Bai Chuxiao smiled at Madam Xie and said, "Aunt Xie, there's no need to trouble yourself any further. Since there are no other empty courtyards, I can simply go back to my old Liuli Courtyard." Then, looking aggrieved, she said to Madam Wei, "Grandmother, what do you think?"
Wei hesitated, "This..."
Madam Xie immediately retorted, "How can you do that..." but then, realizing her tone was inappropriate, she quickly changed to a smile and said, "Xiaoxiao, your second sister is currently living in Liuli Courtyard. You've just returned and you're already trying to kick her out. It wouldn't be appropriate if word got out, Mother, don't you think?"
Bai Chuxiao exclaimed in surprise, "Aunt Xie, you're wronging me! I never intended to kick out Second Sister. That courtyard was originally mine. I thought Grandmother and Father would keep it waiting for me to return, but who knew..." As she spoke, she coughed repeatedly.
Upon hearing this, Madam Wei's heart softened. "Xiaoxiao, of course your grandmother cares about you," she said, then waved her hand and instructed, "Yingchun, go and see if the Prime Minister has returned. Invite him over."
After a while, Bai Linan strode in, bowed to the old lady, and said, "Son greets Mother." After Wei Shi responded, he walked to the main seat on the other side and sat down. Bai Linan looked at the people in the room and asked in a deep voice, "What's going on?"
The old lady smiled and said, "Li Nan, Chu Xiao is back," then took Bai Chu Xiao's hand and said, "Come quickly and greet your father."
Bai Chuxiao looked at her so-called father. He had a square face, had held a high position for many years, and possessed a dignified yet scholarly air. He must have been quite handsome in his youth; no wonder her mother had insisted on marrying him. However, Bai Chuxiao found it difficult to feel close to him. He had caused his first wife to die of grief and neglected his own daughter for many years. Such a man was unworthy to be her father. But she still had to maintain appearances.
"Xiaoxiao greets Father," Bai Chuxiao said with a curt bow to Bai Linan.
Bai Linan sized up the daughter. Her appearance wasn't stunningly beautiful, but she possessed a certain elegance. However, her health seemed poor, which reminded her of her first encounter with Murong Xue—Murong Xue's cheerful and generous nature, her bright smile. But later… what a pity.
"Get up. Now that you're back, take good care of yourself," the voice said, devoid of any joy.
With Bai Linan's arrival, Madam Xie immediately felt reassured and complained, "Master, Chu Xiao is dissatisfied with the accommodations I arranged for her and insists on staying at Wan'er's current Liuli Courtyard. What should we do?"
Bai Chuxiao sneered inwardly, "Father, I don't want to compete with my second sister for anything. It's just that that courtyard was originally mine. I thought you were leaving it empty for me to come back and live there." Then, feigning sadness, she said, "Since my second sister is living there, I'll stay in Chenxiang Courtyard. I can't waste Aunt Xie's good intentions. But I'm engaged to the Prince of Yan now..."
The old lady perked up at the mention of the Prince of Yan. "Li Nan, the Prince of Yan has just won a battle and is engaged to Xiao Xiao. The Chenxiang Courtyard is indeed a bit dilapidated. If the Prince of Yan knew, he might think we are looking down on him..."
Bai Linan was also taken aback, realizing he had forgotten about the arranged marriage. Although the Prince of Yan was not destined for the throne, he still commanded 200,000 troops and was being courted by the other princes, making him a force to be reckoned with.
Seeing this, Bai Chuwan knew she would have to give up the courtyard today. She sneered inwardly. Whether the Prince of Yan would even marry her was still uncertain, yet Bai Chuxiao had already seized the opportunity to use her power. Thinking this, she suddenly stepped forward, looking at Bai Linan with a pitiful expression, "Father, since my eldest sister wants to live in the Liuli Courtyard, I will give it to her. I will not make things difficult for you."
Bai Linan looked at Wan'er, feeling comforted. This daughter was not only beautiful but also sensible. Who in the capital didn't envy him for having such an outstanding daughter?
