Chapter 443
One had the audacity to dream of marrying into the Lu family with Prime Minister Lu’s grandson, Lu Yuanqing. Another, who had never even met Dong Changyuan, called him “Cousin Changyuan” as if it was proper to get even closer by marriage!
Bai Jinxiu was too well-mannered to sneer at those two girls.
This year, there had been a civil examination scandal. Although the results were yet to be officially announced, word had quietly spread about who would rank in the top three.
Currently, Minister Chen’s grandson, Chen Zhaolu, Prime Minister Lu’s grandson, Lu Yuanqing, and the son of Dong Qingyue, Governor of Dengzhou, Dong Changyuan, were the most sought-after candidates among noble girls.
Since the threshold of Minister Chen’s and Prime Minister Lu’s homes were too high, the two girls set their sights on Dong Changyuan.
They complained to Bai Jinxiu, saying that if Chen Zhaolu and Lu Yuanqing were acceptable, then why couldn’t Dong Changyuan, their maternal cousin, be a match made in heaven? They insisted that as long as Bai Jinxiu spoke up, it would be a done deal!
Bai Jinxiu kindly advised the two that their expectations for marriage should not be too high, as it might damage their reputation if word got out.
The two girls then burst into tears, accusing Bai Jinxiu of bearing a grudge and using the matter of marriage to manipulate them. They lamented that without a mother to advocate for them, they couldn’t say anything. freewёbnoνel.com
Bai Jinxiu did not complain to Qin Lang. She chose a day when Qin Lang was napping in his room and met with the two girls in a side hall. Qin Lang heard from Bai Jinxiu’s maid, Cuibi, that this was not the first time these two from the Qin family caused a scene with Bai Jinxiu. Bai Jinxiu, thinking that Qin Lang needed to focus on his studies, did not inform him of this matter. Only when the two girls threatened to harm themselves outside the courtyard gate did Bai Jinxiu agree to meet them in the side hall to avoid disturbing Qin Lang’s rest.
Qin Lang was enraged upon hearing this.
Dong Changyuan was the legitimate second son of the Governor of Dengzhou. Even Minister Chen and Prime Minister Lu wanted to marry their granddaughters to him. How could they possibly think someone from the Qin family stood a chance? Didn’t they know about their mother’s reputation or how their father had died? Didn’t they realize that the Qin family no longer held any title, yet they still shamelessly tried to attach themselves to the Bai family?
Although furious, Qin Lang suppressed his anger and advised the two girls to support their pregnant elder sister-in-law instead of causing trouble for her.
The two girls restrained themselves for a few days. However, they soon resumed their antics, growing irritated when Bai Jinxiu received an invitation from the Dong family but did not take them along to the Dong Mansion.
Yesterday, Qin Lang’s two sisters cried outside his study, claiming they missed their mother. Irritated by their weeping, Qin Lang threatened that if they kept disturbing his studies, he would send them to reunite with their mother. Scared, the two sisters hurriedly retreated and did not raise the matter again.
Such trivial matters were thus resolved without Bai Jinxiu’s significant effort. It was not worth bothering Bai Qingyan with these household squabbles.
Bai Qingyan saw the genuine smile in Bai Jinxiu’s expression and firmly grasped her hand. “As long as Qin Lang treats you well, that’s all that matters!”
Thinking of this, Bai Jinxiu looked at Bai Qingyan and asked, “Eldest Young Lady… do you have feelings for Mr. Xiao?”
Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes and replied, “The Bai family’s future is uncertain. How dare I indulge in personal feelings?”
Dare to?
Bai Jinxiu’s grip on her handkerchief tightened. It was clear… the Eldest Young Lady indeed had feelings for Mr. Xiao.
Bai Jinxiu remained silent for a moment, contemplating Xiao Rongyan. “Eldest Young Lady, we sisters are speaking in private. If you truly have feelings for Mr. Xiao, perhaps he could marry into our Bai family!”
