Bai Chuxiao and Bai Chuyun sat in the courtyard. Qingzhu cracked the whip rapidly, and Bai Chuyun clapped and cheered as she watched. Bai Chuxiao hadn't gone out for the past two days, and Bai Chuyun often came over wanting to learn a few moves from Qingzhu. Naturally, Bai Chuxiao wouldn't refuse her wish.
But Bai Chuxiao discovered that her third younger sister really had no talent for martial arts, so she had to ask tactfully, "Third sister, why don't you give up on practicing martial arts? Your family is the richest in the capital. Are you interested in business?" Over the past two days, Bai Chuxiao felt that her younger sister was quick-witted and should be good at accounting.
Bai Chuyun rested her chin on her hand, "Mother would definitely not agree to me going into business. Among the social classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants have the lowest social status, and I am a woman..."
Lanxiang came over and reported, "Miss, the old lady wants to see you; she says it's important."
Bai Chuxiao looked at Bai Chuyun with a puzzled expression, "Let's go take a look together."
When they entered, Madam Xie and Bai Chuwan were already seated to the side. After Bai Chuxiao and Bai Chuyun greeted the old lady, they sat down as well.
"Xiaoxiao, the eldest princess has sent an invitation to the spring banquet in two days. She even gave you an extra invitation since you just returned to the capital, thinking you could bring someone you know along," the old lady said kindly to Bai Chuxiao.
Madam Xie sneered from the side, "Mother, I think Chu Xiao's health isn't very good, and she hasn't had anyone to teach her all these years. Even if she goes, I'm afraid she'll only bring shame to the Prime Minister's Mansion." Last year, Bai Chu Wan shone brightly at the Spring Banquet, which is why she and the eldest daughter of the Liu family were known as the two beauties of the capital. And this year, Bai Chu Wan received her invitation well in advance.
Bai Chuxiao said to Madam Xie with a leisurely stroll, "There's no need for Second Madam to trouble herself with this matter." Then she said to Madam Wei, "The doctor that Grandmother invited is excellent. I'm feeling much better these past two days, and I'll definitely be attending the Spring Banquet. Since we have two invitations, Third Sister, why don't you come with me?"
The old lady smiled at Bai Chuxiao and said, "It would be excellent to bring Yun'er along."
Then, she snapped at Madam Xie, "You're becoming less and less like a mistress of the house. There are only two days left. You need to hurry up and get things ready for Xiaoxiao and Yun'er's Spring Banquet. This time, all three young ladies of our Prime Minister's residence will be attending. Don't show favoritism, or people will laugh at our Left Prime Minister's residence."
Madam Xie reluctantly agreed and fell silent. Bai Chuwan, however, stood up and said, "Grandmother, don't worry, Wan'er will definitely take care of Eldest Sister and Third Sister, and will not disgrace the Prime Minister's Mansion."
The old lady's face finally broke into a smile again. "Yes, Wan'er, you're a sensible girl. You won first place last year, so you can't fall behind this year."
Then, looking at Bai Chuxiao and Bai Chuyun, she instructed them, "Wan'er is right. Xiaoxiao, you've never been to the capital before, and you've never been to Sanya's place either. Remember to follow Wan'er; they're all sisters. If you don't understand something, just ask her."
Bai Chuxiao replied calmly, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Second Sister."
Bai Chuwan followed Bai Chuxiao and Bai Chuyun out of Furong Courtyard. After walking for a while, she put on a friendly smile and asked, "Big sister, do you know any of the arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting?"
Bai Chuxiao smiled at her, "These older sisters aren't proficient in any of these things, they can't compare to the second sister," and then waited for her to continue.
"Eldest sister, you may not know this, but this Spring Banquet was initiated by the eldest princess and is held every April. All the noble ladies, scions of prominent families, and even unmarried princes and princesses from the capital come to attend. Everyone basically has to perform a talent, and there are also famous teachers who will give their opinions and select the winner."
Bai Chuxiao asked playfully, "Oh? So what are you planning to perform, Second Sister? Judging from your expression, are you aiming to win the championship this year?"
Bai Chuwan immediately said arrogantly, "Eldest sister and third sister should focus on their preparations. As for what Wan'er will perform, eldest sister will find out then." After saying that, she left.
After Bai Chuyun followed Bai Chuxiao back to the Liuli Courtyard and sat down, she asked, "Big sister, you really don't know anything, do you? That won't do, you'll make a fool of yourself."
Bai Chuyun tilted her head back and continued, "As for me, my painting is alright, but everything else is so-so. How about I teach you a few tricks now, so you can brush up on your skills at the last minute?"
Bai Chuxiao chuckled and playfully pinched her nose. "I didn't realize our Yun'er was such a talented young lady. As for me, don't worry, I can handle things without any problems."
Bai Chuyun said irritably, "What kind of talented woman am I? Last year, Bai Chuwan won first place in both the zither and dance. Don't let her outdo you; I don't want to see her arrogant attitude."
Bai Chuxiao wasn't too worried. In her previous life, she really liked a piece of music and played the pipa for a while. After coming to this world, she picked it up again and learned a few more pieces. As for the others, she really didn't know them very well. But if all else failed, she could still write poems, right? It wouldn't be too much to memorize a couple and use them, would it?
In the Fangcao Courtyard of the Left Prime Minister's residence, Bai Chudie angrily shouted at Madam Lan, "Why? Bai Chuyun is just a concubine's daughter like me. Why should she go to the Spring Banquet? It's all your fault for being incompetent. As a result, I'm not valued either. Nobody in this mansion respects me."
Aunt Lan hesitated to step forward, and could only softly comfort her, "Fourth Miss, Bai Chuyun is just trying to curry favor with Bai Chuxiao. She won't be able to maintain her power for long."
Bai Chudie was even more furious. "She's only been clinging to Bai Chuxiao for a couple of days, and she's already gotten such a huge benefit. You've been fawning over Madam all these years, and I've been bowing and scraping to Bai Chuwan at every turn. And what have we gotten in return?" The more she spoke, the angrier she became, and she swept everything off the table.
After venting her anger, she softened her voice again, "Mother, please beg Madam, please beg Second Sister to take me with you this time, okay?"
This Lan was originally Cailan, Xie Xianglan's personal maid. When Xie was pregnant, seeing that Lan was quite beautiful, she pushed her forward to be Bai Linan's concubine, thinking that she could also share some of Zhao's favor. It was only then that Lan had the opportunity to have Bai Chudie. As a maid with no family background, she had no choice but to serve Xie carefully every day in order to make things better for herself and her daughter.
Lan hesitated for a moment, "This..." Xie was a narrow-minded person; how could she be so magnanimous as to let her daughter go?
"What are you hesitating for? The Spring Banquet is a great opportunity to shine. If we don't seize this chance, how will our daughter ever get ahead?" Bai Chudie looked at her mother and felt utterly pathetic.
She felt she was quite beautiful. Although she was a concubine's daughter, she was still a concubine's daughter of the Left Prime Minister's household. As long as she had the opportunity to show her face, she might be able to find a good family. If she couldn't be the principal wife, being a prince's concubine wouldn't be bad either, would it?
Lan finally brought Bai Chudie to Ruyi Courtyard. Xie Shi and Bai Chuwan were both there. After Lan Shi explained her purpose, Xie Shi surprisingly did not object.
Madam Xie held Madam Lan's hand and said, "I have seen your loyalty all these years. Wan'er was the champion last year, so taking on another girl like Die'er is no problem at all."
Bai Chuwan smiled and waved to Bai Chudie, gesturing for her to come closer. She then whispered a few words into Bai Chudie's ear... it's unclear what she said.
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