Bai Chuwan was furious, secretly resenting Bai Chudie for being more trouble than she was worth, even causing her to fall into the water. However, this had inadvertently brought her closer to the Crown Prince, but she still didn't want to speak up for her; after all, she was just a concubine's daughter born to a maid.
"Your Highness, Sister Zhirou has truly wronged Chuwan. Chuwan also fell into the water; how could I have ordered her to do so? Furthermore, I brought my half-sister along because my eldest sister had just returned to the capital, and I wanted to have another sister for company. The sisters are all disciplined by our eldest sister; how could Chuwan make such a decision?"
Bai Chuxiao sneered. This Bai Chuwan was truly persistent, determined to implicate her and smear her reputation. "Greetings, Your Highness. I, Chuxiao, have only just returned to the capital. How could I have had the opportunity to discipline my sisters? It is all thanks to Consort Xie in the household who has raised them. This time, it was indeed my Bai family's fault for not disciplining them properly. Upon returning, Wan will definitely report to Father and severely punish Fourth Sister. From now on, I, Chuxiao, will also strictly discipline my sisters. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Upon hearing this, the eldest princess's expression relaxed somewhat. She felt that it was rare to find someone sensible in the Bai family, so she smiled and said, "This matter has nothing to do with you. After the banquet, I will write to the Left Prime Minister to explain the reasons. You are a sensible person; teach them well in the future."
He glanced at Bai Chuwan and Li Zhirou again, and said indifferently, "This matter ends here. You can both go back and sit down. We've already wasted quite a bit of time."
He then gestured for the veiled woman to come closer, and introduced her to the crowd, "This is Princess Lingxiang from the Southern Frontier. She has come to meet the young masters of our Great Xia capital."
The men in the seating area were all eyeing Princess Lingxiang. Although she wore a veil, her alluring figure made it clear that she was a beauty.
Princess Lingxiang bowed to everyone according to the customs of Southern Xinjiang, saying, "It is an honor for Lingxiang to meet you all. Today, I will first present you with a Star-Treading Dance from my Southern Xinjiang."
After clapping her hands, two maids, also dressed in Southern Frontier attire, entered carrying a zither. As the music began, Princess Lingxiang danced gracefully in the center of the room. The music suddenly quickened, and she gracefully extended her long sleeves, her delicate body spinning rapidly. Her deep blue exotic dress billowed in the wind, making her appear like a fairy.
After the dance, applause erupted throughout the hall, and the Crown Prince, who was on the throne, clapped and praised, "Princess Lingxiang's dance was superb!"
Princess Lingxiang bowed and said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness," before turning to the women's seats on her right.
He smiled and said, "I've heard that the champion of last year's Spring Banquet was also an excellent dancer. I wonder if I'll have the honor of witnessing her dance today?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Shuyao spoke first with a smile, "The one Princess Lingxiang is referring to is Miss Bai the Second. Of course, Miss Bai the Second wouldn't refuse." After saying that, she pointed to Bai Chuwan for Princess Lingxiang.
Having witnessed Princess Lingxiang's dance, Bai Chuwan dared not go up. This Liu Shuyao was clearly trying to provoke her into competing in the dance, so she could embarrass herself.
She stood up and said with a smile, "Princess Lingxiang, I'm so sorry. Chu Wan also wanted to dance, but I happened to fall into the water today and am feeling a bit unwell. I really don't have the strength. However, my eldest sister is far superior to me, though she hasn't shown it. Why don't you dance for me today?"
Bai Chuxiao truly thought her second younger sister was crazy, why did she always have to drag her into everything? After today, she was determined to find a chance to teach her a lesson.
Seeing Princess Lingxiang looking over, she calmly waved her hand and said nonchalantly, "Princess Lingxiang, I can't dance."
"Miss Bai, you jest. Lingxiang has heard that you are the fiancée of the Prince of Yan. The Prince of Yan is exceptionally handsome and is considered a fine young man in our Southern Frontier. How come you, as his fiancée, can't even dance?" Lingxiang asked, feigning surprise.
