Despite the old lady's words, Bai Chuxiao remained unfazed and continued leisurely sipping her tea. Want to punish her? Then wait until tonight; she can have anything she wants in her dreams!
Bai Linan's eyes darkened slightly. After a moment's thought, he spoke calmly, "Mother is right. The eldest young lady disrespects her elders, does not care for her younger brother, and disrupts the family. She shall be punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall for five days to reflect on her actions. Guards! Take the eldest young lady away."
Regardless of the Bai family's eldest daughter's noble status, they naturally respected the Prime Minister above all else. Since he had spoken, no one dared disobey. The steward, Lai Fu, led a group of guards in and surrounded the Liuli Courtyard.
Madam Xie couldn't help but sneer. Beating Haoyun so badly only resulted in five days of kneeling—that was too lenient on this wretched girl… However, she also knew that punishing this wretched girl now wouldn't be easy. It was only because the master had spoken; otherwise, how could the guards and servants in this mansion have obeyed so readily?
Qing Shuang and Qing Zhu calmly took a step forward. Bai Chuxiao stood up and smiled slightly, "Father should know my temperament."
Bai Linan's face darkened. "Why can't your father punish you?"
Considering the princess's status and the Prince of Yan's influence, kneeling in the ancestral hall was already a lenient punishment. If he did nothing and let this rebellious daughter run rampant, what would become of his authority as the Left Prime Minister in the household?
"Father, you may punish me as you see fit; whether I listen or not is my own business."
"Young Miss, please!" After receiving a look from Bai Linan, Lai Fu immediately bowed and gestured, not daring to go too far.
"Where does Bai Xiang intend to take my queen?" Chu Tianze walked in with Mo Yan and Mo Wen, his face icy cold. He had returned because he remembered he hadn't finished talking to Xiao Xiao, but he didn't expect to see Xiao Xiao being bullied as soon as he arrived...
"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Yan," everyone bowed in unison.
Chu Tianze stared coldly at Bai Linan, not telling him to get up. The servants could only bury their heads and kneel on the ground. In the past, Chu Tianze had never made the old lady bow to him out of respect for the elderly and care for the young. But today, this old woman dared to punish Xiaoxiao, so he wouldn't be polite. Thus, the old lady could only maintain the posture of a curtsy, trembling.
Bai Linan cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, the eldest daughter has made a mistake. As her father, it is not inappropriate for me to punish her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall according to family rules."
Chu Tianze remained expressionless and said calmly, "Oh? Then how about I kneel in the ancestral hall with the princess?"
Bai Linan was taken aback, and quickly lowered his head, saying, "This old minister dares not."
"You dare not? Xiaoxiao is a princess personally bestowed by my father and my future queen consort. You all dare to shamelessly make her kneel in the ancestral hall. After we get married and you become my father-in-law, will you also be disciplining me in place of my father?"
Bai Linan was shocked. Disciplining the Prince of Yan in place of Emperor Wenxuan? If such disrespectful words reached His Majesty's ears, his position as Left Chancellor would likely be over.
"Your humble servant had absolutely no such intention!"
Chu Tianze snorted coldly, "Then what are these guards trying to do by surrounding my princess's courtyard?"
Bai Linan hurriedly shouted to those behind him, "Get down here now!"
The group, who had initially been so aggressive, could only slink away in disgrace.
Chu Tianze then stepped forward, took Bai Chuxiao's hand, who was smiling sweetly at him, and sat her down to the side. After glancing around, he spoke in a deep voice, "Who is this idiot?"
The question was naturally directed at Bai Haoyun. Ever since Chu Tianze entered, Bai Haoyun had remained silent, leaning against Aying as if she had no strength left. Her whole body ached, so she couldn't sit or stand comfortably.
Qing Shuang quickly spoke up, "Your Highness, this is the eldest young master of the manor. As soon as the princess returned, the eldest young master came to the door and disrespected her. He not only addressed her by her full name, but also demanded that she pay her respects to one of the concubines in the manor. He then went on to threaten to beat the maids of the Liuli Courtyard. That's why the princess disciplined him and gave him dozens of lashes."
Chu Tianze looked at the woman beside him and said reproachfully, "Xiaoxiao, you're too kind. Dozens of lashes aren't enough, and the blows were too light. How can he still be standing?"
Kindness? The Bai family couldn't help but scoff inwardly. Was the Prince of Yan blind? What did the young lady have to do with the word "kindness"? She was clearly a devil!
Bai Chuxiao blinked and smiled, "He's practically my younger brother, and he has an exam to take in a few days."
Chu Tianze spoke calmly, "Xiaoxiao is truly beautiful inside and out. In my opinion, breaking a leg would be too lenient for someone who disrespects you. Don't speak or ask!"
Seeing the two people walking towards Bai Haoyun, and remembering the tragic state of the Second Young Master Wei, the Old Madam and Madam Xie panicked. They immediately knelt down and cried out, "Your Highness, please forgive us! Haoyun is young and didn't mean it..."
Bai Linan was also somewhat flustered. He only had one son, and if he was crippled, he would be gone forever. "The eldest girl has already been disciplined. I beg Your Highness to spare Haoyun."
Chu Tianze sneered, "The princess has already shown mercy, yet you are all dissatisfied with her, taking advantage of my kindness. Do you think you can punish my princess consort?"
Bai Linan immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. This old minister has only just returned and has not yet understood the truth of the matter, which is why I misunderstood the young lady. This time it was indeed Haoyun's fault, and he has already been punished. Considering that the autumn examination is only a few days away, please forgive him, Your Highness."
Bai Haoyun panicked. Hearing that the Prince of Yan intended to break his legs, how could he ever amount to anything if he was crippled? So, enduring the pain, he knelt down with difficulty, pleading, "Brother-in-law, spare my life!"
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow at Bai Haoyun, who immediately changed his tune, and found it somewhat boring. How come all the children of the Xie family are so spineless? If he had continued his hot-blooded cursing, she might have respected him a bit more, but now that he's so spineless, she's not going to play with him anymore…
"Alright, get out of here! Aunt Xie, remember to come and pay your respects every day, understand? If I send someone to inquire again..."
Madam Xie wanted to protest, but when she looked up, she saw the murderous intent in Chu Tianze's eyes. She dared not say anything more and could only lower her head again, replying with a humiliated expression, "Yes, sir."
Chu Tianze also spoke coldly, "Remember this leg. If anyone dares to bully the princess again, don't blame me for being impolite..."
The Bai family members were all angry but dared not speak out. The Prince of Yan was too protective of his own and was lying through his teeth. It was clearly the princess who bullied them!
"Your Highness, then this old minister will not disturb you and the eldest maid any longer."
Chu Tianze nodded indifferently, and the group hurriedly withdrew. These two inside were practically demons; it was best to avoid Liuli Academy in the future.
Bai Linan, who had just left the Liuli Courtyard, looked at his son being carried on a stretcher with a grim expression. This Chu Tianze had come to his residence to show off his power, clearly not taking him, the current Left Prime Minister, seriously. So what if he was a prince? Once the new emperor ascended the throne, with his arrogant nature, how could he tolerate him... Just wait and see!
The group returned to Bai Haoyun's residence, Luming Courtyard, carefully moved Bai Haoyun to the bed, and then invited an old doctor.
The old lady sat by the bedside, heartbroken, constantly asking her grandson how he was doing...
"Master, what will happen to Haoyun in three days?" Madam Xie wiped away her tears with her handkerchief.
Bai Linan's face was gloomy. "Take good care of him. If he can go, then go; if not, wait until next time. Anyway, Haoyun is still young, there's no rush."
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