At this moment, Chu Tianze pushed open the door and entered. "Xiaoxiao," he said, somewhat surprised to see the person sitting inside, but he remained composed and stepped forward to bow. "Master."
Bai Chuxiao smiled gently, "Why did you come here?"
Chu Tianze chuckled, "I was thinking of asking you to go out for a stroll, but I heard you were here."
Emperor Wenxuan, standing nearby, snorted coldly, "You're quite the doting husband, aren't you? I've never seen you talk to me like that before."
Seeing his pathetic, woman-obsessed demeanor, Emperor Wenxuan said impatiently, "Sitting down and chatting is enough. Are you already planning to leave?"
Chu Tianze smiled faintly, "Not at all, sir, you're joking." However, he was indeed thinking of leaving. What was there to talk about with the old man? He'd rather accompany Xiaoxiao for a stroll. Besides, Xiaoxiao would definitely feel uncomfortable with him around.
The middle-aged man who had just taken the sword quickly made way for him, saying, "Please, Your Highness."
Chu Tianze said calmly, "Thank you for your trouble, General Cheng."
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. This person must be Cheng Song, the commander of the Imperial Guards. He truly enjoys His Majesty's deep trust; otherwise, His Majesty wouldn't have taken him out of the palace alone.
After Chu Tianze took his seat in Cheng Song's place, Emperor Wenxuan raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you think of what has happened these past few days?"
"Why does my lord worry about these things every day? They're just some amusing anecdotes; haven't they happened enough already?" Chu Tianze said nonchalantly. "Haven't the royal family had enough scandals lately? If you take it all to heart, you'll just drive yourself crazy."
Emperor Wenxuan glared at him again, somewhat annoyed. Even so, there was no need to be so blunt. However, what he liked most about this son was precisely his straightforwardness and lack of guile, which was why he felt so at ease with him.
However, if Bai Chuxiao knew what he was thinking, she would probably roll her eyes: "Excuse me, Your Majesty, you've misjudged him. Our Prince Yan, Chu Tianze, is clearly a cunning and ruthless wolf in sheep's clothing!"
Emperor Wenxuan was no longer interested in talking to his boring son. He turned to Bai Chuxiao, a slight smile playing on his lips. "You've certainly made quite a splash, haven't you? I don't believe it's all just baseless gossip."
Bai Chuxiao thought about it and it seemed to be true. Ever since she returned to the capital, the rumors about her had never stopped. Sigh, it's true that fame brings trouble. If this were in her previous life, wouldn't she be considered incredibly famous?
So he said helplessly, "Rumors are a matter of opinion; I have nothing to fear if I'm innocent."
Emperor Wenxuan couldn't help but sneer, "You little brat, you have a way with words." Given her personality and the fact that she'd been raised in the Murong family since childhood, he didn't believe she'd be respectful to that old fox Bai Linan. Putting everything else aside, she wasn't unjustly accused of disrespecting her elders.
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Master has discerning eyes; he will surely be able to see what kind of person I am."
"You speak as bluntly as this boy, but you are still a young lady, and it will always be bad for your reputation if word gets out."
Bai Chuxiao smiled gently, "To be frank, I have no intention of saving all living beings or becoming an empress. What use is so much fame to me?"
Cheng Song, listening from the side, broke out in a cold sweat. This Miss Bai really dared to speak her mind! The Emperor in front of her wasn't exactly known for his good temper. Wasn't she afraid that she'd lose her head in a fit of rage?
Emperor Wenxuan said in a deep voice, "You have a lot of nerve."
Bai Chuxiao's expression remained unchanged as she calmly said, "Master, haven't you heard enough hypocritical flattery every day? Acting is easy, but being honest is difficult. If I were to continue flattering and fawning, I'm afraid you'd get annoyed too."
Emperor Wenxuan laughed heartily upon hearing this, a hint of appreciation appearing in his eyes. This girl was indeed quite good, very intelligent and sensible. If he were to betroth her to the Crown Prince… he probably wouldn't have to worry so much. However, the Crown Prince's temperament… well, it's fine as it is now. He can rest assured about both of them now.
So he stood up and said with a smile, "Alright, you guys go have fun, I should go back too."
Chu Tianze also quickly stood up, "I'll see you out, sir."
Emperor Wenxuan said calmly, "No need. You can stay with this girl. I can tell your heart has already flown elsewhere."
Seeing this, Bai Chuxiao also bowed and said with a faint smile, "Take care, sir."
After they left, Qingzhu asked somewhat timidly, "Miss, that was His Majesty..."
Bai Chuxiao nodded with a smile, "You must keep this a secret today, and don't tell anyone."
Qingzhu nodded firmly. She didn't have the guts; one wrong move and she'd be dead.
Bai Chuxiao then looked at Chu Tianze and smiled, "You really came here to go shopping with me?"
Chu Tianze chuckled, "Of course, but I didn't expect Father... to be here..."
Walking side-by-side with Chu Tianze down the street, they attracted quite a few glances. Seeing the usually stern and unsmiling Prince Yan so gentle beside Miss Bai, people couldn't help but doubt the truth of the rumors. If Miss Bai were truly as arrogant, disrespectful, and unfilial as the rumors suggested, would Prince Yan still like her so much? Obviously not.
"What do you think those people watching us are thinking?" Bai Chuxiao said with a faint smile.
Chu Tianze raised an eyebrow, "They're probably envious of us, this perfect couple."
Bai Chuxiao pinched his waist; this guy really doesn't blush at all when talking about these things now.
"Xiaoxiao, it hurts," Chu Tianze said, pulling her hand away with a hint of helplessness.
"Seventh Prince, it's you guys," the Crown Prince said with a smile as he led Liu Shuyao forward.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Highness the Crown Princess," Bai Chuxiao nodded slightly, sizing up the two people before her. Liu Shuyao was expressionless, showing no joy or happiness, suggesting she wasn't in a good mood. The Crown Prince, on the other hand, appeared as a refined and elegant young nobleman, seemingly unaffected by the rumors.
"What a coincidence! I never expected to run into Seventh Brother and Miss Bai. How about we take a stroll together?"
Bai Chuxiao watched him chatting and laughing, and couldn't help but sigh, "The Crown Prince truly lives up to his name. Look at his composure, look at his... thick skin! It's truly beyond the reach of ordinary people!"
Chu Tianze ignored him, and she didn't want to either, so she looked at Liu Shuyao and smiled, "How is the Crown Princess?"
Liu Shuyao managed a weak smile. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, Sister Bai."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tianyou seemed to remember something, and asked with a slight smile, "By the way, Miss Bai, how is Wan'er?"
Hearing this, Bai Chuxiao wanted to slap him. Asking about other women in front of his wife—how awful! It was a shame Liu Shuyao had to pretend to be affectionate with him. She was truly ungrateful. Thinking of Chu Tianling, that scumbag, and the old story of the man she'd just met, she couldn't help but wonder if the Chu family's scumbag nature was hereditary. How could they all be like that? She stared at Chu Tianze with suspicion, wondering if he was one too…
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com