The next morning, Chu Baihan woke up to find herself lying face down on the ground.
It felt as if someone had intentionally thrown her down.
Odd, hadn't she fallen asleep on the soft couch last night? How on earth did she end up on the floor?
Wait a moment…
Had she not done something dishonorable last night? Her heart began to sink slightly.
Looking around, the Prince had long since left, and any doubts she harbored must now be temporarily suppressed.
She walked out the door to find Nanny Xiao already waiting outside.
"Princess Consort, you need to get dressed and groomed; today is your day of returning home."
Returning home? Chu Baihan furrowed her brows.
The Chu Residence was indeed a dragon's den, even more terrifying than the Prince Residence, but with Nan Xing still there, she must return.
"The Prince left early this morning with his guards and has not returned yet, this…" Nanny Xiao's expression suddenly turned solemn.
Chu Baihan responded calmly, "No need, I'll go back by myself."
Yan Lin loathed her so much, he likely wouldn't accompany her to the Chu Residence even if he were home; she wouldn't demean herself by asking.
...
At the entrance of the Chu Residence.
Chu Hesheng, along with numerous members of the family, had been waiting for some time.
However, when he saw only Chu Baihan alighting from the carriage, his face immediately darkened.
"Where is the Eighth Prince?" he asked coldly.
Chu Baihan glanced at this father who hadn't shown up when she was married off, finding it incredibly ironic.
She said expressionlessly, "The Prince was busy, hence he did not come back with me."
"How could it be that he was busy? It must be that the Eighth Prince dislikes her and didn't want to accompany her,"
"Exactly, I told you long ago that anyone marrying in would be better than her. She grew up in the village; what refinement could she have? Naturally, the Prince wouldn't like her."
"We thought we'd gain a prince as a son-in-law, it seems we thought too highly; who knows which day our Lady will turn out to be a divorced woman."
"..."
The concubines on the side began to mock without any consideration for Chu Baihan's feelings.
"What are you talking about? The Lady said the Prince was busy, so he must be busy!" Jiangshi scolded the concubines sharply, pretending to speak up for Chu Baihan.
The women instantly fell silent.
Although they were all concubines, Jiangshi had grown up alongside the General.
The General had defied Xu's objections, welcoming Jiangshi with a lavish sedan chair; he truly doted on her.
Furthermore, after entering the house, he gradually transferred the authority of headship from Xu to her bit by bit.
By the time Xu died, Jiangshi was already the Family Head of the Chu Family.
Had it not been for Jiangshi's modest origins, the General might have elevated her to his official wife years ago.
So when Jiangshi spoke, it was best for them to just dutifully listen.
"Hanhan, it's good you're back, your aunt has prepared your favorite dishes," Jiangshi said with a tender smile, stepping forward to take Chu Baihan's hand warmly.
The affectionate gesture was as if they were truly mother and daughter.
"Really? Then could my aunt tell me what my favorite dish is?" Chu Baihan asked with a smirk.
In an instant, Jiangshi's smile froze.
Chu Baihan looked on, the irony in her heart deepening.
Although she clearly loathed her, this legitimate daughter, Jiangshi still pretended to care for her.
Ironically, it was Jiangshi who had suggested sending her to Jiangnan all those years ago.
"It has been eleven years, my aunt doesn't remember your preferences very clearly, only vaguely recalling…" Jiangshi spoke evasively.
"Then Jiangshi Aunt could at least name one, could she not?" Chu Baihan didn't let her off lightly, pressing her again coldly.
"Chu Baihan, my mother is speaking to you kindly. What is your attitude? Do you still think yourself the Lady here?" At this, Chu You couldn't resist anymore; she rushed over and shoved Chu Baihan, speaking loudly.
"Am I not?" Chu Baihan's gaze was cold as she stared at Chu You.
This was probably the first time the two sisters had formally met in eleven years.
Chu You was just as domineering and reckless as ever.
Chu You's expression stiffened.
Chu Baihan had been ousted from the capital city for so many years, always deeming herself as the legitimate daughter of the Chu Residence, nearly forgetting that... she was indeed the daughter of the legitimate wife.
