The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 94

“Protect the Great Jin and ensure it is prosperous and calm, safeguarding the people and maintaining an era of peace!” The Princess Dowager murmured this phrase softly, gripping her granddaughter’s fingertips tightly. “You and your grandfather… really are alike!”

Bai Qingyan lowered her gaze to the long road beneath her feet, feeling a twinge of melancholy.

No, she was not like her grandfather.

Her grandfather was a true gentleman, but she was not.

After her rebirth, she had somehow become a petty person who spoke of righteousness and morality, while secretly scheming for personal interests.

Her journey to Nanjiang was not entirely driven by concern for the kingdom or its people. She did indeed pity the citizens at the border villages, but her main aim was to seek out her possibly surviving younger brother and to stabilise the Bai family’s slowly weakening influence in the military.

Bai Qingyan, having once served time in the military before, knew all too well what military power meant.

Her grandfather once held Great Jin’s military command, yet he bowed in obedience to the reigning emperor.

People might have called her grandfather pedantic or foolishly loyal, but she knew deeply that it was the rarest kind of noble gentlemanly integrity of this era.

But she was not a gentleman.

In times of chaos, the strong prevail.

Whether it was despicable or hypocritical, even if it meant resorting to petty means… As long as she could keep the Bai family safe, protect the people, and ensure the Jin emperor’s throne was occupied by a capable person, this role of the petty villain… She would play it.

After a while, the Princess Dowager’s voice trembled slightly as she asked, “Did your grandfather… truly say His Majesty possessed lofty ambitions?”

Bai Qingyan smiled coldly and replied, “Does Grandmother think… His Majesty does?”

It was simply because her prior words were too extreme, so in a moment of calm, she used her grandfather’s words to nudge the emperor into feeling guilty.

If the emperor had any sense of shame, he should reflect on whether he was worthy of having lofty ambitions.

The Princess Dowager closed her eyes, finally at ease… with her granddaughter.

The disciple has surpassed the master. The granddaughter she personally raised was even more capable than she was. She assessed the situation, guided it to its limits, and blended truth and falsehood. She had done well, very well!

The Princess Dowager squeezed her granddaughter’s hand tightly, her lips smiling yet her eyes betraying a subtle melancholy and sadness, “Ah Bao has grown up even better than Grandmother anticipated. Now… Grandmother can rest assured and go to the temple to cultivate, mourning your grandfather… and the Bai family’s heroic spirits.” She merely hoped to offset some of her guilt towards her husband, son, and grandson.

As the Princess Dowager of Great Jin, she had fulfilled her duties…

But as a wife, mother, and grandmother, she always held back just a little.

Perhaps except only towards Suqiu and Ah Bao, for they were women. The Princess Dowager had never imagined women could threaten the Lin family’s dynasty, so all her affection was devoted entirely to her daughter and this granddaughter.

Fate, perhaps, was playing tricks. Suqiu’s death had forced Bai Weiting to decide to bring his granddaughter to the battlefield for training, which ironically gave his most beloved granddaughter the chance to contend with the imperial court.

Do not shy away from war, and be loyal even if you sacrifice filial piety.

The Princess Dowager pondered her granddaughter’s lofty words in the hall earlier. She could vaguely guess that her granddaughter’s reason for going to Nanjiang was that the military was the Bai family’s foundation.

Now, she silently prayed that her granddaughter only sought the confidence to prevent the emperor from moving against the Bai family, not… the power to overthrow the Lin dynasty.

Leaving through Wude Gate, the Bai family servants were already waiting with a carriage at the entrance.

Bai Qingyan thanked the citizens who had accompanied them and informed them that the emperor had promised to restore justice to the Bai family. Outside Wude Gate, cheers erupted.

“Thank you all! I will always remember your great kindness!” She bowed solemnly once more to the citizens who had offered to take punishment on her behalf.

Just as Bai Qingyan was helping the Princess Dowager into the carriage, she saw Qin Shangzhi, standing at the far end among the citizens with a pack on his back… He bowed deeply to her from afar before turning and leaving.

“Eldest Sister, what are you looking at?” Bai Jintong, supporting Bai Qingyan, followed her gaze, looking confused.

“Nothing,” Bai Qingyan said, bending to enter the carriage.

When the carriage arrived at the Duke’s residence, Chen Qingsheng set out the stool. Before he could speak to Bai Qingyan, Aunty Tong separated them.

She glanced back at Chen Qingsheng, who nodded in understanding.

Upon entering the main gate of the Duke’s residence, she let go of Aunty Tong’s hand. “Aunty, please prepare new mourning clothes for me. I want to go see Ji Tingyu…”

Seeing bl00d from Ji Tingyu still on Bai Qingyan’s mourning clothes, Aunty Tong’s eyes reddened. She nodded. “Oh! This old servant will prepare them immediately!”

Once Aunty Tong walked away, Chen Qingsheng hurried forward, taking from his chest a warmed register and handing it to Bai Qingyan. “Eldest Miss, this is the list of personnel who handled the supplies sent to Nanjiang two months ago, organised by the Zhongyong Marquis!”

Bai Qingyan pursed her lips and unfolded the list…

In addition to the official names and positions of those who handled the supplies, next to some names, there was unfamiliar handwriting noting the person’s life story and personality, in fresh ink.

“What’s this?”

“This was added by Mr Qin, who was staying at our residence temporarily. He said it might be useful to Eldest Miss.” Chen Qingsheng looked a little embarrassed. “I was investigating the supply handlers and have no idea how Mr Qin knew. He took the time to complete this list, otherwise it might not have reached you so quickly! I’ve already verified the names. This list is indeed accurate. Mr Qin even had someone provide additional details on these individuals’ lives and personalities.”

Qin Shangzhi, capable of assassinating Prince Liang, certainly paid close attention to Prince Liang’s movements. Prince Liang colluded with the Zhongyong Marquis, so Qin Shangzhi would have thoroughly investigated. With his ability, this list was undoubtedly genuine.

The Zhenguo Duke’s residence had saved him. Qin Shangzhi was a gentleman, staying not only to recover but also to repay the Duke’s residence.

Now that he knew she wanted the list, Qin Shangzhi had offered his help, repaying the favour before leaving with peace of mind.

Originally, it was Lu Ping who had rescued Qin Shangzhi. She had only promised him a place to stay.

Closing the register, she felt grateful and after a moment’s thought, instructed, “Prepare one hundred taels in a money pouch and a fine horse. We will leave the city together.”

“Yes! I will prepare them immediately!”

Qin Shangzhi was still injured and walked slowly. Just as he reached the Zheliu Pavilion about a mile from the city gate, he heard Chen Qingsheng calling him:

“Mr Qin, please wait! Mr Qin, please wait!”

Qin Shangzhi turned and saw Chen Qingsheng galloping towards him. He pulled the horse’s reins in and jumped down, bowing respectfully, “Mr Qin, please wait. Our Eldest Miss is coming to send you off!”

Qin Shangzhi tightened his grip on his bundle and looked toward the city gate.

A simple elm-wood carriage from the Duke’s household, ordinarily used by the servants, came speeding toward him and stopped gently in front. Qin Shangzhi straightened his back.

Driving the carriage was Bai Qingyan’s foster brother, Xiao Ruohai. He leapt down and bowed to Qin Shangzhi. At the same time, Chuntao had already drawn aside the carriage curtain and was helping Bai Qingyan step out.