It was a well-known fact within the higher circles of the kingdom. Due to General Bai's legendary success in defending the borders and securing the nation's safety, the Emperor had bestowed a rare and prestigious honour upon Bai Xiang and all his descendants.
This special permission was a mark of ultimate favour. They were explicitly excluded from the requirement of kneeling before any member of the royal family. This singular privilege even extended to the Emperor himself.
Knowing this, why on earth would Bai Xifeng feel the need to kneel for a mere royal decree? To be honest, she was incredibly grateful for her father's accomplishments. Having originated from the modern world, her ideology was fundamentally at odds with ancient customs. In her previous life, the concept of equality was a cornerstone of society. While the modern world certainly had its own complex rules and hierarchies, they were nowhere near as suffocating or dehumanising as the rigid, bone-breaking protocols of this ancient era.
Eunuch Ming's memory was jolted by her defiance. He suddenly recalled the specific terms of that ancestral decree. The Emperor had indeed granted that iron-clad exemption to Bai Xiang's bloodline. He cleared his throat, the sound echoing in the silent hall.
"Of course. Third Young Miss, you are within your rights. You do not need to kneel." Eunuch Ming conceded.
Bai Huiling shot a glance at Bai Xifeng, her eyes burning with a mix of envy and resentment. She, too, craved that kind of untouchable status, yet she lacked the spine to claim it so boldly.
Eunuch Ming unfurled the golden scroll and began to read with a clear, resonant voice. "Bai Xifeng has been found to have violated the honour and dignity of the royal family. Therefore, We hereby announce that your engagement with the Crown Prince is officially nullified. However, you need not despair regarding your future marriage. We have already made a new arrangement for you. You are henceforth engaged to Our third son, Prince Liu Longwei."
As Bai Xifeng listened to the words, she found the logic or lack thereof, utterly ridiculous. 'He breaks my engagement because I allegedly "dishonoured" the royals, but then he immediately shoves me onto his other son? Is this Emperor's head screwed on straight?' she mused inwardly, nearly laughing at the absurdity.
"Third Young Miss Bai, please step forward and receive this royal decree." Eunuch Ming said, extending the scroll toward her.
When Bai Xifeng did not immediately move to take it, the atmosphere in the room grew thick with tension. The family members around her gulped, terrified that her hesitation might be seen as a slight against the throne.
"Third Young Miss Bai?" Eunuch Ming prompted again, his voice slightly more urgent.
"Oh, right. Sure... fine." Bai Xifeng said, casually reaching out and taking the scroll from his hands.
Eunuch Ming watched her, misinterpreting her dazed expression. He assumed the poor girl was simply paralysed by the heartbreak of being dumped by the Crown Prince. He looked at her with a flicker of genuine sympathy.
If Bai Xifeng had known what the Eunuch was thinking, she would have rolled her eyes so hard they might have stayed that way. She was not sad in the slightest. In fact, she was practically ecstatic. She was finally rid of that arrogant, self-important man. As for this new Prince she was now tethered to, she figured she could simply find a clever way to dissolve that engagement whenever she felt like it.
"Everyone, you may rise now." Eunuch Ming announced.
The family stood up slowly, their knees cracking. Old Madam Bai required the assistance of two sturdy maids to help her regain her footing properly.
Bai Chunhua was secretly vibrating with joy. This was the moment she had been waiting for, yet she carefully schooled her features into a mask of serene indifference, refusing to let her triumph show too early.
Han Yunru and Bai Huiling, however, were not nearly as disciplined. They were practically beaming. To them, the path was now clear. The position of Crown Princess was effectively Bai Chunhua's for the taking.
It was common knowledge that the Crown Prince, Liu Jun, harboured deep feelings for Bai Chunhua. They believed it was only a matter of time before a new decree arrived to cement their union.
"I have fulfilled my duty and delivered the decree. It is time for me to return to the palace." Eunuch Ming stated, bowing slightly.
"If that is the case, we wish you a safe and prosperous journey." Old Madam Bai replied with a polite nod.
The moment Eunuch Ming disappeared from sight, the mask of politeness in the hall shattered. Bai Huiling burst into a fit of mocking laughter, turning her venomous gaze on Bai Xifeng.
"It finally happened! Bai Xifeng, you have finally been dumped like the trash you are by His Highness!" Bai Huiling smirked, her voice dripping with malice. "And to top it off, you have been pawned off on a fool prince. It's actually a poetic match, don't you think? The 'Trash Miss' and the 'Fool Prince'—a match made in heaven."
Bai Chunhua remained silent, but she stood tall, a proud, triumphant smile gracing her lips as she looked down at Bai Xifeng as if she were already wearing a crown.
"My sister will be the next Crown Princess." Bai Huiling boasted.
"Huiling, hush. You should not say such things out loud. Nothing has been officially confirmed yet." Bai Chunhua chided gently, though her eyes told a different story.
"Oh, please! His Highness has eyes only for you, Sister. He will take you as his princess in no time." Bai Huiling insisted.
"Indeed, my daughter is the only one who is a perfect match for His Highness. I am certain he is already making the necessary arrangements to bring you into the palace." Han Yunru added, preening with motherly pride.
"I'll give you a small word of advice." Bai Xifeng interrupted, her voice cool and steady. "You should not be so certain about things that haven't actually happened yet. Life has a funny way of tripping people up when they get too arrogant."
"You are just a sore loser, Bai Xifeng! You are green with envy because my sister succeeded where you failed!" Bai Huiling snapped back.
"Sure, sure... think whatever helps you sleep at night. I really don't care." Bai Xifeng said with a bored yawn. "Since this tedious business is over, I am going back to my courtyard. I just hope no one is stupid enough to come and disturb me there again. Otherwise, I would not be nearly as 'polite' as I was today."
As she spoke, she shot a sharp, meaningful glance at Bai Shaoqing. The boy squeaked in fear and immediately dove behind his mother's skirts again.
Bai Xifeng yawned one last time as she strolled out of the hall. Her every move was being watched closely by Xiao Shuchun, Bai Zihao's wife.
Xiao Shuchun was deeply unsettled by the change in her niece. The transformation was so drastic that she found herself doubting if this was even the same girl. If it were not for the words of a certain monk she had consulted, she would have been convinced that her niece had been possessed by a foreign soul. Xiao Shuchun was far more perceptive than the hot-headed Han Yunru. She could sense a dormant power in the current Bai Xifeng, a potential to achieve greatness.
She decided then and there that she did not want to be on this girl's bad side. She turned to her own sons, Bai Yongnian and Bai Huizhong.
"Yongnian, Huizhong, listen to me carefully." Xiao Shuchun whispered to her sons. "If Shaoqing ever tries to recruit you into one of his schemes to disturb your third sister, you are to refuse. Do not follow him, and do not cross her. Do you understand?"
"I will listen to you, Mother." Bai Yongnian promised solemnly.
"Me too." Bai Huizhong added, nodding his head emphatically.
***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***