Chapter 360 – The Sweet Princess Was Here – Mother-in-law Meets Daughter-in-law (05)
“Your servant greets Your Highness, the Crown Prince.” The young woman’s voice was soft and delicate, her upward lilt carrying an irresistible charm.
“Rise. I wonder what brings the Third Princess here so late at night?”
Wu Chenyi didn’t feel much toward this Third Princess. Even though she had embarrassed herself at the banquet earlier, she still left no lasting impression. Since she was Bai Tang’s older sister and he didn’t yet know how the siblings got along, he refrained from driving her away—for Bai Tang’s sake.
“Seventh Brother got drunk. As his elder sister, how could I stay calmly at the banquet? I came to check on him. I must trouble Your Highness to continue taking good care of my younger brother.”
Bai Fangxin had tested him earlier—Wu Chenyi clearly disliked women who flaunted their talents, so now she presented herself as the gentle, virtuous type, hoping he’d take the bait.
Bai Tang found the heroine extremely annoying—why did she have to keep hovering around his future husband?
Thinking this, the young man’s face immediately soured. He stopped eating, set down his chopsticks, and puffed up his cheeks in displeasure.
“Tang Tang, you must not throw a little tantrum in front of the Crown Prince,” Bai Fangxin scolded him, pretending to be concerned.
Qiu’er: “This scene feels familiar… where have we seen this before?”
Xiao A: “Isn’t it just like Bai Shang from the second world you two went through?”
Qiu’er suddenly understood. “Right, right! It is her! And even Bai Shang wasn’t this annoying.”
The two little ones cracked melon seeds as they watched, waiting for the male lead’s reaction.
Wu Chenyi looked at the boy with eyes as gentle as water. “It’s fine. I like Tang Tang’s lively, energetic nature.”
Tang Tang had always been like this. As long as he stayed healthy and cheerful, that was what mattered most.
“Third Sister, have you eaten yet? Why not sit and join us?” Bai Tang’s eyes rolled—he had just thought of a perfect way to leave Bai Fangxin speechless.
Bai Fangxin was quite pleased with Bai Tang’s sensible response. She truly hadn’t treated this silly boy well for nothing—he was gullible enough. After all, the Emperor of Jude and the Monarch of Huan Nation had yet to finalize the marriage candidate. As for who would become the Crown Princess… that was still far from decided.
Supported by palace maids, Bai Fangxin sat down. Bai Tang patted his stomach, flashed Wu Chenyi a sweet smile, and said: “I think I ate too much. A-Yi, come take a walk with me to help me digest.”
“Tang Tang, you must not be disrespectful to His Highness the Crown Prince!” Was he insane? He actually dared to command the Crown Prince. Bai Fangxin’s heart lurched—was Bai Tang trying to get their Huan Nation killed?
Wu Chenyi gently and attentively wiped the corner of Bai Tang’s mouth, then straightened his clothes. “Alright.”
He turned toward Bai Fangxin. “Then we won’t disturb the Third Princess’s meal. Please, make yourself comfortable.”
With that, he naturally took Bai Tang’s hand and led him out, leaving the little eunuch who had accompanied Bai Fangxin behind to serve her.
Little eunuch: Crown Prince sir, please spare me… this servant really doesn’t want to wait on the Third Princess…
Bai Fangxin turned her head—just as Bai Tang looked back. Their gazes met in midair.
“Tang Tang, be careful. There’s a threshold ahead,” Wu Chenyi reminded him.
“Got it~” Bai Tang stopped looking at Bai Fangxin and focused entirely on the idea of going out for a walk.
He actually dared to provoke me. How infuriating.
Bai Fangxin felt that the look Bai Tang had just given her was outright gloating. She nearly exploded on the spot.
He usually looked like an innocent little white rabbit, completely harmless. Who would’ve thought he was so scheming? She really had underestimated him before.
The little eunuch shivered internally at Bai Fangxin’s terrifying expression. It seemed the Third Princess wasn’t someone easy to deal with either.
