The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 61

“Please instruct, Eldest Miss! This servant is willing to give my life for the task!” Chen Qingsheng said hurriedly.

She raised her eyes to look at Chen Qingsheng and spoke slowly, “There will likely be battle reports from Nanjiang arriving tonight. Take more men with you and wait at the city gate. As soon as you see a dispatch marked with a command arrow from 800 li away, signifying an urgent military report, ensure that the citizens of the capital know about it. Find a way to draw the people to gather in front of the Duke’s residence.”

In the Great Jin Kingdom, it was customary for the messenger of a victory report to shout out the battle results as soon as they entered the capital gates, so the citizens would know and everyone could celebrate together.

However, if it was bad news, the messenger would deliver the military report only after meeting with the emperor in the palace.

If the general died in battle, the palace would send someone to notify the general’s family to prepare for the funeral.

After Bai Qingyan’s previous disturbance in the capital, the entire city was now highly concerned about both the Bai family and the situation at Nanjiang. If the messenger entered the city without reporting, and if someone intentionally led the public’s attention… The citizens would naturally come to the gates of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence and wait for the palace to send word about the battle.

When the news of the loss of all the Bai family’s men arrived, she wanted the citizens of the capital to witness firsthand the extent of the Bai family’s sacrifice to protect the Great Jin Kingdom. She wanted them to see the Bai family’s tragedy… and mourn with them!

In this way, if the emperor dared to make any move against the Bai family, it would inevitably arouse public anger and resentment.

The emperor had always cherished his reputation, and as long as he still feared the historian’s brush and the outrage of the people, even if he harboured thoughts of completely wiping out the Bai family, he would not dare to harm the widows of the Bai family.

Although Chen Qingsheng did not fully understand Bai Qingyan’s plan, he nodded in agreement nonetheless, “Rest assured, Eldest Miss.”

“There is one more matter I need you to investigate as much as you can. It doesn’t matter if you can’t uncover the truth,” she glanced at the red plum blossoms in the snow not far away and continued, “Two months ago, the grain and provisions sent to Nanjiang were prepared under the command of the Zhongyong Marquis. Whose hands they passed through? I want names.”

Given the involvement of imperial court affairs, Chen Qingsheng was quite surprised. However, knowing that this batch of provisions likely had a connection to the battle in Nanjiang, he agreed without hesitation, “Rest assured, Eldest Miss. This servant will not fail you!”

The sky had not yet fully darkened on New Year’s Eve, but dazzling fireworks had already begun to bloom.

Bai Qingyan stood beneath the corridor, quietly gazing up at the sky, waiting for the news to return.

With red eyes, Chuntao approached Bai Qingyan from behind with a thick cloak and draped it over her, saying, “Eldest Miss, Cousin has already followed your instructions and personally led men to the city gates. But at this hour, the city gates of the capital are already closed. It is unlikely there will be any news today. Worrying will not help! Let’s go to the Princess Dowager’s place for the New Year’s Eve dinner first…”

“Let’s go!” Bai Qingyan adjusted the cloak, holding onto Chuntao’s hand. Surrounded by the bowed heads of obedient maids, she stepped out of the gate of Qinghui Courtyard.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they emerged, she saw Bai Jintong standing alone at the entrance to Qinghui Courtyard, gazing up at the fireworks in a trance.

Hearing the gate open, Bai Jintong snapped back to reality and took a few steps towards Bai Qingyan. In a hoarse voice, she called out, “Eldest Sister…”

She raised her hand to brush the snow off Bai Jintong’s shoulders and smiled at Bai Jintong, “Were you waiting for me here?”

Bai Jintong nodded, her reddened eyes almost unable to hold back tears, and she quickly lowered her head to hide them.

She could not help but recall last year when the Zhenguo Duke’s residence was brightly lit, filled with children and a lively, prosperous atmosphere. Maids, servants, and attendants had bustled in and out of the side gates, and the sound of laughter had filled the air.

The adults drank and talked happily while she and Bai Jinzhi, along with Little Seventeen and a group of children, carried lanterns and played in Bai Qingyan’s Qinghui Courtyard. Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu had sat under the porch, talking and laughing. The scene was one of vitality and joy.

