Inside the Prince of Yan's residence, Chu Tianze, dressed in a black casual robe, was practicing his swordplay in a huge training ground.
"Tianze, I heard you're going to the Spring Banquet tomorrow?" Yu Fengyang, dressed in a white brocade robe, strode over and asked with a smile.
Upon seeing him arrive, Chu Tianze handed the sword to Mo Wen, who was attending him, glanced at him sideways, and said coldly, "What, can't I go?"
"Your Highness is exceptionally handsome and skilled in both literature and martial arts. His arrival will surely captivate all the noble ladies of the capital," Yu Fengyang flattered.
Chu Tianze ignored his nonsense. With his several brothers from prominent families, how could these young ladies in the capital possibly look up to him?
At this moment, Mo Yan walked over carrying a large brocade box, bowed and said, "Your Highness, everything is ready. Shall we send it over now?"
Yu Fengyang was puzzled. "What is this! Who is it for?" He then went up and lifted the top cover. "Clothes, and women's clothes at that," Yu Fengyang's eyes widened.
Chu Tianze ignored him and simply instructed, "Mo Yan, deliver this to the Prime Minister's residence for the eldest daughter of the Bai family."
Yu Fengyang winked at Chu Tianze, "Tianze, why don't you confess honestly..."
In the study of Liuli Courtyard, Bai Chuxiao was engrossed in reading a military book when Lanxiang suddenly pushed open the door and reported, "Miss, people from the Prince of Yan's residence have arrived, saying they're bringing you something. They're waiting outside the courtyard. Will you see them, Miss?"
Bai Chuxiao put down her book and asked, puzzled, "Oh? I've never met the Prince of Yan before, why would he send me something? Bring him over."
Mo Yan entered carrying the brocade box and respectfully knelt before Bai Chuxiao, saying, "Your subordinate, Mo Yan, greets Miss."
Bai Chuxiao looked at the two people on the ground. Mo Yan had a round face and looked a little silly. "Get up."
Mo Yan stood up and looked at the book the woman was holding. He was surprised; wasn't this a military treatise? Miss Bai liked these kinds of things too. No wonder his master liked them. He then became even more respectful. "I heard that Miss Bai will also be attending tomorrow's banquet. His Highness was worried that Miss Bai wouldn't have time to prepare since she had just returned to the capital, so he had me prepare some for her in advance."
Bai Chuxiao gestured for Lanxiang to take the brocade box Mo Yan handed over, and asked casually, "Then please thank your prince for me. Will your prince be going tomorrow?"
Mo Yan chuckled and said, "If Miss goes, then the Prince will naturally go as well."
Bai Chuxiao was suspicious. What exactly was the Prince of Yan up to? Weren't there rumors that he was dissatisfied with her? But she didn't ask too many questions now. She would see him tomorrow anyway, and she'd deal with it then.
After a while, Bai Chuyun arrived, having heard the news. She said with a grin, "Quickly, show Yun'er what the Prince of Yan sent!"
Bai Chuxiao then opened the top layer, revealing a jadeite smoky fairy dress and a light blue emerald patterned blouse, both made of the finest materials.
The lower shelf contained jewelry, including two jade hairpins and two gold-inlaid kingfisher-patterned lotus hair ornaments.
"So beautiful," Bai Chuyun said, a hint of envy in her eyes.
Qingzhu happily remarked, "The Prince of Yan is truly thoughtful."
Lanxiang chimed in, "Yes, the Prince of Yan certainly knows how to pick things."
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, but she still found it quite strange that the Prince of Yan could have such thoughts, which did not match the rumors.
In Zhaofeng Palace, Empress Li, dressed in a phoenix robe, sat regally on the main seat, smiling as she looked at the Crown Prince sitting below her, and asked, "Tianyou, what are your thoughts on the marriage? Why not arrange a marriage with that Miss Bai soon?"
She sneered again, "That bitch Wei Mingyue's family has military power, isn't that enough? She even wants to get Sixth Prince to get acquainted with the Bai family. If she manages to persuade your father to marry Miss Bai first, then Sixth Prince will have both civil and military power in his hands. How will you be able to control him then?"
Chu Tianyou pondered silently, "Father Emperor just bestowed a marriage upon the seventh prince and the eldest daughter of the Bai family, and now he's asking for the daughter of the Bai family as well. I wonder if Father Emperor will think this..."
Empress Li was somewhat annoyed. "It's also my fault for not investigating earlier. That Consort Jing, who is usually so quiet, actually took advantage of the Seventh Prince's victory and went directly to ask your father to arrange a marriage with the Bai family. Your father actually agreed! I understand your father even less these days."
Chu Tianyou was also somewhat annoyed. "What is Father Emperor thinking? I am a legitimate son of the empress, and I have not made any major mistakes over the years, yet he still supports the fifth prince. The sixth prince is fighting against me, and he always avoids talking about my marriage. Mother Emperor, is it because Father Emperor is unhappy with me being the crown prince? Will he...?"
Empress Li glanced around the hall and, finding no one else there, thankfully dismissed her attendants before turning to the Crown Prince and sternly said, "Silence! Don't talk nonsense! Your father conquered the empire on horseback, and he's naturally suspicious. Your fifth and sixth sons' maternal families are powerful, and your father is probably quite wary of them. On the contrary, my Li family currently holds only the title of Duke, without any real power, which makes your father feel more at ease. His support for your fifth and sixth sons is merely to temper you and to maintain a balance between the two families, one civil and one military."
Empress Li's ability to ascend to the position of empress after the death of the previous empress and to have her son named crown prince demonstrates her considerable skill; she certainly had a good grasp of the emperor's heart.
He further instructed, "Just focus on doing your job well, and your position as crown prince will naturally be secure."
Hearing his mother's words, Chu Tianyou felt relieved. "However, Mother, we still need to be wary of the Fifth and Sixth Princes. That old fox, the Left Prime Minister, has been watching our struggle all these years without making a statement. The marriage with the Bai family will still require your attention, Mother."
Empress Li smiled and said, "Your mother will handle things on your father's side. As for the Bai family, you should focus your efforts on Miss Bai. If all else fails, the deed is done, and the Left Prime Minister can't say anything."
She paused, then continued, "Now that you've married the second young lady of the Bai family, you not only have the Left Prime Minister's mansion as an ally, but you've also improved your relationship with the seventh prince. With that in mind, you won't have to worry about keeping the fourth and sixth princes in check. Thinking about it this way, Consort Jing has actually done a good deed."
Chu Tianyou chuckled, "Mother is absolutely right. It seems I'm really taking this Miss Bai very seriously. That blockhead Seventh Brother hasn't been close to us all these years. If we all marry into the Bai family, we'll definitely be a little closer."
Empress Li then said cautiously, "Tomorrow is the Spring Banquet, which is a good opportunity. I've heard that Miss Bai is only average in looks and talent. You could take care of her then, giving Seventh Prince some face. Of course, the most important thing is to favor Miss Bai the Second."
Chu Tianyou frowned and hesitated, "Mother, I've heard that the eldest Miss Bai, the second Miss Bai, and her mother don't get along very well. The eldest Miss Bai was stopped when she returned to the manor, which has caused quite a stir in the capital. I'm afraid the eldest Miss Bai won't want to be close to us in the future."
Empress Li waved her hand dismissively, saying, "Even if Miss Bai marries the Seventh Prince, she can only rely on the Left Prime Minister in the future. And you are the Crown Prince. As long as she's not stupid, she won't be ungrateful. As for her grudges with Miss Bai and her mother, they're just minor squabbles."
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