The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 3

Princess Dowager’s body stiffened upon hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, the colour draining from her face. Aunty Jiang hurriedly poured out the life-saving pill given by the Empress and brought water to Princess Dowager, saying, “Princess Dowager…”

Princess Dowager waved her hand to Aunty Jiang, then comforted Bai Qingyan, “Silly child, it was just a dream, dreams are always the opposite of reality.”

“This dream felt too real, too terrifying! Grandmother… In the dream, I watched as the entire court mocked the Bai family for having no male heir, and mocked us for having no one to protect us. I saw Mother hurriedly sending away my sisters, changing their names and never allowing them to contact us again. I watched as Mother had no way to clear the Bai family’s name… Hanging herself with a group of aunts in prison, leaving a note written in blood! I was really terrified.”

Her words were soul-stirring, and her deep hatred and profound sadness in her eyes…Princess Dowager was shocked.

“Ah Bao, don’t be afraid!” Princess Dowager hugged Bai Qingyan tightly, “Don’t be afraid! Grandmother is here!”

Bai Qingyan talked with Princess Dowager for a while, but as soon as she left, Princess Dowager could not hold on any longer. She clung to her chest, coughing up a mouthful of blood and collapsing onto a soft couch.

“Princess!” Aunty Jiang quickly supported Princess Dowager, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief. She panicked and called out, “Someone, quickly fetch Physician Huang!”

Princess Dowager grabbed Aunty Jiang’s hand and shook her head, holding back tears as she asked, “Has Ah Bao gone far?”

“Don’t worry, Princess Dowager, Eldest Miss has already gone far…” Aunty Jiang’s voice was full of tears.

Princess Dowager’s grip on Aunty Jiang’s loosened a bit. Tears fell like broken threads. “I personally raised Ah Bao, how could I not know her temperament? She must be afraid that I wouldn’t be able to bear sudden news in the future, that’s why she came up with this dream. Otherwise, how could she bring such vague things to me and make me worry and feel scared with her!”

Aunty Jiang also burst into tears, gripping Princess Dowager’s hand tightly. “Princess, you must hold on! In case the dream scenario Eldest Miss described is true, we have to count on you in the Zhenguo Duke’s household!”

“Hold on! Of course, I have to hold on!” Princess Dowager’s crimson eyes burned like torches. She propped herself up on the corner of the heated kang table, straightening her body forcefully. “If the Bai family truly loses all male heirs and I collapse, even our Zhenguo Duke’s household won’t be able to stand up to bullying. For the sake of Ah Bao and the others, I must hold on!”

Aunty Jiang nodded repeatedly, “Princess Dowager, Physician Huang has arrived. Let him come in and examine your pulse! Your health cannot afford to have any issues now!”

Princess Dowager nodded, closing her sore eyes. She thought of her husband, son, and grandsons who might have already lost their lives in Nanjiang. The pain in her heart was unbearable, tearing her apart.

Yet, she did not have time to grieve now. She had to think carefully before the exact news reached the capital. If this news was true, what should their Zhenguo Duke’s household do in the future?

When she left Princess Dowager’s chamber, Bai Qingyan met Fourth Miss, who was returning with Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss on horseback.

Amidst the pristine white snow, the three young ladies in dark red riding attire approached with grace and laughter. Their clear and carefree laughter seemed to sweep away all the worries from people’s hearts.

The entire capital knew that the young ladies of Zhenguo Duke’s household were unlike the daughters of other households. Zhenguo Duke’s household did not restrict the daughters to domestic duties or traditional skills. The young ladies of Zhenguo Duke’s household were vibrant and assertive, dressed brightly like blossoms and riding spiritedly like heroes.

Fourth Miss, Bai Jinzhi, spotted Bai Qingyan standing in the red silk-covered corridor. Her eyes lit up as she hurried over, “Eldest Sister!”

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss also rushed over, their eyes lighting up as they called out crisply, “Eldest Sister…”

Chuntao smiled and wiped the railing of the corridor for Bai Qingyan before helping her sit down.

