Bai Chuxiao took a walk around the foot of Zhaoyun Peak. She unhesitatingly refused Chu Tianze's offer to come along; now was not the time. Xia Fan had managed things well after they left, and everyone hadn't slacked off. Now that Cui Hao was back, they could continue their intensive training. She could set aside a few days for the final wilderness survival training, the final test.

Upon returning to the Bai family home, they heard that Chu Tianyou had brought Bai Chuwan back. Of course, this was only because of the Left Prime Minister; normally, concubines were not required to return to their parents' home.

In just three short days, Bai Chuwan seemed like a completely different person; her face was pale and her eyes had lost all their luster.

"Second sister, what's wrong?" Bai Chuxiao asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked at her.

"I'm fine," Bai Chuwan forced a smile.

She didn't want to lose face in front of her elder sister. She couldn't very well say that she regretted it now, could she? In the Eastern Palace, Liu Shuyao held power, managing everything down to the smallest detail, while Crown Prince Chu Tianyou went to Li Zhirou's place every day. She, on the other hand, had neither power nor favor. Although Chu Tianyou would come to see her, he would only stay for a short while before leaving, sometimes even showing impatience, unlike his usual sweet words.

Unfortunately, Li Zhirou would seize every opportunity to mock and ridicule her. Already burdened by worry during her pregnancy, she was bound to look haggard. The doctor had examined her and said that if she didn't manage her mood, the baby might not survive for more than a few days.

Seeing that she was unwilling to talk about it, Bai Chuxiao stopped asking. In fact, she knew even without asking that it was no wonder that several women fighting each other would end up in a bad situation.

"Where did the princess go so early?" Chu Tianyou asked with a smile.

"Your Highness, you should take better care of my second sister when you have time. She doesn't look too well," Bai Chuxiao said with a slight smile.

Bai Chuwan was actually quite moved after hearing this. She hadn't expected that her older sister, who had always been at odds with her, would speak up for her. She had been back for quite a while, and her father hadn't even asked her a single question.

This Miss Bai always says things that put him in an awkward position. Chu Tianyou looked somewhat embarrassed. "Princess, there's no need to worry. Pregnant women are like this."

Bai Chuxiao nodded indifferently. She wasn't really concerned about Bai Chuwan; she was just trying to find a topic to shut Chu Tianyou up and shut him up with questions.

"Big sister, can I talk to you?" Bai Chuwan suddenly called out.

Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow, but did not refuse.

As the two entered the garden, Bai Chuwan suddenly spoke again, "Big sister, do you look down on me?"

"How could that be?" Bai Chuxiao blinked and smiled.

"I know you've always looked down on me, but you're happy with how I am now, aren't you?"

"Is that all you wanted to say to me?" If she wanted to play the role of a complaining woman, she had absolutely no interest.

"Big sister, could you teach me how to win the prince's favor?"

Bai Chuxiao's lips twitched. "Why do you think I have a way? Besides, weren't you very certain before that the Crown Prince loved you? Now this is..."

"The Prince of Yan was so devoted to you, can you honestly say you didn't use any underhanded tactics? As for the Crown Prince..." She was slowly coming to her senses now. All that talk about love before was a joke. In the past few days, she had finally realized that Chu Tianyou had no love for her at all.

Bai Chuxiao's lips curled into a smile. "I think your mother is definitely an expert in these things. Instead of asking me, you should go back and ask your mother."

Back then, didn't Aunt Xie enter the mansion pregnant? And now she's the mistress of the house. Like mother, like daughter! Look how similar their situations are.

Bai Chuwan was displeased. "If you don't want to tell me, fine, but why ridicule me and my mother like this? I just thought you were... crocodile tears."

After saying that, she stormed off in a huff. Bai Chuxiao looked up at the sky speechlessly, and could only sigh softly. A resentful woman is truly terrifying.

Bai Chuwan thought about it and it made more and more sense. Maybe her mother really did have a solution, so she turned around and went to Ruyi Courtyard.

"Mother, what should we do?" Bai Chuwan asked anxiously, tugging at Xie Shi's sleeve and shaking her arm.

Madam Xie smiled slightly, brought her lips close to Bai Chuwan's ear, and whispered a few words.

Upon hearing this, Bai Chuwan blushed and said shyly, "How can that be..."

Madam Xie gently patted her hand and comforted her, "Wan'er, you must trust your mother, everything will be alright."

Bai Chuwan nodded slightly. Although she still had some doubts, she decided to give it a try.

"Choosing a reliable maid to secure favor is fine. As long as Wan'er gives birth, everything will be alright," Xie said with a smile, changing the subject.

Bai Chuwan bit her lip. Was it just like her mother had arranged for Aunt Lan back then? But she refused. She couldn't bring herself to send her maid to the bed of the man she loved.

Seeing her reluctance, Madam Xie sighed. This was actually the best method, but she knew Wan'er still had her pride, and asking her to do such a thing herself was truly difficult for her.

"Fine, I've told you the methods. The choice is yours."

When Chu Tianyou saw Bai Chuwan again, he noticed she seemed much happier. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Bai Chuwan had been crying and sobbing in the mansion these past few days, which had been quite bothering him. Had this Miss Bai said something...?

"What did Wan'er and the princess talk about that made them so happy?"

"My elder sister was just trying to comfort me. Brother Tianyou, let's head back to the manor as soon as possible."

Chu Tianyou nodded, sensing that things weren't so simple...

Back at Liuli Courtyard, the embroiderers from Jiangnan had already arrived; they looked to be quite old.

"This servant, Wenniang, greets Princess Changning."

"No need for such formalities, Wenniang. I'll be relying on you for the next few days. Just let Lanxiang know if you need anything."

"yes"

Wen Niang secretly sized up the princess before her, thinking she was as beautiful as a celestial being, and her personality was not like the rumors suggested; she seemed quite easy to get along with.

"They're outsiders after all, so keep an eye on them. Don't let anyone near the study or these areas," Bai Chuxiao said calmly, watching Lanxiang return after settling Wenniang in.

"Princess, rest assured."

Lanxiang then took out another invitation and handed it to her, asking with a smile, "Princess, the Yu family is celebrating Old Master Yu's birthday, and they have sent an invitation. Would you like to attend, Miss?"

“The Yu family…” Bai Chuxiao murmured. To be honest, apart from Yu Fengyang, she hadn’t had much contact with the four great families of the capital. It was quite strange that they would send her an invitation.

"The invitation was issued by Miss Yu, and I heard she invited quite a few noble ladies from the capital."

This time, most of the people from the four great families will probably go, which is good to see. However, Bai Chuxiao doesn't really know who this Miss Yu is. These great families have countless offspring, including the main branches and collateral branches. Yu Fengyang has a good personality, but she doesn't know what the Yu family is like. After all, Chu Tianze said that the Yu family is very complicated, so it seems that Yu Fengyang hasn't had a smooth time with them either.

"If you make the arrangements, a trip to the Yu family is still possible."

"yes"