In the Luohua Courtyard, Kangtai angrily tugged at his handkerchief, his eyes red as he gritted his teeth and said, "I really don't know how I offended the Crown Prince, for him to humiliate me in such a grand manner... At home, I was always the first, but today, in front of all these people, he let Roujia go ahead of me, I... I can't live anymore..."

Wenyu was also extremely distressed, frowning as he said, "Enough, early in the morning you're talking nonsense about life and death, aren't you afraid of taboos? Think carefully, did you offend the Crown Prince yesterday with your careless words?"

Kangtai anxiously said, "You were there yesterday too, I've never met the Crown Prince before, and he's an outsider, I didn't even dare to look him in the eye, let alone offend him with my words?"

Wenyu's brows were tightly knitted as he carefully recalled everything from yesterday. After a while, he said, "Yesterday... when you spoke about Roujia, you said a few things that went too far. That fool may not have been able to hear anything, but I've heard that the Crown Prince is a person with a crystal liver and a glass heart, so he may not have missed the hidden meaning in your words."

Kangtai laughed, "So what? I did belittle Roujia, but what does that have to do with him? Indeed, at first it was said that Roujia would be given to him as a concubine, but didn't that fall through? Now that another marriage has been arranged, could it be that the Crown Prince still has Roujia in mind? Protecting her like this..."

Seeing Kangtai's words becoming more and more vulgar, Wenyu couldn't help but scold, "How many times have I told you, a lady in the boudoir, do you not know in your heart what should and shouldn't be said?! Fortunately, only I heard it. If outsiders found out... will you marry in the future or not?!"

Kangtai had long been spoiled and pampered, how could she listen to this? She shook her head dismissively, "Enough... without Mother nagging all day, now you've started too. No... I still can't swallow this anger, I want Father to write a letter!"

"Enough!" Wenyu lost his temper and scolded harshly, "Insulted? Who forced you to come? Father and Mother didn't want to let you come in the first place, but you insisted. Now that you're here, so what? Now you understand?! You think it's still like Lingnan?! Anyone randomly picked in the capital has more power than you, who can you throw your weight around with?!"

At first Kangtai was startled, then she started sobbing and choking, "Your own sister suffered such a great insult, and you can't say a single kind word, only criticizing me..."

After all, she was his own sister, and seeing her like this, Wenyu's heart also ached, but he was familiar with Kangtai's temperament and knew that at this time he couldn't just take her side.

He still said angrily, "It's because you're my own sister that I'm here to admonish you. I can't do anything about today's matter. It's clear that the Crown Prince wanted to teach you a lesson. You should just learn to behave. Put away this ring and pearl necklace properly. When you enter the palace, remember to thank the Emperor and Empress for their grace. Don't show the slightest bit of unhappiness, understand?"

Kangtai immediately raised her eyes upon hearing this. Before she could speak, Wenyu coldly said, "If you still want to make a fuss, then fine... I'll order someone to prepare a carriage to send you back right now. I'll just say you couldn't adapt to the climate in the capital and couldn't take it. I'm sure the Emperor and Empress will understand."

Kangtai was instantly speechless.

Wenyu sighed, sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said in a low voice, "The Crown Prince isn't doing this to vent anger for Roujia. I heard that the marriage with Roujia was personally recommended by the Crown Prince in front of the Emperor. It's clear he has no intention. Today's grand display... is probably to vent anger for Bairen."

Kangtai was stunned, "For... for Bairen?"

Wenyu nodded and slowly said, "I heard from Father that because of Roujia's marriage to the He family, the young master and the Crown Prince have become very close in the past six months. We're far away and don't know... The young master has hitched his wagon to a big ship."

Kangtai wrinkled her delicate little nose and frowned, "Is Bairen stupid? Didn't Mother say that this Crown Prince is actually not..."

