October 1st

The Left Prime Minister's residence was brightly decorated. Bai Chuxiao was dragged out of bed before dawn to get dressed. Madam Murong the Second also came early in the morning with Madam Kong to help. Both families belonged to the Ministry of Rites and were very familiar with these etiquette rules. In addition, the two families were now related by marriage, so their relationship was naturally even closer than before.

The women in the Prime Minister's residence also breathed a sigh of relief. Now that the Bai family had no matriarch and the old lady was not involved in this matter, Concubine Sun and Concubine Lan could help out, but they were ultimately of low status and inexperienced, so they were inevitably uneasy.

In her boudoir at Liuli Courtyard, Bai Chuxiao, dressed in a bright red wedding gown embroidered with phoenixes, sat before a bronze mirror as her second aunt and Aunt Kong styled her hair, while Kong Xihan and Zhang Yue stood by, assisting her.

On the contrary, the other two young ladies of the Bai family, Bai Chudie and Bai Chuxin, stood at a distance, not daring to approach. Lacking experience and knowledge, they were naturally unable to offer any help. Looking at the dazzling jewelry in the room, envy and jealousy flashed across their faces.

Madam Murong placed the last phoenix hairpin into Bai Chuxiao's hair, and said with a smile, "Our Xiaoxiao is so beautiful."

Bai Chuxiao usually prefers to wear light colors and only has a simple jade hairpin in her hair. But today, she is dressed in bright red, adorned with pearls and jade rings, and her wedding dress is decorated with several lifelike phoenixes. From afar, she looks more radiant and noble, and her aura is impossible to ignore.

Kong Xi smiled and said, "If you ask me, Xiao Xiao certainly deserves the title of the most beautiful woman in the capital."

Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Sister Xihan, you're just teasing me. It won't be long before it's your turn."

Madam Kong said in a low voice, "Your sister Xihan is no troublemaker."

Madam Murong immediately feigned anger, saying, "Don't talk nonsense! Our Xihan is clearly dignified and sensible."

Kong Xihan's cheeks flushed. Madam Murong had always treated her well. She was truly lucky to have married the man she loved and to have such a wonderful mother-in-law.

Bai Chuxiao said with a smile, "Second Aunt and Aunt Kong will be family from now on. You can't forget about Xiaoxiao and only favor Sister Xihan."

Kong Xihan said coquettishly, "You naughty girl, just because you married into the Prince of Yan's mansion doesn't mean you're no longer part of our family. Don't forget that we are."

Amidst the cheerful laughter inside, a maidservant suddenly announced from outside, "Your Highness, Consort Bai requests an audience."

Madam Murong and Madam Kong frowned slightly, not having any good feelings towards her. In the past, she was nominally the legitimate daughter of the Left Prime Minister's mansion, but now that Madam Xie had been divorced and died, her status was even more awkward. In addition, considering the good deeds she did before she was married, what respectable family would like her?

Bai Chuxiao said calmly, "Alright, please come in."

Then, Bai Chuwan, wearing a moon-white long dress with a plain outer garment over it and a few simple hairpins in her hair, walked in with a smile.

The people inside the room felt a chill upon seeing her attire. Today was supposed to be a joyous occasion, and for her to be dressed so plainly in white—wasn't she just looking for trouble? She was usually the most stylish woman; who would believe it wasn't intentional?

Bai Chudie felt it was necessary to make a good impression. The Xie family was no longer in charge of the household, and she no longer needed to be subservient to her second sister. Rather than bowing and scraping to her second sister, who was in dire straits herself, it was more practical to curry favor with her eldest sister.

"Second sister, why are you dressed like this? Today is eldest sister's wedding!"

Bai Chuxin retorted, not to be outdone, "Yeah, Second Sister, isn't this bad luck?"

Bai Chuwan's eyes turned slightly cold. These two half-sisters used to fawn over her, but after their mother died, they no longer respected her at all.

"Who do you two lowly maids think you are, daring to speak to me like that?"

Bai Chuxiao's expression also turned cold. "Enough, Consort Bai, are you here to mourn?"

Bai Chuwan smiled slightly, "Elder sister, how can you say that? It's just that Mother has passed away, and I'm still in mourning. It's not appropriate for me to dress too brightly. I believe you'll understand."

Madam Murong spoke calmly, "If the concubine truly intended to observe mourning for your mother, she shouldn't have come out."

Bai Chuwan remained unfazed. "Madam, you are mistaken. My elder sister's marriage is a momentous occasion, how could I, as her younger sister, not come to offer my congratulations?" She had deliberately come today to annoy Bai Chuxiao. Her mother had only been dead for a short time, yet the Prime Minister's residence acted as if nothing had happened, brazenly holding a wedding.

Bai Chuxiao stood up, a murderous glint in her eyes. Without another word, she said, "Consort Bai is crying in the wrong place! Guards! Throw her to the Marquis of Wenxin's residence!"

Everyone was somewhat surprised to see the two guards who had appeared out of nowhere.

"Yes," the two guards didn't care about such formalities. Each grabbed one of her sides and began dragging Bai Chuwan away. On such an important day, the Left Prime Minister's residence was teeming with the Prince of Yan's guards, specifically to guard against troublemakers.

Bai Chuwan's face showed panic. She hadn't expected Bai Chuxiao to be so bold, ordering her to be taken away before she could even say a few words. "Bai Chuxiao, tell them to stop! I am the Crown Prince's concubine! How dare you treat me like this? The Crown Prince will not let you get away with this!"

"Wait," Bai Chuxiao suddenly spoke.

Bai Chuwan thought Bai Chuxiao was going to let her go, and a smug look flashed across her face. She was about to say something.

Then Bai Chuxiao spoke up again, calmly, "Since this is a funeral for Xie Xianglan, how can we not shed some tears? Since she can't cry, you two should help her. You know what to do, right?"

The two guards bowed immediately and said, "Your subordinates understand." The first rule for guards is to understand the unspoken meaning of their master's words. The princess's words were very simple and easy to understand. Can't cry? Just beat her. If she still doesn't cry, it just means she hasn't been beaten enough!

Madam Kong asked hesitantly, "Xiaoxiao, after all, she has the Crown Prince's backing. Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Aunt Kong, please rest assured, if the Crown Prince has any objections, he can come to me."

Madam Murong snorted coldly, "The Crown Prince allows his concubine to cause trouble at the Princess's wedding and still thinks he has the nerve to cause trouble? He'll be lucky if he doesn't get impeached."

Since there was still some time before the appointed time, Madam Kong and Madam Murong led the young ladies out of the room, leaving Bai Chuxiao to rest inside, as the remaining procedures were still quite complicated.

Bai Chuxiao held the booklet that her second aunt had mysteriously handed her when she left, feeling both amused and exasperated. She knew what it was without even looking at it, and it was inappropriate to open it in broad daylight. She decided to put it away for now and casually tossed it into a box.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Yan's residence was also filled with joy. Chu Tianze wore a golden crown and a dark red wedding robe with gold trim, a matching gold python-patterned belt around his waist. His usually calm and cold face softened, and there was a hint of urgency in his eyes as he paced back and forth in the hall.