The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 5

The mention of Prince Liang felt like a venomous sore oozing with poisonous pus, growing right on the wound of Bai Qingyan’s broken heart. It flared up whenever she thought of it, causing discomfort that might not take Bai Qingyan’s life, but left her feeling queasy and anxious.

Suppressing her emotions, Bai Qingyan raised her eyes to look at the still chattering Chunyan.

“This servant heard from the attendant, Tong Ji, by Prince Liang’s side that His Highness arrived before dawn and has been waiting until now. This servant saw that His Highness’ face was nearly purple from the cold!” Chunyan said with a tone of compassion and concern.

Bai Qingyan turned a page in her book and did not respond.

Chunyan was puzzled. Prince Liang, a dignified and noble figure, son of the emperor, had condescended to endure the cold and waited at the back gate of the Zhenguo Duke’s mansion all day. Even she was moved by that. Yet, observing her mistress’ indifferent demeanour, was she still unable to let go of the heir of the Zhongyong Marquis?

Chunyan lowered her voice even more: “His Highness is concerned that you’re feeling uncomfortable about the Zhongyong Marquis’ heir marrying Second Miss. He wants to use the excuse of borrowing the book to have a conversation with Miss.”

“You agreed on behalf of Miss?!” Chuntao’s face turned pale with anger. “You, servant girl, are too bold! If anyone catches wind of this and accuses Eldest Miss and Prince Liang of secretly exchanging favours, Eldest Miss’ reputation will be ruined!”

Chunyan had been entirely absorbed by her feelings of gratitude and had not realised the severity of the situation. Hearing Chuntao’s stern words, she was suddenly taken aback, “Miss, this servant…”

Bai Qingyan only realised after she had been reborn that Chunyan had completely fallen for Prince Liang later. It was around this time that she had frequently met Prince Liang on her behalf and had developed a secret love for Prince Liang.

Bai Qingyan asked calmly, “What did Prince Liang say?”

Chunyan spoke hesitantly, “His Highness said that the Zhongyong Marquis’ household is shallow, and due to Miss’ difficulty in bearing a child, the Marquis has decided to have his son marry the Second Miss. It’s because the Zhongyong Marquis’ household needs to marry a lady from the Zhenguo Duke ‘shousehold, and it didn’t matter who it was! But in His Highness’s heart, he’s grateful that the Zhongyong Marquis’ household is shallow… as it has given him an opportunity to win Miss’ heart.”

Prince Liang had deceived her this way, deceived her loyal maidservant, and even deceived her mother. Everyone in the Bai family believed that Prince Liang’s feelings for her were so deep that he did not mind that she could not bear a child.

Bai Qingyan closed her eyes, feeling a chill all over her body.

Chunyan was not sure if she had truly done something wrong again. She stood there somewhat flustered, “Miss, did I do something wrong again?”

Prince Liang had directly come to her doorstep to request the military books annotated by her grandfather. If she did not comply and hand them over, then with Prince Liang’s personality where he never gave up until he achieved his goal, he might resort to other methods.

Was he not interested in copying her grandfather’s handwriting? Bai Qingyan had a unique set of military books, gifted to her by her grandfather, with annotations by Emperor Gaozu. She decided to give these books to Prince Liang for him to copy.

With her long, lustrous black hair cascading down her shoulders, Bai Qingyan instructed Chuntao to retrieve a carved wooden box from the bookshelf. She said, “Take this set of military books that my grandfather gifted me and give it to His Highness Prince Liang. Thank His Highness on my behalf for his consolation.”

“Yes!” Chunyan gladly received the box, her joy evident once again. She cheerfully responded, “This servant will deliver the military books to His Highness Prince Liang right away!”

Chuntao was worried. She grabbed Chunyan’s arm and lowered her voice, “Be cautious when you meet Prince Liang. Don’t cause any trouble for Eldest Miss! Even if Eldest Miss is forgiving, if Madam finds out… Several of your lives wouldn’t be enough to atone.”

“Rest assured, Sister Chuntao!”

Chunyan had a straightforward and cheerful nature. She assumed that Prince Liang’s words had influenced Eldest Miss. With a joyful expression, she dashed out of the room with the carved wooden box.

The northern wind howled, causing snowflakes to swirl in the air. Even through the tightly closed carved wooden windows, the sound of the roaring wind could be heard.

