Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "I'll take it and study it. Don't worry, I won't go there now."
However, if Chu Tianze still hasn't sent any news after a while, she will still make a trip. Ever since learning about the events of decades ago, she hasn't had a good impression of Wei Junyan. It's really strange that Bei Yan has captured two cities in succession. Bei Yan is known for its fierce people, but Da Xia isn't that weak, is it? If Wei Junyan is just incompetent, that's one thing... but I'm afraid he might have other intentions...
Zhao Sifang stared at her and said in a deep voice, "It's good that you know what you're doing. Don't try to show off. With so many troops here, the Prince of Yan will be fine. The worst outcome is just a defeat..."
Seeing Zhao Sifang's worried expression, Bai Chuxiao said helplessly, "I know, don't worry."
Zhao Sifang snorted coldly. How could he be at ease? Did she think he couldn't tell from her perfunctory words? He knew Xiaoxiao's personality well; she was stubborn.
Today was truly lucky; she didn't run into Zhao Xin'er. After changing back into women's clothing at Qiuyuefang, Bai Chuxiao planned to go back and study the map.
To his surprise, as soon as he stepped into the mansion, he saw Bai Linan, Xie Shi, and a group of people standing there. Of course, there was also someone who surprised him: Eunuch Jinzhong.
Seeing her return, Bai Linan's expression turned grim. "Where did you run off to? I couldn't find you anywhere."
Bai Chuxiao said casually, "Just catching up with a friend."
Jinzhong hurriedly stepped forward, "Now that Miss Bai is back, please come with me quickly, His Majesty summons you."
Bai Chuxiao was somewhat surprised, "Eunuch Jinzhong, do you know what His Majesty is referring to?"
Why would Emperor Wenxuan, who is not concerned with the war, want to see a mere female subject?
Jin Zhong was also puzzled. "His Majesty has been in a bad mood lately. Perhaps he just wants to chat with you, Miss Bai. Anyway, Miss, please come with me. You'll find out when we get there."
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Eunuch Jinzhong."
Watching their retreating figures, the Bai family members had varying expressions. Bai Linan looked puzzled, wondering when his eldest daughter had caught His Majesty's eye... while Bai Chuwan looked resentful, wondering what virtue or ability she, Bai Chuxiao, had to be summoned by His Majesty...
Jin Zhong led Bai Chuxiao to the Imperial Study and then withdrew, leaving Emperor Wenxuan alone in the hall, gazing silently at a portrait.
Bai Chuxiao gave a slight bow, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Wenxuan had his back to her and remained silent for a long time. After a while, he turned around and said indifferently, "Do you know who this is?"
Bai Chuxiao then looked up and examined the painting before her. It depicted a woman dressed in white armor and holding a silver spear.
"Your Majesty, could this be the late Empress?"
Emperor Wenxuan nodded, then asked in a deep voice, "I heard from Cheng Song that you went to the military camp."
Bai Chuxiao lowered her head and slowly said, "Your Majesty, it is indeed true. I have practiced martial arts since childhood, and with the guidance of my maternal grandfather, I have developed a certain interest in these things. So I asked Prince Yan to take a look."
She did not conceal the fact that she knew martial arts. Since Emperor Wenxuan had specifically summoned her to inquire, he must have sent people to carefully investigate her background. At this moment, honesty was the best choice.
Emperor Wenxuan raised an eyebrow, "I thought you would keep it a secret."
Bai Chuxiao looked up and chuckled, "The world is vast, and all land belongs to the king. I don't believe there's anything that can be hidden from Your Majesty."
Emperor Wenxuan's expression was inscrutable. He hadn't initially taken this woman seriously, but after hearing Cheng Song mention her, he became interested and sent people to investigate. The results of their investigation surprised him greatly. He learned that the woman who had been kidnapped by the flower thief was actually his sixth son, and that this woman had killed many people on the mountain by herself with just a sword...
He couldn't help but admire the courage and boldness in his heart. He used to think that the girl from the Liu family was clever, but now he realized that she was nothing compared to the woman in front of him. However, after this whole ordeal, he felt a bit dissatisfied with the sixth brother. It was one thing for his methods to be dishonest, but to still fail to deal with the woman in front of him even with such methods made him a complete waste...
Emperor Wenxuan turned to look at the portrait again and said calmly, "You do have some of Azi's temperament."
"This humble woman dares not compare herself to the late Empress."
"Back then, Azi was just like the one in the painting, fighting alongside me on the battlefield, never retreating in any battle," Wenxuan said to himself.
"Is Your Majesty missing the late Empress? If she were alive, she certainly wouldn't want to see Your Majesty like this," Bai Chuxiao said dismissively. She didn't really understand his longing for his deceased loved one. Who would believe that what happened back then had nothing to do with him? If that was the case, who was he putting on this act for?
Emperor Wenxuan shook his head, "It is I who have wronged Azi..."
Bai Chuxiao listened intently, wondering if His Majesty was about to tell her the truth. However, after waiting for a long time, nothing came of it.
She could only say softly, "The deceased is gone; I hope Your Majesty can find peace."
Men have always been fickle; they only become hypocritical after someone's gone. If only they had known this in the first place!
Emperor Wenxuan sighed inwardly, a sorrowful look filling his eyes. He had grown old after all and was beginning to reminisce about the past…
But after a moment, he silently put the portrait away, saying, "Aren't you worried about Seventh Brother?"
"Your Majesty, of course I am worried, but protecting the country is a soldier's duty."
Emperor Wenxuan remained silent for a moment before saying, "Alright, you may leave."
Bai Chuxiao felt somewhat speechless. So, she had been summoned here today just to reminisce about old friends? What a waste of her time. However, she had finally seen what that legendary woman looked like. She had only heard about her deeds before, but with this portrait, she truly was a woman who was no less capable than any man. It was a pity that such a heroic woman, who had conquered the world with her spear and horse, was ultimately buried in this ruthless imperial family. She wondered if she had any regrets.
After walking a distance from the imperial study, he saw Bishui, the head palace maid of Empress Li, walking towards him.
"Greetings, Miss Bai. Does Her Majesty the Empress wish to invite you?"
Bai Chuxiao was getting impatient. She really didn't want to come to the palace unless absolutely necessary. The palace was full of so-called nobles who could see her with a single word, and as a subject, she didn't even have the right to refuse.
So he said calmly, "Then I'll trouble Miss Biyue to lead the way."
Upon arriving at Zhaofeng Palace, Empress Li sat at the head of the table, while Liu Shuyao sat below her. The two chatted and laughed, showing no sign of worry for the Crown Prince.
Bai Chuxiao sighed inwardly. Her second younger sister really should learn from her. What use are just knowing a few arts and crafts? With her brains, if she married into the royal family, she'd probably be devoured, leaving not even bones. Luckily, she has a father who's the Left Prime Minister; otherwise, she wouldn't even know how she died.
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress and the Crown Princess."
Empress Li wore a dignified smile. "Xiaoxiao, why are you being so polite? Please sit down. From now on, you and the Seventh Prince will both call me Mother."
"Your Majesty the Empress is magnanimous, but propriety must not be disregarded."
That's why everyone wants to sit in this position. Regardless of whether they're her biological son or not, according to custom they all have to call her Empress Dowager. Even if her own son doesn't inherit the throne, the new emperor still has to address her as Empress Dowager... Of course, this is only in an ideal situation.
Liu Shuyao chuckled, "Sister Bai is a well-mannered person, Mother, please don't tease her."
"Okay, okay, Shuyao is right."
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