Sitting in the carriage on the way back to the manor, seeing Bai Chuwan's radiant face, Bai Chuxiao couldn't help but ask, "You came all the way to the East Palace, is it really necessary for you to be so happy?"
"Brother Tianyou said he only has eyes for me, of course I'm very happy."
Bai Chuxiao was speechless. "But he already has a principal wife."
She had initially thought her second younger sister would be somewhat arrogant, after all, she was nominally the legitimate daughter of the Left Prime Minister's family. Regardless of what Xie Shi and Bai Linan had done back then, the child was innocent, and she hadn't originally intended to do anything to Bai Chuwan, so she kindly reminded her.
"So what? Brother Tianyou said he would treat me with the respect due to a Crown Princess."
"No matter how nicely she's described, isn't she still just a concubine?"
"What do you know? His Highness the Crown Prince will be... How can that be the same?"
Bai Chuxiao silently scoffed to herself, "Isn't it all the same?" But then she remembered that her second younger sister and the Crown Prince had already... well, you know... seen her enjoying herself, she had no interest in rescuing any wayward girls, so she closed her eyes and said no more.
In the past few days, the capital city has appeared outwardly calm. The assassination of the crown prince is a major event, yet no one dares to speak out.
Prefect Zhang Yu of the Capital Prefecture, however, was constantly frowning with worry. This huge hot potato had landed in his hands, and he couldn't eat or sleep properly. He couldn't understand why the person wouldn't have stayed peacefully in the Prince of Yan's residence; leaving him to the Ministry of Justice would have been fine too.
How could his small-time Jingzhao government office possibly accommodate such a powerful figure? The higher-ups were fighting, and in the end, they dumped the trouble on him. These past few days, assassins had almost broken into his office. And Ziyan was up to no good, refusing to say anything. This was a difficult situation. He couldn't help but curse Chu Tianling inwardly again. If it weren't for Chu Tianling's suggestion, this task would never have fallen to him...
"Father, why do you still look so worried? Has nothing progressed?" a cute little girl asked as she entered carrying a food box.
"Yue'er, you've come... Sigh, this is not a good matter," Zhang Yu said with a wry smile, looking at his daughter.
Seeing her father's anxious expression, Zhang Yue suggested, "Father, perhaps His Highness the Prince of Yan can help with this matter."
Zhang Yu sighed softly, "These past few days, the safety of the Jingzhao government has relied entirely on His Highness Prince Yan. As for other matters, I'm afraid His Highness will not easily intervene."
Zhang Yue pondered for a moment, then said, "I heard that Miss Bai is about to come of age, and the Prime Minister's residence is holding a grand banquet. Why don't I visit Miss Bai then? Perhaps she would be willing to put in a good word for him with His Highness the Prince of Yan."
Zhang Yu thought this was feasible. The Prince of Yan was certainly aware of the murderer's involvement, and if he were willing to reveal it, things would be much easier. "Yue'er is right," he said. "Then you should go and visit her. Of course, it would be best if Miss Bai was willing to help, but it's alright if she isn't. Just make sure you get along well with her and don't break the rules."
Zhang Yue smiled brightly, "Don't worry, Father, Yue'er knows what she's doing."
Sitting in the Liuli Courtyard, Bai Chuxiao pondered for a while, and still felt she should go to the Grand Princess's residence. The Grand Princess treated her well, and regardless of whether the Grand Princess wanted to come or not, she should personally invite her and convey her feelings. So, after dressing up, she went out with Qing Shuang and Qing Zhu.
As soon as she entered the princess's residence, the head maid who had escorted her back earlier greeted her with a smile, "Miss Bai, you've finally arrived! The eldest princess often talks about you. This old servant will take you there right away."
Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "Thank you for your trouble, Granny Feng."
Upon entering the flower hall, she found it filled with people, all of whom were familiar faces except for one. Seeing her enter, the eldest princess beamed and said, "Xiaoxiao's here! Come and sit down, it's kind of you to remember me."
Bai Chuxiao curtsied and said, "Greetings, Your Highness. Is it unfortunate of me to have come today?"
“How could that be? From now on, we’re all family,” she said, glancing at the person sitting next to her. “This is Princess Zhaoyang; I suppose you haven’t met her yet.”
Princess Zhaoyang has returned to the capital so soon? Bai Chuxiao quickly bowed again, "Greetings, Princess Zhaoyang."
Princess Zhaoyang, though over forty, was still remarkably well-preserved, exuding elegance and grace. She sized up Bai Chuxiao for a moment, and seeing her poised demeanor, said calmly, "No need for formalities. From now on, you'll have to call me Aunt Zhaoyang. Ze'er is truly blessed."
Princess Changyun, standing nearby, snorted coldly. The incident at the Eastern Palace had humiliated her greatly, and she only belatedly realized that it was Bai Chuxiao who had instigated her. These people were all bad news; her mother and father had given her a severe scolding when they returned.
Princess Zhaoyang also had a princess's residence in the capital, though it was rarely inhabited. However, it had been renovated beforehand and was still reasonably decent. So, she moved out of the palace and back to her princess's residence. However, her mother and father kept a close watch on her, forbidding her from running around. Now, she didn't understand why her mother was being so polite to Bai Chuxiao.
However, no one paid her any attention. The eldest princess looked at Bai Chuxiao and said with a faint smile, "I heard you're about to come of age."
"Xiaoxiao came for this very reason. If the eldest princess is free that day, she would be happy to come and have a visit."
"Your coming-of-age ceremony is a significant event, and I will naturally attend. I will personally style your hair with my hairpin."
Bai Chuxiao smiled gently upon hearing this, "Thank you, Princess."
Princess Lingxiang, standing to the side, chuckled upon hearing this, "I'd also like to join in the fun. Would Miss Bai welcome me?" The envoy from Southern Xinjiang had already returned, and she had been residing at the Grand Princess's residence awaiting marriage. Southern Xinjiang didn't have a coming-of-age ceremony, so she naturally wanted to see it for herself.
Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "Of course you're welcome." She could come, but just don't cause any trouble, or she wouldn't be so polite.
Princess Zhaoyang sipped her tea gracefully, saying nothing. It was merely a coming-of-age ceremony for a court lady; she looked down on it and wouldn't join in the fun. Princess Changyun, however, wore a somewhat enigmatic expression, lost in thought.
Upon leaving the princess's residence, Bai Chuxiao was surprised to find Chu Tianze waiting for her in front of the carriage. "Why are you here?" Chu Tianze had been so busy these past few days that he was nowhere to be seen.
"I want to take you shopping," Chu Tianze said with a light laugh.
Bai Chuxiao followed him into the carriage, and then asked, "Since you're here, why don't you go inside?"
Chu Tianze shook his head. "I know the Princess and the others are here too, but I don't have the patience to go in and talk to them."
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a grudge against the Eldest Princess?"
"Not really, but we're not close. Zhang Jinlun is no simple man. The Princess and the others' return this time may not be solely about Changyun's marriage. You should be careful."
Bai Chuxiao nodded, then asked, "So where are we going?"
Chu Tianze chuckled, "It's your coming-of-age ceremony, I figured I should definitely give you a gift."
"What are you going to give me? Not clothes and jewelry again, are you? I'm not interested in those things," Bai Chuxiao asked lazily, resting her chin on her hand. For some reason, she always felt very relaxed when she was with Chu Tianze.
"You own the most famous brothel in the capital, Qiuyuefang. How could I dare to send these things here to make a fool of myself?" Chu Tianze said irritably.
Hearing this, Bai Chuxiao became expectant, but Chu Tianze smiled mysteriously and said nothing more.
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