Murong Xuan's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm and said, "Sister Xiao, you can't talk nonsense about such things. Aren't you damaging the young lady's reputation?"
Bai Chuxiao blinked. "What nonsense did I say, little sister?"
Murong Xuan dared not look Bai Chuxiao in the eye, and feigning composure, slowly said, "Of course it's because you said that the young lady has feelings for me..."
Just then, the door to the private room was pushed open with a bang, and a beautiful young woman in a sky-blue dress walked in.
"Murong Xuan, Xiaoxiao isn't lying, I truly love you," Kong Xihan boldly said what she had always wanted to say.
The household was pressuring her to marry, and she could no longer refuse. She wanted to give herself another chance; if it didn't work out, she would give up and marry someone else, obeying her parents' wishes.
The maid outside had quietly closed the door, and Bai Chuxiao made room for Kong Xihan.
Murong Xuan's ears turned red at the girl's sudden declaration of her feelings, and he was somewhat at a loss for words. "Miss Kong..."
Instead of her usual shyness when seeing her beloved, Kong Xihan asked with a touch of recklessness, "Murong Xuan, we've known each other since childhood. I have feelings for you. What about you? Do you feel anything for me? If not, let's pretend today never happened, and I won't bother you again."
Murong Xuan's cheeks flushed slightly, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes. He stammered, "I...I've never considered matters of love..."
Sensing the rejection, Kong Xihan felt a pang of sadness. Her eyes vacant, she softly said, "I understand."
After saying that, he pushed open the door and ran out.
Murong Xuan stood up and watched the girl's departing figure with some worry, "Sister Xiao..."
Bai Chuxiao blinked, then sighed, "Second Brother, since you really have no intention of meeting anyone, and Aunt Kong has already chosen quite a few excellent men for Sister Xihan, I'll go and check them out tomorrow. Don't worry, Second Brother, I'm going to find Sister Xihan now..." Without even glancing at Murong Xuan's expression, she chased after Kong Xihan in the direction she had left.
Murong Xuan went downstairs looking lost and dejected, then returned home in a daze. The Murong family members were puzzled by his appearance. Madam Murong asked him with some concern, but Murong Xuan refused to say anything and simply locked himself in the courtyard...
Bai Chuxiao sat with Kong Xihan in the Kong family's carriage. Kong Xihan gave a forced smile, "Chuxiao, I'm fine. I knew this would happen."
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "I do think Second Brother has feelings for Sister Xihan, but he really hadn't thought about it before, so he can't see his own heart clearly for the time being."
Kong Xi smiled and shook her head. "You don't need to comfort me. I can let it go easily. But you need to set aside some time these next few days and help me look at which young master is suitable."
In the capital, women were considered to be engaged early, and Kong Xihan was already considered old enough to find a husband. However, since Lord Kong was, after all, the Minister of Revenue, and the Kong family did not place great importance on social status but valued character, talent, and potential more, there were still quite a few men willing to propose to him.
Bai Chuxiao's eyes lit up. "Okay!"
Bai Chuxiao returned to the manor and had just reached the front hall when she ran into the long-absent Crown Prince and Bai Chuwan.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince," Bai Chuxiao gave a slight curtsy. She wasn't particularly surprised by the two's appearance; she guessed it was either Xie who had tipped them off, or Bai Linan had many disciples, and the Crown Prince was probably trying to establish a connection with Bai Linan at this crucial juncture.
Chu Tianyou remained silent, his expression displeased. Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow; was he here to avenge Xie Shi and Bai Haoyun? However, she didn't seem to care.
Bai Chuwan's face showed displeasure. "Eldest sister, His Highness the Crown Prince hasn't said anything. How could you get up? That's incredibly impolite."
"The princess really needs to learn proper etiquette," Chu Tianyou said in a deep voice.
A meaningful smile appeared on Bai Chuxiao's face. "What do Your Highness and Consort want? How about you beat me up to avenge Bai Haoyun and Aunt Xie?"
Seeing her smug and fearless attitude, Bai Chuwan became even angrier, tugging at Chu Tianyou's sleeve, "Brother Tianyou, look at her... she's clearly relying on the Prince of Yan's backing to look down on us."
When the name of Prince Yan was mentioned, Chu Tianyou's eyes turned slightly cold. His father was trusting his seventh brother more and more, which was why the two of them were so unscrupulous and didn't even speak to him, the crown prince, with much respect.
"The princess has offended me, so she shall kneel here for an hour," Chu Tianyou said coldly. The seventh prince's protection of Bai Chuxiao was known throughout the capital, and he had even threatened to break the legs of anyone who disrespected the princess? Quite arrogant, indeed. But today he was going to punish Bai Chuxiao, and he wanted to see what the seventh prince could do to him…
Seeing that she remained motionless for a while, Chu Tianyou said in a deep voice, "Does the princess intend to disobey orders?"
Bai Chuxiao sighed softly. When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. The Crown Prince's status was indeed advantageous; second only to Emperor Wenxuan.
"Your Majesty, what a magnificent sight!" Chu Tianze strode in, radiating coldness, and pulled Bai Chuxiao behind him.
Chu Tianyou's face darkened. "You're disobeying my orders? Seventh Brother, are you trying to rebel?"
Chu Tianze's eyes turned slightly cold. "How dare I, your humble brother?"
Chu Tianyou snorted coldly, "What is Princess Changning still standing there for?"
Bai Chuwan had a smug look on her face. This was the benefit of marrying the Crown Prince. No matter how arrogant Bai Chuxiao and the Prince of Yan were, they still had to listen to the Crown Prince. Today, Bai Chuxiao still had to kneel in front of her!
Chu Tianze suddenly chuckled, "However, I did receive some rather interesting news about you today, Your Majesty. I'm hesitating whether to report it to Father. Your Majesty, you should think carefully. You insist on punishing Xiaoxiao, and I dare not stop you, but..."
Chu Tianyou's face stiffened. He had already had the matter cleaned up thoroughly, so how could his seventh brother know? Perhaps he was bluffing him. "I don't understand what you're talking about, seventh brother."
Chu Tianze nodded calmly, "Since Your Majesty doesn't mind, then I will present it to Father..."
Chu Tianyou still looked hesitant and undecided. He had already promised to punish Bai Chuxiao; if he gave up because of a single sentence, what would become of his reputation? If the seventh prince continued to threaten him at will, what would be the point of him being the crown prince?
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly at the man beside her, "Your Highness, as the Crown Prince, it's alright for a lowly subject like me to kneel. Tianze, official business is more important; you should go to the palace to see His Majesty first."
Chu Tianze took his hands and said softly, "I'm sorry to have wronged Xiaoxiao. I'll kneel with you after I report this to my father." With that, he turned and left.
"Wait!" Chu Tianyou quickly said.
"Seventh brother, we are all brothers. Why don't you tell your elder brother the news first?"
Chu Tianze stepped forward and whispered two words in Chu Tianyou's ear, but Chu Tianyou's expression changed drastically.
Seeing this, Bai Chuxiao blinked. "Your Highness, shall I continue to kneel?"
"Sister-in-law, you jest. I was just joking with you in a moment of panic," Chu Tianyou said with an embarrassed smile.
Chu Tianze spoke coldly, "Your Highness, it's best not to make such jokes again. I don't like them."
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