The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 22

After Qin Lang left, Second Madam Liu-shi returned shortly after. She was worried about Bai Jinxiu, especially with her husband not at home. Tonight, she planned to stay in Qingzhu Pavilion to watch over her daughter.

When Aunty Jiang saw that everything was settled in Qingzhu Pavilion, she instructed the maids to take good care of Bai Jinxiu for the night. She then braved the snow and returned to Changshou Courtyard. She carefully informed the Princess Dowager of the day’s events.

“After carrying Second Miss into Qingzhu Pavilion, Eldest Miss immediately ordered everyone in the residence to keep their mouths in check. She forbade any gossip about Second Miss’ injury. Nobody was allowed to gossip outside the residence either. If discovered, they would be given fifty lashes and expelled! The servants in the residence are quite obedient. I heard from Aunty Hai that many women and servants from other wealthy residences came today, trying to gather information from bribing with money. However, our servants didn’t dare to reveal anything,” Aunty Jiang gently squeezed Princess Dowager’s shoulders.

The Princess Dowager nodded.

Aunty Jiang then recounted the events that occurred in the front courtyard after inviting Qin Lang into the mansion. She did not hide the fact that Bai Qianyan advised Qin Lang to emulate the beauty of Yao and Shun in abdicating the throne.

The Princess Dowager closed her eyes and moved her prayer beads in her hand. She slowly spoke, “Ah Bao sees through things very clearly. With the words ‘filial piety’ pressing down on Qin Lang, then if he had no courage, he would still be controlled by Jiang-shi even if he became the Zhongyong Marquis. Jinxiu is Qin Lang’s wife. As a married couple, their future will undoubtedly be difficult.”

Aunty Jiang nodded in agreement and sighed, “Princess Dowager, does this mean Eldest Miss is planning for Second Miss’ future? However, this old servant feels that if Young Master Qin gives up his heir position and strives for achievements, won’t our Second Miss have to endure hardship for a few more years?”

“At least I am here to support her. It’s better than being controlled by Jiang-shi for half her life. Ah Bao has made her point clear. Let’s see if Qin Lang has the courage to make the painful decision,” the Princess Dowager sighed.

Early the second day, the heavy snow had stopped.

Just as the day was breaking, Qin Lang stood alone at the gate of Zhenguo Duke’s residence without an entourage, seeking an audience with the Princess Dowager.

The Princess Dowager had just woken up and was yet to have her breakfast. She was somewhat surprised to hear from Aunty Jiang that Qin Lang had arrived.

The Princess Dowager guessed that Qin Lang had already figured out his decision to abandon his entitlement to the heir position. She understood why Qin Lang had come to her instead of reporting to his father, the Zhongyong Marquis. Deep down, she somewhat admired Qin Lang’s decisiveness.

“Let Qin Lang come in,” the Princess Dowager instructed Aunty Jiang, “Prepare a carriage. It seems like I’ll be heading to the palace today.”

As soon as Qin Lang entered the main hall of Changshou Courtyard, he knelt down respectfully before the Princess Dowager, “Your grandson-in-law failed to protect his wife and Jinxiu almost died. I am ashamed to face my grandmother-in-law and mother-in-law. Upon returning home yesterday, I reflected deeply on myself. This grandson-in-law holds the position of the Zhongyong Marquis’ Young Master, but fails to be loyal and brave. Despite being healthy and strong, I have failed to serve faithfully. I have failed as a son by not easing my mother’s worries, as well as a husband by not protecting my wife. I have let down my parents and owe my wife. I wish to repent, renounce my position as the heir, and focus on studying diligently. I hope not to be influenced by my ancestors and aspire to become a useful person for our Great Jin Kingdom in the future.”

Qin Lang had stayed up all night contemplating his future. He had originally considered joining the battlefield to earn military achievements like the young men of the Bai family, but he knew he would not be cut out for it. His survival skills were sufficient, but he doubted his ability to excel in combat and kill the enemy.

Throughout history, military commanders dominated during wartime while during times of peace, civil officials governed. After careful consideration, Qin Lang realised that pursuing fame and achievements was his only viable path.

