Bai Chuxiao looked at the man beside her. His face wasn't as fair and gentle as the Crown Prince she had just met; instead, he had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, with distinct features, and bore the marks of battle. In her previous life, he would have been described as a "tough guy." She couldn't help but sigh in admiration. Although she didn't know anything else about the Prince of Yan, his appearance certainly suited her aesthetic.
Seeing that she was just staring at him without saying anything, Chu Tianze asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Bai Chuxiao then looked away, coughed a few times, and said, "It's nothing. The clothes His Highness the Prince of Yan sent are nice; I like them very much."
Chu Tianze then smiled again, "I'm glad you like it. May I call you Chu Xiao? You can just call me Tianze. Calling me Miss or Your Highness feels too formal."
Bai Chuxiao blurted out, "We weren't close to begin with, so how can you say we're estranged?"
He then added with a playful smile, "Besides, there are rumors circulating that Your Highness looks down on me and wants to break off the engagement."
Chu Tianze smiled at her, "Chu Xiao has misunderstood me. Those are just rumors circulating in the streets for fun. I was worried that Chu Xiao wouldn't like me."
Then, with a hint of caution, she asked, "Could it be that, Chu Xiao, you really don't like me and want to break off our engagement?"
Seeing him like this, Bai Chuxiao remained silent. Wasn't it said that His Highness the Prince of Yan only knew how to fight and was indifferent to women? Where did his blockhead and aloofness go? Now, his somewhat pitiful appearance was completely unlike the rumors.
Bai Chuxiao could only laugh awkwardly twice, "It's only the first time I've met Your Highness, how can there be talk of liking or disliking each other?"
Chu Tianze smiled faintly, "We'll get to know each other slowly. Are you going to see your second sister right now?" There's plenty of time; he'll let Chu Xiao gradually see his feelings. There's no rush.
Bai Chuxiao retorted, "Is that not allowed? We have to maintain appearances at least."
Chu Tianze smiled faintly and remained silent. He was familiar with the Hundred Flowers Garden, so he led Bai Chuxiao in the direction the Crown Prince had left. When they arrived at a house, Chu Tianze turned his head to gesture, and Bai Chuxiao naturally understood. She followed him and quietly leaped onto the roof. Since he already knew she knew martial arts, she no longer bothered to hide her skills.
They peered into the room from the shadows and saw that Bai Chuwan had already woken up, dressed only in her undergarments, nestled in the Crown Prince's arms, softly sobbing, "Brother Tianyou, thank goodness you're here. Wan'er was so scared, I almost lost my life."
Chu Tianyou gently patted Bai Chuwan to comfort her, "It's alright, Wan'er, I'm right here. Once you marry me, I will definitely protect you and not let you get hurt in the slightest."
Bai Chuwan asked, moved, "Does Brother Tianyou like Wan'er? Is he truly willing to let Wan'er become the Crown Princess?"
Chu Tianyou put on a pained expression, "Wan'er, don't you understand my feelings? As long as Father agrees to your marriage to me, I will naturally be willing to marry you as my Crown Princess."
Bai Chuwan smiled through her tears, "Brother Tianyou, you're so kind! Father will definitely agree."
As he spoke, Chu Tianyou kissed her, and Bai Chuwan sweetly responded. The two embraced and kissed for a long time. Gradually, the prince began to become restless, reaching out to undress Bai Chuwan.
Seeing this, Bai Chuxiao blushed slightly and didn't want to look any further. She glanced at Chu Tianze and saw that his expression was also somewhat unnatural, so she waved her hand, indicating that she wanted to come downstairs with him.
They quietly left and sat down in a nearby pavilion. Bai Chuxiao poured herself a cup of tea, took a few sips, and then, regaining her composure, smiled and said, "I didn't expect His Highness the Prince of Yan to enjoy watching entertainment as well."
In her past life, she was a special forces soldier. She had no time for romance; flirting with handsome men was her limit, mostly just talk. She'd never experienced anything like this before, especially not spying on a man she'd just met. Her second sister's age in her past life would have been considered underage, but in ancient times, that age meant marriage was possible, so it wasn't surprising that she was doing these things so early.
