There was no need to compete in the zither and dance; Bai Chuxiao and Princess Lingxiang's performances were both stunning, and everyone agreed without question. The main purpose of the Spring Banquet was to select the champion among the noble ladies. For the young masters, it was merely a place for sightseeing, since their competition wasn't focused on these aspects.
As the maids distributed paper and writing materials, everyone began to write. The princes and princesses, naturally, didn't just sit idly by; they also chose an item, and their work was not judged but simply circulated among the others.
Bai Chuxiao thought for a moment and decided to copy a poem to use. She knew nothing about painting and her calligraphy was mediocre at best. After searching her mind for a while, she didn't hesitate and started writing.
Before long, the time was up. The maids filed out, sorted and collected everyone's paper and ink, and presented them to the emperor. They then distributed the princesses' and princes' works for everyone to read. The eldest princess composed a poem, the second princess painted a picture, Princess Lingxiang did not participate, the crown prince wrote a piece of calligraphy, the Prince of Qi composed a poem, and the Prince of Xiang and the Prince of Yan each painted a picture.
Bai Chuxiao looked at the painting Chu Tianze had created in her hand. It depicted a border warrior: a general in silver armor riding a white horse, holding a silver spear, followed by several bloodied soldiers, gazing into the distance, surrounded by piles of corpses.
She couldn't help but admire the painting; it was truly exquisite. She glanced at Chu Tianze, only to find him also staring at her with a smile on his lips. Bai Chuxiao felt somewhat bewildered.
Little did she know, Chu Tianze was holding her poem in his hand:
Zhao Ke wore a silk tassel, and Wu Gou's sword gleamed like frost and snow.
Silver saddle shines on white horse, its hooves swift as shooting stars.
Kill one man in ten steps, leave no trace for a thousand miles.
Having accomplished his task, he left without a trace, concealing his merit and fame.
Chu Tianze had never met a woman like this before. The more he learned about her, the more he discovered her uniqueness. In their previous meetings, he had only liked Bai Chuxiao's personality. But after everything that had happened today, he felt a genuine appreciation for her. She had truly entered his heart step by step. For the first time, Chu Tianze experienced the feeling of being moved. He couldn't stop smiling, wanting only to hold onto this fiancée who belonged to him.
After a while, the eldest princess announced, "Bai Chuxiao, the eldest daughter of the Bai family, is first in poetry; Liu Shuyao, the eldest daughter of the Liu family, is first in painting; and Kong Xihan, the youngest daughter of the Kong family, is first in calligraphy."
After speaking, she handed the three works to everyone for review. Bai Chuyun happily said to Bai Chuxiao and Kong Xihan, "You two are so amazing!"
Kong Xihan replied, "It's just because I benefited from the rules. In the past, it was always one person doing two things. Logically speaking, my calligraphy is still inferior to Liu Shuyao's. Xiaoxiao, you are the one who is truly hiding your talent."
Bai Chuxiao felt guilty, but it was all thanks to her memories from her past life; she herself didn't have that much knowledge. She just smiled faintly and remained silent. Bai Chuwan also painted a picture, but since she was skilled in playing the zither and dancing, she didn't win any prizes this time.
After everyone had read and passed it around, they all felt that Bai Chuxiao had indeed written a good poem, but that her display of violence today seemed a bit too much for a woman.
The Crown Prince suddenly laughed and said, "Miss Bai's poem is excellent and matches Seventh Brother's painting perfectly." Hearing the Crown Prince praise Bai Chuxiao, Bai Chuwan and Li Zhirou felt uncomfortable, but then they remembered that Bai Chuxiao was already engaged and posed no threat to them, so they relaxed.
The eldest princess also laughed and said, "Yes, it seems that Xiaoxiao and Seventh Brother are truly a match made in heaven."
Chu Tianze also smiled and praised, "Xiaoxiao is indeed excellent in every way."