“Rise!” The Princess Dowager’s eyes were full of joy, “Come with me to the palace after breakfast.”

Qin Lang rose from his knees and bowed deeply again, “Thank you, Grandmother.”

Qin Lang was well aware that even if Jiang-shi secretly hoped for him to step down as the heir, she would not allow any action from him while something had happened to Jinxiu. That was why Qin Lang bypassed the Zhongyong Marquis and sought the Princess Dowager’s help.

Qin Lang had also been resentful in his heart over the years. Now… Something had just happened to Bai Jinxiu yesterday and today, he had come to the Zhenguo Duke’s residence to request the Princess Dowager to take him to the palace, where he intended to voluntarily relinquish his position as the heir. This move was meant to expose Jiang-shi to the public eye.

He wanted to tell the world that due to filial piety, he could not seek justice for his wife from his stepmother, leaving his wife wronged… He could only choose to step down from the position of the heir and bear the burden himself.

The commotion in front of the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence yesterday had made it widely known throughout the capital that Jiang-shi from the Zhongyong Marquis’ family had reached into her daughter-in-law’s dowry.

Now, with Qin Lang’s decisive actions today, it was clear that he intended to tarnish Jiang-shi’s reputation.

The Princess Dowager admired Qin Lang even more. Though he seemed indecisive, once he made up his mind, his actions were as swift as lightning. He did not need any scheming or trickery to make Jiang-shi’s reputation suffer. It was very powerful.

In the Qinghui Courtyard.

Bai Qingyan had just finished her morning training exercises when Chunyan informed her that Qin Lang had visited the Princess Dowager’s courtyard early in the morning. By now, he had already left with her grandmother and they were heading to the palace.

“This maid really feels relieved. Luckily it wasn’t Miss who married into the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence. It’s as Second Madam described, the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence is like a fiery demonic lair!” Chunyan helped Bai Qingyan, who was sweating from her exercise, into the inner room.

Bai Qingyan frowned at Chunyan’s words, feeling disgusted. Before she could reprimand her, Chuntao took the lead and spoke first, “Chunyan, never say such things again in the future!”

Chuntao held the curtain for Bai Qingyan and, seeing her enter the room, turned to Chunyan, “You are Eldest Miss’ personal maid. Now that Second Miss is still lying in bed, if others hear you speak like this, what will they think of our Miss?!”

“I only say these things in front of Miss!” Chunyan giggled and went into the room ahead of Chuntao.

Inside the room, Chunyan lowered her voice as if to please Bai Qingyan, “Young Miss, this morning, the steward from His Highness Prince Liang’s residence, Tong Ji, came. He carried a message from Prince Liang, assuring Young Miss not to worry, as His Highness is unharmed.”

Bai Qingyan clutched the face towel used for washing tightly. He actually did not die? Truly, how lucky…

If she had known earlier, she should have hired an assassin to set up an ambush and mercilessly stab Prince Liang in the heart several times, ensuring he had no chance of survival.

Bai Qingyan closed her eyes, suppressing the resentment in her heart, and tossed the towel into the copper basin.

Chuntao trembled with fear and poked Chunyan in the forehead, “Why did you go find people around Prince Liang again?! We are Eldest Miss’ maids. If others see…”

“Sister Chuntao, I know what’s serious and what’s not!” Chunyan interrupted Chuntao’s words with an unhappy expression, then she approached Bai Qingyan and said, “I just didn’t want the Miss to worry about Prince Liang.”

Bai Qingyan felt nauseated just from hearing the words “Prince Liang”. She restrained the discomfort in her heart and instructed Chuntao to set up breakfast.

“Chunyan, are you 16 this year?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Chunyan blushed and happily replied, “Yes, Miss, this maid turns 16 next month.”

Bai Qingyan looked at Chunyan with a smile that was not a smile, “Chunyan, you’ve grown up and you have more thoughts now. After all, a grown girl can’t be kept at home. When Aunty Tong returns, I will instruct her to find a good family for you and prepare a dowry. It won’t be in vain for our relationship as mistress and maid.”