The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 54

Upon hearing the words “Prince Liang,” Bai Qingyan’s pupils contracted sharply, and a chilling aura of murderous intent quickly spread through the air.

Before Bai Qingyan could ask anything, Bai Jinzhi impatiently lifted the curtain and, unable to contain her fiery temper, shouted, “Why is a maid from Prince Liang’s household causing trouble at our residence?”

Bai Jinzhi was very angry. Just a few days ago, the Zhenguo Duke’s residence had made such a big commotion, selling off five households totalling 39 people. It had been because Prince Liang had bribed one of the gatekeeper women and was in cahoots with Chunyan, the personal maid by Bai Qingyan’s side. Now, a maid from Prince Liang’s residence had the audacity to openly come to their door.

“The maid from Prince Liang’s residence is begging to see Eldest Miss, pleading for mercy and asking Eldest Miss to spare her life! Housekeeper Hao sent a steward and some older maids to question her, but she insisted that she would not say anything unless she saw Eldest Miss. She refused to enter the mansion and has been kneeling and crying at the front gates! Now, a crowd has gathered outside our residence, watching the spectacle.”

Bai Qingyan asked with a cold expression, “When did this happen? Has it alarmed Mother?”

“It happened a quarter of an hour ago. Housekeeper Hao has not yet dared to disturb Madam,” the servant from the Zhenguo Duke’s household replied quickly.

“Go back and tell Housekeeper Hao that there is no need to disturb Mother. Since she came for me, we will return to the mansion properly through the main gate. I will personally ask… why a maid from Prince Liang’s household is pleading for her life from me.”

With that, she lowered the curtain, her face growing even more solemn.

Bai Jintong was always perceptive and quickly sensed something was unusual, “A maid from Prince Liang’s household? Eldest Sister, first the Prince Liang’s residence bribed Chunyan beside Eldest Sister to find out Eldest Sister’s private secrets! And now they send this maid, I suspect… They are trying to use Eldest Sister’s reputation as leverage! Is Eldest Sister already prepared for this?”

She curled her lips and looked at Bai Jintong without saying a word. Just days ago, the Zhenguo Duke’s mansion had made a grand display of cleaning up their household. She had thought of it as a precautionary measure against Prince Liang using underhanded tactics, but she had not expected that in just four days, Prince Liang was already eagerly sending someone her way.

She had clearly overestimated Prince Liang’s character and morals.

“What is there to fear from a mere maid?! Counter soldiers with arms and water with an earthen dam! If she dares to cause trouble… I will whip her to death! Eldest Sister, when we get back to the mansion, I promise to shut her mouth before she can utter a single word!” Bai Jinzhi gritted her teeth and clenched the whip at her waist.

“It is better to manage this carefully than forcefully. Let’s first hear what this maid has to say and then devise a strategy…” She looked up at Bai Jinzhi with a smile, “Fourth Sister, you stand with the onlookers and keep a sharp eye. Make sure that girl doesn’t try to commit suicide in front of me.”

“Don’t worry, Eldest Sister!” Bai Jinzhi patted her chest in assurance.

Bai Jintong immediately understood the underlying meaning of Bai Qingyan’s words, “Yes, we can’t allow her to spin this into some story about a loyal servant from Prince Liang’s household using her life to force Eldest Sister into meeting with Prince Liang. People might actually believe Eldest Sister really had an affair with Prince Liang.”

Bai Jinzhi nodded, her expression growing more serious.

“Eldest Sister, what about me?!”

“Me too! Me too!”

Seeing Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister eagerly awaiting her to assign them tasks, she could not help but chuckle. She gently tapped both girls on the forehead, her eyes filled with tenderness, “You two… head back to the mansion with the carriage and go play with your Seventh Sister. No peeking at the commotion outside. Otherwise, the two Ferghana horses Eldest Sister prepared for your birthdays will be gone!”

(TLN: Ferghana horses are a specific breed known as the “heavenly horse” in China. It was a commonly prized breed for warhorses due to their speed and endurance. A lot of museums showing imperial Chinese artefacts include Ferghana horses statues or depictions especially in military settings.)

She did not want the two younger sisters to witness such dirty and filthy matters. Their world should remain pure, and she was determined to guard and protect it with her life.

