With such a commotion, word will surely get back to the capital, and the Empress Dowager will not let such a good opportunity pass by.
Yu Nanqing's lips deepened slightly: "Yes, I understand."
He may have seemed indifferent on the surface, but in reality, he could sense that she was very worried inside.
While the Bai residence has been bustling these past few days, the Prince Gong residence has remained remarkably calm. Even though the city is abuzz with discussion, it seems to have had no effect on the Prince Gong residence whatsoever.
Needless to say, anyone who wanted to visit the Prince's residence was turned away by Wang Zhang.
Later, it became too troublesome to refuse everyone, so he simply closed his doors to visitors.
As night fell, the lights in the Prince's mansion were extinguished early.
Su Wanyan wasn't in a hurry to sleep. She ordered someone to put a rocking chair in the courtyard, along with some flower tea and snacks, and a few moon lanterns to light up the small space.
Su Wanyan sat in a rocking chair, with mosquito-repelling incense burning on the table set with snacks. The May night breeze was cool and refreshing, carrying a sense of summer.
Not long after sitting down, Su Wanyan slowly closed her eyes, as if she were dozing off or resting.
Huang Ye brought a palm-leaf fan from inside the house. As she approached, she saw Qiu Ye make a shushing gesture. Upon seeing this, Huang Ye quickly slowed her steps.
Qiu Ye took the fan from Huang Ye and gently fanned Su Wanyan.
Su Wanyan couldn't possibly sleep; she wasn't even sleepy at all.
After an unknown amount of time, Su Wanyan heard a series of neat and light footsteps outside the mansion.
She suddenly opened her eyes and asked, "What time is it?"
"Your Majesty, it's already past 9 PM." Qiu Ye had been keeping a close eye on the time.
"Hai Shi..." Su Wanyan looked at Luo Xue, who was always by her side, picked up a pastry and took a bite.
It should have started.
Outside Prince Gong's Mansion, the dispatched Dragon Flag Army had already protected the entire mansion. Mingyu was in the shadows, watching every person and tree in the courtyard, while Xiaobu was hidden on the highest point, having a clear view of the entire mansion.
The Bai family was still immersed in joy.
Bai Jiaojiao clearly regarded her chance to enter Prince Gong's mansion as a proper marriage, and she was currently too excited to sleep in her room.
Meanwhile, Bai Yixun's wife reported all the arrangements made in the past few days to him.
Bai Yixun had no objection to any of this. Anyway, his family was rich, so they could do whatever they wanted. In his words, even if it was his least favorite daughter getting married, the wedding would be arranged to be grand and elaborate.
First of all, we can't skimp on saving face for him.
"You can decide these things." Bai Yixun removed his outer garment with his wife's help: "Once Bai Jiaojiao enters the Prince's Mansion, our Bai family can be considered as royalty, hahaha."
When this was mentioned, Bai Yixun couldn't stop smiling; just thinking about it made her feel happy.
The wife serving Bai Yixun at this moment was originally one of his concubines, surnamed Yuan. Later, Bai Yixun elevated her to the status of a secondary wife. She is not yet thirty years old this year.
Bai Jiaojiao was born to this Yuan family member.
"Fortunately, Jiaojiao is a good girl and has not disappointed you, but I have been in charge of all of Jiaojiao's marriage arrangements. I am afraid that my sister will have some objections."
“When Hong-ge’er got married and Yuan-yuan got married, didn’t she personally take care of everything? Jiao-jiao is your daughter, so what’s wrong with you taking care of everything? You’re always overthinking things.”
“What you say is true, my lord. I am also feeling a bit sentimental because Jiaojiao is about to get married. However…” Madam Yuan forced a smile: “The Prince’s mansion is nice, but it would be even better if she were a concubine.”
"Don't rush." Bai Yixun sat down on the edge of the bed, and Yuan Shi squatted down to take off his boots. "I heard that in the capital, the Empress Dowager does not like Prince Gong. It was Prince Gong's decision to come to Fucheng that he had no choice. There are even rumors that he was demoted by the Empress Dowager."
"If I were Prince Gong, how could I swallow this insult? I would definitely find a chance to retaliate. If he were to receive the financial support of my Bai family, wouldn't he be even more powerful? At that time, the Lu family, the supervisory prefect, and the governor would all be trampled under our feet. Just wait and see."
Bai Yixun said smugly, "Our Jiaojiao will definitely be valued by the Prince. Valuing Jiaojiao means valuing our Bai family. Hmph, at that time, let alone a concubine, we can even pull down the principal wife and let Jiaojiao sit on top."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yuan was startled and quickly covered Bai Yixun's mouth, saying, "Shh! Master, are you out of your mind? You can't say that."
What's the difference between those remarks and inciting rebellion?
If others overhear this and it reaches Yu Nanqing's ears, they wouldn't be able to pay for it with their lives alone.
"Hey!" Bai Yixun wasn't afraid at all. He took Yuan's hand and made her sit down next to him. "There's no one else here. It's only in front of you that I dare to say these things. Do you think Lu Jiao really treats me like a brother? How much have those officials taken from me, openly and secretly? It's just that we have no power. If we had power, would we be afraid of them manipulating us?"
Therefore, he was very satisfied with Jiaojiao's situation.
Even though the rumors started out anonymously, even though Yu Nanqing never said a word and no one agreed with them, it didn't matter.
As long as Bai Jiaojiao can successfully enter the Prince's mansion, he can ignore the means and the process. He doesn't care about the outcome as long as it's what he wants.
Yuan Shi wasn't as oblivious as him. He had a bad feeling in his heart, so he subtly changed the subject: "Master is tired, let's go to bed and rest."
Whether the Bai family is clean or not, the Yuan family knows best.
Bai Yixun is the head of this family, so of course he's not afraid. But it's not so certain for her and Bai Jiaojiao. They seem fine now, but they might be targeted later and die without even knowing how.
Fortunately, Bai Yixun didn't continue the topic. She lifted the covers and got into bed, saying, "I need to get some rest. I still have to be busy tomorrow."
Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside.
"Huh? What's going on? Why is it so noisy outside?" Bai Yixun frowned.
Madam Yuan quickly comforted her, "Tomorrow is Jiaojiao's wedding day. Perhaps she was too excited and made a commotion. Master, please wait here. I'll go out and take a look."
"Go ahead." Bai Yixun waved his hand.
However, before the door could even open, a servant rushed in with a bang, his expression filled with terror and anxiety: "Something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened! Master! Master!"
Whether it was from being too scared or running too fast, he suddenly collapsed to the ground the moment he entered.
"Master! Madam! Something terrible has happened! Run...run!" He scrambled to his knees, his face pale. "The Prince...it's the Prince! He...he's brought his soldiers in...he's brought them in..."
"What?" Bai Yixun frowned, his tone not one of shock, but of doubt and disbelief.
Yuan was also curious: "What nonsense are you talking about? What prince? What invading? Why are you talking so confusedly?"
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