"Shut up!" Wenyu was furious, wishing he could immediately order someone to send Kangtai back. He scolded harshly, "Are you crazy?! You dare to say such deadly words! This is the Imperial City! The walls have ears. If someone with ill intentions hears it and it reaches the Emperor's ears, you'll bring disaster to our entire household!"

Kangtai didn't take it seriously and said in a low voice, "There's clearly only the two of us here... and my maids are keeping watch outside. Why are you so anxious and flustered?"

Wenyu was extremely anxious and said in a low, harsh voice, "You don't understand... You dare to casually say such things. How do you know you won't let it slip elsewhere! Mother told you these things to let you understand the current situation in the Imperial City, not for you to use this deadly imperial family secret as gossip!"

Kangtai pouted and nodded, "I know... okay, let's not talk about this. Is Bairen crazy or stupid? He's hitched himself to a ship that could sink at any time. Father already said he's not allowed to take sides. This is him acting on his own, right?"

Wenyu shook his head, "Not necessarily. The young master got close to the Crown Prince because of the marriage with the He family, so this is justifiable. Besides... hehe, in my opinion, this ship may not be able to sink."

Although Wenyu was a bit petty, he still had some brains. Although he had just arrived in the capital and couldn't see much, just from the fact that Qi Xiao could live to this age smoothly, Wenyu knew this wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Wenyu thought for a bit and said in a low voice, "Regardless, even if you can't form a good relationship, you absolutely must not offend the Crown Prince. Putting aside future matters, just based on the present, you've also seen how much power the Crown Prince's household has. Moreover, behind the Crown Prince there is also Princess Dunsu.

"Even the Emperor has to give her face. Roujia's marriage was arranged by her as the chief matchmaker. Now she can be considered part of our family. You should be clever. If you can gain her favor, it will be of great benefit to you in the future."

Kangtai sneered, "Yes, big sister was able to come to the capital from far away to marry that pauper precisely because she caught her eye. Hehe... isn't that of great benefit indeed."

The anger that Wenyu had just calmed down was instantly reignited by Kangtai's words. He said furiously, "What do you understand?! Mother said those words in a moment of anger, and you actually parrot them!"

Kangtai mocked, "What's wrong? Am I mistaken? Hehe... I know why the Crown Prince gave her so many things. He's afraid she won't have food to eat in the future. Humph..."

Wenyu was so angry with Kangtai that his liver hurt. He didn't want to pay any more attention to her, but thinking that he didn't know how long she would stay in the capital, it was naturally impossible to let her go on like this.

Wenyu tried his best to suppress his anger and said with a cold smile, "A pauper? Yes, He Zichen's father is a good-for-nothing, but He Zichen himself is promising. In such a short time, he has already become an examiner in the Hanlin Academy!"

Kangtai sneered, "A minor sixth-rank official..."

Wenyu almost exploded with rage and angrily said, "What's wrong with sixth rank? Have you seen many first-rank officials? My dear sister... first open your eyes and see what status you have. You don't even take a sixth-rank Hanlin seriously? That's the emperor's secretary! Do you think everyone can become one? Moreover, he has just come of age and has already climbed to the sixth rank. In another twenty years, when he reaches Father's age, will he still be sixth rank?!"

Kangtai was not knowledgeable in this area and had nothing to say. Wenyu was still indignant, "Don't look down on a young man's poverty! I didn't tell you before for the sake of face, but I didn't expect you to be so lacking in judgment. I'm telling you now, put away your tricks and get along well with Roujia these days. It won't hurt to build a good relationship!"

Kangtai was still unconvinced. Seeing her expression, Wenyu sighed endlessly, "I told Mother long ago not to mention those things to you. What does it have to do with you how Mother and the Queen get along? You are a girl. Getting along well with them can't possibly harm you, can it?"

Kangtai was left speechless by Wenyu's retort. Wenyu sighed with emotion, "It's my fault too... I didn't see the situation clearly before entering the capital. What Father told me was about the imperial city more than ten years ago. How could he know that after more than ten years of subtle changes, things have completely changed here..."

