As soon as Bai Chuwan saw Madam Xie, she immediately threw herself into her arms, choking back tears, "Mother, how could this happen?"
A hint of heartache flashed in Madam Xie's eyes. "Wan'er, it's my fault. It's alright, you can have another child."
Bai Chuwan shook her head, "There won't be any more."
"Wan'er, what are you saying?"
"The doctor said I've damaged my body and it will be difficult for me to have children again," Bai Chuwan said, her face filled with despair.
Madam Xie hugged her tightly and comforted her, "No, Mother will think of a way. She will definitely recover."
Bai Chuwan nodded blankly. Would she really get better? It seemed she wouldn't recover…
After returning from the Eastern Palace, Xie Shi became depressed and unhappy. It was all her fault that Wan'er was harmed, but Wan'er didn't blame her; instead, Xie Shi felt a pang of guilt.
Bai Linan wasn't angry when he found out; he simply released Bai Chudie and Bai Chuxin, who had been imprisoned for a long time. His second daughter was crippled, but he had other daughters, didn't he?
However, Bai Chudie and Bai Chuxin had learned their lesson quite well these past few days, and remained very low-key after coming out. They only paid their respects to the old lady, Madam Xie, every day. Since Bai Chuxiao had become a princess, they naturally didn't dare to offend her. For a time, the Bai family became quiet.
However, their good fortune was short-lived. News spread like wildfire that the eldest prince of Beiyan, Xiao Chen, intended to marry a princess and would soon arrive in the capital. The second princess immediately went to see the Emperor. She didn't want to go to Beiyan; she was currently the only princess in the Great Xia Dynasty she could marry. However, she was reprimanded by Emperor Wenxuan, who said that as a princess, she enjoyed wealth and honor, and therefore should also bear corresponding responsibilities.
The second princess ran out of the imperial study in tears. Empress Li and the Crown Prince, unable to bear it, jointly requested an audience with Emperor Wenxuan. Emperor Wenxuan eventually softened his stance, indicating that a woman from the imperial clan or the families of ministers could be chosen and bestowed the title of princess to replace the second princess in her marriage to Beiyan. However, the second princess was not excluded; she remained on the shortlist. Finally, Emperor Wenxuan waved his hand, and the task of determining the selection unexpectedly fell to Bai Chuxiao. Of course, the eldest prince's approval was also required.
When Bai Chuxiao received the imperial decree, she couldn't help but curse. Wasn't Emperor Wenxuan just making trouble for her? Choosing anyone meant offending someone! But Emperor Wenxuan had the audacity to say that Princess Changning was insightful and had rendered meritorious service in repelling the enemy. This matter concerned the diplomatic relations between Beiyan and Daxia, so he entrusted it to Princess Changning, believing that she would not disappoint him and the Crown Prince of Beiyan.
"I believe you? You're a fool!" Bai Chuxiao said angrily. "I'm an unmarried young lady, is it appropriate for me to handle a political marriage? Your Majesty, where did you get that idea from...?"
Bai Chuxiao sat on the swing, gazing helplessly at the sky. "Sigh, this is truly a disaster struck by heaven."
I was planning to go to Zhaoyun Peak these next few days to lead everyone in final training, but it looks like that will have to be postponed again. I'll have to find time later.
Qingzhu, however, remained optimistic, saying, "What's so difficult about that? The princess can just send whoever she doesn't like."
Bai Chuxiao shook her head and sighed softly. It wasn't that simple. There were simply no women of marriageable age among the imperial family, and most of the ministers of particularly high status were already married. Emperor Wenxuan probably still preferred the Second Princess, but he couldn't resist the Empress and the Crown Prince's requests and wanted her to play the villain.
Upon learning this, the noble ladies of the capital were all filled with unease; none of them wanted to marry into Bei Yan. For several days in a row, the threshold of the Left Prime Minister's residence was almost worn down by the constant stream of people coming to test Bai Chuxiao's attitude.
Bai Chuxiao was at her wit's end, so she ran away from the mansion.
In a pavilion in the Prince of Yan's residence, Bai Chuxiao lay sprawled on a stone table, saying, "It's so peaceful here."
Chu Tianze thought this was a good thing. In the past, Xiaoxiao wouldn't come to his residence unless he invited her. Now, it's much better; Xiaoxiao wants to stay here all day long.
The Prince of Yan's usual cold and aloof demeanor was etched into everyone's minds, so no one dared to cause trouble at his residence, except for one person.
The second princess, Chu Fengle, rushed in anxiously, and the guards didn't dare to stop her. "Seventh brother, seventh sister-in-law, you won't just stand by and watch Fengle go to Beiyan, will you?"
Disturbed from her rare moment of peace, Bai Chuxiao's smile vanished. "Second Princess, His Majesty has indeed entrusted this to me, but ultimately, I believe you understand in your heart who makes the final decision."
Chu Fengle's face showed a hint of stubbornness. "Can't you select a few daughters of ministers and present them to Father Emperor for selection?"
"Which ones does the Second Princess think are better to choose?" Bai Chuxiao asked calmly. Even if Xiao Chen were granted the title of princess, given his low status, would he be willing to accept it?
"I don't care, just remove my name from your list," Chu Fengle said nonchalantly.
Chu Tianze's eyes darkened slightly. "Feng Le, what's the point of you making a scene here?"
The second princess shouted, "Seventh brother, I'm your sister too! Won't you help me?"
Chu Tianze scoffed at these words. In the past, when had she ever truly treated him as a brother? Always considering herself a legitimate princess, she rarely took him seriously.
Bai Chuxiao sighed helplessly, "Second Princess, please go back first. This matter won't be resolved so quickly; the First Prince of Beiyan hasn't arrived yet."
The second princess left in anger, she knew it, but she refused to believe it, convinced that Bai Chuxiao held a grudge and wouldn't remove her name from the list.
"She won't think I did it on purpose, will she?"
Chu Tianze chuckled, "Father already had a decision in mind; she will face reality."
Bai Chuxiao slumped onto the table again. Chu Tianze found her rather adorable and couldn't resist patting her head.
She slapped his hand away impatiently before asking again, "How long will it take Xiao Chen to arrive?"
Chu Tianze's lips curled into a smile. "Perhaps they've already arrived."
Bai Chuxiao was somewhat surprised. Had Xiao Chen already arrived in the capital? What was he planning to do by keeping it a secret?
Chu Tianze smiled faintly, "They won't come up with anything interesting."
Bai Chuxiao nodded. That's true, she didn't need to worry about it.
"Xiao Chen brought a princess with him," Chu Tianze added.
"Why bring him here? For a political marriage? There aren't any suitable princes in Great Xia right now, we can't just bring him here and give him to His Majesty, can we?"
Chu Tianze looked at her irritably, "Don't talk nonsense."
Bai Chuxiao chuckled twice; she was just joking, don't take it seriously.
Chu Tianze raised an eyebrow again, "I heard she's Yuwen Yankun's adopted daughter."
"Is the people of Beiyan so open-minded that even the Empress Dowager is willing to grant them a title of Princess?"
"Just sealed off"
This matter is quite intriguing. Bai Chuxiao stroked her chin. This seems to be the start of something big. Could this princess be after Chu Tianze? After all, Chu Tianze has gained some fame in the North. It's not impossible for Xiao Chen to find someone to ally with Chu Tianze. But that won't do. This person in front of him is his own…
Seeing Bai Chuxiao's constantly changing expression, Chu Tianze roughly knew what she was thinking and said helplessly, "Xiaoxiao, can't you have a little faith in your husband?"
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