As one of the four great families, the Yu family naturally held considerable prestige. However, His Majesty had always disliked aristocratic families. Apart from the Fan family, the head of the aristocratic families, the scions of the other three families had gradually withdrawn from the court. Yu Fengyang had rendered many merits under the Prince of Yan, but His Majesty remained stingy and refused to grant him even a single official position.
Bai Chuxiao was ushered into a garden where many noble ladies had already gathered. She hadn't expected this; wasn't it the old master's birthday? Why invite so many women, especially a group of young ladies from humble backgrounds?
Wearing a sky-blue dress, Kong Xi walked forward with a smile and called out, "Xiao Xiao."
"Sister Xihan, it's been a long time," Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly.
"Yes, you're a princess now, congratulations, Xiaoxiao," Kong Xihan chuckled.
Bai Chuxiao shook her head helplessly, "You're making fun of me too?"
Looking at the profusion of flowers before her, she couldn't help but ask, "Why has the Yu family invited so many people today?"
"Isn't the heir of the Yu family a friend of your Prince Yan? Don't you even know that?" Kong Xihan said irritably.
"Could it be that this is a blind date for Yu Fengyang?"
You're right.
"Then why did you invite me... And Sister Xihan, why are you here too?" Bai Chuxiao blinked and smiled.
Kong Xihan blushed slightly, "It's nominally Grandpa's birthday, so we have to be polite. Inviting you is just to save face, of course."
"How come I didn't know I had such a big reputation?" Bai Chuxiao said nonchalantly.
The two were walking casually when a whisper came from behind a large tree on one side.
"Who would want to marry Yu Fengyang? What a joke! How long can he keep his position as heir apparent?"
"Sister is right. If anything were to happen to the old man... the heir would have to be replaced immediately."
Kong Xihan said softly, "They seem to be the daughters of the Zhu and Qian families..."
Bai Chuxiao sighed slightly. It seemed Yu Fengyang's situation wasn't good. Yu Fengyang's mother had passed away long ago, and the current head of the family had only recently taken over. He had two daughters and a son, and was very much favored by the current head of the Yu family. He had always wanted to pass the position of heir to the second young master, Yu Feiming. However, the old master of the Yu family doted on Yu Fengyang. If it weren't for the old master's strong support, the position of heir would never have fallen into Yu Fengyang's hands.
Yu Fengyang and Murong Xuan suddenly appeared around the corner, and Bai Chuxiao was somewhat surprised and quickly called out.
Second Brother
Murong Xuan chuckled, "Sister Xiao, Miss Kong"
Kong Xi smiled shyly. She had heard of Murong Xuan's exploits in the North. The person she had set her sights on was undoubtedly good. Although he didn't hold an official position yet, she believed he would one day shine brightly. She didn't care if he remained a commoner. However, the person before her didn't seem to have any feelings for her.
After their trip to the north, Yu Fengyang and Murong Xuan's relationship improved. Both were easygoing and intelligent, and got along well. They naturally met up frequently after returning, so their meeting today wasn't surprising.
"Does Young Master Yu have someone he fancy?" Bai Chuxiao asked, raising an eyebrow. After all, she was Chu Tianze's good friend, and she felt obligated to inquire.
Yu Fengyang smiled helplessly, "I'm sure the princess has heard about my situation. I doubt anyone would want to marry me now."
"When did the Crown Prince become so hesitant and cautious?"
"Not everyone in this capital city is as beautiful as the princess."
Bai Chuxiao shrugged, not taking those words to heart. Yu Fengyang's problem was a lack of family affection. Aside from his grandfather's love, he lived like a ghost in the Yu family. His stepmother was another story—how many stepmothers in the world are truly sincere? Add to that his own father's lack of love, and the others wouldn't even bother with formalities. Yu Fengyang's childhood experiences were predictable, which is probably why he preferred to spend years with Chu Tianze on the frontier rather than return.
In truth, her situation was quite similar to Yu Fengyang's. It was just fortunate that she went to the Murong family at a young age and had the love and care of her elder brothers; otherwise, who knows what she might have become if she had grown up in the Bai family.
"Big brother is here too," the girl in pale yellow said calmly as she stepped forward.
Yu Fengyang glanced at her indifferently and did not respond.
The young woman was not annoyed. She respectfully bowed to Bai Chuxiao and said, "It is a great honor for the Yu family that Princess Changning is willing to come. I apologize for not being able to greet her."
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Miss Yu, you're too kind."
Yu Aiwei didn't mind her somewhat distant attitude and continued with a smile, "Mother is talking with some ladies, and she was just mentioning the Princess. Would the Princess do me the honor of joining us for a chat?"
Yu Fengyang suddenly spoke up, saying in a deep voice, "Princess, your second brother and I will go visit Grandpa first."
Bai Chuxiao nodded. Ever since this girl arrived, Yu Fengyang's expression hadn't been good; he probably didn't want to talk to this young lady much.
Seeing this, Yu Aiwei looked at Kong Xihan and said with a smile, "Miss Kong, why don't you come over together?"
The two did not refuse; she also wanted to see who this Madam Yu was, since the head of the Yu family didn't even want to acknowledge his own eldest son.
In a flower-lined hall, upon seeing them enter, the ladies hurriedly bowed, "Greetings, Princess Changning!"
"You are all elders, there's no need for such formalities."
After she sat down, a maid immediately brought her tea. Bai Chuxiao picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then began to observe the lady at the head of the table.
"The princess truly possesses extraordinary bearing."
"Of course! Even His Majesty himself praised her, saying she's just as capable as any man."
"Madam Zhu, Madam Qian, you're too kind. I'm here today to celebrate the old master's birthday, so there's no need for such formalities," Bai Chuxiao said calmly, looking at the two elegant ladies opposite her.
No one from the Fan family was seen today, so no one should have come. I suppose the Fan family wouldn't be as bored as the other three families.
Madam Yu sighed, clutching a handkerchief, "The old master didn't intend to hold a big celebration this year, as he was wholeheartedly considering the eldest son's marriage... but who knew the eldest son would still be so ungrateful?"
Without the lady responding, everyone watched with expressions of anticipation, as if watching a good show.
Madam Yu pulled over a pretty young girl standing beside her and looked at Bai Chuxiao, then slowly spoke again, "The eldest young master is eccentric and usually looks down on the noble ladies of the capital. How can we, as his parents, not worry? This is my niece from my maternal family. She is beautiful, virtuous, and kind. How is she not a good match for the eldest young master? Yet, whenever the eldest young master sees Jing'er, he ridicules her. Sigh... Princess, what do you mean by this?"
Bai Chuxiao's lips curled into a smile. "In my opinion, Madam Yu, your taste is not very good. If you hadn't told me, I would have thought Jing'er was some random maid. No wonder the young master Yu doesn't like her." She deliberately emphasized the word "young master Yu."
She really didn't understand. Everyone in the city knew that Yu Fengyang and the Prince of Yan had a good relationship, so why would Madam Yu think that she was willing to speak on her side, or was she deliberately belittling Fengyang in front of her?
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