The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 95

Bai Qingyan had changed into a fresh set of clothes, draping a fox-fur cloak over her mourning attire to conceal it. She brought no guards with her, only Chuntao
“Mr Qin…” She gave Qin Shangzhi a slight curtsey in greeting.
Qin Shangzhi hurriedly bowed deeply. “Eldest Miss.”
“Since you’re leaving, I dare not try to keep you. I have only come to see you off!” She took a grey bundle from Chuntao and handed it to Qin Shangzhi. “A fine steed, a fox-fur cloak, and a dagger for self-defence. May you have a smooth journey and a boundless future ahead.”
Qin Shangzhi felt a wave of emotion. Looking at the woman before him, her refined features and graceful bearing tempered by a steady, unyielding spirit, the words of refusal at the tip of his tongue melted away. Smiling faintly, he accepted her kindness. “Many thanks to you, Eldest Miss Bai.”
“You are too polite, sir.”
Gripping the bundle in his hand, Qin Shangzhi gave a quiet laugh before lifting his head. “To be honest, Eldest Miss Bai, while recuperating at the Bai residence, I witnessed Eldest Miss’ unmatched wisdom and breadth of vision. More than once I entertained the thought of entering your service and lending you my strength.”
Her fists clenched as she looked at Qin Shangzhi with a hint of surprise.
But in the end, Qin Shangzhi had still chosen to leave. If she were to speak now and try to make him stay, it might instead leave him with lingering regret.
“Sir, you possess a heart full of benevolence, and you have the wisdom to aid the world. I, Bai Qingyan, would never dare to confine such a mighty dragon to the small inner residence of the Duke’s household.” She paused, then suddenly shifted her tone, bowing deeply to Qin Shangzhi with great solemnity. “But… if in the future I am able to shoulder the Bai family’s military banner, and as a woman secure a place in the highest halls of state, then I will sweep the seat clean in welcome. I only hope, sir, that you will not abandon me, but will stand shoulder to shoulder with me, working together to aid Great Jin and its people.”
Qin Shangzhi’s chest surged with turbulent waves. He had not expected that the woman before him, so calm and composed, would possess such an open and lofty vision. Her household had suffered sudden catastrophe, every male of her family killed, yet she still harboured the ambition to aid Great Jin.
The Bai family, the backbone of the Great Jin, truly upheld a household tradition of upright conduct, moral clarity, and courage, qualities he could scarcely match.
A long-forgotten youthful fervour stirred within Qin Shangzhi, suddenly setting his bl00d alight with boundless pride.
Unable to suppress the emotion in his heart, he raised his hand. “A gentleman’s word is his bond!”
Bai Qingyan’s lips curved into a smile, and she met his palm with her own. “A gentleman’s word is his bond!”
She watched him mount the fine horse Chen Qingsheng had brought, whip it forward, and ride away.
She gathered her fox-fur cloak more tightly around her, her brows smoothing in satisfaction.
Now that Qin Shangzhi had left the capital, perhaps his fate would also diverge from the frustrated and unfulfilled path of his previous life.
The wind outside the city was biting. Chuntao stepped forward and reminded her softly, “Eldest Miss, let’s return!”
“Mhmm!”
She nodded, and had just turned when a voice called out to her.
“Eldest Miss Bai.”
Turning back, she saw Xiao Rongyan’s highly skilled guard bowing respectfully to her. “My master would like to invite Eldest Miss Bai to have tea with him at the Zheliu Pavilion.”
She lifted her eyes toward the Zheliu Pavilion on the hill, where Xiao Rongyan, in a white fox-fur cloak, stood calm and poised within, meeting her gaze and inclining his head slightly.
Two days ago, it had been Xiao Rongyan’s men who smashed open Prince Xin’s carriage at the southern city gate. Today, it had also been his men who saved Fourth Aunt from crashing into the coffin. She owed Xiao Rongyan two thanks. Yet, recalling the sharpness hidden beneath his warm, refined demeanour, and the boldness of that day at Manjiang Restaurant when their eyes had met across the distance, she still felt a lingering apprehension.
