The next day, Empress Li summoned Bai Chuxiao to the palace. Although she was unwilling, she still had to go.
Upon entering Zhaofeng Palace, Empress Li maintained her dignified and elegant demeanor, but a closer look revealed a hint of forced smile.
"Xiaoxiao, has the candidate been finalized?"
Bai Chuxiao replied hastily, "Your Majesty has gone to great lengths. We have already selected some candidates, and we will present them to His Majesty once the Crown Prince of Beiyan arrives."
"I naturally trust Xiaoxiao to handle things. I only have one daughter, Fengle. I don't ask for her to be rich and powerful; I only hope she can live a peaceful and safe life. I believe you will understand my feelings, Xiaoxiao."
Bai Chuxiao lowered her eyes. Who wouldn't want that? The Second Princess had already enjoyed a life of luxury that ordinary people could only dream of. Now she was just saying she only wished for peace?
"Of course I understand Her Majesty's intentions, but ultimately it is His Majesty's decision," Bai Chuxiao passed the buck back to Emperor Wenxuan. Trying to use her as a pawn? Not so easy.
Sensing the refusal in her words, Empress Li could no longer maintain her smile. "In any case, I hope you can think clearly about the pros and cons. I won't keep you any longer today."
"yes"
Bai Chuxiao stepped out of the palace gate, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. "Threatening me?"
Walking down the street with Kong Xihan attracted quite a few stares.
"Xiaoxiao, you still have the mood to go shopping with me? I thought you'd be busy as a bee."
"I just came from the palace and really don't want to go home."
"Baoyu Shop has released some new items, why don't we go take a look? Didn't you say before that you wanted to send a gift to Prince Yan?"
Bai Chuxiao nodded, "That's fine."
Entering the jade shop, Bai Chuxiao's eyes lit up when she saw the jade dragon and fish pendant the shop assistant brought out. "Not bad!"
"A fine jade deserves a beautiful woman; I will present this jade pendant to you, young lady."
Looking at the gentle and refined young man who had suddenly appeared before her, Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "No need, this is a gift for my future husband."
The woman behind the man, who had a rather heroic appearance, suddenly said, "It's your good fortune that your elder brother is giving it to you; how could you refuse?"
"Min Ke, you mustn't be rude."
Bai Chuxiao sized up the two of them, a slight smile playing on her lips. What a coincidence that she'd run into them; their identities weren't hard to guess, were they...? If they didn't want to be exposed, they shouldn't be so ostentatious. This high-profile behavior suggested they hadn't really intended to hide.
Kong Xihan smiled and said, "Hurry up and pack it for the princess. This is a gift for His Highness Prince Yan, so please be careful."
These words were obviously meant for the two people in front of them. Who knew they'd come from, daring to flirt with Xiaoxiao like that? It's utterly absurd.
After paying the money and receiving the jade box, Bai Chuxiao glanced at them, leaving a meaningful smile, before following Kong Xihan away.
The man watched their retreating figures and murmured, "A princess? The one from the Bai family? Interesting."
After the last battle in the North, Bai Chuxiao's name officially entered the view of important figures in Beiyan. It was said that this young lady from the Prime Minister's mansion was the fiancée of the Prince of Yan and had recently been granted the title of Princess. She was indeed an interesting woman; no wonder his usually arrogant third brother kept mentioning her after returning home.
Looking at the woman beside him again, and comparing the two, he couldn't help but wonder if bringing her along had really been useful.
"What is it, Your Highness?" the woman asked softly. She didn't dare to speak too presumptuously in front of this man; instead, her voice carried a hint of fear.
The man shook his head. "Let's go."
Bai Chuxiao and Kong Xihan arrived at Tianshui Tower. Only then did Kong Xihan ask, "Those two people were unfamiliar faces; they didn't seem to be from Daxia."
"From the north"
Kong Xihan asked again in a low voice, "You mean Bei Yan?"
