Once inside the study, Bai Chuxiao asked, "Why did you come so early?"
Chu Tianze smiled. "I wanted to see you and also tell you about yesterday's events. Sixth Brother made arrangements in advance, which is why the rumors spread so quickly."
She snorted coldly again, "The Crown Prince and Fifth Brother also chimed in, and even Xie Shi from your household contributed to the effort."
Bai Chuxiao chuckled, "I think I guessed it. These two didn't have a good day yesterday, and they want to make things even worse."
"I just didn't expect that so many people managed to leave the city so easily yesterday. Is Prince Qi still able to command the capital's guards?"
Chu Tianze sneered, "The current Commander-in-Chief of the Capital Garrison, He Yan, and the Commander of the Imperial Guards, Cheng Song, are both neutrals and won't listen to him. However, the Duke of Zhenguo also holds some military power, has many connections in the army, and enjoys considerable prestige. It wouldn't be difficult for him to take the opportunity to bribe a few junior officers. Just yesterday, my father ordered me to temporarily take over the defense of the capital and properly train the patrol battalion in the suburbs, and then this incident happened. It seems that we need to deal with this matter properly."
"Oh? Can I go and take a look sometime?" Bai Chuxiao seemed interested.
"The patrol camp is a mixed bag, with people from different factions. He Yan and Cheng Song's men don't get along very well in private. This time, because I have to escort the envoys from the Southern Frontier back to the capital, my father specially allowed me to bring 5,000 Xuanjia soldiers back to the capital. Those troops are now stationed in the patrol camp."
"Are those the same people from last night? They look pretty good. You're quite adept at training your troops."
Chu Tianze shook his head before smiling and said, "I can't move those five thousand soldiers without Father's order. They are my two hundred personal guards, the Black Wing Guards. Using them won't hurt."
The personal guard is considered a type of household army. The Great Xia Dynasty has regulations allowing each prince to have a household army, but no more than two hundred, while the Crown Prince's palace cannot exceed five hundred.
"Many of those men on the mountain yesterday were Qi King's personal guards, but it seems your men are much stronger than them."
"Of course, the Black Wing Guards are all veterans who have fought on the battlefield. However, Xiao Xiao, in addition to the regular guards, each prince also secretly recruits and trains some skilled guards. You shouldn't underestimate them."
Bai Chuxiao chuckled, "Just like that man in black robes last night, his strength was indeed quite impressive."
After thinking for a moment, he asked again, "I haven't properly asked you about Xue Wuyun's identity yet, and why you were injured that day."
Chu Tianze looked at her with doting eyes, "Xiaoxiao, I don't have any powerful backing, and I still have an army to support. How can I manage without money? That's why, when there's no war, I disguise myself as Xue Wuyun in the martial arts world and do some shady business."
Bai Chuxiao sighed, annoyed, "Chu Tianze, you're not going to tell me you're actually penniless, are you? That Japanese girl only saved you because you were so generous."
Chu Tianze shrugged. "Xiaoxiao, that's exactly what happened. I had taken on a murder case that day, and I was in a rush on the way back to the capital. That's when I ran into a tough opponent and got caught. Luckily, Xiaoxiao was there."
Bai Chuxiao felt somewhat helpless. "Qingyi Pavilion is yours, right? It looks like you can make a lot of money from it."
"There are quite a few, but Xiaoxiao's army is difficult to maintain. My brothers are all worried about me managing so many people, and they've given me a lot of trouble in the capital regarding military pay. I don't have that much time, and Qingyi Pavilion is also managed by Yu Fengyang."
"You have a good relationship with Prince Yu?"
"Xiaoxiao, Yu Fengyang and I have been friends since childhood, and he has been through thick and thin with me over the years. I can trust him."
"The Yu family is also a long-established family. As the heir, does the Yu family have any objections to him following you like this?"
“Xiaoxiao, the Yu family is complicated, and the conflicts are no less than those in your Bai family. Yu Fengyang’s position as the heir is not secure either. He doesn’t want to be caught up in family feuds all the time, which is why he’s always traveling with me.”
Bai Chuxiao sighed softly and didn't ask any further questions, after all, it was someone else's family matter. "Alright, I never expected to find myself with a penniless guy, but I'll protect you from now on and make sure you never have to worry about food or clothing."
Chu Tianze found her appearance amusing. "I didn't expect our Xiaoxiao to be a rich woman. But don't worry, Xiaoxiao, I won't skimp on your dowry."
Bai Chuxiao snorted coldly, "You're not going to do something shady again to earn a dowry, are you? There's no need for that. I don't need that."
Chu Tianze shook his head. "What are you thinking? Now that I'm back in Kyoto, so many eyes are watching me. I generally won't use the identity of Xue Wuyun."
No matter how many people he has to support, he still wouldn't lack money. After all, he's a prince, and he owns quite a few other properties. It's unreasonable for him to be so strapped for cash.
Chu Tianze was honest with her, so she naturally wouldn't hide anything from him. Now that she had confirmed her feelings, she felt that a certain level of trust was necessary.
"How about we go out for a walk? I happen to know a friend of mine you'd like to meet."
It was lunchtime, and Tianshui Tower was quite crowded. As Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao entered and went upstairs together, everyone's eyes were drawn to them. The news of Miss Bai's abduction yesterday had been spreading like wildfire. Although the First Princess had sent people to escort Miss Bai back to her residence with great fanfare this morning and had even clarified the rumors, everyone was still suspicious. Now, seeing Prince Yan and Bai Chuxiao chatting and laughing, even having lunch together, they were truly convinced. It seemed yesterday's rumors were indeed unfounded. So, they turned their attention away and began discussing new, interesting things.
Sensing the change in everyone's demeanor, Bai Chuxiao asked curiously, "What are they talking about this time?"
Chu Tianze put some food on her plate before smiling and saying, "Xiaoxiao, do you know what the best way to eliminate rumors is?"
"Looking for something more interesting?"
Chu Tianze nodded. Given Qi Wang's behavior yesterday, he naturally wanted to return the favor.
Just then, Prince Qi, accompanied by two guards, stepped into Tianshui Tower. Although he hadn't achieved his ultimate goal yesterday, Bai Chuxiao's abduction was a fact. He figured it wouldn't be bad to come out and hear everyone's gossip and see her make a fool of herself. But on his way out, he overheard the news released by his eldest sister, which infuriated him. His eldest sister was so biased towards the seventh prince, blatantly lying! Not only that, but wherever he went, people were staring at him strangely.
As soon as he entered, he felt the stares and whispers of many people. Sensing something was wrong, and seeing the way they looked at him like he was scum, he asked in a deep voice, "What are they saying? Are they talking about me?"
The guard behind him stammered, seemingly afraid to speak, "Your Highness, it seems they're talking about you, about you..."
Chu Tianling's face turned ashen. "What did you say about me?"
The guard then said tremblingly, "It seems they're saying that the Prince forcibly took Princess Changyun... Everyone says that Princess Changyun and His Highness are in love, and that Your Highness, knowing this, still used tricks to take Princess Changyun's virginity... And after taking it, you don't want to take responsibility. It seems everyone is speaking out for Princess Changyun... And they even say... that's why the Prince spread rumors about Miss Bai to cover it up..."
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