The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 20

Sima Ping, son of the Vice Censor-in-chief, noticed that Lu Yuanpeng was being a bit foolish after consuming alcohol. He hastily pulled on Lu Yuanpeng’s sleeve, nearly causing the already unsteady Lu Yuanpeng to stumble.

Sima Ping had no choice but to bow deeply in apology to Aunty Jiang, “Aunty Jiang, please forgive us. Yuanpeng had a bit too much to drink today. I hope Aunty can overlook it.”

Draped in a large cloak made of grey squirrel fur, Xiao Rongyan stood by the carriage not far away. Even in the shadows, his tall and upright figure could not conceal his extraordinary and attention-grabbing presence.

Seeing Aunty Jiang, who was usually by the side of the Princess Dowager, come out personally, a subtle smile played on the corner of Xiao Rongyan’s lips. In the depths of his profound eyes, there was a calm and tranquil demeanour.

Qin Lang smelled slightly of alcohol but he was not too intoxicated. He bowed deeply, “Qin Lang came to apologise to the Princess Dowager and Mother-in-law.”

“Quickly, help Young Master up!” Aunty Jiang ordered the servants behind her.

The servants hurriedly bowed, then approached from behind Aunty Jiang and assisted Qin Lang to stand up.

Aunty Jiang respectfully curtseyed and said to Qin Lang, “The heavy snow has not stopped, and Young Master has had a bit too much to drink. This old servant has already sent someone to report to the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence. Young Master may enter the residence to rest for a while and have some sobering soup. The Marquis’ residence will send someone to pick you up shortly. Young Master, please…”

Seeing the servants from the Zhenguo Duke’s residence supporting Qin Lang and going inside, Xiao Rongyan turned slowly. He was about to get on the carriage when unexpectedly, Lu Yuanpeng, who had pushed his way out of the crowd, grabbed him.

“Brother Xiao, it was you who came up with the idea. You can’t just leave! We have to see it through to the end…”

After saying this, Lu Yuanpeng who was reeking of alcohol, dragged Xiao Rongyan towards the steps of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence, shouting, “Hey, hey, don’t close the door, don’t close the door! Aunty Jiang, Aunty Jiang… It’s not easy for me to visit. I must at least pay my respects to the elders!”

Sima Ping and another young master hurriedly called after Lu Yuanpeng.

“Yuanpeng!”

“Yuan Peng, stop messing with Young Master Xiao!”

“Lu Yuanpeng…”

Lu Yuan Peng turned a deaf ear, utterly lacking the dignity of a noble young master. He forcefully pushed his way like a scoundrel into the gates of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence while dragging Xiao Ronghan along.

Little did Lu Yuan Peng know that, just as he pulled Xiao Ronghan into the residence, he would barely take a few steps before Fourth Miss Bai Jinzhi, with an angry face, rushed out from the well-lit corridor, wielding her whip and aiming to lash out at Qin Lang.

Startled, Lu Yuanpeng hiccupped.

“Fourth Sister!”

Bai Jintong was exceptionally skilled and was already protecting Qin Lang at the moment when Bai Jinzhi swung her whip. She caught the fiercely lashing whip, skilfully disarming Bai Jinzhi, and held the whip in her hands with a solemn expression. “Do not be rude! Step back!”

Aunty Jiang was also taken aback, clutching her handkerchief to her chest as her heart pounded rapidly. She glimpsed Bai Qingyan out of the corner of her eye and she finally heaved a sigh of relief.

“Third Sister! Why are you stopping me?” Bai Jinzhi, with red eyes, pointed at Qin Lang. “Second Sister is lying in bed, her life hanging by the thread. Yet he went to a poetry gathering and also went drinking! The whole Zhongyong Marquis’ residence is full of black-hearted people, and he’s heartless too!”

Qin Lang felt ashamed and clenched his fists, “Third Miss, there’s no need to stop her. I deserve to be whipped by Fourth Miss.”

Xiao Rongyan stood in the falling snow and casually glanced at the figure slowly approaching in the corridor, calm and silent.

Bai Qingyan stood in the corridor, draped in a fox-fur cloak. The red lanterns illuminated the falling snow, outlining Bai Qingyan’s delicate features. Her eyes were dark and calm. Her entire person was like a painting, extremely peaceful and indifferent. Compared to the imposing and aggressive demeanour she displayed in front of the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence earlier today, it was as if she were two entirely different people.

“Bai Jinzhi, step back.”

