become friends.

Upon hearing this, Bai Chuxiao did indeed feel a sense of closeness, and then sincerely smiled and said, "I hope you are well, Sister Xihan. You can just call me Xiaoxiao."