The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 38

Dong-shi was clutching the handkerchief in her hand. She was deeply moved, wishing she could agree on the spot.

Grand Madam Dong sighed and looked at the Princess Dowager, “After all, they are our own grandson and granddaughter. What face do we have to save? If Ah Bao doesn’t agree to the marriage, we can’t force her. It’s just that when I think about Ah Bao’s lifelong issues, my heart aches!”

“Mother!” Dong-shi looked at the Princess Dowager anxiously, “But…”

“Elder daughter-in-law, don’t you understand your own daughter’s temperament? If you force her into marriage, will she truly be happy?” The Princess Dowager interrupted Dong-shi.

As Bai Qingyan’s grandmother, the Princess Dowager shared Dong-shi’s concern for Bai Qingyan. However, Bai Qingyan was firm in her decision and would never compromise against her will.

Dong-shi wiped her tears with the handkerchief, “Forget it! Forget it! Even if Ah Bao never marries, it’s fine as long as she is happy.”

Later, Dong Zhangyuan and Bai Qingyan entered the room together. Standing beside Grand Madam Dong, his face was pale, but he did not utter a word.

Grand Madam Dong sat for a while before taking Dong Zhangyuan back home.

Dong-shi and Bai Qingyan personally escorted Grand Madam Dong to the door. Dong-shi and Grand Madam Dong reluctantly bid farewell. Then Grand Madam Dong boarded the carriage.

As they watched Grand Madam Dong’s carriage leave, Bai Qingyan was invited back to Changshou Courtyard by Aunty Jiang.

The Princess Dowager spoke to her about her second uncle’s son who was to be brought back to the residence.

“You go and test the characters of those two people. If the boy’s mother is honest and humble, bring them both back. But if she’s ambitious, send them back immediately!”

“Grandmother, rest assured, your granddaughter understands!” Bai Qingyan nodded.

Aunty Jiang entered with a tray of eight treasure tea, smiling as she spoke, “Eldest Miss, there’s a servant girl named Chunyan in the courtyard. She keeps peeking around outside Changshou Courtyard with a flushed face, looking anxious. Cui’er went and asked but couldn’t find out anything. Would Eldest Miss like to summon her in and ask?”

She inwardly sneered, knowing that the only people who could make Chunyan anxious but unable to speak to others about was none other than the precious Prince Liang!

Bai Qingyan changed the subject, “Mother mentioned that Qin Lang came this morning to inform Second Sister that he’s moving out of the Marquis’ residence today. He will wait quietly in the residence for Second Sister to return home.”

The Princess Dowager nodded, “Qin Lang is quite decisive. Your efforts to pave the way for him were not in vain…”

Bai Qingyan stayed with the Princess Dowager in the Changshou Courtyard, only emerging after lunch.

Chunyan, who had been hiding in the snowdrift for half the day, hurriedly approached, her face bright red from the cold, “Eldest Miss…”

Bai Qingyan’s cold gaze swept over Chunyan, “Speak when we’re back.”

Chunyan’s legs felt numb, but she gritted her teeth and followed Bai Qingyan inside. As soon as they entered, she eagerly presented the jade pendant that she had been hiding for a long while, “Eldest Miss, this is the jade pendant that Prince Liang made Tong Ji bring. Prince Liang said he will seek Eldest Miss’ hand in marriage as his main wife in the future!”

A surge of blood rushed to her head and she turned an icy gaze towards Chunyan. She had never expected Chunyan, who betrayed her master, to be so audacious as to accept Prince Liang’s personal jade pendant on her behalf!

Chunyan’s eyes widened, her face flushing red. Her chest heaved violently. “How dare you, Chunyan! Have you lost your mind?!”

She was filled with rage, her fingers gripping the edge of the table tightly as she stared angrily at Chunyan. “Chunyan, you are truly something! You’ve taken it upon yourself to decide my marriage and give me away to Prince Liang! I didn’t make you to be the Madam of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence!”

