Yu Fengyang felt that since even Chu Tianze and Murong Xuan were taken, it was time for him to consider his own marriage. The Princess of Changning was a good choice; someone close to her couldn't be bad.
Then, looking at Bai Chuxiao, he chuckled and said, "Princess, do you have any sisters or friends you'd like to introduce to me?"
Bai Chuxiao blinked. "I have two younger sisters in my household. Are you sure?"
Bai Chuxiao was satisfied with his trust, but unfortunately, she often disguised herself as a man in the military or outside in her early years, so she really didn't have many girlfriends.
Yu Fengyang chuckled twice, "Forget about the Bai family."
Aside from Bai Chuxiao, he simply couldn't "reach" the level of the other members of the Bai family...
"Young Master, the Heir Apparent of the Fan family requests an audience," a servant hurriedly stepped forward to report.
Yu Fengyang raised an eyebrow. "Why would he come? Go and invite him."
Bai Chuxiao was also somewhat curious. As the head of a prominent family, the Fan family had always been quite mysterious and not very active in public. She had never seen this young master of the Fan family since she returned.
Fan Ziming was also somewhat surprised when he entered. He clasped his hands in greeting and said with a smile, "Greetings, Your Highness, Princess."
Chu Tianze nodded slightly; he didn't have much contact with people from aristocratic families.
Fan Ziming cupped his hands in greeting and smiled, "Brother Yu, the Second Young Master Murong is very courteous."
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. Fan Ziming was indeed handsome, and his simple white clothes made him look dashing. Most importantly, he had a refined demeanor...
Yu Fengyang and Murong Xuan both nodded slightly in return. Murong Xuan was somewhat surprised that this Prince Fan recognized him.
"Ziming has just returned from his travels and heard that Brother Yu has been promoted to an official position, so I came here specifically to congratulate him. I didn't know that Your Highness and others would also be here, so I hope you won't mind," Fan Ziming said with a smile.
Chu Tianze spoke calmly, "It's alright. Young Master Fan seems to be in high spirits. I wonder where he went."
Fan Ziming slowly began, "It's quite a coincidence, Ziming has just returned from the Northwest."
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That's quite a coincidence."
Yu Fengyang's new residence wasn't large. There were size restrictions for the residences of fourth-rank officials, so it couldn't be too luxurious. Most importantly, Yu Fengyang didn't have much money after leaving the Yu family. He mostly managed Chu Tianze's business, and most of that money was spent on the Xuanjia Army. Even Chu Tianze wasn't considered wealthy, let alone Yu Fengyang.
The group chatted amiably in the flower hall. Chu Tianze narrowed his eyes slightly. Most of his men were only good at fighting; they lacked other talents. This Fan Ziming, however, had some talent for governing the world… It would be good if he could be recruited. But the Fan family was far stronger than other families, and Fan Ziming might not give up such a powerful backer as the Fan family…
Bai Chuxiao blinked at Chu Tianze, whose expression was inscrutable, seemingly guessing what he was thinking. She did think that Fan Ziming's visit today was intentional... but there was no rush.
After Xie's death, the Bai residence became much quieter than before. Even Bai Haoyun seemed to have changed his ways, no longer causing trouble and spending most of his time studying in his courtyard. Bai Linan, on the other hand, became somewhat elusive, often not at home.
However, as long as they didn't provoke her, Bai Chuxiao wouldn't bother with them. She would either stay in the Liuli Courtyard and prepare for the wedding, or go out shopping, enjoying a rare period of leisure...
September 16th arrived in the blink of an eye.
Bai Chuxiao and Chu Tianze stood side by side outside the city gate, waiting for something.
"You didn't need to come," Bai Chuxiao said with a helpless smile, looking at the man beside her.
Today was the day her maternal grandfather and his family returned to the capital. Originally, she and her second uncle were supposed to come to welcome them, but Chu Tianze insisted on coming with her, claiming that he was also his maternal grandfather. Her second uncle felt that having so many people, including the Prince of Yan, would be too much of a fuss and too conspicuous, so he decided to stay at the mansion and tidy up instead of coming.
Chu Tianze squeezed her hand and said calmly, "That won't do."
After a while, a quaint and elegant carriage slowly drove up. Bai Chuxiao smiled and quickly pulled Chu Tianze closer.
A young man with striking features and sharp eyebrows jumped off the carriage first. He nodded slightly to Chu Tianze and then smiled, saying, "Long time no see, Sister Xiao."
Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "Third Brother."
Then the curtain was lifted, and a composed young man helped a rather imposing old man down from the carriage.
Bai Chuxiao quickly stepped forward, took his hand, and said with a smile, "Grandfather, you must be tired from your journey."
Murong Yuan nodded with a kind smile, then cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Yan"
Chu Tianze helped him up, smiling, "Grandfather, eldest brother, and third brother, you must be tired from your journey. We're all family, no need for such formalities."
Upon hearing this address, Murong Che and Murong Shuo exchanged strange glances. Was Prince Yan being a little too familiar?
Murong Yuan spoke slowly, "Your Highness, the rules of etiquette must not be disregarded. I know you love Xiaoxiao, but there's no need for you to follow her seniority."
Chu Tianze nodded with a smile, "General Murong is right."
Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "Grandfather, let's go back first. Second Uncle and the others are waiting at home."
Murong Yuan nodded, "Alright," and then got back into the carriage, while Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao rode horses in front of the carriage.
Murong Cheng and the others had been waiting outside the mansion gate for a long time. Bai Chuxiao helped Murong Yuan down from the carriage.
"Father"
Murong Yuan nodded. Despite the dust and grime of his journey, his face showed no signs of fatigue. He had indeed been away for many years, but now that he had returned, everything had changed...
"Your Highness, please go first!" Murong Yuan greeted Chu Tianze with a friendly smile, yet his expression also held a hint of respect.
Chu Tianze wore a rare, gentle smile. "General Murong, you're too kind."
The group entered the main hall, where Murong Yuan sat at the head of the table. Seeing how well Xiao Yatou and the Prince of Yan got along, he nodded with great satisfaction, finally at ease.
"Che'er!" Murong Yuan called out in a deep voice.
Murong Che nodded and left, returning shortly afterward carrying two boxes.
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "Grandfather, what is this?"
Murong Yuan smiled and said, "Grandfather has prepared a gift for you and His Highness Prince Yan. Why don't you open it and take a look, Your Highness?"
Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao curiously opened the boxes in front of them. Inside were two swords, one a man's style and the other a woman's style. Both swords looked quite old, but their condition and craftsmanship were superb.
Murong Cheng looked at the two swords with surprise and stared at Murong Yuan at the head of the table. These juniors might not know the origin of these two swords, but he did know... why they were in his father's hands.
Murong Che and Murong Shuo stared at the two swords with amazement in their eyes. They hadn't known what was inside the box before; their grandfather hadn't told them. They hadn't expected it to be such fine swords. Murong Xuan also curiously gathered around.
Chu Tianze examined the patterns on the sword in front of him, pondered for a moment, and slowly asked, "Is this Wentian?"
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