Chu Tianze said with a hint of sarcasm, "Your second sister is quite bold. Your fourth brother has finally gotten what he wanted." Then he looked at Bai Chuxiao with a smile and said, "Chuxiao, were you embarrassed just now?"
Bai Chuxiao could only laugh awkwardly, "What nonsense are you talking about?" Then, as if remembering something, she retorted, "I see that His Highness the Prince of Yan is quite composed. He must have many concubines and maids in his household and be well-versed in the ways of the world."
Chu Tianze felt greatly wronged and quickly explained, "Chu Xiao, how could that be? I'm often away on campaigns and don't like this. After we get married, you will be the only one for me."
Upon hearing this, Bai Chuxiao felt somewhat reassured. She thought that the Prince of Yan seemed quite decent so far, but there was plenty of time to observe him further. She then changed the subject, saying, "It's getting late, let's go."
When Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao arrived at Yanyun Terrace, it was already full of people. However, Crown Prince Bai Chuwan had not yet arrived. Yanyun Terrace had a wide view and was most suitable for holding banquets. The men of various noble families sat on the left, the ladies of various noble families sat on the right, and the princes and princesses sat in the middle at the top.
"Seventh Brother, it's quite a surprise to see you here today," Chu Tianling said, stepping down from his seat and looking Bai Chuxiao up and down. "And who is this beauty? I've never seen her before."
Chu Tianze said coldly, "Sixth Brother, watch your words. This is my fiancée, Miss Bai. Can't my younger brother come?"
"Alright, sixth and seventh brothers, please take your seats. What are you all standing here for?" the eldest princess, dressed in a bright red gown, said with a smile. Behind her followed the second princess and a veiled woman dressed in foreign attire.
"Greetings, Eldest Princess," Prince Yan, Prince Qi, and Prince Xiang, who had remained silent until now and sat on the throne, all greeted the eldest princess. The eldest princess's birth mother had died early, and the late Empress, having no children of her own, raised and educated the eldest princess. She was always under the late Empress's care, making her the most esteemed legitimate princess, and greatly favored by the current Emperor. Even the Crown Prince addressed her respectfully as "Elder Princess."
Everyone rose and bowed in unison, saying, "Greetings, Eldest Princess; Greetings, Second Princess."
The eldest princess led them to the seats of honor, with the second princess and the veiled woman sitting to her left, and an empty seat to her right. Then, in turn, sat the Prince of Xiang, the Prince of Qi, and the Prince of Yan.
The eldest princess smiled and said, "Rise, all of you. There's no need to be so formal at today's banquet. You're all from the capital, and this is an opportunity for you all to get to know each other better."
Just then, the Crown Prince and Bai Chuwan arrived late. They had both changed their clothes. The Crown Prince clasped his hands in greeting, "Greetings, Your Highness, I am late." Bai Chuwan also knelt and bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness. I just fell into the water, which is why I was delayed. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
The eldest princess had also inquired with her maid about the whole affair. She disliked Bai Chuwan, who had to cause trouble at a perfectly good banquet, so she simply said, "Alright, since you're here, then do your job."
Seeing the two of them enter together, Li Zhirou, who had arrived earlier, felt resentful and stepped forward, saying, "I beg Your Highness to do justice for me. This Miss Bai has gone mad for some reason, suddenly pushing me into the water in public. Please punish her severely, Your Highness."
"I am aware of this matter. You have indeed been wronged. I have already sent someone to escort the Fourth Miss Bai back, and have also ordered that this person be forbidden from attending the Spring Banquet again," the eldest princess said calmly.
Li Zhirou still wouldn't give up. "Your Highness, in my opinion, Miss Bai should also be punished. A concubine's daughter shouldn't have come in the first place. Bai Chuwan brought her concubine's sister here, yet she didn't discipline her properly. Perhaps Bai Chuwan secretly instigated it. Otherwise, how could a concubine's daughter have the audacity to push me, the daughter of a Duke, into the water?"
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