The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 21

When Bai Qingyan mentioned the Dinuo Marquis, Qin Lang immediately understood. The ongoing turmoil in the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence was undoubtedly related to this hereditary title.

His stepmother wanted Qin Lang’s younger brother to inherit the title, but due to ancestral etiquette, she could not express this openly. However, she secretly created many obstacles for Qin Lang, forcing Qin Lang’s mentor to leave and tarnishing his reputation. This time, she even schemed to provoke discord between him and the Zhenguo Duke’s residence, harming Bai Jinxiu for the sake of this.

Seeing Qin Lang’s ashen face and his tightly clenched fists with visible veins, Bai Qingyan knew Qin Lang had understood.

Qin Lang understood the thoughts of the Zhongyong Marquis’ Madam, Jiang-shi better than Bai Qingyan. However, understanding was not enough. With the pressure of filial piety weighing heavily on him, Qin Lang could not break free from these constraints, no matter how capable he was.

Bai Qingyan felt that Qin Lang was not entirely hopeless. She calmly and gently said, “Using bronze as a mirror allows one to fix their outfit. Using history as a mirror allows one to understand rising and falling. Using people as a mirror allows one to see gains and losses. In ancient times, Emperors Yao and Shun abdicated their thrones willingly. Why not follow their example, Young Master? After all… The Zhongyong Marquis has become an empty title. Young Master has a broad mind and great aspirations. Why not aim for a brighter and more beautiful future?”

“Eldest Sister!” Bai Jinzhi looked horrified.

Qin Lang’s pupils trembled. He raised his head abruptly, gazing at Bai Qingyan whose face remained calm. Did she mean… She was suggesting he voluntarily step down from the position of the heir? How could she say something so shocking?!

Over the years, it was not as if Qin Lang had not considered defiance and countermeasures. He mingled with the dandies of the capital on the surface, while secretly working hard, wanting to obtain the top spot in the imperial examinations. However, all of this was to solidify his position as the heir. He had never thought about the possibility of relinquishing this position.

Not only was Bai Jinzhi shocked by Bai Qingyan’s words, but even Bai Jintong felt her heart pounding.

Lu Yuanpeng who was standing a little further away with Xiao Rongyan, stared at the solemn faced Bai Qingyan. He tilted his head and asked Xiao Rongyan in a low voice, “Brother Xiao, can you hear what Miss Bai is saying to Qin Lang? Why does Aunty Jiang look so panicked? Could it be that she’s suggesting Qin Lang and their Second Miss divorce?”

Xiao Rongyan had a faint smile on his lips. He brushed away some dry leaves that had been blown onto his cloak by the wind, his movements graceful. “Forcibly entering the Zhenguo Duke’s residence is already impolite. Eavesdropping from a corner is even more unbecoming of a gentleman.”

Xiao Rongyan did not expect that Bai Qingyan would have such broad vision and courage.

He had observed the high-ranking individuals in the capital and found that very few could match a girl like Bai Qingyan in terms of perspective. However, Qin Lang grew up in the magnificence and splendour of the capital city, so even if he had a keen understanding of the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence affairs, he lacked the determination needed to break free from the constraints. Xiao Rongyan feared that Eldest Miss Bai’s efforts would likely be in vain.

“The Second Miss has awakened! The Second Miss has awakened…”

A crisp voice from a maid sounded from the back courtyard and sighs of relief seemed to echo through the entire Zhenguo Duke’s residence. Shouts of “The Second Miss has awakened” continued.

Bai Qingyan could not hide the joy in her eyes and the solemnity on her face was replaced by delight.

Qin Lang’s throat churned and he stretched his neck to look towards the inner courtyard of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence.

“Eldest Sister!” Bai Jinzhi turned back to glance at the direction of the inner courtyard. She seized Bai Qingyan’s arm with excitement. “Second Sister has awakened! Let’s go back and see!”

A maid hurriedly approached, carrying a lantern. She bowed respectfully from behind Bai Qingyan, “Eldest Miss, Third Miss, Fourth Miss, Second Miss has awakened!”

Bai Qingyan nodded. Turning back to look at Qin Lang, she said, “To alleviate a mother’s worries is filial, to protect one’s wife is righteous! Young Master should understand that one must break to rebuild! Or… Is Young Master willing to become a disobedient and unrighteous person for the sake of this empty title? This is all I have to say. Young Master should decide for himself.”

