The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 10

Later on, the situation at the border became critical and Grandfather, Father, and Second Uncle went to the frontlines. They returned victorious three years later. When they had discussed everything clearly, Second Aunt had tried to find the girl but found out that a few years ago… There was a flood at the girl’s hometown and everyone assumed she had perished.

However, a few years ago, the girl showed up with a young boy and found the side entrance to the Zhenguo Duke’s residence. Seeing that Second Uncle and his wife were living in harmony, the Princess Dowager did not want any trouble in the Zhenguo Duke’s household because of this matter. She secretly sent the girl to one of her own estates to raise her there.

Bai Qingyan’s temples throbbed as she heard this.

She remembered that in her previous life, the Zhenguo Duke eventually became a fictitious noble and Second Uncle’s concubine’s child inherited the title. Afterwards, he did things like extorting the common people, kidnapping women, and killing the tenants, all of which severely ruined the Bai family’s long standing reputation. Even Bai Qingyan’s close friend, Shen Qingzhu, was made into a plaything for others by that scoundrel.

A surge of rage coursed through Bai Qingyan’s heart. She felt like a mountain was weighing on her heart and she could not breathe. She wished she could use a knife to carve up that scoundrel this very moment!

Bai Qingyan asked unwillingly, “Are you sure the child is indeed Second Uncle’s?”

The Princess Dowager’s face turned pale as she leaned against the soft cushion and sighed, “That child looks almost the same as your Second Uncle did when he was a child.”

Bai Qingyan clenched her hands hidden in her sleeves, her nails digging into her palms. If the child was not her Second Uncle’s, she would have had him killed by Lu Ping to eliminate future troubles.

However, if he was indeed Second Uncle’s heir…

Bai Qingyan’s heart ached. After a long pause, she forced herself to make a decision and said to the Princess Dowager, “Then, let’s bring him back!”

While the child was still young, perhaps he could be guided properly. Even if he could not be completely changed… Having the child under her control would still be better than him being in the hands of Prince Liang.

“Alright, we will bring him back and raise him personally!” The Princess Dowager squeezed Bai Qingyan’s hand tightly. “For your second aunt’s side of things, I will handle it personally once your second younger sister returns.”

Bai Qingyan nodded, her fingertips cold. She forcefully suppressed the disgust and aversion she felt. She then discussed her plans for Bai Jintong with the Princess Dowager.

“Grandmother, after careful consideration, I think our Bai family should leave a way out for ourselves. Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows, let alone the Bai family.”

“Tell me more.”

“Do you remember, Grandmother, that Third Sister Jintong once helped my mother manage the household duties? In just half a year, she increased store revenue by 30 percent. Mother jokingly said that if Third Sister were to enter the business world, she might become a figure like the wealthiest man in the world, Xiao Rongyan.”

The Princess Dowager nodded. She remembered that because of this joke, Bai Jintong had actually considered going into business. The Zhenguo Duke had thrown a big fit, stating that Bai family children should not willingly degrade to being merchants.

“Grandmother, if Third Sister is willing, we could appoint a loyal and experienced manager by her side. Let Third Sister disguise herself as a man and use her skills to accumulate wealth in secret.”

“Accumulate wealth in secret? Ah Bao, what are you planning to do? Are you…” The Princess Dowager looked at Bai Qingyan in astonishment. Her hand holding Bai Qingyan’s trembled slightly. “Are you having rebelling”

Bai Qingyan’s fingertips were in pain from the forceful grip of the Princess Dowager. She shivered intensely and was stunned.

The atmosphere between them, as grandmother and granddaughter, was like a taut bowstring stretched to its limits. If she was not careful, it would snap.

How could she forget… Her grandmother, the Princess Dowager, was also the daughter of the imperial family and the Princess Dowager of the entire Jin Kingdom. The kingdom belonged to the Lin family. In the interest of safeguarding the Bai family, the biggest difference between her and her grandmother was that she would not hesitate to do anything for the Bai family, while her grandmother wanted to protect the Bai family but also wanted to protect the Jin Kingdom.

However, her grandmother was not aware of the emperor’s discontent with the Bai family, and how the emperor… How he would treat the Bai family!

