As they left Furong Home, Bai Chuyun caught up with them, calling out, "Big sister, wait for me!"
Bai Chuxiao, accompanied by Lanxiang and Qingzhu, stopped and asked with a smile, "Third Sister, is there anything else?"
"Yun'er would like to sit with her older sister for a while, is that alright?" Bai Chuyun said cheerfully.
"Of course, let's go," Bai Chuxiao quite liked this cute and cheerful girl. She also had an old friend who was from the Zhao family, so she naturally wanted to be closer to this younger sister.
Bai Chuyun stepped forward and took Bai Chuxiao's arm, then looked at Qingzhu and said excitedly, "You're the one who wields the whip, right? Can you teach me a few moves?"
She shook Bai Chuxiao's arm again, "Big sister, you don't know, I've always wanted to learn martial arts, but Mother always forbids it. She always forces me to learn things like music, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery, and needlework, but I don't like them at all."
Bai Chuxiao asked curiously, "Why do you want to learn martial arts? Nowadays, the Great Xia Dynasty values literature over martial arts. It's rumored that people in the capital regard those military generals as brutes. As a young lady from the Prime Minister's family, it wouldn't sound good if word got out."
Bai Chuyun sighed, "Yes, Mother said the same thing. Take His Highness Prince Yan, for example. He has won many battles, which is a great honor, but he is not well-liked by the young ladies in the capital."
As they spoke, they arrived at Liuli Courtyard and sat down at a stone table in the courtyard. Lanxiang served tea, and the two of them sat there drinking tea and chatting.
Bai Chuxiao picked up her teacup, looked at the girl in front of her, and suddenly teased, "You just mentioned the Prince of Yan, and you seemed to admire him a lot. Could it be that you like him...?"
Bai Chuyun put down her teacup. "How could that be? Besides, he's your fiancé, eldest sister. How could Yun'er like him?"
Mentioning the Prince of Yan, Bai Chuxiao seemed to remember something else and asked, "There's something strange about this. I'm rarely in the capital, so how did this marriage end up in my hands?"
Bai Chuyun leaned closer to her and whispered, "I overheard Mother and Father talking about this. The imperial decree only said that the marriage was to the legitimate daughter, but Second Sister didn't want to marry, so she suggested bringing you back to await your marriage."
Bai Chuxiao asked playfully, "Oh? So who does she want to marry?"
Bai Chuyun snorted coldly, "This second sister has ambitions that are higher than the sky. How could she stand being subordinate to someone else? Now that the Crown Prince, the Prince of Xiang, and the Prince of Qi are all gaining power, I think she's spoiled for choice."
She paused again, then added, "But the King of Qi wouldn't be interested in her."
Bai Chuxiao laughed and teased, "Looks like you're in love with Prince Qi."
Bai Chuyun lowered her head again and sighed, "Elder sister, I only told you about this. It was just a fantasy, a joke. I know my place. I'm just a concubine's daughter. Prince Qi would never take a liking to me."
Bai Chuxiao comforted her, "There's plenty of time. You're still young. Can you even distinguish between liking someone and not liking them? It's normal to have a little crush during adolescence. It doesn't necessarily mean you really like someone."
Then, changing the subject, she asked with a smile, "Have you ever seen the Prince of Yan? What does he look like?"
Bai Chuyun perked up again, "I saw him from afar, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and his aura seemed stronger than that of several princes in the capital..."
The two sisters chatted for a while longer before Bai Chuyun left.
After noon, Bai Chuxiao was really bored, so she lightly applied some makeup to her face, changed into white men's clothing, tied her hair up high, and thought about sneaking out the door.
Qingzhu chuckled to herself, "Miss, you look so beautiful! The girls outside would be unable to take their eyes off you."
Bai Chuxiao tapped her head with her folding fan. "Don't talk nonsense. I'm going out for a walk. You guys stay home and keep watch, don't let anyone find out."
With that, he flicked his folding fan and went out. Bai Chuxiao walked along the most bustling Zhuque Street, then turned and entered Tianshui Restaurant, the largest restaurant in the capital. The manager saw Bai Chuxiao enter and quickly bowed, saying, "Second Young Master, it has been a long time since you last visited." The manager led Bai Chuxiao upstairs.