“Eldest Sister, are you feeling better now? You’re even able to come out when it’s snowing!” Bai Jinzhi sat beside her, full of concern. “Does that mean by spring, Eldest Sister will be able to take us horseback riding? The riding instructor is so dull, he never lets me ride on my own!”

Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss were twins, just over ten years old and delicately carved like jade. With two little buns on their heads, they looked especially adorable.

Looking at the three young girls of Zhenguo Duke’s household in front of her, Bai Qingyan remembered the past life… Her sisters who had gone anonymous, third young sister Bai Jintong and fourth younger sister Bai Jinzhi, had sought refuge in the enemy country to seek revenge for the Bai family and destroy the Great Jin Kingdom. Fifth young sister, Bai Jinzhao. had diligently practised skills to assassinate Prince Liang but died by his sword. Sixth younger sister Bai Jinhua and seventh younger sister Bai Jinse had been sent to a brothel by Prince Liang…

Thankfully, at this moment, they were all well and right before her eyes.

Her nose tingled as she gazed at the three energetic young girls before her, their smiles bright.

“Eldest Sister, did you like the plum blossoms that Little Five brought you yesterday?” Fifth Miss, Bai Jinzhao, leaned closer to Bai Qingyan, her face filled with pride, “Mother said that Eldest Sister is sensitive to cold and shouldn’t go to very cold places. I saw the beautiful red plum blossoms, so I picked them and put them in a white jade vase to give to Eldest Sister. Did Eldest Sister like them?!”

“I did! The flowers that our Little Five picked are the most beautiful. Eldest Sister saw them as soon as she woke up today…” Bai Qingyan coaxed softly, soothing the child.

“And me too! And me too! I made paper-cut window decorations for Eldest Sister! They look so pretty on the windows in the snowy weather! I also gave some to Fifth Aunt. Mother said Fifth Aunt is expecting a baby, and now that Fifth Uncle and our brothers are away at war, Fifth Aunt must be worried. Mother asked my younger sister and I to make Fifth Aunt happy!”

She nodded with a smile, “Yes, Eldest Sister really likes the chubby little dolls you cut out. Fifth Aunt will surely like them too!”

After saying that, she turned to Bai Jinzhi, “Tomorrow, Jinxiu will leave for marriage. Eldest Sister wants to entrust you with something.”

Bai Jinzhi, holding a horse whip, patted her chest and declared, “If it’s Eldest Sister’s orders, Little Four will do it without hesitation!”

“Tomorrow, the Zhongyong Marquis’ household will come to escort the bride. If there’s no one helping to block their way to the door, then you should bring the household maids and servants to line up and stop them. We can’t let the Zhongyong Marquis’ heir think that our Zhenguo Duke household is lacking in male descendants so they can easily marry your second sister, tarnishing the reputation of our family.”

“Eldest Sister, rest assured! When it comes to causing trouble for others, in the entire capital, I, Bai Jinzhi, am second to none and no one dares to claim the first spot!” Fourth Miss patted her chest and promised.

From a distance, Bai Qingyan saw Lu Ping. She smiled at the three children, saying, “Alright, go and get ready. Grandmother has invited a court painter to create portraits of us sisters before your second sister’s marriage tomorrow. Make sure to dress up nicely!”

The three little girls respectfully bowed to Bai Qingyan and then left.

Lu Ping was not yet 40 years old, but his appearance made him seem unusually mature and stern. He cupped his fists to Bai Qingyan and said, “Eldest Miss, you sent for me.”

“Uncle Ping, let’s talk while we walk.” She stood up and walked out of the corridor.

Seeing Bai Qingyan’s serious expression, Lu Ping straightened up and took the umbrella from Chuntao’s hand to hold it over Bai Qingyan’s head. He walked obediently by Bai Qingyan’s side.

She held tightly onto a hand warmer and walked steadily, avoiding the servants in the courtyard who were sweeping the snow. She finally spoke slowly, “Last night, someone sent me an anonymous message. They asked me to go to Zui’an Square on Chang’an Street between 9am to 11am tomorrow. They said they have news from Nanjiang to tell me!”