This year, the Zhenguo Duke’s residence was still brightly lit… However, the maids and servants sensed their masters’ sombre mood and did not even dare to speak loudly. The absence of laughter made the Duke’s residence feel unusually quiet and cold.

Knowing the sadness in Bai Jintong’s heart, she smiled as she clasped Bai Jintong’s cold hand, “Let’s go…”

Looking at Bai Qingyan’s calm and composed demeanour, Bai Jintong felt as though her eldest sister was full of a strength that was fearless and unshakable, and her heart slowly steadied, “Alright…”

She and Bai Jintong had barely taken two steps when they saw Bai Jinxiu and Bai Jinzhi arriving at Qinghui Courtyard as well.

Bai Jinxiu and Bai Jinzhi had also come to seek comfort from Bai Qingyan.

The four sisters stood facing each other. Bai Jinxiu’s eyes were red and she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and let out a soft laugh, “What a coincidence, we all came to find Eldest Sister.”

The red lanterns, reflecting off the snow, illuminated the four sisters and their tear-streaked yet smiling faces. The scene was particularly heartwarming and heart-wrenching.

“Let’s go! To Grandmother’s place…” Bai Qingyan’s voice was deeper than usual, but even more resolute.

Chuntao stepped forward to support Bai Qingyan, gently reminding her, “The paths are slippery from the snow, please be careful, young misses.”

Bai Jinxiu saw that Bai Qingyan had already started walking forward. Her eyes filled with tears as she softly remarked, “With Eldest Sister leading the way, no matter how slippery it is… We have nothing to fear.”

What harm could a journey through wind and snow bring? The sisters would just need to hold hands and press on together.

Bai Jintong nodded, clutching Bai Jinxiu’s outstretched hand, too choked with emotion to speak.

“We sisters are walking together, there is nothing to fear!” Bai Jinzhi wiped away her tears and quickly caught up to Bai Qingyan, walking by her side.

Her vision blurred with misty eyes. In the previous life, she had walked alone. In this life, she had her sisters by her side. What was there to fear?! Even if it were a mountain of swords or a sea of fire, Bai Qingyan would dare to traverse it.

Just as they entered the Princess Dowager’s Changshou Courtyard, a young maid standing in front of the doorway to the inner chambers suddenly pointed to the sky, “What is that?!”

Turning around, she saw a bright light slowly rising into the sky… Followed by a second, third, and fourth light…

Beneath the dazzling fireworks that lit up the entire sky, countless bright lanterns ascended, turning the night into a warm sea of firelight. On the lanterns were written words like “Return in triumph”, “Bring back victory to the court”, “Invincible in a hundred battles”, and “Return safely”.

The Zhenguo Duke’s residence that had been silent moments ago suddenly bustled with excitement. The maids and servants all stopped their tasks and crowded in the courtyard and corridors, gazing at the multitude of lanterns filling the sky. The orange light cast a warm glow that seemed to melt the chill in everyone’s hearts.

Bai Qingyan turned around and instructed Chunxing, “Go and find out what is going on.”

Before Chunxing could leave, a gatekeeper woman hurried over. Seeing the young misses standing there, she smiled and bowed, “Eldest Miss, Second Miss, Third Miss, Fourth Miss! The people were moved by the Bai family’s loyalty and courage, and have spontaneously lit these lanterns on the streets and in courtyards to pray for the Bai family army far away in Nanjiang.”

Upon hearing this, her throat tightened with emotion. She handed her hand warmer to Chuntao and bowed deeply… in gratitude to the citizens of the capital.

Who said heroes are forgotten? The people that the Bai family had protected for generations remembered them!

In her previous life, the Bai family had done too much and said too little, which led to their fading into obscurity…

Bai Jinxiu, Bai Jintong, and Bai Jinzhi followed suit, their eyes brimming with tears as they bowed deeply to the sea of lanterns in the sky.

The sudden lively chatter of the maids and servants of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence finally alerted the elders in the inner chambers of the Changshou Courtyard.