At the Left Prime Minister's residence, Chu Tianyou arrived early in the morning. After being reprimanded by his father, he knew he couldn't afford to offend Bai Linan yet. The matter of marrying a concubine had already been decided by Shuyao and his mother, so he naturally wanted to personally inform them to show his respect for Bai Linan.
"Lord Bai, I have come here specifically to discuss matters with you. The marriage of Wan'er as a concubine is scheduled for three days from now. I wonder what Lord Bai's opinion is?"
"Since His Highness the Crown Prince has made his decision, he can simply send someone to inform him. It's not like she's the Empress, so there's no need for formalities."
Chu Tianyou coughed a few times, "From now on, we're family. Lord Bai Xiang is also my father-in-law, so there's no need to be so formal."
"My daughter is merely a concubine, and she entered the household with other families' daughters. Your Highness, I truly dare not accept such a title of 'father-in-law' from you."
Chu Tianyou had already been very polite, but Bai Linan remained unmoved, acting as if he had given up on his daughter. Chu Tianyou's face showed some displeasure.
"Master, the eldest princess and His Highness Prince Yan have arrived with entourage, saying they've come to present betrothal gifts," Lai Fu reported, bowing as he entered.
"I will personally go to greet them and inform the Old Madam and the Princess to come."
"yes"
Chu Tianyou was slightly surprised that the seventh prince would come to propose marriage today. It was quite a coincidence. The eldest princess was protecting the seventh prince and even came in person...
Bai Linan, completely different from his earlier conversation with the Crown Prince, adopted a friendly demeanor as he greeted the First Princess and Chu Tianze as they entered. Behind them came a throng of servants carrying chests of betrothal gifts, a sight that made Chu Tianyou feel somewhat uneasy…
"Royal elder sister..." the Crown Prince nodded slightly.
"You're here too, what a coincidence," the eldest princess said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, everyone from the Bai family rushed over. The old lady's eyes widened when she saw the boxes; the betrothal gifts must be incredibly valuable. Xie Shi and Bai Chuwan, on the other hand, were somewhat jealous, as the Crown Prince hadn't even sent any betrothal gifts...
Bai Chuwan cast a resentful glance at the Crown Prince. They naturally knew the Crown Prince was coming, but their father forbade them to come over. Chu Tianyou guiltily looked away...
Bai Chuxiao was also somewhat surprised. Although they had already made arrangements in the North, she hadn't expected Chu Tianze to act so quickly. Looking in Chu Tianze's direction, she saw that he had a calm expression, and she couldn't read his thoughts at all.
"Greetings, Princess."
"Princess Changning, there's no need for such formalities," the eldest princess said with a mischievous grin.
"Princess, please stop teasing Xiaoxiao," Bai Chuxiao chuckled.
"Very well, very well, I've come today to propose marriage to my seventh brother."
She then took out the betrothal gift list and handed it to Bai Linan. Bai Linan glanced at it, nodded in satisfaction, and gave it to the old lady.
The old lady examined it carefully, then smiled; the betrothal gifts were indeed quite generous.
"Xiao Yatou, take a look too."
Bai Chuxiao glanced at it casually and handed it to Lanxiang behind her. She knew Chu Tianze's intentions perfectly well; she didn't even need to look at the betrothal gifts to know they were of good quality.
The eldest princess saw that no one had any objections.
He then smiled and said, "Since that's the case, Mr. Bai, how about we finalize the marriage between Seventh Brother and Xiaoxiao?"
Bai Linan naturally had no objections. The Prince of Yan's generous betrothal gifts and the fact that he had specially invited the eldest princess were enough to demonstrate his sincerity.
"I have no objection. I wonder if the Eldest Princess and His Highness Prince Yan have chosen a date?"
Chu Tianze rarely smiled in front of everyone, "I had someone choose an auspicious date for the first day of the tenth month, and it's perfect. What do you think, Xiaoxiao?"
