Bai Chuxiao realized that she had been back for a long time and had not yet visited her second uncle. She wondered how they were doing, so she asked with a smile, "Does Sister Xihan know my second brother, Murong Xuan?"
Kong Xihan suddenly blushed, "Of course I recognize him. I heard your second brother took your cousin to study at Bailu Academy in Jiangnan. I wonder when they will return to the capital."
Seeing Kong Xihan's expression, Bai Chuxiao understood what was going on, but she didn't ask any questions at the moment. She decided to wait until her second brother returned from Jiangnan and ask him first.
Bai Chuxiao chuckled, "Second brother is impatient with learning those books, so he's probably just sending fourth brother there. He should be back soon."
Although Murong Xuan was quite learned, he actually preferred martial arts and wanted to pursue a military career. However, for some reason, his maternal grandfather refused to let him stay in the Northwest, saying that his second maternal uncle's family had to stay in the capital. It seemed he would have to ask his second maternal uncle for the reason another day.
As they spoke, they arrived at Lingyan Lake. Willows drooped along the lakeside, and the clear blue water was incredibly beautiful. At this time, a number of people had gathered by the lake, including Bai Chuwan and Bai Chudie, Li Zhirou, Liu Shuyao, and several other young ladies.
Bai Chuwan gave Bai Chudie a look, and Bai Chudie immediately put on a smile, "Eldest sister, third sister, you've arrived! Shall we enjoy the lake together?" As she spoke, she came over and tried to pull Bai Chuxiao to their previous spot.
Bai Chuxiao naturally noticed Bai Chuwan's little tricks, so she pressed Kong Xihan's hand and let Bai Chudie pull her along. She wanted to see what kind of tricks they were going to play.
The four sisters were standing close together by the lake. "Oh, so they're putting on a show of sisterly affection now," Li Zhirou suddenly said sarcastically as she walked over.
As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Chuxiao pulled Bai Chuyun aside, causing Bai Chudie to lunge forward, dragging Bai Chuwan and Li Zhirou into the water. A splash erupted in the lake, and the three who had fallen in cried for help.
Bai Chuyun was startled and asked softly, "Big sister, what... what happened?" If her older sister hadn't pulled her away, she would have definitely been knocked into the water too.
Bai Chuxiao simply smiled faintly and remained silent. That brat Bai Chudie had actually tried to secretly push her and Yun'er; it must have been Bai Chuwan who instigated it. But how could a mere young maid like Bai Chudie possibly push someone like her who had practiced martial arts for years? With a slight dodge, she secretly released a burst of energy, and Bai Chudie was uncontrollably thrown towards Bai Chuwan. As for Li Zhirou, well, what could she do if she delivered herself to her doorstep?
"Xiaoxiao, are you alright? How did you end up in the water?" Kong Xihan rushed over to ask with concern.
"Sister Xihan, I'm alright," Bai Chuxiao said, looking at the three people still splashing in the lake. The young ladies who were already by the lake had all gathered around, but none of them went down to rescue them. They all looked at the scene with surprise and a hint of schadenfreude.
Just then, a man in purple robes jumped into the lake, grabbing Bai Chuwan in one hand and Li Zhirou in the other, and came ashore. Once ashore, it was clear that it was His Highness the Crown Prince, and both women in his arms had already fainted.
The young ladies from various families quickly bowed and greeted His Highness the Crown Prince.
This was Bai Chuxiao's first time seeing the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had a handsome face and fair skin, but perhaps because he was wet, he seemed to lack some of his usual gravitas.
At this moment, the guards from the Hundred Flowers Garden rushed over, saying, "Your Highness, please forgive us for being late."
The Crown Prince, seeing another person in the lake, instructed them to quickly go down and rescue them. Then, looking at the crowd, he said in a deep voice, "Alright, the banquet is about to begin. Everyone, go on over there. Don't keep the Imperial Sister waiting."
Having said that, he summoned a maid to carry Li Zhirou, ignoring Bai Chudie who had just been rescued, and left with Bai Chuwan in his arms.
Everyone dispersed, except for Bai Chuxiao, Bai Chuyun, and Kong Xihan, who remained in the same spot.
Bai Chuyun glanced at Bai Chudie, who had just been pulled from the ground, and muttered, "Those who do evil will not live."
"Xiaoxiao, your little sister has been choking on water for so long, you should get someone to save her quickly," Kong Xihan said worriedly. They couldn't let Bai Chudie die here at today's spring banquet.
Seeing that she was still breathing and wouldn't die, Bai Chuxiao pressed on her chest and watched as she vomited a few mouthfuls of water. She then called a maid to take her away to rest.
Kong Xihan was relieved and smiled, "His Highness the Crown Prince really played the hero today. It seems your family is going to have a Crown Princess."
Bai Chuxiao chuckled. Bai Chuwan was beautiful, but incredibly foolish. She probably wouldn't be able to hold onto her position as the Crown Princess.
Then, as if remembering something else, she asked, "Is the Li family really willing to give up the position of Crown Princess?"
Kong Xihan whispered, "What can we do? The Li family holds the title of Duke, but the Crown Prince is already weak. Naturally, he has to marry the daughter of a powerful minister. They only agreed to let Li Zhirou become a concubine."
However, with Empress Li as her aunt and her connection to the Crown Prince, Li Zhirou, even as a concubine, probably wouldn't take the future Crown Princess seriously. No wonder she dislikes Bai Chuwan so much.
Bai Chuxiao noticed a subtle gaze, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "I'd better go check on my two younger sisters. Would it be alright if Sister Xihan took Yun'er first?"
Kong Xihan didn't think anything was wrong, so she agreed and left with Bai Chuyun.
After they left, two men emerged from the woods behind. The man in the white robes, waving a folding fan, laughed heartily, "Miss Bai, what impressive skills!"
Yu Fengyang and Chu Tianze had been watching from the shadows when they arrived at the lakeside, and naturally saw Bai Chuxiao's subtle movements. Yu Fengyang then realized that this Miss Bai was not truly frail; it seemed the Murong family was known for its military prowess, and their daughters were certainly not delicate.
Bai Chuxiao simply smiled and stared at the man in black robes next to Yu Fengyang. The more she looked at him, the more familiar he seemed, especially his eyes, which reminded her of someone. But upon closer inspection, she felt that his aura was completely different. After thinking about it, she realized it was impossible, so she asked, "Who is this?"
"No way, Tianze, your fiancée doesn't recognize you?" Yu Fengyang exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Bai Chuxiao then realized, "So it's His Highness Prince Yan. I'm so sorry, I've never seen you before. Please forgive me, Your Highness." Considering that he had given her clothes, Bai Chuxiao felt that she should at least show him some respect.
Chu Tianze chuckled, "It's nothing. We're not often in Kyoto anyway, so it's not surprising we haven't met."
She then pointed to Yu Fengyang, "He is Yu Fengyang, the heir of the Yu family. He's used to being a dissolute person and loves to talk nonsense. Miss Bai, you don't need to take it to heart."
Bai Chuxiao didn't seem to care. "So it's Prince Yu."
Seeing his friend slander him like this, Yu Fengyang couldn't help but curse him inwardly for prioritizing romance over friendship. However, since this blockhead had finally found someone he liked, he decided not to interfere. He snorted coldly, "You two chat, I'm leaving." He didn't want to be a third wheel.
Bai Chuxiao and Chu Tianze walked slowly. Chu Tianze looked at her wearing the clothes he had given her and felt even happier. "Miss Bai, do you like the clothes?"
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