In the main hall of the Left Prime Minister's residence, Bai Linan and the Old Madam sat at the head of the table, while Chu Tianyou, Bai Chuwan, Bai Haoyun, Bai Chudie, and Bai Chuxin sat below them. After being imprisoned for a month, the Crown Prince was finally released from confinement by Emperor Wenxuan and immediately returned to the Bai family with Bai Chuwan.
Bai Chuxiao frowned slightly as she looked at the two of them. This Chu Tianyou was far too idle; she had seen him more often in the Bai residence than her several half-sisters.
After Bai Linan had finished exchanging pleasantries with the Crown Prince, the old lady looked at her granddaughters below and spoke in a deep voice.
"Little girl, the wedding date is approaching, we can't be careless."
Bai Chuxiao took a sip of tea calmly. "Grandmother, rest assured, everything is fine."
This old woman, who hadn't done anything to help, was now showing concern. However, she knew it wasn't concern for her, but rather for the Bai family's reputation.
The old lady's face betrayed no emotion; she simply said, "That's good."
Chu Tianyou, displaying the demeanor of a gentleman, smiled and said, "In a couple of days, I will definitely go to the Prince of Yan's residence to attend my seventh brother's and the princess's wedding banquet."
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "How could I trouble Your Highness to condescend to such an honor?"
Chu Tianyou seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in her words, and calmly replied, "We're all family, Princess, what are you saying?"
The head steward, Laifu, entered and bowed, reporting, "Master, the four young masters of the Murong family request an audience."
Bai Linan's eyes flickered slightly. Why were they coming? Although the relationship between the Bai family and the Murong family wasn't openly acknowledged, he knew the Murong family held a grudge against him. Murong's second wife and Murong Xuan would come, but they always went directly to Liuli Courtyard and never bothered to exchange pleasantries with him. He also knew Murong Yuan had returned, but he didn't feel that he, as the Left Prime Minister, needed to pay a visit to his father-in-law.
Bai Chuxiao's face lit up with joy. Hui Di was back too? Without waiting for Bai Linan to speak, she started walking out.
Seeing this, Bai Linan looked at the two concubine's daughters below and said calmly, "You two should also go and greet them." After all, they were the legitimate bride's family, and since they had come, the Bai family's etiquette could not be neglected.
Four handsome young men stood conspicuously at the entrance of the Bai residence. Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Eldest brother, second brother, third brother, and fourth brother, what are you doing standing at the entrance?"
"Sister Xiao!" Murong Hui, who was only thirteen years old but already tall and handsome, quickly stepped forward and greeted her with a smile.
Bai Chuxiao patted his shoulder with a smile, "Yes, Hui-di is taller than his sister now." The last time she saw Murong Hui was at the end of the year, and now, only a few months later, he has suddenly grown so tall...
Murong Che smiled and said, "Sister Xiao, don't treat Brother Hui like a child. He ranked second in the entire Jiangnan region in this provincial examination."
Bai Chuxiao's eyes showed a hint of surprise, then she smiled slightly, "Brother Hui can even reach the Central Asian Yuan level in Jiangnan, not bad!"
Murong Hui looked at his older brothers and sisters somewhat embarrassedly, "Please stop making fun of me."
Murong Shuo raised an eyebrow. "How is this mockery? We older brothers and your sister Xiao usually only know how to wield swords and spears. Look at Hui-di's talent; maybe our Murong family will even produce a top scholar next year!"
The steward Laifu, Bai Chudie, and Bai Chuxin who were following behind were all shocked when they heard this. The Fourth Young Master Murong should not be underestimated!
Bai Chuxin's eyes lit up, and she quickly ran forward and curtsied, "Xin'er greets my cousins."
Except for Murong Xuan, the rest of the Murong family members were filled with confusion. When did they get a cousin? Although Xiao Mei was technically a cousin, she had grown up under their very noses, and they had always treated her like their own sister.
Bai Chudie cursed inwardly. This Murong Hui was young, had great potential, and was extremely good-looking. This fifth sister was really scheming, so eager to curry favor with him. Didn't she even know who she was?
However, she put on a sweet smile and said, "Die'er greets my cousins. It's rare for you to come over, so please come in and have a seat."
Murong Xuan raised an eyebrow at Bai Chuxiao, as if to say, "Have your two sisters lost their minds?" He had never been treated so warmly when he visited the Bai family before. And now, these two practically had their eyes on Hui Di.
Bai Chuxiao understood the look in her second brother's eyes, and helplessly shrugged. Her two half-sisters had such complicated thoughts, one after another. She couldn't control what other girls wanted, but Hui-di was absolutely out of the question...
Murong Che and the others hadn't expected the Crown Prince to be at the Bai residence today. Upon entering, they could only bow in unison, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Chu Tianyou's eyes flickered slightly, and he said with a smile, "Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities."
Bai Chuwan's eyes held a hint of indignation. She had originally thought that the young masters of the Murong family would all be reckless brutes, but what she saw today was not what she had imagined.
The Murong family indeed harbored no goodwill towards the Bai family. With so many of them present, it would be impolite not to pay their respects to their elders.
Murong Che bowed slightly again and said with a smile, "The juniors and my brothers greet the old lady and uncle." Murong Xuan and the others also nodded slightly. They didn't really want to bother with formalities; they'd leave the small talk to their eldest brother.
The old lady's eyes flickered slightly; these few from the Murong family did indeed seem outstanding.
Bai Linan nodded and smiled gently, "We're all family, no need for formalities. How is your grandfather?"
Murong Che calmly replied, "Grandfather is doing well."
Bai Linan smiled and said, "Then I'm relieved. I originally intended to visit my father-in-law, but I've been too busy lately to find the time. Please convey my message to your grandfather that I will personally visit the Murong family to apologize to my father-in-law once I'm done with this."
Bai Chuxiao and Murong Xuan couldn't help but curl their lips. Ungrateful is ungrateful. It's been almost half a month, and the Murong family isn't far away. If they had any intention, they would have gone to pay their respects long ago. How busy are they? Even His Majesty in the palace is probably busier than you. By the time you have time, they'll probably have already returned to Dingzhou…
Murong Che didn't care. If it weren't for Xiao Mei, the Murong family would have cut off all ties with the Bai family. Forget about father-in-law; "Uncle, you're the dignified Left Prime Minister, official business is paramount."
The old lady quickly smiled and said, "Speaking of which, Haoyun and the Fourth Young Master are about the same age and study at Bailu Academy, so they can visit each other more often in the future."
Bai Haoyun remained expressionless, a hint of disdain in his eyes. He was the son of the Left Prime Minister, while Murong Hui was merely the son of a minor Vice Minister of Rites. Did he even deserve to be associated with him?
Although the Murong family had long lost its former glory, Murong Yuan was still a renowned general who helped found the dynasty. Chu Tianyou didn't underestimate him, and couldn't help but ask, "Fourth Young Master, have you taken the imperial examination this year?" He had been busy recruiting military officers these days and hadn't really paid much attention to the results of the autumn examinations.
Murong Hui, with a calm expression, slightly cupped his hands in greeting, "Your Highness, I participated in the autumn imperial examination in Jiangnan."
Chu Tianyou raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Jiangnan is known for its abundance of talented people. Did the Fourth Young Master make the list this time?" In his opinion, it was already a great honor for Murong Hui, who was so young, to pass the imperial examination...
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