Wu Chenyi held Bai Tang’s hand as they strolled through the courtyard of Guangyang Hall. Even though they had already left and were no longer in the same room as Bai Fangxin, Bai Tang still didn’t want Wu Chenyi interacting with her too much. So he said:
“My head’s cleared up now. Why don’t we return to the banquet? Leaving because I was drunk was already disrespectful enough… I wonder if His Majesty will hold it against me?”
Wu Chenyi stroked the boy’s smooth black hair. “Father is broad-minded, not a petty man. And with me vouching for you, Tang Tang, there’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“Mhm~”
The two walked slowly, saying nothing.
Wu Chenyi held back for fear of startling him, while Bai Tang—since this was their first meeting in this world—didn’t dare be too enthusiastic. He was afraid of scaring off his future husband and accidentally pushing him toward Bai Fangxin. That would be a disaster.
Elegant and extraordinary, robes fluttering, a celestial being bathed in moonlight…
Back inside, Bai Fangxin stared at the full table of dishes, suddenly losing her appetite at the thought that these were Bai Tang’s leftovers. But with all the palace servants watching, she had no choice but to pick a dish Bai Tang and Wu Chenyi hadn’t touched, take two bites, and then declare that the hall felt stuffy and she needed some air.
The moment she reached the hall entrance, she saw a scene that took her breath away.
A gentleman like jade; unmatched in all the world.
It was exactly as it should be—and even Bai Tang at his side seemed to shine with spirit.
The little eunuch sighed. “His Highness the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince truly make a perfect pair.”
It felt like a bucket of ice water crashed over Bai Fangxin’s head.
Bai Tang, Bai Tang…
Everywhere she went it was always Bai Tang. Like a restless ghost refusing to disperse.
Bai Fangxin forced a smile.
“Y-yes, that’s right. Seventh Brother is known throughout our Huan Nation as a great beauty. His temperament may be a little unruly, but Father dotes on him dearly.”
Bai Fangxin said this deliberately. She meant to reveal several things:
First, Bai Tang’s reputation was widespread—and not exactly a good one.
Second, Bai Tang was the one the Huan King cherished the most. If one wanted to take a hostage, he would be the most suitable choice.
Life in the palace meant every word, every gesture had to be cautious. Before speaking, one had to run the sentence through the mind three times; when hearing something, one had to dissect it carefully to see whether there was any hidden meaning.
There were many things everyone could see through but simply didn’t say aloud. Yet when necessary, words must be spoken—what mattered was how you said them.
The little eunuch formed a few thoughts but feigned ignorance on his face.
“This servant would never dare comment on matters concerning nobles.”
…
At the Banquet
The welcoming feast was nearing its end. Emperor Jude and the Huan King both already understood the situation clearly—this alliance was as good as settled. What remained was simply to sign the treaty.
The Huan King had had a few extra cups of wine; his cheeks were flushed, but his mind remained sharp.
“My two children are resting in the inner hall. They have caused trouble for Your Majesty of Wu. I shall return them to the diplomatic residence at once.”
The marriage candidate had not yet been finalized. Regardless of whether Bai Tang or Bai Fangxin stayed overnight in the imperial palace, it would be inappropriate. They were two innocent children—no one must take advantage of them.
Emperor Jude glanced at the empress. The empress understood at once and ordered attendants to fetch Bai Tang and Bai Fangxin and bring them forward.
Before long, the little eunuch beside Wu Chenyi arrived with Bai Fangxin—but Bai Tang was nowhere in sight.
A palace maid accompanying her knelt and reported, “Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress: His Highness the Crown Prince says the Seventh Prince has fallen asleep, still drunk. His Highness did not wish to disturb him and sent this servant to inform Your Majesty and the Empress.”
“This…” The Huan King was extremely unwilling, but Emperor Jude spoke first.
“In that case, let us follow the Crown Prince’s wishes. Huan King, it seems the marriage candidate is already decided. You may set your mind at ease.”
Emperor Jude had ruled for many years—he had his own methods of reading people. How could he not know what the Huan King was worried about?
“Then we shall follow Your Majesty’s decision.”