Bai Chuxiao felt goosebumps when she heard the name Xiaoxiao. What did the Prince of Yan mean? Could it be that he liked her?
The eldest princess announced loudly, "The champion of this Spring Banquet is Bai Chuxiao, the eldest daughter of the Bai family!" Then she called out to Bai Chuxiao, and Liu Shuyao and Kong Xihan stepped forward to present her with gifts.
Then, everyone gradually dispersed. Bai Chuwan left with the Crown Prince and the Second Princess, while the Prince of Xiang left with Liu Shuyao. The others were nowhere to be seen.
Bai Chuxiao was walking with Kong Xihan and Bai Chuyun when a cute girl in a lotus-colored dress came over to greet them, "Hello, Sister Bai, I am Lü Youyou from the family of the Minister of War. Sister Bai, you have such a beautiful writing style!" She then smiled and said, "Sister Xihan, you also have a beautiful writing style. May I be friends with you, Sister Bai?"
Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "Of course," it would be good to make a few friends with cheerful personalities. She then introduced Bai Chuyun to her, "This is my third sister, Bai Chuyun."
Lu Youyou called out sweetly again, "Hello, Sister Yun'er."
Kong Xihan teased, "What, you only want to be friends with your Sister Bai?" They naturally knew each other before, since they were both in Kyoto, but Lü Youyou was young and hadn't been out and about much before.
Lü Youyou chuckled, "Not at all, Sister Xihan is naturally Youyou's friend too."
As they spoke, they reached the door. Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "It's getting late. Let's arrange to go out and play together another day." After exchanging greetings, they each boarded their carriages.
Just as Bai Chuxiao was about to go up, she heard the Prince of Yan's voice come from the side, "Xiaoxiao, shall I take you back?"
Bai Chuxiao also had something she wanted to clarify, so she agreed, told Bai Chuyun to take her own carriage back, and then followed the Prince of Yan into his carriage.
"What play is Your Highness Prince Yan putting on today? You acted as if you really liked me in front of everyone, but we've only just met, haven't we?" Bai Chuxiao broke the silence, asking with a faint smile.
Chu Tianze put down his teacup and smiled, "Xiaoxiao, that's not just an act; I truly love you."
Bai Chuxiao said calmly, "You don't even understand me, so how can you say you like me?"
Chu Tianze suddenly took out a wooden hairpin. "How do you know I don't understand you? This isn't our first meeting."
"It really is you. I noticed your eyes were very similar when I saw you today, but you're quite good at disguising yourself; your aura is completely different," Bai Chuxiao sneered. This Prince Yan really is Xue Wuyun; no wonder.
In truth, the Prince of Yan hadn't intended to reveal his identity as Xue Wuyun so soon. However, Bai Chuxiao was simply too dazzling today, making him uneasy. He only wanted to get closer to Xiaoxiao as soon as possible, which was why he took out the hairpin.
Actually, Bai Chuxiao didn't dislike him. After getting to know him, she genuinely thought the Prince of Yan was quite nice. After a moment of silence, she asked again, "What you said back then—that if you married me, I would be the only one for you—were you joking?" A Prince of Yan who didn't want multiple wives and concubines—wasn't someone worth getting to know?
Chu Tianze looked at her and said earnestly, "Xiaoxiao, I mean it. Now that I've chosen you, it's only you from now on."
Looking into his determined eyes, Bai Chuxiao couldn't help but believe him a little, and a flutter of emotion stirred within her. However, she wasn't the type to fall in love at first sight.
So, looking at him, she made her stance clear: "This is very important to me. If you can do this, perhaps we can spend more time together."
The Prince of Yan was delighted and laughed, "Of course I can do that. From now on, Xiaoxiao, would you like to call me Tianze?"
The carriage stopped as soon as the words were spoken; the Left Prime Minister's residence had already issued a statement.
"Let's talk about it next time," Bai Chuxiao said, and hurriedly got off the carriage...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com