What a fine young man! The Southern Frontier suffered a defeat at the hands of the Prince of Yan, and even forced her to come to the Great Xia for a political marriage. She hated the Prince of Yan more than anything. However, she could use this opportunity to humiliate Bai Chuxiao and also disgust the Prince of Yan.
Having been warned by Zhao Sifang beforehand, Bai Chuxiao naturally wouldn't ignore Princess Lingxiang's hostility, but simply replied calmly, "Who says everyone has to know how to dance? I just can't."
Princess Lingxiang still wouldn't give up, "Then what is Miss Bai good at? I've dabbled in a bit of everything. Miss Bai can choose what she's best at, and I'll definitely accompany her. Surely Miss Bai isn't completely clueless?"
Bai Chuxiao cursed inwardly, "What a lunatic! Her specialty? Killing! She just wanted to take these annoying people to a secluded place and give them a good beating, to stop them from causing trouble every day." Of course, this idea remained just a thought in her mind.
She stood up. "Since Princess Lingxiang has said so, then Chu Xiao will perform a pipa piece for everyone." Chu Tianze looked at Bai Chu Xiao with a smile on her lips, and couldn't help but feel anticipation.
The eldest princess immediately instructed her maid to fetch a pipa. Bai Chuxiao sat in the center of the room, holding the pipa. She was going to play "Ambush from Ten Sides," her favorite piece from both her past and present lives. As her fingers danced, a melody carrying the grandeur of a battlefield slowly spread out. With the rise and fall of the music, everyone present felt as if they were on the battlefield themselves.
The music was powerful and continuous. Chu Tianze looked at the person in the center of the arena, dressed in a green robe, with sharp eyes, rapidly strumming the strings. His eyes revealed admiration. Only someone like him, who had truly fought on the battlefield, could truly appreciate the meaning of this piece. At this moment, he only wanted to go to the palace to properly thank his mother for helping him obtain such an outstanding woman.
As the music ended, applause continued. Prince Qi, Chu Tianling, spoke first, "Miss Bai's performance was excellent. I have never heard such a piece before. Miss Bai is truly talented!"
Chu Tianze gave his sixth brother a cold glance. He'd better not have any designs on Chu Xiao, or he would definitely not let him off the hook.
Bai Chuxiao looked at Princess Lingxiang and chuckled, "Would the princess like to play another piece?"
Princess Lingxiang was astonished. The music she had just heard seemed to bring back memories of the defeat in the Southern Frontier just a month ago, leaving her with a bitter taste in her mouth. She could only force a smile and say, "Miss Bai's music was truly exquisite. I am ashamed to admit my inferiority and will not embarrass myself further."
The eldest princess was also amazed, which made her miss her mother a little. Her mother was just like that back then...
"Chu Xiao, come here," he said, handing her an exquisitely crafted phoenix hairpin. "This was given to me by my mother years ago, and I'm giving it to you today. It can also serve as a wedding gift for you and your seventh brother in the future."
Bai Chuxiao was surprised. This belonged to the late Empress; how could it be given to her? "Princess, this is too precious; Chuxiao is unworthy to accept it."
The eldest princess smiled and said, "It's alright. I feel a connection with you today, so please accept it. You can visit the princess's residence more often in the future."
Bai Chuxiao couldn't refuse any longer and smiled, "Thank you, Princess."
Chu Tianze also stood up and returned the greeting, "Thank you, Eldest Princess."
"Alright, we're all family now, no need to be so formal," the other noble ladies said, all filled with envy at the sight. The late Empress's belongings were extremely precious.
The eldest princess then said calmly, "This year will be different from previous years. This time, each young master and lady will choose one of the following: calligraphy, painting, or poetry. They will have the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, after which my younger brothers and sisters and I will make a comprehensive judgment."
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