“Foster brother, you and Chen Qingsheng wait here,” she instructed Xiao Ruohai and Chen Qingsheng, then took Chuntao’s hand and followed Xiao Rongyan’s guard towards the Zheliu Pavilion.
Chen Qingsheng’s palms tightened unconsciously. He knew very well who the man in the Zheliu Pavilion was. He had not carried out the task Eldest Miss had entrusted to him properly, and instead had left her with potential trouble. It was his fault.
Watching Bai Qing Yan’s back as she walked toward the pavilion, then glancing at the graceful man within, Chen Qingsheng resolved in secret that from now on he must act with greater caution, cleanly tying off loose ends, and never again leave others with any leverage.
As Bai Qingyan stepped into the pavilion, Xiao Rongyan inclined his head to her in greeting, his manner elegant and the profound smile in his eyes warm, “Eldest Miss Bai.”
She released Chuntao’s hand and offered a formal curtsey. “I owe Mr Xiao two thanks. First, for your intervention two days ago at the southern gate, breaking Prince Xin’s carriage and second, for saving my fourth aunt today. I am not one to accept kindness without repaying it. Should you ever face hardship in future, so long as the Bai family is able, we will do our best to help.”
“Please, Eldest Miss Bai…” Xiao Rongyan gestured for her to be seated and knelt first at the small table.
The richest merchant in the realm had come to this Zheliu Pavilion with cushions embroidered with gold thread, a small agarwood table, a brazier for brewing tea, and a set of pure white jade teaware, accompanied by exquisite pastries from Tianxiang Tower in the capital. Indeed, the style of a refined aristocrat.
Chuntao and Xiao Rongyan’s guard stood a short distance outside Zheliu Pavilion, far enough not to overhear, but near enough to keep watch.
She knelt opposite Xiao Rongyan. His long, fair fingers lifted the teapot from the brazier, pouring the tea for her himself. He slid the white jade cup before her, then withdrew his hand and smiled. “If Eldest Miss Bai insists on words of thanks and repayment… then how should I repay you for your reminder at the palace banquet that day?”
Xiao Rongyan’s features were exceptionally handsome and refined. His voice was gentle and his gaze carried a smile. Yet beneath that cultured air, the sharpness and intensity could not be concealed.
Her hand tightened slightly within her sleeve. Through the curling steam of the tea in the wintry air, she gazed at the man opposite from her. He was serene and warm on the surface, yet like a dragon rousing from hibernation in the dead of winter, fixed upon his prey, he was ready to strike. The pressure was palpable.
Even the highly skilled guard by his side earlier had radiated a hint of murderous intent. Was that not, in itself, a form of Xiao Rongyan’s intimidation toward her?
In her previous life, she had known Xiao Rongyan well enough. His gentleness was only a facade. At his core he was ruthless and cold-blooded, with a viciousness to match his ambition to rule the world. Yet deep within, he retained a few threads of integrity. Otherwise, in that past life, he would never have given her the jade cicada that she carried on her person, granting her a chance to escape.
Thinking of her past life, her heart inevitably became a mix of conflicting feelings.
Outside the Zheliu Pavilion, snowflakes drifted down and the withered willows swayed, rustling in the fierce winter wind.
Although there was a brazier in the pavilion, it was drafty on all sides, making it difficult to keep warm.
She gave a slight nod. “It was just a small favour. Mr Xiao need not dwell on it. To me, and to the Bai family, your two interventions are worth a debt of deep gratitude.”
She had long known about Xiao Rongyan’s capabilities. If he had already found her out… Rather than denying it and leaving him to find solid proof later, suspecting her of ulterior motives, it was better to admit it openly now.
Looking at the straightforward and composed woman before him, the smile in Xiao Rongyan’s eyes deepened. “Eldest Miss Bai, if you dared to send the message, you must already… be aware of my identity?”
She did not answer directly. Her tone was steady and unfazed as she spoke, “Whatever your identity may be, sir, since you possess a generous heart and have shown kindness to the Bai family, I shall regard you as a chivalrous man.”