When Bai Jinzhi heard this, she turned back, and saw Bai Qingyan. With tears in her eyes, she glared at Qin Lang, then reluctantly turned around and went back to Bai Qingyan’s side.

Bai Qingyan, upon seeing Bai Jinxiu in such a state lying on the bed, harboured resentment towards both the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence and Qin Lang. However, she could still understand Qin Lang’s situation, having met a stepmother like Jiang-shi with the pressure of filial piety, he indeed faced difficulties.

Qin Lang dared to look directly at Bai Qingyan because he was drunk. Perhaps it was due to the alcohol, but Bai Qingyan’s stunning beauty after she had matured into an adult captivated him. Qin Lang’s heart was full of mixed emotions and he clenched the jade pendant at his waist guiltily. His palm became slightly sweaty and he quickly withdrew his gaze, unable to look at Bai Qingyan.

“That… That’s the eldest daughter of the Zhenguo Duke’s family?!” Lu Yuanpeng was stunned, oblivious to the snowflakes falling onto his eyelashes.

Xiao Rongyan’s deep eyes were calm. Hidden beneath his grey squirrel cloak, his hand slowly caressed a jade cicada. He responded in a thoughtful yet indifferent tone, “Mm.”

As Bai Qingyan walked out of the corridor, she met Xiao Rongyan’s calm and deep gaze and she halted her steps.

Xiao Rongyan’s excessively profound eyes were smiling as he nodded slightly, showing a gentle and dignified demeanour.

Bai Qingyan’s hand tightened subconsciously on the hand warmer she was holding and her heartbeat skipped for no reason. Her breathing felt a bit uncomfortable.

In the previous life, Bai Qingyan had engaged in countless clashes with ruthless adversaries on the battlefield. Those capable of leaving a lasting impression on Bai Qingyan throughout her life were few and far between, and she rarely feared anyone. However, no one had instilled in her such a profound sense of fear as Xian Rongyan did.

Underneath Xian Rongyan’s composed and restrained elegance lay ambitions akin to a ravenous wolf, large enough to swallow up other empires. He could effortlessly take lives in the midst of casual laughter and conversation. His character was so deep that Bai Qingyan had never managed to see through him, even until her death.

As Bai Qingyan looked at Lu Yuanpeng again, she understood why Xian Rongyan had come with Qin Lang.

She closed her eyes, suppressing her unease and excessive concern about Xian Rongyan. Then she proceeded to walk out of the corridor…

Aunty Jiang quickly turned around and took the umbrella from the maid’s hand, then stepped forward to assist Bai Qingyan.

“Young Master Qin,” Bai Qingyan maintained a relatively cautious distance from Qin Lang and gave him a half bow, “Young Master came here in humble attire, bearing a thorny branch to plead guilty. Have you already devised a plan in your heart to resolve the situation?”

Qin Lang lowered his head in shame and replied, “Not… Not yet.”

Bai Qingyan’s heart tightened and a hint of anger rose within her. No wonder Qin Lang could not protect his wife in the previous life. What use was it to apologise without taking any action?!

Unable to suppress her frustration, she raised her voice, “Will Young Master Qin also respond like this to my grandmother and my second aunt? I must ask Young Master Qin, for what crime have you come today bearing a thorny stick? Are you apologising on behalf of the Marquis’ wife, or for the two young ladies in your residence? Or perhaps, are you apologising for yourself?”

The cold wind swept through, carrying snowflakes with it.

Qin Lang’s eyes reddened and his lips trembled, but he remained silent. He only bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan with cupped fists, “Qin Lang is ashamed and has no words in response.”

When Qin Lang came to the Zhenguo Duke’s residence on the wedding day, Bai Qingyan observed his chess moves at the door and thought that he was not a weak and conservative person without ambitions and strategies.

Chess reflected one’s character… Bai Qingyan believed that Qin Lang had aspirations and vision.

After a moment of contemplation, Bai Qingyan tightened her grip on the hand warmer in her hands. Suppressing her anger, she calmly continued, “When the Great Jin Kingdom was founded, those who made significant contributions were granted the title of marquis or general. The title of Ding Guo Marquis could be inherited but not replaced. For the two legitimate sons of the Marquis, the eldest son would inherit the title according to etiquette and law. However, Ding Guo Marquis favoured his younger son and intended to elevate him to a higher position while still respecting ancestral rituals. As a result, this led to domestic unrest and the brothers fought with each other. The Ding Guo Marquis died of illness and the eldest son inherited the title. The younger son, out of spite, killed his mother and brother with a knife, resulting in a tragic event.”