Chu Tianyou's face was grim. Now that the seventh brother had caught him red-handed, it wasn't a good thing. Bai Chuwan was somewhat confused. She had wanted to see her usually arrogant eldest sister kneeling before her, so why had things suddenly changed...?
"Brother Tianyou..."
Chu Tianyou glared at her fiercely before turning to Chu Tianze and smiling, "Seventh Brother, it's been a long time since we two brothers have gotten together. How about we go to the East Palace for a drink?"
Chu Tianze's expression was enigmatic. "I think that's unnecessary, brother. I need to spend time with Xiaoxiao."
Chu Tianyou smiled warmly. "Alright, but Seventh Brother, you shouldn't bother Father with those rumors you've heard. As your sons, we should share Father's burdens. What do you say, Seventh Brother?"
Chu Tianze nodded calmly, "What Your Majesty says is true."
"In that case, I will not disturb the Bai residence any longer."
"Respectfully seeing off the Crown Prince"
Chu Tianyou walked out with Bai Chuwan, his face calm and collected, but his heart was far from at peace. If that matter reached his father's ears, he would be in deep trouble. He had handled it so cleanly, so why did the seventh prince know? He needed to go back and discuss a countermeasure with his advisors as soon as possible...
Watching the Crown Prince hurry back to his residence, Bai Chuxiao looked up at the man beside her and said with a smile, "You're just bluffing him, aren't you?"
Chu Tianze nodded calmly, "They embezzled a gold mine, but there was no evidence. My men cleaned up the mess thoroughly when they found out."
Bai Chuxiao was somewhat surprised, "What exactly happened?" She expressed doubt that Chu Tianyou had such ability.
Chu Tianze's face darkened. "In Yunzhou."
"Chu Tianyou actually cooperated with Prince An, he's got some nerve," Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. Yunzhou was Prince An's fiefdom, no wonder they couldn't find out. But Emperor Wenxuan wouldn't really like this younger brother, getting involved with Prince An was definitely not a good thing...
Chu Tianze sneered, "Cooperate? I think he's courting death and won't even realize he's been betrayed."
Bai Chuxiao's smile faded, her face turning grave. "Should we leak the information to His Majesty?" Prince An has been quiet for many years and has no children. Everyone just thought of him as a peaceful and idle prince, but now it seems his ambitions are far from small... Chu Tianyou's intelligence has been used as a pawn, and he's happily counting his money...
Chu Tianze's eyes darkened slightly. "Just let the Emperor's men know. Prince An hasn't shown his true colors yet... we can't do anything to him for the time being."
Bai Chuxiao nodded. The situation in Great Xia was becoming increasingly unstable, and they needed to make plans as soon as possible.
Chu Tianze didn't stay long. He had come today because he received news that the Crown Prince had visited the Bai family and was worried that the Crown Prince would cause trouble for Xiaoxiao. Sure enough, now that the Crown Prince had left, he still had many things to take care of back home.
The following day, Bai Chuxiao went to the Kong family. It was common knowledge in the capital that Princess Changning and Miss Kong were on good terms. Lord Kong had invited the two young masters to his residence, and she agreed to help Kong Xihan secretly observe the situation. Of course, she also sent a message to Murong Xuan beforehand. As for what her second brother would think or do, she couldn't care less.
Lord Kong and his two sons sat in the pavilion, seemingly engaged in pleasant conversation, while two beautiful young women, one in a light blue dress and the other in a sky-blue dress, watched from afar.
"What does Xiaoxiao think?" Kong Xihan asked calmly.
Both men were Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) three years ago, and are now only in their early twenties. They are considered outstanding individuals from humble backgrounds, possessing extraordinary potential.
Seeing Kong Xihan's somewhat listless expression, Bai Chuxiao blinked, "She's alright on the outside."
Kong Xihan sighed softly. Accepting it was one thing, but when it really came to this, she still couldn't get past that mental hurdle.
Before long, Murong Xuan, dressed in a white robe, and Yu Fengyang, in a blue brocade robe, stepped into the pavilion.
Kong Xihan was somewhat surprised, "They...how did they get here?"
A sly glint flashed in Bai Chuxiao's eyes as she shrugged. "I don't know. My second brother came without telling me. Why don't we go and take a look?"
Kong Xihan nodded
Bai Chuxiao, arm in arm with Kong Xihan, stepped into the pavilion.
"Greetings, Princess!"
Bai Chuxiao waved her hand and smiled, "No need for formalities, Second Brother and Yu Fengyang, what brings you here?"
Yu Fengyang glanced at the expressionless Murong Xuan out of the corner of her eye and chuckled, "What a coincidence, Princess. We came to visit Lord Kong, but we didn't expect... it's rather presumptuous of us."
Lord Kong smiled faintly, "It's alright. These gentlemen are all highly learned and eloquent. Since you're here, let's exchange ideas."
"Nephew Xuan, it's been quite a while since you've come. How about we play a game of chess today?"
The Kong and Murong families have a long-standing relationship. Although Murong Xuan has neither passed the imperial examinations nor held an official position, his knowledge is considerable, and he distinguished himself in the last battle in the north. It seems he aspires to a military career, and the Kong family has high hopes for him.
Murong Xuan smiled gently, "It would be impolite to refuse, Uncle Kong, please."
As a result, the two young masters who were originally supposed to be the ones were left out in the cold. However, since they came from humble backgrounds and everyone else present was from a well-off family, they weren't angry.
Lord Kong frowned slightly, stubbornly holding onto a single piece for a long time. Murong Xuan's chess skills were excellent; if this continued, he was bound to lose…
From the moment they stepped in, Murong Xuan didn't look up at them. Kong Xihan bit her lip slightly, not understanding why Murong Xuan had come here today. Did he really think that yesterday's events had never happened?
She found this atmosphere unbearable, so she said calmly, "I won't disturb Father and Young Master Murong any longer."
Lord Kong nodded, focused on the chessboard, and did not notice his daughter's change in expression.
However, just as Kong Xihan spoke, Murong Xuan's hand paused slightly.
Her second brother feigned calmness, but he couldn't escape her keen eyes. Bai Chuxiao's lips curled into a beautiful smile, and she left with Kong Xihan.
The moment the two women left, the situation on the chessboard instantly reversed. Lord Kong, who had initially seemed destined to lose, felt a sense of unease and looked up at the calm-faced Murong Xuan. "Nephew Xuan, are you perhaps intentionally letting me win? There's no need for that."
Murong Xuan then came to his senses and chuckled, "How could I presume? It is Uncle Kong's chess skill that is superb."
Lord Kong snorted irritably, not taking the flattery to heart. The boy had suddenly become absent-minded, and it was unclear what he was thinking about.
Yu Fengyang smirked, finally understanding what was going on today...
Murong Xuan stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Since Uncle and the two young masters have matters to discuss, Feng Yang and I will go find the Princess. We won't disturb you any longer."
Lord Kong nodded. "Very well, then Nephew Xuan and Young Master Yu may do as they please."
Stepping out of the pavilion, Yu Fengyang looked at the absent-minded Murong Xuan with a mischievous grin, "Should we go find the princess or Miss Kong?"
Murong Xuan ignored his teasing. He was in a state of turmoil. He had spent the whole day in the courtyard yesterday thinking. When he heard what Sister Xiao had said, he had dragged Yu Fengyang to the Kong residence without a second thought. He didn't know what was wrong with him...
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