As soon as they heard that Bai Qingyan was going to give them Ferghana horses, their clear eyes brightened immediately, and they enthusiastically promised not to watch the spectacle.

Before Bai Qingyan even stepped out of the carriage, she saw Hong Qiao kneeling in front of the Zhenguo Duke’s mansion. Her eyes narrowed.

In her previous life, Bai Qingyan had met Hong Qiao at Prince Liang’s residence. This maid was fiercely loyal to Prince Liang. Later, when Prince Liang was sent to Pingshan to eliminate bandits, Hong Qiao had given herself to the tyrannical leader of the bandits. Only then had he aided Prince Liang in wiping out the bandits in Pingshan in one fell swoop. But in the end, Hong Qiao was buried in Pingshan.

It seemed Prince Liang was thinking of her highly, even sending one of his most trusted servants like Hong Qiao.

As the elegant green carriage came to a stop at the front gate, Hong Qiao’s hands clenched tightly by her side.

Chuntao helped Bai Qingyan out of the carriage, with Bai Jintong following closely behind.

“The eldest daughter of the Bai family has arrived…” the onlookers whispered among themselves.

Bai Qingyan did not spare a glance at Hong Qiao as she walked straight up the steps of the Zhenguo Duke’s mansion. In a panic, Hong Qiao scrambled forward on her knees, hastily calling out, “Eldest Miss Bai, I am Hong Qiao, a maid from Prince Liang’s household! I know that Eldest Miss Bai was angry with His Highness because I served His Highness shamelessly, so Miss cut off all contact with His Highness! You refused to accept the jade pendant His Highness sent… And when iHis Highness came to beg Miss in person despite being gravely injured, Miss would not see him!”

Bai Jintong’s eyes widened, ready to speak, but Bai Qingyan turned around and gently held her hand.

Hong Qiao wept even more bitterly. “Eldest Miss… this maid is but a lowly servant. Although I admire His Highness, I only wish to serve him faithfully with no further hopes! His Highness’s heart belongs solely to Eldest Miss. How could Eldest Miss hurt her relationship with His Highness because of a humble servant like me? Because Eldest Miss refused to meet with His Highness, His Highness became so distressed that he coughed up blood when he returned. This servant truly has no other choice. Please, Eldest Miss, have mercy! Today, this servant will offer my life in atonement… and will never again be an eyesore before Miss or His Highness. All this servant asks is that Eldest Miss forgives His Highness!”

With that, Hong Qiao pulled the hairpin from her head and aimed to thrust it into her chest.

Hidden among the crowd, Bai Jinzhi acted with lightning speed. The sharp crack of her whip rang out as it lashed Hong Qiao’s wrist squarely and fiercely, sending the hairpin flying far from her grasp! Hong Qiao herself was swiftly restrained by Bai Jinzhi.

Rage flared in Bai Qingyan’s heart, her gaze radiating a chilling intensity.

Hong Qiao would truly stop at nothing for Prince Liang. Not only was she articulate and persuasive, but she also had the audacity to use her own life to fabricate a scandalous rumour about Bai Qingyan and Prince Liang.

“What a vile trick!” Bai Jintong gritted her teeth. If Eldest Sister had not anticipated this and stationed Bai Jinzhi in the crowd as a precaution, Hong Qiao dying in front of the Duke’s residence would have left Eldest Sister with no way to clear her name, no matter how many explanations she gave.

“Eldest Miss, His Highness cannot live without Miss! This servant is foolish and useless, and does not know what to do! My worthless life is the only thing I can offer to ease Miss’ anger! Please Miss, forgive His Highness!” Hong Qiao cried out hysterically.

The crowd began to murmur, as if they had just uncovered a shocking secret.

So, it seemed that this seemingly upright and principled eldest daughter of the Bai family was secretly involved with Prince Liang.

Hong Qiao’s words infuriated Chuntao, her face darkening in anger. She was implying that their Eldest Miss had an affair with Prince Liang in broad daylight! Chuntao’s resentment towards the former maid Chunyan only deepened, “If you keep spouting lies, I will tear your mouth apart!”

“Let her speak. If she doesn’t speak, I’ll have no idea what’s going on…” Bai Qingyan glanced toward the old gatekeeper and smiled calmly, “Bring me a chair.”