Yesterday, when she heard that the Crown Princess had become that girl from the Liu family, she felt like the sky had fallen. She also felt a renewed dislike for Xie Shi and Bai Chuwan, secretly cursing them for being incompetent and unable to win the Crown Prince's heart.
Then came the news that the eldest daughter had been kidnapped by a lecherous thief, ruining the Bai family's reputation. She wished Bai Chuxiao would die out there and never come back, so that people wouldn't gossip about her later.
But considering the eldest princess's personality and the Prince of Yan's attitude today, she was also relieved to still have this eldest maid. Bai Chuwan is practically useless now, so it's not bad for the family to have a Princess Consort of Yan. At least the Left Prime Minister's Mansion's reputation has been preserved.
Bai Chuxiao replied casually, "Grandmother, my relationship with His Highness Prince Yan is naturally good. I was chatting with the Eldest Princess yesterday and forgot to tell the family."
"It's alright, it's good that you're back. Seeing you safe and sound puts my mind at ease," Bai Linan said with a loving fatherly demeanor, leaving Bai Chuxiao bewildered once again. What was wrong with everyone today? They weren't like this usually.
But who knew? Bai Linan was also relieved that he had his eldest daughter, otherwise he would lose too much face. It would have been one thing if the Crown Princess were someone else, but it just so happened to be from the Right Prime Minister's family, with whom he had always been at odds. His Right Prime Minister's daughter was the Crown Princess, so his Left Prime Minister's daughter couldn't possibly be so shameless as a concubine, could she? Where would he put his old face then?
So as soon as he returned yesterday, he warned Bai Chuwan and Xie Shi, forbidding them from having any further contact with the Crown Prince. He reasoned that if that old scoundrel, the Right Chancellor, found out, he'd be the laughingstock of him.
"Speaking of which, in another month, Xiao'er will be of marriageable age. This coming-of-age ceremony must be properly arranged. After the ceremony, the wedding date with Prince Yan can be set as soon as possible," the old lady said kindly.
Bai Linan chimed in, "Mother is right. Xie, did you hear that? This time, we need to put in some effort and handle things properly. It's time for the Prime Minister's residence to have some fun."
Madam Xie reluctantly agreed. Bai Chuwan had become much quieter and less talkative since yesterday. She couldn't become the Crown Princess, her father didn't want her to be a concubine, and he forbade her to associate with the Crown Prince anymore. Now, she had to watch Bai Chuxiao's smug expression. Hadn't her father always disliked her eldest sister? Now he was even going to hold a grand coming-of-age ceremony for her—what did this mean?
Bai Linan, however, had more to consider. His Prime Minister's residence couldn't remain silent. Firstly, he wanted to use the coming-of-age ceremony to liven things up. Secondly, it would be good to set a wedding date with the Prince of Yan as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen events later. Furthermore, he didn't know if his eldest daughter knew anything about what happened back then, or how much she knew. It would be better to put on an act now and send her away sooner, so he could have some peace of mind.
Bai Chuxiao sneered inwardly at Bai Linan's current attitude. Did they think they could just let bygones be bygones? No way! She had plenty of time to play games with them. But there were some things she needed to figure out first.
After resting for a day, Bai Chuxiao took Qingshuang and Qingzhu and went to her second uncle's house. They should have gone much earlier.
Upon arriving at the Murong residence, my second brother was already waiting at the gate.
"You, you didn't even come to greet us yesterday. You were just out shopping and eating with that Prince Yan. It's true what they say, daughters grow up and leave home."
Bai Chuxiao also felt a little embarrassed, "I was just thinking that when my second brother comes back, he'll explain things to my second uncle and aunt."
Upon entering the front hall, Bai Chuxiao bowed and said with a smile, "Xiaoxiao greets Second Uncle and Second Aunt."
Murong Cheng said with a hint of anger, "You silly girl, you actually know how to come over. I thought you didn't even remember you had a second uncle in the capital."
Bai Chuxiao said in a coquettish tone, "How could that be? Second Uncle and Second Aunt have always treated Xiaoxiao the best. Xiaoxiao would never forget you, no matter who I forget. I just wanted to get familiar with the situation in the capital first since I'm back."
"Oh? Then tell me, how well do you know the capital? How come you've gotten so familiar with it that you've ended up in a bandit's den?"
"Alright, sir, Xiaoxiao finally came over, and it was so dangerous the other day, it's good that she's alright. Why are you saying all this nonsense now?" The second aunt glared at Murong Cheng reproachfully.
Murong Cheng snorted, "Xiaoxiao, the capital is not like Dingzhou. It's a very complex place, and you should be able to understand that now. To be the Princess Consort of Yan, you can't be ignorant."
"Xiaoxiao does have many questions, and I came today to ask my uncle to explain the situation in the capital," Bai Chuxiao said earnestly.
Such matters couldn't be discussed openly in the main hall, so Murong Cheng took Bai Chuxiao to the study. Murong Xuan, curious, wanted to follow and listen, while his second aunt closed the door, leaving them some space to talk.
"Ask whatever you want," Murong Cheng said in a deep voice.
"Xiaoxiao wants to know some things about the Murong family back then. I only learned about the suspicious circumstances of my mother's death after returning this time, but I don't understand it either. Could you tell me about it, Second Uncle?"
Murong Cheng sighed, "Your mother wasn't a weak woman; she was very strong. We didn't really believe that she would be so depressed and worn down by your father's change of heart that she would eventually die in childbirth. We had some suspicions in our hearts, but your father is now the Left Prime Minister, not the poor boy he was when he first proposed to your mother..."
Then he asked, "Do you know the late Empress?"
Bai Chuxiao nodded. "The late Empress was born into the Qin family of the Duke of Dingguo. I heard that my maternal grandfather was a general under the old Duke of Dingguo. When I entered the palace before, Consort Wei and Consort Jing mentioned my maternal grandfather. However, I have never heard my maternal grandfather mention these things. This is what I don't understand."
Murong Cheng then said in a deep voice, "This matter is a long story, involving many things from back then, which is why your maternal grandfather was unwilling to mention it to you younger generations. However, since you are going to marry the Prince of Yan, it's time for you to know these things."
Back then, the empire was divided into nine parts, and His Majesty was merely a prince of the former Jin state, neither the eldest son nor the heir apparent. At that time, the empire was in chaos, with wars raging everywhere and territorial disputes raging. Naturally, the Jin state would not remain confined to a corner of the land. By chance, His Majesty caught the eye of the late Duke Ding's daughter, who was also the late Empress. Although His Majesty already had many women around him, it was only through this that he gained the support of the late Duke Ding and was brought into the army.
The old Duke Dingguo was a brilliant strategist, conquering the south and the north. Your Majesty followed him and earned many military merits. The late Empress also fought alongside Your Majesty. The other princes, naturally, were not to be outdone and also vied for the throne, but they all perished on the battlefield. Only Your Majesty, along with the old Duke Dingguo, destroyed the states of Wei and Dai. At that time, only one son of the Jin state survived, who is now the Prince An. Therefore, Your Majesty rightfully ascended the throne, changed the name of the state to Xia, and the old Duke Dingguo's daughter was naturally the rightful Empress.
However, with the realm newly established and the three powers of Western Yue, Northern Yan, and Great Xia in a tripartite balance of power, His Majesty was not at ease. Therefore, the men of the old Duke Dingguo's family were sent to guard the northern border. Your maternal grandfather, as one of the two valiant generals under the old Duke Dingguo, who had fought alongside His Majesty all the way, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xibo to guard the west. The other, General Wan, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Quling to safeguard the capital.
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