Wenyu was afraid that Kangtai would not take his words to heart, so he scolded her again in a stern voice. Finally, he said coldly, "Don't treat this place as Lingnan. Those who can survive here are all shrewd. Don't show off your little tricks in front of them. Not only will you make a fool of yourself, but you will also offend people for no reason. Consider today's matter a lesson. If there is a next time, I will send you straight back to Lingnan!"

Kangtai's eyes reddened again from Wenyu's scolding, and she sobbed, "I have suffered such a great grievance, and you only criticize me..."

Wenyu smiled bitterly, "If you are aggrieved, do you think I feel good? Enough... You also understand why our mother wants us to come to the imperial city. Make friends widely and don't cause trouble. Don't worry, Father didn't allow us to stay long in the first place. When Roujia's matter is done, we will still return to Lingnan. You can continue being the domineering princess there, okay..."

As Wenyu spoke, he walked out. Roujia fiercely tore at her handkerchief, looking at the two chains and four rings on the table, and then thinking of the chests of things that the servants had hurriedly sent to Roujia's courtyard just now, she felt extremely heartbroken.

In the Listening Wind Pavilion, Roujia looked at the room full of things and felt very uneasy. She said softly, "Crown Prince... why did he send these things? Even if it's to congratulate us on coming to the imperial city, there's no need to be so extravagant..."

Bairen also saw that list of gifts. He understood in his heart and said with a bitter smile, "It's nothing. That's just how he is. Sister, don't overthink it."

Roujia was a sincere person and didn't understand the meaning behind it. She shook her head and didn't think more of it. Pulling Bairen's hand, she said with heartache, "You've suffered for this half year. Don't worry, the Queen is all well, just worried about you, fretting day and night..."

Bairen smiled and said softly, "Then sister, now that you've seen me, you can put your mind at ease, right?"

Roujia held Bairen's hand, looked him up and down, nodded and laughed, "I'm at ease now... Yesterday in Qianqing Palace, I was quite surprised. Not only have you grown taller, but your face and body are no longer frighteningly thin. Your flesh and bones are even, and your complexion is also very good."

Roujia gently tidied Bairen's hair and pinched his delicate face dotingly, laughing, "Even more handsome."

Bairen was a little embarrassed and said with a low laugh, "What is sister saying? Sister is the one who has become more and more beautiful..."

Roujia smiled, "What's there to be embarrassed about? In the past, when you wrote back saying you were all well, Mother and I didn't quite believe it. Now I truly believe it. When I write back to Mother, she can really put her mind at ease..."

Roujia's words made Bairen even more uncomfortable. Of course his complexion was getting better and better. Ever since entering Qi Xiao's household, Qi Xiao had been forcing him to take medicinal meals. They were called medicinal meals, but in fact they were all nourishing soups, like old ginseng stewed with free-range chicken, poria ten-treasure soup, eel and goji berry porridge... There were so many varieties that Bairen himself couldn't count them all. If given, he had to drink them.

Occasionally when he didn't go over for a few days, Qi Xiao would even send someone to deliver them here. Jiang Deqing would always watch with a smile as he finished drinking before going back to report. Moreover, when at the Crown Prince's manor, he had to take another bowl of bird's nest every evening after dinner. Under such daily nourishment, it would be difficult not to have a good complexion.

Roujia was still carefully asking about Bairen's affairs over the past half year, asking if he had suffered any grievances or if anyone had bullied him. Bairen kept shaking his head, but was a little absent-minded. Today's matter clearly showed that Qi Xiao was venting anger on his behalf. Bairen's heart felt both sour and sweet.

He wished he could go find him, but had no excuse. He also didn't feel at ease leaving Roujia alone in the manor. He only hoped that Qi Xiao had already conveyed the message to Princess Dunsu. Once Princess Dunsu came to take Roujia away, he would naturally be able to go find Qi Xiao.