The Spring Banquet had uneventfully began. The genders were separated, so Bai Lian sat quietly beside her mother. She had practically molded herself into the background, escaping the notice of others. Although she was not a spirit master, her ability to conceal her aura was unrivaled. Otherwise, she would have already received the mockery of many young ladies who, based on her memories, did not really have anything better to do. 'Cultivating must be really boring,' she mused to herself.
Bai Lian did not recognize anyone outside the Bai Clan. After all, it had been years since she last left the Bai Residence. Her medicines had been able to gain fame because they were sold at her family's store for less than the pills made by alchemists. News on the effectiveness of her medicines had swiftly spread throughout the Capital and gradually throughout the kingdom.
She walked on the path of becoming a respectable doctor for her family's sake. If she was no longer consider the trash of the Bai Clan, then the family branch could move back to the main clan residence without worry.
Bai Lian took a glance at the ladies who looked to be the same age as herself, none of which were familiar.
After realizing her inability to sense qi, she dropped out of primary section of Royal Sun Academy, the best school in the kingdom. She could not cultivate, so why would she stay? To continue being mocked? The malice of those pampered misses should not be underestimated. Her parents were distressed with her being cooped up in her courtyard all the time, lazing around. She noticed this distress and told her parents she was interested in gardening and asked them to invite a private teacher to teach her about flowers.
Bai Lian was a capable learner with an outstanding memory. Her studies advanced quickly, so she continued to broaden her studies to reassure her parents. Her study on plants gradually shifted to herbs and eventually she ended up learning medical knowledge and about the medicines that could be made without an alchemist.
Bai Lian felt as though she had a natural affinity with becoming a doctor and started researching the medicines. She could be said to be a prodigy as she further developed the original medical recipes she learned. Alchemist were well respected and as her medicines improved, Bai Lian's medical skills could be considered on par with an alchemists'.
'Would I really still be mocked if I was not hiding my aura,' Bai Lian pondered to herself. As she realized no one was paying her any attention, she felt more at ease. However, being around so many people for the first time in so long had gradually tired her out.
"The crown prince wishes to have a private talk with you, his consort. He ordered me to escort you over." Bai Lian had ignored the servant at first, assuming he was talking to someone else. After all, during the banquet so far, no one had taken notice of her.
"Why does he need to talk to my daughter somewhere else privately? He will be taking my dear daughter away from me in the future. For his future mother-in-law's sake, he should allow me to spend more time with my daughter before she marries over?" Kang Yi fiercely declined in Bai Lian's place. It was well known that the crown prince was not looking forward to this marriage. This invitation can only be seen as suspicious. Only after hearing mother's voice did Bai Lian come out of her listless trance and realize she was invited to chat with the crown prince.
"It has been years since Bai Lian has been out the Bai Residence. My master sincerely wishes to see his consort close up and have a short chat with her."
Before Kang yi could raise her voice in protest to the blatant lie, the emperor's voice sounded, "Very good. Very good. The crown prince and Bai Lian have been engaged since birth, yet they have rarely met. This is a good chance for the pair to get to know each other. Let them talk privately. I have high hopes for their union." The emperor was happy to see his son take the initiative to get closer to Bai Lian. The crown prince had been so unwilling to go on with the marriage before, claiming he had another woman in his heart. Was the emperor supposed to believe his son fell in love with a commoner girl? No matter how talented the commoner girl was, she did not have a strong support behind her and would bring little benefits over. Clearly, his son was making up nonsense because he did not want to marry a waste, regardless of her medical talents. Perhaps Bai Lian's beautiful, gentle appearance thawed his son's unwillingness.
Faced with what the emperor had said, how could Kang Yi refute. Her daughter and the crown prince were truly engaged. As a couple who will be married, getting a better understanding of one another can only be a good thing. That is, if both parties were willing to get along. Kang Yi had already noticed long ago, the crown prince did not like her daughter and in fact, held a different woman in his heart. Her gaze tinged with worry as she looked at her daughter, feeling helpless at her inability to support her daughter. Bai Haolei and Bai Ru were in the same state as Kang Yi as they watched powerlessly from their seats, on the other side of the banquet. If any one of the trio dared to take action, they would only bring trouble to their clan.
'The crown prince would not dare harm her. He would be the first person suspected. He cannot provoke the Bai Clan so obviously.' Although the crown prince's actions were suspicious, no one believed he would dare harm Bai Lian when his involvement would appear so obvious.
However, only Bai Lian believed wholeheartedly, he would dare.
As she silently followed the servant, the surroundings became more secluded. Her eyes dimmed. Her earlier suspicions were correct. Having come this far, she wouldn't be able to escape with her meager strength. Unable to think of a way out, she walked closer towards her demise.