He didn't ask Bai Linan; all he needed was Xiaoxiao's consent for his marriage. The opinions of the rest of the Bai family were unimportant to him.
Bai Chuxiao nodded with a smile, offering no objection; there was still ample time to prepare for the date.
"Alright, since His Highness Prince Yan and the eldest maid have no objections, let the wedding be held on the first day of the tenth month."
Bai Linan laughed heartily. The Bai family needed a grand wedding right now, otherwise people would really think there was something wrong with the daughter he had raised.
"The marriage is settled. Would the princess and Prince Yan like to stay for a meal?" Bai Linan asked with a smile.
"Seventh Brother, please stay and keep Xiaoxiao company. I'll head back now so as not to disturb you any longer."
The eldest princess smiled and stood up. Aside from Xiaoxiao, she wasn't familiar with the Bai family, and there was no point in staying here.
"Respectfully seeing off the princess"
Chu Tianyou felt somewhat embarrassed. Bai Linan hadn't mentioned him in his previous remarks, so he had been completely ignored today. However, he couldn't just leave like that.
"I haven't congratulated the princess yet. I truly admire the princess's elegance and grace in the north."
"Your Highness is too kind," Bai Chuxiao said with a faint smile.
"Is Your Majesty also staying for a meal?" Chu Tianze raised an eyebrow.
"From now on, we're all family. It's a good thing for us to get to know each other today."
It seems that apart from the Xie family and Bai Chuwan, the Bai family doesn't really welcome him. Chu Tianze gave Bai Chuxiao a look, as if to ask, "That's not what I meant, is it?" How exactly did his elder brother, the Crown Prince, misinterpret his meaning?
Bai Chuxiao blinked. "Did Your Highness come today for Second Sister? Well, Second Sister is now carrying Your Highness's child. I hope Your Highness will treat Second Sister well in the future."
Chu Tianyou had no idea that Wan'er was pregnant? Why hadn't anyone told him?
Bai Linan's eyes turned slightly cold. The mere mention of it ignited his anger. Fortunately, there were no outsiders in the manor, so the Crown Prince and the Prince of Yan wouldn't spread the word, otherwise…
"Brother Tianyou..." Bai Chuwan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she touched her belly again.
Chu Tianyou quickly put on a look of great joy, "Wan'er, is this true?"
However, he was secretly relieved. Fortunately, his mother had the foresight to take two concubines; otherwise, with both pregnant, he wouldn't even have anyone to serve him. It was truly stifling for him to be the crown prince, without a single concubine.
Bai Linan's face had lost its joy. The Crown Princess was pregnant now; what did Wan'er's baby matter?
"Indeed, it is this old minister's fault for failing to properly educate his daughter. There is no need to publicize this matter; the Crown Prince can simply send someone to fetch Wan'er in three days."
"Rest assured, Lord Bai Xiang, Wan'er now carries my child, and I will certainly treat her well in the future."
Bai Linan gave a perfunctory reply, not taking his promises to heart at all. The Crown Prince had said these same things to Wan'er countless times, and now, his reputation was ruined, all he got in return was a concubine.
"Congratulations to Your Highness the Crown Prince and Second Sister!" This romantic charade was finally coming to an end, and Bai Chuxiao couldn't help but offer her "blessings."
"How about a game of chess, Your Highness Prince Yan?" Bai Linan said with a smile. He didn't want to deal with Chu Tianyou anymore; let him do as he pleased. As the Crown Prince, he couldn't openly kick him out even if he wanted to.
Sensing Chu Tianze's lukewarm attitude, Bai Linan spoke up again, "Xiao girl, why don't you come and take a look?"
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. This wasn't like Bai Linan at all. As the saying goes, one's chess skills can sometimes reflect their character. She figured it was worth a look, so she nodded slightly. Seeing that she had agreed, Chu Tianze naturally wouldn't refuse either.
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