The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 19

“Every member of the Bai family is loyal, straightforward, and upright, regardless of whether they are sons or daughters. They all possess a righteous spirit!”

Occasionally, a drunken man might mention the traditional role of women within the family, where they manage the household and educate the children. However, such opinions were quickly drowned out by the praises for the Zhenguo Duke’s residence.

At the Zhenguo Duke’s residence.

On the third day Second Miss Bai Jinxiu got married, she was on the verge of death and had been carried back to the residence lying down. This news had everyone in the Zhenguo Duke’s residence on edge, like a tightly strung bowstring.

Servants and maids moved about in an orderly manner, entering and exiting through the side gates to light lanterns without daring to speak loudly.

Second Madam Liu-shi stayed by Bai Jinxiu’s bedside, holding her daughter’s cold fingers, tears streaming silently as she softly called her daughter’s name.

Imperial Physician Huang and his senior brother Imperial Physician Hong from the Imperial Institute of Medicine were outside the room, discussing what medication to prescribe for Bai Jinxiu.

The Princess Dowager and the madams of the Bai family had solemn expressions as they stood in Bai Jinxiu’s chamber, waiting for the decision from the physicians.

Looking at the pale Bai Jinxiu on the bed, Third Miss Bai Jintong felt suffocated by the heavy atmosphere inside the room and stepped outside for some fresh air after lifting the curtain. She then saw Chen Qingsheng, Chuntao’s cousin, bending respectfully and speaking in a hushed tone to Bai Qingyan who was standing in the corridor.

As Chen Qingsheng noticed someone coming out of the room out of the corner of his eye, he immediately stopped speaking and stood respectfully beside Bai Qingyan. He bowed to Bai Jintong and said, “Greetings, Third Miss.”

“You can go first,” Bai Qingyan said to Chen Qingsheng.

As Bai Jintong watched Chen Qingsheng bow and leave quickly, she walked to Bai Qingyan’s side and asked in a low voice, “Wasn’t he Chuntao’s cousin? Did Eldest Sister give him a task?”

Bai Qingyan adjusted her fox fur coat. She and Bai Jintong walked a few steps along the corridor towards the warm pavilion. Bai Qingyan was planning to have Chen Qingsheng follow Bai Jintong.

She whispered softly, “Chen Qingsheng is very skilled at dealing with people. In the capital… He can connect with people from all walks of life, whether it’s the staff and proprietors of teahouses and taverns or the managers and servants in the mansions of officials and nobles. As long as he wants, he can befriend anyone and he can gather any information through various channels. After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, when you go out, take Chen Qingsheng with you. It will undoubtedly be beneficial for you.”

“Eldest Sister…” Bai Jintong’s throat felt tight. She recalled the day when Bai Qingyan spoke clearly and explained the family’s situation after analysing it so thoroughly. Suddenly, she felt the weight on her shoulders increase immensely.

Just now, Bai Qingyan had assigned Chen Qingsheng to spread the news of the incident at the Zhongyong Marquis’s residence to various teahouses, taverns, and popular spots. Her intention was to further elevate the reputable image of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence for its integrity, straightforwardness, and upright principles.

This was a test she had set for Chen Qingsheng. If he did this well, then she would dare to send him to Bai Jintong’s side. Unexpectedly, Chen Qingsheng handled the matter even better than she anticipated.

Without having anyone from the Zhenguo Duke’s residence personally involved, he used his connections to spread the news, not even involving himself in the slightest. His methods were clean and efficient.

While she was talking with Bai Jintong, they saw one of the old maids guarding the gate rush into Qingzhu Pavilion, hurrying to the corridor and said to the young maid at the door, “Please inform Aunty Jiang that the Zhongyong Marquis’ heir is outside our Zhenguo Duke’s residence. He is insisting on being punished with a thorny bramble for his mistakes and refuses to enter the residence, staying outside kneeling down. The legitimate grandson of the Right Prime Minister and several young masters also came with him. They all seem to have had some wine, and this old servant doesn’t know what to do.”

Bai Jintong was greatly surprised and she turned her head to look at Bai Qingyan who was calm and composed.

