"So that's how it is. It seems the rumors circulating weren't true after all," Bai Chuxiao said calmly.
Consort Wei finished her teacup. "Tianling should be coming to pay his respects soon. How about we have him escort Miss Bai back to her residence?"
Bai Chuxiao's expression remained completely calm. "His Highness Prince Yan is waiting for me outside. Besides, Her Majesty the Empress just sent Miss Bishui to escort my second sister and me out of the palace, so we won't trouble Her Highness the Consort and His Highness Prince Qi any further."
Consort Wei was somewhat displeased. No matter what she said today, Bai Chuxiao always found a reason to stall. Having been humiliated, she was unwilling to continue. She then said indifferently, "Since that's the case, I won't keep you any longer. I'll summon you to the palace again when I have time."
Seeing Bai Chuxiao come out, Chu Tianze breathed a sigh of relief. After they walked for a while, Chu Tianze asked, "Are you alright?"
Bai Chuxiao chuckled, "She won't do anything to me since I just entered the palace today. Her words were just a way of telling me to get closer to Prince Qi."
After saying that, he watched from afar as Bishui from the Empress's palace led Bai Chuwan over.
Bai Chuwan smiled and said, "Elder sister, what a coincidence! I was just saying I'd wait for you outside the palace gates, but I didn't expect to run into you here." She then bowed to Chu Tianze and said, "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Yan. Are you escorting my sister back?"
Chu Tianze ignored her, while Bai Chuxiao smiled at him, "My second sister and I will go back; you don't need to see me off."
Chu Tianze thought for a moment and realized he did have some questions he wanted to ask his mother again, so he nodded in agreement.
After the two of them boarded the carriage together, Bai Chuwan smiled faintly and said, "I heard that Consort Wei summoned you for a talk, elder sister? I wonder what she said that you might want to tell me, younger sister?"
In the past, Prince Qi often frequented her side, and Consort Wei had also summoned her. Recently, however, Prince Qi had neither approached her nor spoken to her. Although it was highly likely that he and the Crown Prince were engaged, a faint sense of loss still welled up within her.
Bai Chuxiao said indifferently, "It's nothing, they probably just didn't see me being curious. But you and the Crown Prince, little sister..."
Bai Chuwan blushed slightly, "It all depends on Father's decision."
Bai Chuwan recalled the Empress's words, telling her to get along well with her elder sister, as they would be family soon. The Crown Prince had also spoken to her about it. She had considered it; if she became the Crown Princess, her elder sister wouldn't pose any threat, and there was no need for them to be at each other's throats.
Chu Tianze returned to Consort Jing's quarters. Consort Jing looked at him in surprise and asked, "Why are you back so soon? Didn't you escort Miss Bai back to her residence?"
Chu Tianze smiled and said, "Xiaoxiao went back with her second sister. I also have something I want to ask Mother Consort."
Consort Jing tended to the flowers and plants, saying, "Ask whatever you want."
"Your Majesty, I do not understand. Mother Consort usually does not concern herself with outside affairs. Why would she suddenly ask for my hand in marriage to Miss Bai? Moreover, given my status, Father Emperor would not agree to it," Chu Tianze asked, frowning.
Consort Jing didn't look at him, remaining focused on her work, and said calmly, "You're not young anymore, you should have married long ago. If your mother doesn't worry about you, who will? That's why I took advantage of your victory to ask your father. Your father has seen your many merits over the years, and when it comes to your marriage, he has no reason to disagree."
Chu Tianze still had questions. "In the capital, everyone only knows the second young lady of the Left Prime Minister's mansion. Who remembers the eldest young lady, Bai? But Mother's actions today clearly indicate that she intends to arrange a marriage for me with the eldest young lady, Bai. Why is that? Could it be that Mother really knows General Murong?"
"As your mother has already said, I don't know her. I had heard that Miss Bai was both beautiful and talented, and I wanted to find you a suitable husband, so I asked your father, the Emperor, to bestow upon you the eldest daughter of the Bai family. Who knew that there would be another Miss Bai by mistake? I only found out about it later. Fortunately, Miss Bai is also a good person, so all my efforts were not in vain."
Chu Tianze didn't believe this explanation. Previously, the Second Miss Bai and the Miss Liu were known as the two beauties of the capital. If his mother truly thought Bai Chuwan was outstanding and wanted to arrange a marriage for him, she would have explained it to his father, the Emperor. The imperial edict would then clearly state Bai Chuwan's name. However, the edict only stated that it was a marriage bestowed upon the eldest daughter of the Bai family. There must be something fishy about this.
"Mother, I'm not stupid. Why won't you tell me the truth?"
Consort Jing then looked at him and said, "You always overthink things. Your mother doesn't have so many hidden agendas. Now that I see you're quite satisfied with Chu Xiao, just treat her well in the future, and I'll be at ease."
"If Mother doesn't want to say, then so be it. I will naturally investigate," Chu Tianze said, seeing that his mother remained unmoved. He knew he wouldn't get an answer from her.
In the imperial study, the emperor sat reading a memorial. The hall was empty. After a while, a man in black suddenly appeared and knelt before the emperor. "Your Majesty," he said, "I have investigated, and Consort Jing and Murong Yuan have no relation whatsoever."
Emperor Chu Wenxuan was now over sixty, but having fought his way through the battlefield, he still appeared vigorous and spirited. When Consort Jing suddenly came to him seeking a marriage decree, how could he not be suspicious? That's why he sent someone to investigate. Hearing the report from the person before him, and recalling Consort Jing's words from that day, he felt relieved. Ze'er was away fighting for many years without a suitable partner; as a mother, she must be anxious.
He then asked, "Is Murong Yuan still behaving himself?"
The man in black replied, "For the past twenty years, we've had people watching Murong Yuan's every move. The Murong family has simply stayed put in Dingzhou, and there's been nothing amiss. Moreover, the two young masters of the Murong family have gone to Jiangnan to study. It seems the Murong family is loyal and has no other intentions."
Emperor Wenxuan curled the corners of his lips. "It's impossible to have kept a secret for decades. It seems that Murong Yuan truly has no ulterior motives. Now that the west is also restless, it's time to put the Murong family to use."
Then, changing the subject, she asked, "What do you think of the Prince of Yan?"
The man in black said cautiously, "In recent years, His Highness the Prince of Yan has been focused on fighting wars and has not participated in other court struggles."
Emperor Wenxuan said calmly, "Very well, Ze'er is a capable general. In the future, no matter what, with him as a great general guarding the border, I can rest assured. This marriage is not bad."
After saying this, he gestured for the man in black to leave, then picked up the memorial again and began to read it.
Bai Chuwan returned to the Xie family's Ruyi Courtyard, and surprisingly, Bai Linan was there as well.
He spoke in a gentle tone, "Wan'er is back. What can the Empress say today?"
Bai Chuwan blushed slightly, "Father, Her Majesty the Empress instructed Wan'er to get along well with His Highness the Crown Prince."
Madam Xie's face lit up with joy. "My lord, why don't we arrange for Wan'er and the Crown Prince to get engaged soon? Wan'er is almost of marriageable age."
Bai Linan didn't actually want to get involved in the princes' power struggle too early. His Majesty was still healthy and suspicious, but the Right Chancellor had always been at odds with him, and the Liu family had the Prince of Xiang backing them. If he didn't fight now and the Prince of Xiang ascended the throne, where would Bai Linan's place be?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com