Marry in?!
Bai Qingyan laughed softly at Bai Jinxiu’s suggestion. How could the Ninth Prince of Yan marry into the Bai family?
“Jinxiu, the Bai family’s future is jeopardized. The peace and prosperity our family has longed for generations have yet to be achieved. The Eldest Young Lady will not consider matters of the heart!” Bai Qingyan smiled. “You need not worry about this matter!”
Bai Jinxiu wanted to say more but stopped. She understood the Eldest Young Lady’s aspiration wasn’t marriage and children, confined to the inner residence.
The carriage slowly stopped at the gate of the Imperial Qing Temple. Bai Qingyan helped Bai Jinxiu down the carriage and saw the tall and poised Xiao Rongyan standing under the osmanthus tree at Qing Temple. He was surrounded by the fragrance of osmanthus, and his deep, dark eyes gazed warmly at her, as tenderly as that night at Huxin Pavilion in Shuoyang.
When Xiao Rongyan’s fingers intertwined with hers, clasping her hand tightly, the heat from his palm sent a familiar warmth through her, making her palm itch.
Bai Qingyan steadied her emotions and approached Xiao Rongyan, bowing. “Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for escorting us. It was troublesome for you!”
Xiao Rongyan reciprocated the bow. “To be of service to Miss Bai is a pleasure…”
Bai Qingyan smiled and nodded to Xiao Rongyan before stepping into the Qing Temple with Nanny Jiang, Bai Jinxiu, Bai Jinzhi, and Bai Jinse.
Yue Shi approached Xiao Rongyan and whispered, “Master, shall we go now?”
“No rush…” Xiao Rongyan replied with a smile. He had clearly seen Bai Qingyan’s ears turn red a moment ago.
Bai Qingyan’s skin was extremely fair; despite her great restraint, her red ears were unmistakable.
It was July. The courtyard where the Eldest Princess resided was lush with shade.
A canopy of silk shaded the courtyard, preventing any insects from flying in from under the trees.
The Eldest Princess and Miss Lu sat under a tree in the courtyard, playing chess. Lu Ninghuan noticed the Eldest Princess glancing towards the courtyard entrance from time to time and smiled. “Today, Miss Bai and the fourth young lady return. Godmother’s heart is unsettled.”
“Yes!” The Eldest Princess placed the chess pieces back into the box. “Having barely escaped death on the battlefield, both children surely got injured. Especially Kid… he never says a word about his injuries and bears it all by himself to avoid making us worry!”
“Godmother, do not fret. When the eldest young lady arrives, I will examine her pulse. If she has any injuries, they won’t escape my detection!” Lu Ninghuan said as she stood up, retrieving the teapot. “I will prepare a fresh pot of tea for Godmother. How about… the sparrow’s tongue tea that Miss Bai likes?”
“That would be nice!” the Eldest Princess nodded.
Hearing the voices of Nanny Jiang and Bai Qingyan coming from a distance, the Eldest Princess hurriedly stood up, supporting herself on the stone table, taking a few steps to the door.
When she saw Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi, still clad in their armor, the Eldest Princess’s eyes reddened…
In the glaring sunlight, the young girl in silver armor had her long hair neatly tied on top of her head, stood tall and slender, stepping forward with a resolute stride and a commanding presence.
In a flash, the Eldest Princess was reminded of her husband, son, and grandson!
Each one of them had carried themselves with such dignity and strength, yet ultimately, they had all perished in the Southern Frontier.
Tears welled in the Eldest Princess’s eyes as she seemed to see the seventeen sons of the Bai family in their silver armor, full of vigor as they set out for battle. But now… there was no more Bai family’s Seventeen Lang!
As Bai Qingyan and her party neared, the Eldest Princess dabbed her tears with a handkerchief. She gathered her composure and returned to her seat at the stone table. She picked up a few chess pieces from the box and held them in her palm, staring at the chessboard.