Generally, even if there was a major conflict between a husband and wife, the husband would just choose a day to visit and solemnly apologise to his elders. Such an act of insisting on being punished with a thorny bramble for his mistakes and refusing to enter the residence, staying outside kneeling down was rarely seen, especially for a man from a prestigious family. It was akin to airing one’s family disgraces for the whole world to see.

However, Bai Jintong considered it for a moment and understood. With the incident today escalating to such an extent, the Zhongyong Marquis’s residence had to do something otherwise it would be difficult to bring the situation under control.

Yet, when Bai Jintong thought about Bai Jinxiu who was lying in bed, unable to breathe in and only breathing out, her eyes flared red in anger. She gritted her teeth and said, “Second Sister is lying in bed with her life hanging by a thread, and he went to drink! He drinks first and then comes to insist on being punished with a thorny bramble for his mistakes. This is letting him off too lightly!”

Bai Qingyan remained silent. The fact that Qin Lang came meant there was still hope.

After about a while, Aunty Jiang came out from the room, and walked outside with the old maid who guarded the gate.

Bai Qingyan knew… Grandmother and Second Madam had discussed and decided to have Aunty Jiang invite Qin Lang into the residence.

After all, the Zhongyong Marquis’s residence had already shown a humble and submissive attitude. Amongst the noble families of the capital, there has been no precedent for divorce. Considering the future of Second Sister, the elders could not let Qin Lang kneel outside indefinitely.

“Second Aunt! Have you become confused? My Second Sister is lying in bed injured like this. On what basis should we let him step into our Zhenguo Duke’s residence?!” Fourth Miss Bai Jinzhi’s angry voice came from inside the room, “In my opinion, we should let me send him away with a whip! Why do we have to invite him in?”

“What else can we do?! Your second sister is already his wife in his Qin family. Amongst noble families like ours, there has been no precedent for divorce. Do you want your sister to remain without a husband for the rest of her life?!” Second Madam Liu-shi sighed with resentment and unwillingness, “My miserable Jinxiu! Mother shouldn’t have agreed to let you marry into the Zhongyong Marquis’s residence in the first place! With such a mother-in-law, such younger sisters-in-law, and such a husband! For the rest of your days… How can you live?!”

Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes and gently stroked the hand warmer in her hand, concealing the slight redness in her eyes. She was fortunate to be reborn, so she would not allow Bai Jinxiu to suffer for the rest of her life. Bai Jinxiu was the sister who she, Bai Qingyan, would protect even at the risk of her life. No one was allowed to mess with her!

“I’m going to use a whip to drive him away!” Bai Jinzhi’s angry voice nearly overturned the roof of the Qingzhu Pavilion.

Bai Qingyan looked up and saw her storming out of the room in anger.

Third Madam Liu-shi, fearing her daughter would cause trouble, hurriedly followed, but could not stop Bai Jinzhi. She was so anxious that she threw her handkerchief and instructed the servant women in the courtyard to tie up Bai Jinzhi.

However, Bai Jinzhi had exceptional martial skills from a young age. How could these servant women were no match for Bai Jinzhi. It was likely they would not be able to stop her and would even be whipped a few times.

Bai Qingyan stepped forward and bowed to Third Madam Li-shi, “Third Aunt, please don’t worry. Jintong and I will go check on Fourth Sister and ensure she doesn’t get into any trouble.”

“Yes, yes! Ah Bao… Jinzhi usually listens to you the most! Jintong, protect your Eldest Sister and quickly bring back that unruly thing!” Third Madam Li-shi said hurriedly.

“Rest assured, Third Aunt!” Bai Qingyan walked down the steps, leading Bai Jintong as they headed quickly towards the front courtyard.

At the entrance of the residence, Aunty Jiang saw Qin Lang kneeling with a thorny branch. He was accompanied by many young masters from the capital who he was well-acquainted with, creating an atmosphere that resembled a cheerleading squad.

Lu Yuanpeng, the grandson of the Right Prime Minister, greeted Aunty Jiang with a smile and a bow, “Aunty, we came with Qin Lang to apologise. We also want to see how Second Miss is. We wonder, how are Second Miss’ injuries?”