After returning to the inn, Bai Linan heard the report from the black-clad guard and his expression turned panicked. "What? Commander Mu has been arrested?"

The guard nodded. "Zhang Yu is not imprisoned in the government dungeon. Your Excellency should think of a way quickly..."

Bai Linan's face was ashen. He waved his hand and said, "You can go now. Let me think..."

"yes"

After the door closed again, Bai Linan slumped weakly into a chair, muttering, "Should I go back...?"

Only now did he fully realize that in Bai Chuxiao's heart, he, as her father, and even the entire Bai family, held no weight whatsoever...

Now that even the experts Chu Tianling sent to secretly rescue Zhang Yu have been captured, what use are they? As for the two daughters, they're not really of any use; they'd be more than enough to confuse the situation...

Over the next two days, the men sent by Chu Tianling had captured most of them, and Bai Chuxiao was too lazy to see Bai Linan.

Prince Ping, accompanied by Yu Fengyang and Murong Xuan, leisurely strolled around Yunzhou.

As for Bai Linan, he could only wait in the inn without waiting for his two daughters to return or for Bai Chuxiao to speak.

But Bai Chuxiao clearly only intended to give him three days to consider. Leaving him alive wouldn't harm his life, but it would jeopardize his official career. Going back would mean accomplishing nothing and ending up in a bad situation, but if he managed things, Chu Tianling might still consider using him.

While Bai Linan was struggling to make a decision, Bai Chuxiao was leisurely sitting in the courtyard reading a book and basking in the sun...

“Your Highness, Miss Bai Er is unwilling to reveal anything, she only says she wants to see you…” Xia Fan suddenly approached and cupped his hands in greeting.

Bai Chuxiao put down her book and chuckled, "I never realized she had such backbone..."

"Your Highness, perhaps we shouldn't see her. This Miss Bai seems rather strange..." Shen Xuanxuan said, frowning.

Bai Chuxiao pondered for a moment and said, "Let's bring her over. I want to see what she has to say..."

"yes……"

Soon, Xia Fan carried the disheveled Bai Chuwan back to the courtyard.

Bai Chuxiao leaned back in her chair and said calmly, "Second sister, you'd better really have something to say..."

"Big sister, don't you want to know where I've been all this time?" Bai Chuwan sat weakly on the ground, looked up at Bai Chuxiao, and asked with a smile.

Bai Chuxiao said dismissively, "If Second Sister wants to elaborate on what she does every day while staying by Chu Tianling's side, there's no need to..."

"Hehe, I know you look down on me, elder sister, but Wan'er is still alive thanks to you..." Bai Chuwan gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Bai Chuxiao interrupted her, "Alright, stop with the sisterly talk. We don't have that kind of relationship. If you can't come up with something useful, you can go back to jail..."

"Hahahaha, Bai Chuxiao, you can probably guess what Chu Tianling did to keep me by his side, but all this time, he's only ever treated me like you... He calls your name day and night. Just pray that the Yan Prince's Mansion will really last..."

"I think you're courting death..."

Then, a tall, slender figure suddenly appeared in the courtyard and slammed Bai Chuwan against the courtyard gate with a single palm strike.

"Tianze!"

Seeing the man in a black brocade robe, Bai Chuxiao's eyes lit up with surprise, and she quickly stepped forward to hug him.

Chu Tianze's expression softened, and he hugged her tightly. "Xiaoxiao, I'm back..."

Shen Xuanxuan, Xia Fan, and the others in the courtyard looked at each other in bewilderment. Why had the prince suddenly returned? But none of them dared to make a sound to disturb him.

"Tianze, let go first..." Bai Chuxiao quickly spoke up as she felt the force of his embrace.

Chu Tianze loosened his grip slightly, and Bai Chuxiao stretched out a hand, pointing to her lower abdomen, saying with a hint of helplessness, "You're pressing on her..."

Chu Tianze's expression froze. "Xiaoxiao, we really do..."

"Otherwise what..." Bai Chuxiao shrugged...

"Ahem, Your Highness and Your Highness!"

Seeing Bai Chuwan vomit blood and faint, Xia Fan still reminded the two of them, "The prince and princess are reunited after so long, they must have a lot to say, but they are still here..."

Chu Tianze glanced indifferently at the group of people in the courtyard and said coldly, "You have no sense of propriety!"

Shen Xuanxuan and Song Le'er chuckled twice, hurriedly gave a curtsy, and then ran out with their heads down.

"Do I need to give orders for such a small matter? Take that woman away. If she doesn't want to talk, just kill her. Anyway, Chu Tianling is going to die sooner or later. Secrets don't matter..." Seeing that Xia Fan was still there, Chu Tianze added a few more words in a chilling tone.

"Yes, I'll take my leave," Xia Fan hurriedly picked up the half-dead Bai Chuwan and slipped away like a gust of wind.

After only the two of them remained in the courtyard, Chu Tianze cautiously extended his somewhat rough palm and covered the slightly protruding belly.

Bai Chuxiao took his hand, letting him feel it for a moment, and said with a smile, "Tianze, the girl you've been waiting for has arrived..."

Chu Tianze's cold, hard features softened, and he said softly, "You've worked so hard, Xiaoxiao... You're pregnant and still have to worry about all this. It's all my fault..."

His large hand gently stroked the woman's face, which was no longer as rosy as before, and Chu Tianze said with some heartache, "Xiaoxiao has lost a lot of weight..."

Bai Chuxiao took his hand away, held it firmly, and chuckled, "Alright, let's skip the sentimental stuff. Look at you, you rushed back so quickly. You haven't slept for several nights, have you? Your dark circles are so heavy..."

Chu Tianze stared at her and said softly, "I want to see Xiaoxiao as soon as possible. Even if Xiaoxiao doesn't write, I still plan to come back. I miss you..."

Bai Chuxiao leaned her head against his shoulder and whispered, "Me too..."

"Your Highness..." Suddenly, several figures appeared in the courtyard again. When they saw the two figures cuddling together in the courtyard, they were all somewhat embarrassed.

It was Murong Xuan, Yu Fengyang, and Prince Ping in a blue brocade robe. They had just returned to the manor when they heard that Chu Tianze had come back, so they rushed over. But the two of them were still standing in the courtyard.

Prince Ping stroked his chin and murmured, "I've long heard that my seventh brother and his wife have a good relationship, and it's true. We've come at the wrong time..."

Yu Fengyang raised an eyebrow, "Your Highness Prince Ping, we've arrived just in time..."

Bai Chuxiao calmly parted ways with Chu Tianze, and looked at the group with a faint smile, saying, "Third Brother, you're back so soon."

Chu Tianze was speechless. Hearing that annoying voice, he wanted to lash out, but seeing the refined figure beside him, he ultimately held back.

"Third Brother, it's been a long time!" Chu Tianze held Bai Chuxiao's hand tightly and nodded slightly to Prince Ping.

“We haven’t seen each other since we parted two years ago. Your return today is just in time. If you had come back a day later, I would have had to return to the capital,” Prince Ping said with a smile.

Chu Tianze smiled faintly, "Third Brother, why don't you stay a few more days? I also have something to discuss with you..."