Yuwen Minke somehow managed to persuade Chu Tianling to take her as a concubine. It was just a concubine, and the sixth prince himself was willing. Emperor Wenxuan had no reason to refuse and immediately issued the decree.
Xiao Chen also reported to Emperor Wenxuan, requesting that Prince Qi and the Princess marry as soon as possible so that they could take the Second Princess back to Beiyan. Emperor Wenxuan couldn't wait for them to return, so the ceremony for the concubine was set for three days later.
After all, they still had to give face to Bei Yan. It was indeed a bit of a disservice for the princess to be a concubine. After much consideration and discussion among all parties, the ceremony for this concubine was actually more lavish than when the Princess Qi entered the household.
Zhang Miaoke was furious. When she married Chu Tianling, the Northern Lands were still embroiled in a major war, so it wasn't appropriate to make it too ostentatious. Following Emperor Wenxuan's wishes, everything was to be kept simple.
Now, a mere concubine is inviting so many guests that more people than the principal wife herself has come. What's going on? And that good-for-nothing Chu Tianling actually let a woman despised by the Prince of Yan and Bai Chuxiao into his residence. Doesn't he feel ashamed?
She wrote to Princess Zhaoyang and Prince Consort Zhang that very night, but to her surprise, her parents not only didn't help her seek justice, but also told her to get along well with Yuwen Minke, saying things like not to ruin important matters? Could there be something fishy going on? Why didn't she know anything?
Zhang Miaoke felt an unnamed anger with nowhere to vent, and she couldn't help but hate Bai Chuxiao again. If Bai Chuxiao hadn't suddenly brought this up, why would Yuwen Minke have ended up blaming Chu Tianling?
"Bitch! They're all bitches!"
Bao'er stepped forward to comfort her, "Your Highness, don't get upset. That Yuwen Minke is just a concubine. She'll still have to obediently pay her respects to you every day. Let's go to the front to greet the guests and let everyone know who the true master of the Qi Prince's Mansion is."
Zhang Miaoke sneered, "You're right. Give me a set of gorgeous clothes. Who isn't a princess now? What is Yuwen Minke? This is Great Xia, not some Northern Yan. She wouldn't dare to do anything even if we let her get away with it."
On a carriage heading to the Prince Qi's residence, Bai Chuxiao propped her head up with one hand and reclined on the seat with one leg bent over.
Why do you think Chu Tianling agreed to marry Yuwen Minke?
Chu Tianze calmly sipped his tea. "Wasn't this your suggestion?"
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "Is Chu Tianling really that obedient? He does whatever this princess tells him to do?"
Chu Tianze had become able to accept her occasional surprising remarks without batting an eye; as Xiao Xiao often said, this was called "humor and keeping the atmosphere lively."
"It's simply a matter of mutual benefit. Although Wei Junyan is retired in the capital, the Emperor has not revoked his military power. The North is close to Bei Yan, so there are only benefits for Xiao Chen and the Sixth Prince in cooperating."
Bai Chuxiao's eyes revealed 'admiration', "Chu Tianling is truly flexible and adaptable. Although Yuwen Minke may not be truly in love with you, it's still common knowledge. Yet, he can calmly accept Yuwen Minke, someone we both humiliated, and even throw a grand banquet for her. Such magnanimity is beyond the reach of ordinary people!"
Chu Tianze raised an eyebrow. "It's common knowledge that Changyun used to like the Crown Prince, and now she's the Princess Consort of Qi. Xiaoxiao, what's the big deal?"
Bai Chuxiao clapped her hands. Right, she'd almost forgotten about that. Was Chu Tianling being cuckolded, or was it a series of cuckolding sprees? At least that's how it seemed to those who didn't know the situation.
"Face and such things are worthless in the face of power," Bai Chuxiao couldn't help but sigh. "I'm actually starting to feel a little sorry for Chu Tianling."
Chu Tianze stared at her and slowly said, "No!"
Bai Chuxiao blinked. She had just said it offhand. Who would sympathize with that scumbag Chu Tianling!
The carriage stopped in front of the Qi Prince's mansion, where Chu Tianling stood with a beaming smile, exuding elegance, to greet the guests.
Bai Chuxiao was somewhat surprised. Was this still the Chu Tianling she remembered who always had a deadpan expression? Was he really that happy to marry Yuwen Minke?
Actually, before Bai Chuxiao returned to the capital, our Prince Qi was already this handsome and refined noble young man. It's just that he started to become distorted after meeting Bai Chuxiao. Now, he seems to have regained his former charm.
"Seventh Prince, Princess Changning, I am delighted that you could come."
Chu Tianze wasn't surprised at all by his sudden change to such a amiable demeanor. Which member of the royal family didn't pretend? On the surface, they were all polite and agreeable, but behind the scenes, they were pulling one trick after another.
Bai Chuxiao's lips curled into a strange smile as she clasped her hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Your Highness Prince Qi, congratulations!"
Chu Tianling gladly accepted her congratulations, saying, "Please come in."
Chu Tianze rarely spoke up, saying, "Today is your big day, Sixth Brother, don't worry about us."
For a time, the atmosphere among the four seemed to outsiders to be one of perfect intimacy and brotherly harmony.
As soon as she stepped into the Qi Prince's residence, Kong Xihan greeted her with a smile.
"Xiaoxiao"
Not wanting to interrupt the two sisters' conversation, Chu Tianze quietly said, "I'm going to find Yu Fengyang."
Bai Chuxiao nodded with a smile.
Kong Xihan took her arm and said softly, "I thought you wouldn't come."
"I didn't expect to come either, but there are quite a few people here today," Bai Chuxiao said, observing the guests coming and going.
"That's right, after all, the First Prince of Beiyan is here, so everyone has to give him face."
The two walked towards the back hall where the women were received.
"Princess, Sister Xihan"
Bai Chuxiao and Kong Xihan stopped and looked behind them.
"Miss Lü?"
Lu Youyou was not as lively as usual, but rather more composed. "Does the princess still remember Youyou?"
Kong Xihan looked at the woman before her, who had changed quite a bit, and asked softly, "Youyou, what's wrong with you?"
At the spring banquet that day, Lü Youyou was cheerful and innocent. Bai Chuxiao and Kong Xixi were actually quite happy to befriend her. However, since the Lü family relied on Prince Qi, perhaps it was because of the Lü family's restrictions that Lü Youyou didn't go out often. In fact, it had been quite a while since they had seen her.
Lu Youyou looked a little awkward. "My family has been trying to arrange a marriage for me recently."
Bai Chuxiao asked in surprise, "Which restaurant did Youyou book? Is she not satisfied?"
Lu Youyou shook her head, forcing a smile, "It's Prince Wei."
She knew that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and the Lü family often had dealings. She had met the heir apparent Wei many times, and while he appeared polite, she didn't like him. She always felt that he was somewhat scheming, and besides, she didn't want to marry into a family like the Duke of Zhenguo's...
Wei Baichuan? Bai Chuxiao understood immediately, but she didn't really know much about this young master Wei who was often with Chu Tianling.
Duke Zhenguo, Wei Junyan, had returned to the capital from the north some time ago. It turned out he was arranging a marriage for his son. However, both families were prominent, yet the marriage negotiations were conducted so discreetly that they were almost completely unaware of it. It was rather strange that Lü Youyou was willing to tell them; it seemed she considered them friends.
Kong Xihan couldn't help but sigh, "My little sister Youyou is already engaged!"
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