Bai Chuxiao nodded. The Ministry of Rites was in charge of receiving them, and since Bei Yan was visiting, they would naturally go to the post station. However, her father had not received any news.
"No wonder"
The two were eating when a familiar voice came from the corner of the stairs.
"Oh, isn't this our hottest Princess Changning? What brings you out for a meal?"
Zhang Miaoke, dressed in a gorgeous yellow dress, walked over and said in a sarcastic tone.
"Isn't this our famous Princess Qi? What brings you out for a meal?" Bai Chuwan smiled slightly; anyone can be sarcastic.
"What I do is none of your business," Zhang Miaoke sneered.
After the news of the marriage alliance came out, she suddenly felt that Chu Tianling wasn't so annoying anymore, and even felt somewhat fortunate. If she hadn't already married Prince Qi, this matter would most likely have fallen on her shoulders. There were already few descendants among the imperial clan, and her older sister was already married, so she was the only one of marriageable age.
Between the Second Princess and her, there's no doubt Emperor Wenxuan would choose her. After all, the Second Princess is also His Majesty's biological daughter, and there's truly no other choice now. Besides, the Northern Yan Prince isn't easily fooled.
"This princess has no interest in Princess Qi's affairs. Please move over a bit; you're blocking the light."
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow at her. She didn't want to have a good attitude towards anyone or anything related to Prince Qi. Of course, she didn't like the person in front of her either. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. Zhang Miaoke and Chu Tianling had a lot in common in their personalities...
"Bai Chuxiao, watch your tone. I am a princess. Do you think you can yell at me just because you've become a county princess? You should bow to me when you see me," Zhang Miaoke sneered.
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Princess Qi, instead of throwing a tantrum here, why don't you enjoy the food at Tianshui Tower? I'm afraid you won't be able to eat here again..."
Zhang Miaoke's face hardened. "Hmph, don't be so smug."
Then he stormed off with his maid.
Kong Xihan was somewhat puzzled, "Why did she leave?" It wasn't like her to admit defeat so easily.
Bai Chuxiao shrugged. "Who knows?"
In fact, Zhang Miaoke went back to settle scores with Chu Tianling again. She didn't want to slink back to her fiefdom, which would only make her a laughingstock. Now that Bei Yan was visiting, there was still a chance for the fiefdom issue to be resolved, as long as... then they would have a reason to stay in the capital again. However, the Prince of Xiang certainly wouldn't sit idly by. Thinking of this, she had no appetite at all...
After having dinner with Kong Xihan, the two said goodbye downstairs. Bai Chuxiao then went to the Prince of Yan's residence.
"Here, this is for you," Bai Chuxiao casually pushed the brocade box towards Chu Tianze. Actually, she felt the gift was too casual and felt a little embarrassed, but since she was already there, she might as well give it to him.
Chu Tianze opened the jade box, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes, and immediately tied the jade pendant to his waist.
"very good"
This was the first gift Xiaoxiao had ever given him, and he loved it no matter what it was.
"I just ran into Xiao Chen and that princess."
"That princess is quite dashing," Bai Chuxiao added with a smile.
Chu Tianze remained expressionless. "Oh?"
Bai Chuxiao blinked. "Isn't Your Highness, the Prince of Yan, curious?"
"I'm only curious about Xiaoxiao," Chu Tianze said calmly.
"snort"
"Yu Fengyang told me everything, and he said he wanted to thank you," Chu Tianze changed the subject.
Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "If you had stepped in, Old Master would have given up long ago."
Chu Tianze shook his head, "It's not appropriate for me to go and say it."
Bai Chuxiao's eyes lit up again, "Speaking of which, does Yu Fengyang really not have someone he likes?"
Seeing her gossipy expression, Chu Tianze raised an eyebrow. "A secret."
"All right……"
Fine, I won't tell you then! What's with the smugness? This princess doesn't want to know at all!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com