Suspicion

  Duan Fei didn't want to lose the last bit of her dignity in front of her own daughter, so she carefully checked Baili Xiang's legs and feet, and seeing that she wasn't injured, immediately helped her up.

  Baili Xiang had already spotted the spilled soup on the ground, and she blinked her autumn water-like eyes, innocently smiling: "What's wrong with Mother Empress? The soup I hurriedly cooked for Princess Gaoyang at noon, why was it wasted like this?"

  "Duan Fei forced herself not to be annoyed by her, but didn't want to talk about Bai Li Si Qing with her again. 'Rui Er, how's your guqin practice today?'"

  At these words, Baili Mei immediately pouted her mouth, "Practicing those zithers and dances all day is so annoying!"

  Duan Fei helped her tidy up the loose strands of hair on her cheeks that had been scattered by running, "What's the point of being a lady if you don't learn these things?"

  She said meaningfully: "You are thirteen years old now, and in two more years you will be married off. It's better to learn some domestic skills, it will come in handy."

  Next month will be the hairpinning ceremony of Baili Siqing, and she has already received definite news that many princes from various countries have come to Yanjing. The eldest princess of Yanjing is a coveted prize for everyone, but His Majesty's precious daughter is only one, and most people will inevitably return in disappointment.

  And now her thoughts are only on the highest throne in the harem and Bai Liancheng's lifelong major event.

  What most reassured her was that Xiang'er had married into the Yue King's Manor three years ago and had been living a smooth life, never causing her any worry as the queen mother. She only hoped that in the future, Rui'er would be able to show her face among the many princes and have a rich and happy marriage.

  Baili Chun pouted, and she lightly tapped her forehead, scolding: "How can you be so childish? And what about the palace's etiquette teachers, how did they teach you? Look at you, not even a bit of a princess's dignified demeanor when walking."

  Baili Yun's face was obedient, but her heart was extremely impatient. Why did Baili Siqing not have to learn these broken rules? He could practice martial arts if he wanted to, and leave the palace if he wanted to. But she was trapped in this palace wall like a bird every day, and had to endure all kinds of annoying etiquette torture?

  But such thoughts dare not be shown in front of Empress Duan, the beatings she received since childhood have made her remember well. When Empress Duan lectured her, she stuck out her tongue and quickly bowed to her, "I will obey your teachings, Mother Empress."

  "Ah!" Dongfei helplessly pulled her into his arms.

  She gave birth to her after ten months of pregnancy, how could she not understand her little thoughts? But no matter how much Rui'er resented her, everything she did was for her own good. Her daughter would definitely have a better life than Bai Li Si Qing...

  Baoli Siqing would never go out of her way to worry about how others are doing. In her eyes, whether or not someone is happy depends half on fate and half on their own efforts. Her life matches her status, so she doesn't need to waste her mind thinking about anything else.

  After dinner, no one came to disturb her. After washing and bathing, she held the purple yam cake that Chen Zhengyi had sent early in the morning, sitting steadily on the carved jade chair, carefully flipping through the military book in her hand.

  Thick and long candles illuminated the entire grand hall as bright as daylight, the jade coral tribute from the Wall State quietly placed on one side, the carefully carved tall stems seemed to have a hint of rain, presenting a subtle and elegant color.

  Die Xiang and Die Yi sat not far away from her, sorting out the gifts sent by various palaces.

  After Princess White Day returned to the capital, the ladies from various palaces sent people to deliver gifts one after another. At first, they all declined and sent them back, but later on, it was too much trouble to decline anymore, so she simply accepted all of them in one go.

  Baili Siqing always handed over the gifts sent by each palace to them for handling, so they were delighted to pick and choose things.

  Mr. Chen happened to catch them in the act of dividing their spoils as he entered.

  With eyes shining brightly, they looked like they had never seen the world before! He spat at them with extreme disdain, "You two little hooves, not serving the princess but knowing how to slack off somewhere! Remember to have one person go and receive twenty slaps later!"

  Die Xiang giggled and didn't take his words seriously, continuing to pick out the hairpins that suited her taste.

  Baili Siqing had just taken a bite of pastry when he heard the voice of Chancellor Chen, and immediately looked up from his book.

  Chen Gonggong walked up to her side, but shook his head and said in a low voice: "I couldn't get close to him."

  The pastry in Bai Lixi's mouth suddenly got stuck.

  Failed to get close — often in emotional and rational aspects.

  She lowered her head and waited for a whole night, but reality crushed the only hope left in her heart.

  If there's anyone in the palace she can trust, apart from Die Xiang and Die Yi, it would be Chen Gonggong. If not for her and Chu Liuyue's identities, she'd rather go to Yunfudian herself to get to the bottom of things.

  Chen Gonggong's skills were clearer to her than anyone else, and a large part of her martial arts were also taught by him. If even he couldn't succeed, it was obvious how exceptional Chu Liuye's kung fu was.

  She recalled that person's hand was as weak as a chicken, and her entire conjecture was thoroughly overturned.

  Chen Gonggong was also not pleased in his heart, and when he spoke, he even felt a little ashamed. The moment before, he had brought tea and pastries to the Yunfu Hall, but everything did not go according to his plan. That Second Prince unexpectedly dodged the tea water that he 'accidentally' splashed out, causing the subsequent actions to be stillborn.

  What could be more crushing than the fact that a renowned general of the past couldn't even get close to an imperial prince's body?

  He coughed lightly and quickly shifted Bai Lixi's distraction, "How did you think of letting the slave go see his arm?"

  Chen Gonggong's eyes gleamed with curiosity as he observed Baoli Siqing's expression, eager to detect any unusual signs from her demeanor. Although Baoli Siqing hadn't informed him of the reason, men and women had always been cautious in their interactions, so why had she asked him to spy on someone's body? Could it be that she had taken an interest in the Second Prince of Jin?

  Baili Siqing only showed him her profile, after bathing she had changed into a light-colored sleeping garment. The sleeping garment only had plum blossoms embroidered on the cuffs, and her long hair was still damp and spread out, revealing the gentle and soft side of a young girl.

  She didn't notice the curiosity and slyness in Chen Gonggong's eyes, and silently swallowed the purple yam cake that was stuck in her throat. Afterwards, she said nonchalantly: "I just think he looks very familiar, I want to verify if he is an old acquaintance."

  She tossed aside the half piece of cake in her fingers and asked: "By the way, why did people from Jin State suddenly come to my country?"

  Indeed, apart from herself, no one would associate Chu Liye with that person.

  Then how did she tell Chen Gonggong about her suspicions and... certainty.

  She didn't know what she was being stubborn about either, but when she met Chu Liyue during the day and got his denial, she still wouldn't give up trying to find their own mark by examining his arm.

  Digression

  It's a bit concise, can you understand it?

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