Looking at the noisy elders and the chaotic bowing, Bai Tuantuan felt completely overwhelmed.
“My home is also on East Street. It takes half an hour to walk from the Bai family home, but less than a quarter of an hour by carriage.” Ning Nanxiao appeared beside Bai Tuantuan at some point and whispered, “My home is very big, with four courtyards. It’s quieter than the Bai family home because it’s located at the deepest part of the alley.”
"The house across from mine has the same layout as mine, and most importantly, there are no other houses around it besides our two houses."
"The house across from my house was originally bought by a merchant, but unfortunately the family fell on hard times and had to sell the house to return to their hometown."
Bai Tuantuan looked up at Ning Nanxiao and saw a faint smile on his face. She pouted and said, "You make it sound so good, it must be expensive, right?"
"Thirty thousand taels of silver."
Ning Nanxiao held up three fingers and said slowly.
Bai Tuantuan sighed, "As expected, prices in the capital are shockingly high!"
On the other side, Ning Chengzhu also stated the price, and then said, "Don't worry, my family has some things bestowed by the Emperor. We can sell them to raise the money, and we'll have enough!"
Seeing Ning Chengzhu's excited expression, Chen Luo stopped him: "No need, Marquis. If you sell the imperial gift, you'll be in big trouble."
"What's there to be afraid of? My family has already sold quite a few. Otherwise, how would we support our family with such a meager salary?" Ning Chengzhu said nonchalantly. "Brother Chen, don't be afraid, I'll help you." As he spoke, Ning Chengzhu patted his chest.
"Don't worry about paying back the money, there's no rush."
Du Chunhua nodded quickly: "That makes sense, it's settled then, I'll go get the money right now!"
“Really, there’s no need.” Feng Yue pulled Du Chunhua back and said with a smile, “Since the Marquis and his wife have agreed on this house, it must be a good one. Let’s just buy it.”
"Yijun, take Ali and ask her."
Chen Yijun and Rong Manli came out, cupped their hands in greeting to Ning Chengzhu and Du Chunhua, and then left.
"We have enough money, thank you, Lord Marquis and Lady Marquis."
Feng Yue said with a smile, "I'm relieved to see that people in the capital are so easy to get along with."
"It's good to have money, it's good to have money." Ning Chengzhu's face was full of smiles. "Let's buy the house first, and we can add the things we need later."
Clearly, Ning Chengzhu and his wife thought that the Chen family had used all their assets to buy the house.
“However, the people in the capital are not easy to get along with, except for us.” Ning Chengzhu continued, “Those people all have their eyes on the top of their heads, and we don’t want to play with them. But the Bai family is different, so I can only come to the Bai family to sit when I have nothing to do, which is quite boring. Now that I have you all, I will not come to the Bai family anymore!”
"My lord, you really are a traitor who crosses the river and burns the bridge." Bai Ze chuckled. "My adoptive parents naturally come to the Bai family every day. It's impossible for you to get rid of the Bai family."
"Alright." Bai Han stood up. "I'll leave the house to you, Madam. We need to go to the palace now."
Yuan Chenchen nodded, while Bai Han led Bai Haotian and Ning Nanxiao toward the palace gate.
The maids and nannies stepped forward and quickly tidied up the things.
"Xiu'er, Tuan Tuan, let's go choose a courtyard." Yuan Chenchen said with a smile, "Madam Hou, come along too, so you can give Xiu'er some advice."
"That's great!" The group quickly headed towards the backyard.
"The courtyards of the Prime Minister's residence are all excellent; every corner is beautiful."
"Let Tuantuan choose," Chen Zhixiu said, looking at Bai Tuantuan. "What kind do you like?"
“Naturally, it’s closer to my grandparents,” Bai Tuantuan said softly, making Du Chunhua’s heart itch with envy.
"Daughters are the best!"
The Chen family quickly bought the house, and they moved their belongings over.
For a time, everyone was extremely busy.
In the Imperial Study.
The Emperor looked at Ning Nanxiao, who was sitting lazily on the stool, and had a headache: "Why is this child still the same as before?"
Bai Han stroked his beard, smiled, and said nothing.
Bai Haotian waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, you'll have to ask Dean Hu about that."
Ning Nanxiao curled the corners of her lips: "Uncle Emperor, have you ever heard the saying, 'It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature'?"
"You brat!" The Emperor glared at Ning Nanxiao, annoyed. "Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?"
"Sigh..." Ning Nanxiao shifted to a more comfortable position and said helplessly, "Uncle Emperor, why are you doing this? What's wrong with me like this? If I say something wrong or do something wrong, you'll clean up my mess. What am I afraid of?"
Ning Nanxiao shrugged: "I don't need to inherit the throne, and I don't need to be as smooth and methodical as your princes. If you are really worried about me, then find a crown prince who is on good terms with me. That way, if you abdicate, the next emperor can ensure that I have enough to eat and wear."
Bai Haotian was speechless. Only Ning Nanxiao could say such outrageous things.
The emperor, his beard bristling and eyes wide, exclaimed, "Your plan is far too shrewd!"
Ning Nanxiao laughed: "Tell me, isn't that the truth?"
"Alright, I'm too lazy to argue with you." The Emperor said with a hint of disdain, but his eyes and brows were smiling, clearly not as disgusted with Ning Nanxiao as he said.
Ning Nanxiao looked at Eunuch Cai beside her and said with a smile, "I'd like to trouble you to prepare some food for me."
Eunuch Cai readily agreed.
"Look at this kid, he acts like he's back home as soon as he comes to my study. Tell me, how did Ning Chengzhu raise such a carefree son? Ning Chengzhu is so unreliable." The Emperor pointed at Ning Nanxiao and complained.
Bai Han said with a smile, "Your Majesty, this Marquis Zhongyong isn't exactly a reliable person either!"
"Indeed, Ning Chengzhu does nothing but eat and drink whenever he comes to my study. I really owe this father and son a debt!"
The emperor and his ministers chatted and laughed, while Ning Nanxiao, standing to the side, was enjoying his leisure.
"Haotian, you really frightened me this time." The Emperor walked to Bai Haotian's side, looking at his tired and weak appearance, and his arm wrapped in bandages, a hint of apology appeared in his eyes, "It was my oversight, but I had no choice, those people forced me!"
At this point, the Emperor sighed heavily.
Bai Haotian quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I was too careless. However, a battle with the Baihe Kingdom is inevitable this time."
The Emperor waved his hand: "I will think about it carefully. As for you, just stay home and recover from your injuries."
Bai Haotian wanted to say something, but Bai Han stopped him with a look.
"By the way, those two lads, Yuanzhi and Hanri, have requested two imperial edicts. The Bai family is full of loyal martyrs, and I see nothing wrong with it. Eunuch Cai, please go and proclaim these edicts."
The Emperor handed the decree to Eunuch Cai, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, you may go back now."
After seeing Eunuch Cai emerge with the imperial edict, the various groups guarding the palace gates all followed him.
Bai Haotian frowned, and Eunuch Cai said, "Hehe, let them come along, General Bai, it's a good thing."
Bai Haotian and Bai Han exchanged a glance.
Soon, the imperial edict spread to every corner of the capital.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Princess Lexin, the youngest daughter of the Bai family, is intelligent and kind, yet she has suffered greatly. I am deeply saddened and hereby bestow upon her one hundred taels of gold..."
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Bai Tuantuan, a third-generation member of the Bai family, is kind-hearted, intelligent, and quick-witted. She has helped disaster victims survive and is deeply loved by the people. Therefore, she is hereby granted the title of Princess of Changning County..."
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