As Qin Shangzhi had mentioned, in the previous lifetime, it was the emperor’s decision that led to the Bai family suffering tragic deaths. With such a ruler… If he forced the Bai family into a similar fate again, how could she not fight back?

She closed her eyes, her breath in disarray. If it were not for the Jin emperor, why would all the men in the Bai family die tragically without a single one left alive? Why would her mother hang herself from a beam with all her aunts? Why would her Fifth Aunt who had just given birth be so desperate that she committed suicide in front of the palace with a coffin?!

Everytime Bai Qingyan thought about these things, it was like a knife was twisting in her heart causing her whole body to tremble in pain.

“Ah Bao!” The Princess Dowager’s eyes widened when he saw the intense hatred in Bai Qingyan’s eyes and pulled her closer. Her gaze was chilling and piercing, “Are you planning to rebel?!”

The Princess Dowager knew Bai Qingyan’s capabilities. Although she had not been ale to leave the residence for many years, her reputation was once incredibly high among the Bai family’s military. If she truly decided to rebel, with a wave of her arm… The entire Jin Kingdom would be in chaos.

The Princess Dowager could not bear to imagine such a scenario. If her beloved granddaughter really intended to rebel…

The Princess Dowager clenched her teeth and her eyes became bloodshot. If Bai Qingyan truly intended to rebel, as the Princess Dowager of the Jin Kingdom, she could not just sit back and watch. Even if Bai Qingyan was imprisoned for life or even… She could not allow anything that would shake the Lin family’s imperial authority.

Bai Qingyan closed her eyes, suppressing the overwhelming hatred in her heart. After a while, before she spoke quietly, “Grandmother, the Bai family’s ancestral teachings emphasise loyalty and righteousness. Personal glory, disgrace, and life come last. Your granddaughter would never dare to go against these ancestral teachings! I wouldn’t tarnish the Bai family’s century-old reputation of loyalty and bravery.”

She continued, “Third Sister likes this path. Let her change her name, disguise herself as a man, and stay far away from the capital. If something happens to the Bai family in the future, at least Third Sister can be saved! Moreover, if Third Sister prospers in her business, the wealth she accumulates can be used for the Bai family’s needs.”

Seeing her grandmother’s intense gaze fixed on her, it seemed as if she still could not believe her words. She added, “In recent days, Granddaughter has been contemplating it over and over. If Grandfather, Father, Uncles, and Brothers cannot return, I hope that, with Grandmother’s permission, our entire family can move back to our ancestral home in Shuoyang. The capital is unpredictable, filled with treachery and deceit. Grandfather’s straightforward nature has offended many ministers and there are no allies left for the Bai family. The mouths of the masses can melt gold, and accumulated slander can erode bones. We can only preserve the Bai family by returning to Shuoyang.”

After hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, the Princess Dowager remained silent for a moment before releasing Bai Qingyan and nodding while fiddling with her prayer beads.

Bai Qingyan’s words were indeed right… Rumours could be dangerous and recently, the news of victories in battles had been frequent. The ministers openly praised the Zhenguo Duke being invincible in every battle, but their veiled remarks hinted at his growing power, suggesting he was not exercising restraint. The Princess Dowager was not ignorant of these nuances.

The Princess Dowager said earnestly, “Ah Bao, you must remember, you are the granddaughter of the Princess Dowager of the Jin Kingdom. The blood of the imperial family also runs in your veins. You must never think about rebelling!”

She lowered her eyes and looked at her fingertips had lost colour due to the Princess Dowager’s firm grasp. Unable to suppress the tiredness and chill in her heart, she responded in a hoarse voice, “Granddaughter will remember.”

Seeing Bai Qingyan in this state, the Princess Dowager’s heart softened and she gently stroked her granddaughter’s head, “The painter sent the portraits he painted for you and your sisters yesterday. Why haven’t I seen yours?”

“Granddaughter doesn’t like joining in this activity,” Bai Qingyan replied in a low voice.

If the Bai family could not be preserved, what use was an expensive portrait?

After talking with the Princess Dowager for a while, Bai Qingyan took her leave. As she reached the entrance of the Changshou Courtyard, she heard Aunty Jiang sending Lian Xin, the Princess Dowager’s senior maid, to summon Third Miss to come over.