Bai Qingyan bowed lightly, then unconsciously cast a deep glance at Xiao Rongyan before quickly heading towards the back courtyard, accompanied by Bai Jintong and Bai Jinzhi.

Aunty Jiang gestured to Qin Lang, “Please, two young masters, have a seat in the hall. As for Young Master Qing Lang… This way, please!”

“Aunty Jiang…”

Lu Yuanpeng called out and was about to follow to join the commotion in the inner courtyard, but Xiao Rongyan stopped him, saying, “This is a private matter between the Zhenguo Duke’s residence and the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence. You and I shouldn’t interfere.”

When Bai Qingyan and her sisters arrived at the Qingzhu Pavilion, Bai Jinxiu was leaning against the bedside, gently comforting Second Madam Liu-shi, who was crying tearfully.

As soon as they entered the room, Bai Jintong and Bai Jinzhi rushed to the beds, concerned about Bai Jinxiu’s condition. Bai Qingyan stood by the screen, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Although she had known that Bai Jinxiu was safe, the worry had lingered in her heart until Bai Jinxiu had woken up. Removing that worry was like lifting a knife hanging over her heart… She finally felt relieved.

Aunty Jiang entered, curtseyed to the Princess Dowager, and said, “Princess Dowager, Young Master is waiting at the Chuihua Gate.”

The Princess Dowager moved the prayer beads in her hands and looked at Bai Jinxiu, “Second daughter, if you don’t want to see him, you don’t have to.”

Bai Jinxiu, having experienced this ordeal, already had a plan in mind. Her gaze was clear and she opened her colourless lips, “Grandmother, it’s not the young master’s fault. I don’t blame him. I want… to talk to him alone.”

Qin Lang and Bai Jinxiu were husband and wife after all, so there was nothing improper about them being alone together. The Princess Dowager nodded and instructed her daughter-in-law, Dong-shi, “You should all disperse now. It’s been a long day. Let the children go back too and rest. Aunty Jiang, you stay. Whether the young master decides to leave or stay, you’ll need to send someone to notify the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence later.”

“Yes!” Aunty Jiang acknowledged.

Bai Jinxiu looked up and saw Bai Qingyan behind the screen, her smile becoming even more radiant, wanting to reassure her elder sister. Instead of approaching, Bai Qingyan responded with a smile of her own, but her eyes turned slightly red.

For Bai Qingyan, as long as Bai Jinxiu was safe… Then nothing else mattered.

Although Bai Jinxiu may not have been awake today, she knew everything that happened outside the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence. If Bai Qingyan had not made a scene today, she did not know what kind of torment from her mother-in-law she would have to face in the future at the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence.

After comforting Bai Jinxiu, the women gradually left the Qingzhu Pavillion one after another. Only then did Aunty Jiang invite Qin Lang into the courtyard of Qingzhu Pavilion.

Bai Jinzhi stood at the doorway of Bai Jinxiu’s room. She glared at Qin Lang with red eyes as he entered. She tightly gripped her whip behind her back. When Aunty Jiang shook her head at her, Bai Jinzhi gritted her teeth and reluctantly let go of her whip. When she left the room, she still could not contain her anger and fiercely bumped Qin Lang with her shoulder.

When Qin Lang entered the room, he saw Bai Jinxiu sitting weakly on the bed, her face pale and her breathing feeble. Overwhelmed with shame, he hesitated to ask Bai Jinxiu how she was doing. Then he remembered that he had not visited her after she got injured due to his weakness and obedience to filial piety. He felt extremely stupid and cowardly, and suddenly felt ashamed to speak.

It was not until a faint crackling sound came from the silver-frosted charcoal in the brazier in the room that Qin Lang hurriedly made a deep bow, unable to utter a single word through his choked throat.

“Young Master’s clothes are thin. Please, Aunty Jiang, fetch a cloak for Young Master,” Bai Jinxiu’s soft voice sounded slowly.

Aunty Jiang immediately had someone remove the thorny branches from Qin Lang’s body and draped a cloak over him. She served hot tea and brought the brazier closer to Qin Lang before retreating with the maids, standing guard at the door.

Shortly after, Qin Lang came out of the room in a state of confusion after he finished talking with Bai Jinxiu. He made a half-bow to Aunty Jiang, “Qin Lang takes his leave. I will come again to pay respects to the Princess Dowager and Mother-in-law another day!”

Having said that, he did not wait for a maid to bring a lantern and hurriedly left the Qingzhu Pavilion.