Bai Chuxiao asked with a smile, "Is the eldest young master here?"
"The eldest young master hasn't come today, should we go and invite him?" the shopkeeper asked respectfully.
"Go and invite them. I'll go up myself. Also, bring a pot of good wine and some of the freshest dishes," Bai Chuxiao instructed with an air of elegance.
Bai Chuxiao went up to the third floor and entered a spacious private room by the window. The third floor was generally not open to the public, but as the second mistress behind Tianshui Tower, she could naturally do so.
Before long, the waiter brought all the food. Bai Chuxiao ate while glancing at Qingyi Pavilion across the street, and couldn't help but think of the mysterious Xue Wuyun. Just then, Zhao Sifang, dressed in a red robe, pushed open the door and burst in, laughing, "Brother Zui'an, you're finally back!"
Bai Chuxiao laughed, "Brother Sifang, you're still as dashing as ever." In modern terms, Zhao Sifang would be described in three words: "eye-catching." He's good-looking and always likes to wear red.
Zhao Sifang was the eldest son of the Zhao family patriarch, and his concubine, Zhao, was his father's half-sister. By that reckoning, Bai Chuyun should call Zhao Sifang her cousin.
Two years ago, Zhao Sifang was doing business in the Northwest when he was ambushed. Bai Chuxiao happened to be there and saved him. The two became friends after that, and after Bai Chuxiao learned of his identity, she provided him with many ideas.
Bai Chuxiao provided the idea, and he provided the funding, thus they jointly opened the Tianshui Restaurant and the Qiuyuefang Clothing and Jewelry Shop, which was very popular in the capital. All things considered, Bai Chuxiao is now quite wealthy.
To facilitate her business dealings, Bai Chuxiao used the alias Su Zuian and frequently traveled in and out of the capital disguised as a man. However, Zhao Sifang was aware of her true identity.
Zhao Sifang sat down and picked up his wine glass. Bai Chuxiao clinked glasses with him and asked with a smile, "Any interesting things happening in Kyoto these days?"
Zhao Sifang took a sip of wine and joked, "Yes, it's Zui An Ni."
Bai Chuxiao rolled her eyes at him, and he continued, "Right now, rumors are circulating that Miss Bai is talentless, immoral, and sickly. The Prince of Yan doesn't want to marry you and wants to break off the engagement."
Then, adopting a righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor, he said, "Zui'an, don't be afraid. If the Prince of Yan really breaks off the engagement, I will definitely take you in."
Bai Chuxiao slapped him hard, wishing she could kill him, and roared, "Zhao Sifang, are you looking for death?"
"I think the Prince of Yan is going to have a tough time from now on," Zhao Sifang said, still unafraid of death.
"Speak seriously," Bai Chuxiao said irritably, waving her folding fan.
Zhao Sifang ate a few bites of food, then sighed, "What else could it be? The Southern Frontier suffered a defeat and sent Princess Lingxiang here for a marriage alliance. However, His Majesty has not yet summoned her. Everyone is speculating about which family will marry her."
She added, "Now that you are the Prince of Yan's fiancée, Princess Lingxiang may not treat you well. You must be careful."
Bai Chuxiao pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Qingyi Pavilion, "Do you know who the master behind Qingyi Pavilion is?"
"It's quite mysterious; I haven't been able to find anything about it, just like your identity, Zui An," Zhao Sifang said with some suspicion, as Zui An had never inquired about it before.
Bai Chuxiao said casually, "I was just asking. By the way, your cousin is quite nice."
"Cousin? What cousin? Is it your Bai Chuyun? I don't really have any contact with them. I've only seen them a few times during holidays, and we're not close," Zhao Sifang said casually.
Bai Chuxiao instructed, "Then you'll have to keep a close eye on her in the future. My third sister's temperament is quite to my liking."
Zhao Si laughed loudly, "Since Zui'an has spoken, then I, as your elder brother, will naturally take it to heart."
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