Before she knew it, the day for her return visit to her parents' home arrived. Bai Chuxiao sighed softly. The Prince of Yan's residence was free of any troublesome people, and she had been much more comfortable these past few days, increasingly reluctant to return to the Bai family. However, according to custom, she had no choice but to go back.
Inside the carriage, Chu Tianze said calmly, "If you don't want to go back, then don't. We can still turn around and head to the Murong family in time."
Bai Chuxiao chuckled lightly, "Alright, since we're already here, let's visit Grandfather after lunch."
Bai Linan, beaming with joy, led everyone from the manor to greet her at the gate. Having a princess consort in the family was certainly a source of pride.
Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao stepped off the carriage hand in hand.
Everyone from the Bai family bowed in unison, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness and Your Highness."
Chu Tianze nodded calmly, "Get up."
The group had barely returned to the front hall when the steward came to report that the Crown Prince and Consort Bai had arrived. Bai Chuxiao sighed, wondering if Chu Tianyou had taken the Bai residence for granted. Why was he coming here every other day?
Chu Tianyou remained calm and composed, showing no sign of unease, and chuckled, "Seventh Brother's wife is here too, what a coincidence."
Bai Chuxiao rolled her eyes inwardly. What a coincidence! She didn't believe he didn't know today was her homecoming day.
Bai Chuwan's eyes were filled with resentment as she looked at Bai Chuxiao. How dare Bai Chuxiao have someone hit her! And Chu Tianyou and Liu Shuyao were even telling her to let it go. Actually, Chu Tianyou didn't bother with her trivial matters; nothing serious had happened. Liu Shuyao, on the other hand, was speechless. Wearing all white at someone's wedding was unlucky; getting beaten up was entirely her own fault.
Seeing that neither of them responded, Chu Tianyou felt somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.
Bai Linan quickly smiled and said, "Lunch is ready. Your Highnesses, this way please?"
No one objected to these words; Bai Chuxiao just wanted to get the process done as quickly as possible.
At the dinner table, both the old lady and Bai Haoyun were very attentive to the Crown Prince and Bai Chuwan. Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought it was Bai Chuwan's homecoming day. However, Bai Chuxiao didn't care; she didn't need to rely on the Bai family's influence.
The Crown Prince glanced at the neglected Chu Tianze, a fleeting smugness in his eyes. What good was marrying the eldest daughter of the Bai family? The Bai family still sided with him anyway.
"Look at my memory! I just remembered that today is your homecoming day, sister-in-law. Seventh brother, it wouldn't be right if you didn't have a few drinks today."
Chu Tianze remained calm, "Your Majesty and I have other matters to attend to later, so we will not drink. I hope you enjoy your drink."
Chu Tianyou raised an eyebrow. "What major event could possibly happen today? Are Seventh Brother and his wife going to the Murong family later?"
Bai Chuwan immediately retorted coquettishly, "Elder sister, no matter what, the Murong family is just an external family, yet you value them more than the Bai family. Where does that leave Father?"
Bai Linan's smile vanished instantly. His eldest daughter and the Prince of Yan indeed treated the Murong family and the Bai family very differently. Now they weren't even putting on a show of politeness anymore, refusing to even drink the Bai family's wine. What an ingrate...
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Would Your Highness's second sister come to visit Father drunk? It's basic courtesy. Your Highness wouldn't want to put us in an unjust position, would he?"
Chu Tianyou remained calm and slowly said, "What are you saying? But Bai Xiang is still your father-in-law, Seventh Brother. It's not too much for you to offer him a toast, is it?"
Chu Tianze said calmly, "Speaking of father-in-law, if I remember correctly, Your Majesty's father-in-law is Minister Liu, right? Why have I never seen Your Majesty visit the Liu family, but instead come to the Bai family every few days? This is strange. Could there be some reason behind this? Would Your Majesty be willing to tell me?"
Upon hearing this, everyone present looked rather grim. Chu Tianyou immediately shut his mouth; he had to admit that he was no match for his younger brother, whether in battle or verbal sparring.
Bai Chuxiao chuckled, "Also, the Crown Princess is pregnant now. Second Sister, as a concubine, you're not serving her properly, but instead showing your face in public all the time. What's going on? Those censors aren't easy to deal with. Be careful they don't use this to impeach His Highness the Crown Prince."
Everyone's faces fell again, and the atmosphere at the dinner table instantly became incredibly cold. A perfectly good meal had been ruined, and no one was in the mood to eat anymore. Chu Tianyou, unable to save face, hurriedly left with Bai Chuwan.
After leaving the Bai residence and boarding the carriage, Chu Tianze looked at his smiling wife beside him and asked softly, "Is Madam in a good mood?"
Bai Chuxiao nodded with a smile, waiting for him to continue.
Chu Tianze's eyes flickered slightly. "Then, could you perhaps consider letting your husband go back to his room tonight?"
Bai Chuxiao blinked, as if she was really considering it.
Chu Tianze added, "As the name suggests, a study is not for sleeping."
Bai Chuxiao smiled gently, "But the Prince of Yan's mansion has many courtyards. Besides Qichi Courtyard, my husband can sleep in whichever room he wants."
Chu Tianze's eyes flashed with slight disappointment at his failed attempt.
The atmosphere was naturally pleasant when the two arrived at the Murong family's residence.
In the flower hall, Murong Yuan and Chu Tianze sat facing each other, playing chess, while Murong Cheng and Murong Hui watched from the side.
Meanwhile, the three Murong brothers were sparring with Bai Chuxiao in an open space in front, which made Madam Murong shake her head in disapproval.
The three brothers were a little frustrated that they couldn't even beat their own sister.
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Big brother, second brother, third brother, don't be discouraged, let's keep practicing."
Madam Murong the Second quickly stepped forward to stop them, then frowned as she looked at the three brothers, "You three are really something, dragging your own sister into a fight. Xiaoxiao, come here, your second aunt has something to say to you."
Murong Xuan gave her a helpless look, and Bai Chuxiao had no choice but to follow her second aunt to the side.
Madam Murong then said softly, "I heard from your brothers that you fought with the Prince of Yan on the rooftop on your wedding night?"
Bai Chuxiao nodded helplessly. She knew it was about this; her older brothers were such blabbermouths! They actually told her second aunt—weren't they just trying to get her scolded?
Madam Murong's second wife's face was contorted with worry as she asked seriously, "Tell me the truth, have you two consummated your marriage yet?"
Bai Chuxiao blinked. These kinds of private matters are best left unsaid and not discussed openly, but a white lie can sometimes solve some problems...
The Second Madam Murong immediately understood everything upon seeing her expression, and snorted, "Don't try to lie to me. Didn't you read the booklet your second aunt gave you?"
Bai Chuxiao nodded guiltily, "Of course I saw it."
Madam Murong was puzzled again and asked in a low voice, "Could it be that the Prince of Yan... has something wrong with him?"
Bai Chuxiao quickly shook her head, then looked away awkwardly. When did her second aunt become so whimsical?
Madam Murong murmured, "That shouldn't be the case. Xiaoxiao, you can't keep it from him just because he's a prince. Having problems in this area is a serious matter. If you're sick, you need to get treatment as soon as possible. If you can't be cured, we can't just watch you suffer with him."
Bai Chuxiao was speechless. What was all this about? She quickly glanced around to make sure no one had overheard their conversation before explaining helplessly, "Second Aunt, nothing like that happened. The Prince is perfectly fine. It was me..."
Before she could finish speaking, Madam Murong said in a panic, "Don't talk nonsense about your health. Just take good care of yourself. You are a proper princess, and the entire Murong family is on your side. What right does Prince Yan have to object?"
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