Glancing at Chu You's aggrieved expression, Chu Baihan's red lips curved into a sardonic smile, "It's been eleven years since we last met, little sister, and you've become increasingly undisciplined. In noble houses, children of concubines do not have the right to call their concubine mother 'Mother'. You should address her as 'Concubine Jiang' just like me, the Princess Consort."
"Chu Baihan, don't go too far." Chu You glared furiously at Chu Baihan.
Because of what had happened with Brother Su Yuan, she already despised Chu Baihan.
Unbelievably, today Chu Baihan dared to insult her mother and her.
"Enough, today is your returning day. If you can't bring Prince Yan Lin here yourself, don't take it out on others!" Chu Hesheng spoke sharply, but his criticism was directed solely at Chu Baihan.
Chu You, meanwhile, glared at her provocatively.
What does it matter if you occupy the legitimate daughter's position? You're still unloved by your husband, and despised by Daddy!
"Where is Nan Xing? Take me to her," Chu Baihan said, weary of arguing with these irrelevant people.
Chu Hesheng had specifically stayed at home today waiting for Prince Yan Lin's arrival, and since he wasn't coming, he wouldn't waste time on Chu Baihan, his useless daughter.
"You you, take her inside. She may see the person but absolutely cannot take her away," Chu Hesheng commanded coldly, then turned and left.
Heh, truly cunning.
Even though he thought she was useless, he still wanted to control her through her maid.
"Let's go." Chu You gave Chu Baihan a disdainful look.
Chu Baihan lowered her eyes, suppressing her emotions, and followed.
But as she followed Chu You for a while, she gradually sensed something was wrong.
"Chu You, where are you taking me?" she stopped and demanded angrily.
Chu You dropped her act and scoffed arrogantly, "Where else but to make amends to Brother Su Yuan?"
Chu Baihan wanted to turn and leave, but several servants had already rushed out.
"You hurt Brother Su Yuan. I have to avenge him," Chu You's face twisted viciously.
The servants also lunged at Chu Baihan.
Chu Baihan hadn't expected Chu You to strike at her openly.
She drew in a cold breath and viciously kicked the chest of the nearest servant.
Her martial arts were inadequate, but she could still handle a few useless servants.
In just a moment, several servants were beaten down.
Chu Baihan rubbed her wrists, then turned and stepped towards Chu You.
Chu You became somewhat panicked, but her mouth remained incredibly arrogant: "If you dare hurt me, Daddy and Brother Su Yuan will never let you go. Don't you like Brother Su Yuan? Aren't you afraid he'll detest you even more?"
"Su Yuan? What is he worth," Chu Baihan sneered.
She now only regretted her blindness, believing him to be someone she could trust with her life just based on a few letters.
"Chu You, release Nan Xing," Chu Baihan walked up to Chu You, grabbing her elbow.
"Snap"—Chu You's arm was twisted and broke, she screamed miserably.
"Chu Baihan, you bitch, I... I'm in so much pain, I won't let you go, I'll kill you..." Chu You screamed in despair.
"Noise," Chu Baihan's eyes flashed, and she reached up again, dislocating Chu You's jaw.
For someone trained in medicine, dislocating bones was easy.
"Ah... Ah... Ah..." Chu You cried from pain, now she struggled even to speak clearly.
Seeing she was still unwilling to lead her to Nan Xing, Chu Baihan was about to strike again when suddenly a dart shot from the eaves.
Chu Baihan heard the sound and tried to dodge, but having no martial arts, she could only manage to turn sideways as the dart grazed her arm, leaving a bloody trail.
She quickly looked up, only to see a shadow flash across the eaves, failing to make out anything else clearly.
Just who was it!
Meanwhile, seeing her injured, Chu You's eyes emitted a murderous aura.
Just then another group of servants rushed over; she quickly gestured with her eyes for them to attack Chu Baihan.
The dart was poisoned, Chu Baihan felt her half arm go numb, unable to summon any strength.
There were too many of them; she couldn't cope and had to turn and run.
The servants didn't intend to let her go, chasing after her persistently.
Suddenly, "bang"—as she fled, Chu Baihan ran into a hard chest.
"The Prince arrives only a half-moment late, and this is how the Chu Residence treats the Princess Consort?" a cold voice echoed.