In front of all the civil and military officials, the Huan King assumed Emperor Jude would not go back on his word.
Bai Fangxin had never expected such a small matter to so quickly determine the candidate who would marry Wu Chenyi. Her expression immediately soured.
The empress glanced at Bai Fangxin and gave a soft, derisive laugh. A restless woman like that? If someone tried to dump her into her son’s inner court, she would be the first to object.
Although Bai Tang wasn’t particularly well-versed in etiquette either, he was still far better than Bai Fangxin. Coupled with Bai Tang’s cute and delicate looks, the comparison only made the empress feel that Bai Tang was much more favorable than Bai Fangxin.
No one cared what Bai Fangxin thought. After the banquet ended, the Huan King returned to the post station with his entourage.
He summoned the ministers he had brought with him to discuss the marriage arrangement.
The more Bai Fangxin thought about it, the more unwilling she felt. After changing out of her wine-soaked clothes, she hobbled—supported by her servants—to the Huan King’s chamber door.
…
Back at Guangyang Hall, after Bai Fangxin left, Wu Chenyi could tell that Bai Tang disliked her. He ordered the entire hall—every place Bai Fangxin had been—to be cleaned thoroughly. Only when dawn was approaching did Bai Tang finally fall asleep beside him.
With his future husband at his side, the boy slept soundly and peacefully.
Wu Chenyi, however, couldn’t sleep at all. He stared fixedly at the boy’s face. Countless nights, he had dreamed of him. He had sent people to search, but the boy had vanished without a trace.
And now, the boy had finally appeared—alive, real, someone who could laugh and act spoiled.
Wu Chenyi had imagined their reunion countless times, but he never expected to meet the one he longed for most at a banquet he hadn’t even wanted to attend.
If there were to be a marriage alliance, the only candidate he wanted was Bai Tang.
To stop Emperor Jude from arbitrarily pairing people together, Wu Chenyi acted first and kept Bai Tang by his side. That action alone made his stance unmistakably clear.
“Tang Tang, in this life, I will have only you,” Wu Chenyi whispered gently.
The boy smacked his lips in his sleep, hugged Wu Chenyi’s arm, and muttered, “Pine Nut, don’t be scared… I’ll eat you…”
“You little glutton…” Wu Chenyi laughed silently, his eyes overflowing with affection.
…
Emperor Jude summoned the Huan King to the palace to discuss the marriage alliance and the signing of the treaty.
The Huan King hesitated.
“Your Majesty, there is one matter… Although it embarrasses me, for the sake of my children’s happiness, I must gather my courage and speak.”
Emperor Jude perked up with interest. “Oh? And what matter would that be?”
The Huan King cupped his hands respectfully.
“To be frank with Your Majesty, my daughter fell for the Crown Prince at first sight. After the banquet, she returned and confided in me…”
…Naturally, since the Huan King had entered the palace, he brought Bai Fangxin with him.
The front court was not a place women could enter, so once Bai Fangxin arrived at the palace, she was escorted to pay respects to the Empress.
She had only just sat down when Wu Chenyi arrived with Bai Tang to greet the Empress as well.
“Your son greets Mother.”
“This subject greets Your Majesty the Empress.” The boy’s voice was soft and sweet, impossibly well-behaved.
The daylight was much clearer than the evening before, and with him standing closer, the Empress could see Bai Tang’s exquisite features without missing a single detail. She fell in love with the obedient-looking child at first glance.
“So it is the Seventh Prince. Come, come sit by me. Let me have a proper look at you.”
Bai Tang glanced at Wu Chenyi, who gave him an encouraging look.
Bai Tang moved to sit beside the Empress, and she took his hand, examining him carefully.
She knew her own son well—he usually never asked for anything. Yet today, he had personally requested something of her. Naturally, she had to take a good, close look at the person her son was unwilling to let go of.
Author’s Note :
Empress: The more I look at this daughter-in-law, the more I like her. (refuses to let go)
Bai Tang: (blushing)
Wu Chenyi: (dark expression) Mother, could you please return my wife to me?