"Wan'er, I knew you were the most sensible. Go and stay with your mother for now. I'll furnish Qinya Courtyard nicely before you move in."
Bai Chuwan changed the subject and continued, "Thank you, Father. But Father, Mother has long been elevated to the position of principal wife and has managed the household for many years, yet my eldest sister still calls her 'concubine.' Where does that leave Mother?"
Madam Xie also realized what was happening and immediately cried out, "Yes, sir, I have worked so hard for the Prime Minister's mansion for so many years, and the eldest young lady..."
Bai Linan looked at Bai Chuxiao and said in a deep voice, "Nonsense! Now that Madam Xie is the mistress of the Left Prime Minister's residence, you should also call her 'Mother'."
Bai Chuxiao looked at him in surprise, "Father, you are mistaken. In the Great Xia Dynasty, etiquette is of utmost importance. How can it be reasonable for the eldest daughter born to the first wife to call a concubine 'mother'?"
Madam Xie was furious again and began to cry, "Master, what does the eldest young lady mean by calling me 'concubine' so often? You must do me justice!"
Bai Chuxiao said calmly, "Which respectable official in this dynasty would approve of a concubine being promoted to the rank of principal wife? Besides, Aunt Xie, you entered the household without any title or status back then..."
Bai Linan slammed his hand on the table. "Enough! Are you dissatisfied with your father's decision? You really need to be taught some manners."
The old lady was naturally pleased to see Xie Shi humiliated, as it would be a good opportunity to curb Xie Xianglan's arrogance and prevent her from disregarding her. However... too much of a good thing can be bad, so she stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Alright, Xiaoxiao is the eldest daughter, so it's indeed inappropriate for her to call me Mother." Then, looking at Chu Xiao, she smiled and said, "Xiaoxiao, calling her Auntie isn't quite right either. How about calling her Second Madam?"
Bai Chuxiao realized that her grandmother was also dissatisfied with Xie Shi, and that they could be on the same side for the time being. She was happy to give the old lady face, so she respectfully bowed to her grandmother, saying, "Grandmother's words are my command."
Seeing Bai Chuxiao's respectful and obedient demeanor, the old lady was even more satisfied and began to consider supporting her. Looking at everyone in the room, she said calmly, "Alright, I'm tired too. You may all leave."
Then, turning to Bai Chuxiao affectionately, she said, "Chuxiao, why don't you stay here and chat with your grandmother a little longer? Help your second sister tidy up the Liuli Courtyard, and then you can go back."
With a touch of childlike innocence, Bai Chuxiao replied, "Yes, Grandmother, Chuxiao has so much to tell you..."
Back at Liuli Courtyard, Bai Chuwan, her earlier composed and sensible demeanor completely gone, angrily swept everything off the dressing table. Madam Xie stepped forward to comfort her, "Wan'er, you've truly been wronged. Mother will certainly decorate Qinya Courtyard even better than this."
Bai Chuwan's anger hadn't subsided. "Mother, this Bai Chuxiao is going too far! She tried to take over my courtyard as soon as she came back, and she's so disrespectful to you, Mother! And Grandmother is even protecting her!"
Madam Xie wrung out her handkerchief. "Hmph, that old woman has fed and pampered her for so many years, and now she's siding with that slut. It's utterly hateful."
"Mother, Bai Chuxiao isn't even married yet, and she's already using the Prince of Yan as a pretext to make trouble. The Crown Prince and Prince Qi's stances are unclear. I don't want to be suppressed by that bitch Bai Chuxiao in the future. What should we do?" Bai Chuwan looked at Xie Shi with a worried expression.
Madam Xie comforted her, "Wan'er, with your looks, intelligence, and family background, as long as your father is willing, I think it won't be a problem with the Crown Prince and Prince Qi."
After thinking for a moment, she whispered, "I thought that slut was easy to manipulate, but now it seems we need to find a way to ruin her marriage. I'll have to think about this carefully..."
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