Chunyan immediately knelt down, “Chunyan dares not, Eldest Miss! Chunyan did this for Eldest Miss! Eldest Miss, think about it, that’s the position of a royal consort… The young master from Dengzhou is just a provincial scholar. What right does he have to think about our Eldest Miss?!”

Bai Qingyan almost could not resist raising her hand and slapping Chunyan, this traitorous person. However, she thought about keeping Chunyan to investigate which minions in the mansion were Prince Liang’s men, and endured it. It was simply sickening.

She closed her eyes, feeling the throbbing pain in her temples, “How did this thing appear within a day? You send it back for me! Otherwise, don’t blame me for breaking your legs if you dare to show up again! Get lost!”

Chunyan cried as she left the main room, and Chuntao was so angry that she almost cried too. To think that she had pleaded for mercy in front of the Eldest Miss for such a person, she was truly out of her mind.

Seeing Bai Qingyan close her eyes and being so angry that her breath was unstable, Chuntao felt extremely guilty and quickly poured her a glass of water, “Eldest Miss, I will definitely teach Chunyan a harsh lesson later.”

After a while, Bai Qingyan calmed down and said with closed eyes, “Find out who told Chunyan to leave the residence today. Have the steward come up with a reason to detain that person as well, say that he was sent out on an errand by the steward to avoid arousing suspicion!”

“Yes, this servant will take care of it right away!” Chuntao responded promptly.

Before the sun set, the carriage from the Zhenguo Duke’s residence stopped steadily at the entrance of Manjiang Restaurant.

Chen Qingsheng, sitting with the coachman, jumped off the carriage and informed Bai Qingyan inside before proceeding to make arrangements at Manjiang Restaurant.

Seeing Chen Qingsheng, one of the staff from Manjiang Restaurant hurriedly greeted him, “Innkeeper, Second Young Master Chen has arrived!”

The innkeeper, seeing Chen Qingsheng, rushed out with a big smile, “Second Young Master Chen, according to your instructions, the best private room was cleaned early this morning, the fire is burning vigorously, and no customers have entered all day. It’s just waiting for the Eldest Miss!”

Chen Qingsheng quickly stepped forward and performed a neat half bow to the innkeeper, respectfully handing over some money, “Thank you, innkeeper. If not for the innkeeper allowing Madame Luo from the wonton stall to use your kitchen, our Eldest Miss might not be able to taste the freshly cooked wontons from the Luo family. When the time comes, if our Eldest Miss gives her approval, I must invite you to a drink, and you can’t refuse!”

“Second Young Master Chen, you’re too kind! Your business is my business!” The innkeeper insisted as he pushed the money back while expressing his gratitude, “Besides, how could I not know? You’re here to give an opportunity for Eldest Miss Bai to taste our dishes. If Eldest Miss Bai from the Zhenguo Duke’s residence speaks well of us… Which noble family wouldn’t know about our Manjiang Restaurant?! I understand Second Young Master Chen’s intentions. Rest assured… Today, we will definitely take good care of Eldest Miss Bai.”

Chuntao and Chunyan had already helped Bai Qingyan off the carriage, and the shop assistant who stood timidly at the door was momentarily stunned. Although he had seen young ladies from wealthy families in the capital before, it was the first time he had seen someone as stunning as Bai Qingyan, who seemed like a celestial being descended to earth.

“Those are different matters!” Chen Qingsheng hurriedly pushed the money into the innkeeper’s hand and then stepped back to personally welcome Bai Qingyan. The innkeeper followed behind Chen Qingsheng, bowing with a smile, clutching the money.

With both of them crowding in, Chunyan was pushed to the back. After being scolded by Bai Qingyan at noon, she had already returned the jade pendant gifted by Prince Liang. Did Eldest Miss Bai still not forgive her? Otherwise, why did she not scold Chen Qingsheng and the innkeeper for taking her place?

Feeling aggrieved, Chunyan followed behind with a pout on her face, feeling like she could cry at any moment.