Bai Qingyan turned her attention back to the military books in her hand, no longer feeling the restlessness she initially felt upon her rebirth.

Recalling her previous life, what had truly pushed the Bai family into dire straits were the so-called “treasonous letters” found in her grandfather’s study.

This indicated that someone, perhaps from among Prince Liang’s or Li Mao’s people, had infiltrated the Zhenguo Duke’s household. There were only a few individuals who could access her grandfather’s study, and Bai Qingyan was in no hurry. She had time to uncover the infiltrator.

For a long time in her previous life, she could not understand why Prince Liang and Li Mao had conspired with Liu Huanzhang to annihilate the Bai family, even though they had no male heirs left. It was only later that she understood.

Prince Liang and his allies wanted the Bai family’s army. Unlike other military families that only allowed males to learn martial arts and military strategy, everyone knew that from Bai Qingyan, the eldest daughter of the Zhenguo Duke’s household… Every male and female were required to study military strategy, horsemanship, marksmanship, and swordsmanship.

Even if they had slaughtered all the Bai family’s sons, as long as there was one person left in the Bai family… As long as that person was not completely useless, the loyal and brave Bai family army would never obey anyone else’s commands.

Moreover, apart from the eldest miss Bai Qingyan in Zhenguo Duke’s household, the second miss Bai Jinxiu, and the third miss Bai Jintong had once donned armour and fought on the battlefield alongside their grandfather, fighting bloody battles alongside the Bai family soldiers.

Bai Qingyan closed her eyes and tightly grasped the book in her hand.

In her previous life, every time she thought about the blood feud that had befallen the Bai family, her heart burned with anger. She wished she could skin and dismember people like Liu Huanzhang and Li Mao. However, she had been bound by Prince Liang’s false affections and had acted as a pawn for him.

She had endured the pain that pierced through her heart back then.

Now the heavens had taken pity and given her a second chance. Although she was not sure if she could change the fate of her grandfather, father, and the others in time, she could certainly rewrite the ending for the Bai family.

She could not let hatred cloud her judgement. After enduring for so many years, with her grandmother, mother, and all the female members of the Bai family still alive, what did she have to fear?

Take it slowly, no need to rush…

Handle each matter one step at a time.

She would definitely personally bring down those treacherous villains who had framed the Zhenguo Duke’s household from their lofty positions.

As dawn approached, a heavy snow and mist enveloped the Zhenguo Duke’s household, and the kitchen was emitting gentle smoke.

Red lanterns and red silk adorned the main entrance of the Zhenguo Duke’s household and the doors were wide open.

In the front courtyard, the steward was already bustling around while servants and maids moved in and out of the side gates in an orderly fashion.

In the rear courtyard, the second miss Bai Jinxiu’s Qingzhu Courtyard was bustling with activity. Nannies and maids were bustling about, while the rest of the courtyards remained quiet.

In the Qinghui Courtyard, two old women in blue cotton robes had just added charcoal to the brazier. Shortly afterward, the lamps in Bai Qingyan’s main residence were lit.

It was between 7am to 9am.

Bai Qingyan finished her breakfast and wrapped herself in a thick fur-lined cloak. She carried a hand warmer and walked along the corridor towards Bai Jinxiu’s boudoir. Her maids, including Chuntao and Chunyan, followed closely behind, attentively serving her.

When Bai Qingyan reached the entrance of Bai Jinxiu’s boudoir, Bai Jinxiu had already changed into her auspicious wedding outfit and was preparing to put on makeup. Hearing the maids calling out “Eldest Miss,” Bai Jinxiu pushed away the nanny’s hand that was about to powder her face. She stood up, lifting her skirts, to greet her sister with surprise and joy.

“Elder Sister, with such heavy snow, why did you come over? Aren’t you afraid of the cold?”

Bai Jinxiu’s room had two roaring braziers, making it quite warm. The room was filled with red lucky decorations, such as the Five Blessings tapestry, dried longans, and peanuts. It was incredibly festive.

Bai Qingyan handed the hand warmer to Chuntao. She untied her cloak and took Bai Jinxiu’s hand, leading her to the inner chamber. She guided her to sit on a stool in front of the dressing table, “Elder Sister has come to see you off. Chuntao, bring in the items…”

Chuntao took a long brocade box from one of the maids outside. She came in and curtseyed to Bai Jinxiu before opening the box.