"Thank you, Your Majesty," they said, rising to sit down. Empress Li then instructed Bishui to serve tea.
"I should have summoned you sooner, but I have been busy with many matters and have not had the time. Miss Bai, have you settled in since returning to the capital?"
Bai Chuxiao then looked up at the Empress. The Empress Li before her wasn't particularly beautiful, but her bright yellow phoenix robe gave her an air of dignity, grace, and nobility.
"Your Majesty, I am well. Thank you for your concern," Bai Chuxiao said with a faint smile.
"These past two days, Yonghe has often mentioned you to me, saying that you are talented in literature and have a refined and elegant appearance. Seeing you today, I can confirm it is indeed true," Empress Li said with a warm smile.
Bai Chuxiao replied calmly, "Your Majesty and the Second Princess are too kind. It was only after seeing Your Majesty today that I truly understand what the peony's national beauty means."
"You really have a silver tongue," Empress Li said with a genuine smile, after all, who doesn't like to be praised?
She then smiled and said, "Today, Consort Jing also told me she wanted to see you. She is the seventh prince's birth mother, so you should pay her a visit. I won't keep you any longer. Wan'er, you can stay here and chat with me. Later, I'll have Bishui escort you both out of the palace."
Bai Chuxiao stood up, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty," and then followed a maid.
Consorts of the rank of Noble Lady were not allowed to reside in a palace alone, but since Consort Jing had a prince, it wouldn't be appropriate for her to live in a side hall alongside other concubines. Therefore, she was granted the residence of Fusang Pavilion, which she finally arrived at after walking for a while.
Bai Chuxiao walked in, and to her surprise, Chu Tianze was sitting there as well. Chu Tianze smiled at her, but she merely glanced at him without saying a word, then bowed to the person in the superior's seat, saying, "This humble woman greets Noble Lady Jing."
Consort Jing came down and personally helped her up, smiling warmly, "Chu Xiao, there's no need for such formalities. From now on, we're family."
Bai Chuxiao rose and looked at the woman before her, surprised. Consort Jing was exceptionally beautiful, far more so than Empress Li, whom she had just met. She was also very well-maintained, showing no signs of fatigue. Dressed in a moon-white palace gown, she appeared almost like an ethereal fairy. No wonder she had risen to the rank of Consort from a mere palace maid and even given birth to a prince; she must have been greatly favored by His Majesty in her younger days.
"I heard you've been living at your maternal grandparents' home in Dingzhou. How is your maternal grandfather, General Murong?" Consort Jing pulled her hand and sat her down beside her. Chu Tianze, sitting next to her, was a little puzzled. Why would his mother want to ask about General Murong? She had never cared about outside affairs before.
Bai Chuxiao was a little confused. "My maternal grandfather is in good health and everything is fine. Does Consort Jing know my maternal grandfather?"
Consort Jing laughed and said, "How would I know him? I've only heard of General Murong's reputation in my younger days."
Bai Chuxiao knew some things about the Murong family's past, but not much. Her maternal grandfather was indeed a fierce general during the turbulent times, but as for why he was stripped of his title and left to guard only a small place called Dingzhou, he refused to reveal the truth.
Hearing Consort Jing say this, she had no doubt and smiled, saying, "However, my maternal grandfather has been retired for decades now, and he usually just teaches my eldest uncle and two older brothers."
"With the guidance of General Murong, the children of the Murong family must all be quite outstanding. Chu Xiao has lived in Dingzhou for a long time, so she must still be adjusting to life in the capital."
Then, turning to Chu Tianze, she said, "Ze'er, you should take Chu Xiao out more often to explore and get to know the place. Don't keep her cooped up in the mansion all day." She then gently patted Chu Xiao's hand and asked, "What does Chu Xiao think of Ze'er? Would she like to spend more time with Ze'er?"
Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "His Highness Prince Yan is very kind, and I am naturally willing to accept."
Consort Jing smiled again, "It's good that Chu Xiao is willing. I was worried that if I rashly asked His Majesty to grant us a marriage, causing you to travel all the way back to the capital, you would be dissatisfied with Ze'er. But now it seems I can rest assured."
He then instructed Chu Tianze, "You must be careful with Chu Xiao from now on, and never let her suffer any injustice, understand?"
Chu Tianze laughed and said, "Don't worry, Mother, your son wouldn't dare to neglect Xiaoxiao."
Just then, a very well-dressed maid entered, looking rather arrogant, and said, "Greetings, Consort Jing. My mistress also wishes to see Miss Bai. Please come with me, Miss Bai."
Consort Jing said calmly, "May I ask what business Your Highness has with Miss Bai?"
The maid showed no respect whatsoever, saying, "My mistress heard that Miss Bai was the champion of the Spring Banquet and was just curious. Miss Bai, please come with me, so as not to keep my mistress waiting."
Consort Jing smiled and said to Bai Chuxiao, "Then let Ze'er escort you there, and then let him see you out of the palace later."
Bai Chuxiao smiled and nodded, and Chu Tianze also got up, wanting to accompany her out.
The maid suddenly said, "This servant can take Miss Bai there; there's no need for His Highness Prince Yan to see her off."
Chu Tianze glanced at her coldly, "When did it become your place to tell me what to do? Is this the manners Consort Wei taught you?"
Seeing the murderous glare in Chu Tianze's eyes, the girl dared not say anything more, only hastily replying, "This servant wouldn't dare."
When they arrived at Weiyang Palace, Chu Tianze saw Bai Chuxiao with Lanxin and finally felt relieved. He said softly, "Xiaoxiao, I'll wait for you outside."
Bai Chuxiao looked at him, signaling him to relax, and then followed the girl inside.
Before she could even greet her upon entering, Consort Wei rushed forward, her face beaming with smiles, and said, "This must be Chu Xiao. As expected of the champion of the Spring Banquet, I find her quite pleasing to the eye."
Bai Chuxiao bowed and said calmly, "Greetings, Your Highness, Consort Wei." Consort Wei was also extremely beautiful, with a flamboyant and glamorous beauty. No wonder Prince Qi was born with such good looks; even their personalities were very similar.
Consort Wei thought that being so enthusiastic right from the start might be a bit much, so she smiled and said, "Chu Xiao, there's no need for such formalities, please sit down," and then she walked over and sat down in the seat of honor.
"Speaking of which, my brother has some connection with your maternal grandfather, General Murong. You were raised in the Murong family since you were little, so your personalities must get along well with Tianling. You should visit each other more often in the future."
Why is everyone mentioning my maternal grandfather today? Bai Chuxiao was even more puzzled. Her maternal grandfather had been retired for many years, yet people in the capital still remembered him.
"I have never heard my maternal grandfather mention the Duke of Zhenguo. I never imagined that our families had such a connection. However, now that His Majesty has already bestowed a marriage upon me and His Highness the Prince of Yan, it is indeed inappropriate for me to have any further dealings with His Highness the Prince of Qi," Bai Chuxiao said calmly.
Consort Wei chuckled, "It's alright, we're not married yet. Anyway, we'll be family soon. Tianling has been talking about you a lot lately; I've never seen him praise a woman like that before."
"This humble woman is unworthy of Your Highness's praise, but I have heard that Your Highness admires my second sister, and I suppose that's why you remembered me as well," Bai Chuxiao said with a hint of amusement.
"These are just rumors that shouldn't be taken seriously. Miss Bai is still young. Tianling visited your residence a few times with his elder brother, the Crown Prince, and he only thought Wan'er was cute and treated her like a younger sister," Consort Wei explained kindly.
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