Chapter 32: Paying a Visit_1

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Qin Shangzhi once told Miss Bai that if she wanted to protect the Duke of Zhen’s household, she should retreat. But judging by Miss Bai’s behavior these past two days, she seemed to have lost her mind over the injury of the second Miss Bai, adopting a stance of preferring to die with honor rather than live in disgrace. This put the entire Duke’s household in a precarious position.

Qin Shangzhi wanted to remind her that being too full of oneself would lead to loss, and overflowing water would spill. But seeing Bai Qingyan’s clear eyes, he feared she had other plans. So he said no more, hoping that this Miss Bai could truly protect her family’s loyalty.

“Eldest Young Lady, that person is…”

“He’s a guest of our household!” she said.

Upon returning to Qinghui Courtyard, she dismissed everyone, stood with her eyes closed in front of the brazier, and recalled the words of Mrs. Jiang before she left.

Mrs. Jiang, a woman of the inner court, couldn’t stir up much trouble. But what about Qin Dezhao?

Qin Dezhao was currently a doctor in the Ministry of Revenue. When news came back from the southern borders about the Bai family’s misfortune and the joint forces of Nanyan and Xiliang advancing towards Sanlang Pass, her grandfather’s deputy general, Liu Huanzhang, requested to go to battle. Qin Dezhao was promoted to Chief of Staff responsible for military logistics.

She suddenly opened her eyes, thinking about the batch of military supplies sent to the southern frontlines two months ago, and felt a chill down her spine.

The army hadn’t moved, but the supplies went first.

Provisions were the foundation of an army.

The Marquis of Loyalty and Courage was responsible for the supply preparations. He must have known there would be issues with the supplies, and perhaps those issues were Qin Dezhao’s doing.

·

Second Madame Liu heard that today, because of Bai Jinxiu, Mrs. Dong had already had a falling out with Mrs. Jiang. She was filled with inexplicable gratitude. Only now did she realize that Mrs. Dong had genuinely been thinking about Jinxiu’s best interests when she advised her to reconsider the marriage. She had misunderstood and thought Mrs. Dong held some resentment and was intentionally causing trouble.

That night, after settling Bai Jinxiu, Second Madame Liu brought substantial gifts to see Mrs. Dong. The two sisters-in-law talked late into the night, and it was only with red eyes that Second Madame Liu left Mrs. Dong’s place. Perhaps guided by Mrs. Dong’s advice, Second Madame Liu no longer held all the anger. She was already considering how to arrange Qin Lang’s new residence.

She let out a long sigh and said to the steward Nanny Luo: “Nanny Luo, tomorrow, instruct Nanny Pang to pick some reliable and hardworking maids and servants from the household to be sent to the new residence that His Majesty granted to my son-in-law. Also, have Nanny Wan find Matchmaker Wang to pick some good ones to send there!”

“Rest assured, Second Madame. I will handle it properly!” Nanny Luo supported Second Madame Liu as they walked to her courtyard.

“Nanny Luo, there is something I need to discuss with you. You’ve served by my side for many years, and your family is here under the Duke of Zhen’s household. But concerning Jinxiu… I am truly worried. As her mother-in-law, I can’t always be at my son-in-law’s new residence. So I want you to stay by Jinxiu’s side for now and help her out. I trust no one but you! You are the only one who can manage the chief attendants and stewards given to Jinxiu as dowry.” Second Madame Liu stopped and patted Nanny Luo’s hand.@@novelbin@@

Nanny Luo was moved to tears by Second Madame Liu’s words and nodded repeatedly: “Don’t worry, Second Madame. I watched the second young lady grow up! I will definitely help the young lady well! Besides, the Eldest Princess, the Princely Heir’s wife, our eldest young lady, and third young lady will all risk their lives to protect our second young lady!”

Second Madame Liu gripped Nanny Luo’s hand firmly, and the two of them walked back through the snow, their footsteps deep and shallow.

·

Snow had fallen all night, thickly covering the ancient green bricks and green tiles of the Duke’s household.

Before dawn, smoke had already started swirling from the main kitchen, and maids and servants were bustling around.

Farmers delivering vegetables and meat to the Duke’s household gathered at the brightly lit back gate, chatting, joking, and subtly inquiring about the gossips between the Duke’s household and the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage’s household.

At dawn, lamps in the servants’ rooms of each courtyard were lit one by one.

Rough maids, exhaling white breaths, shivered as they came out of the rooms into the winter wind. They saw Chun Tao accompanying the eldest young lady standing in the courtyard practicing horse stance, with steam rising from her head, making her look as if she were just pulled from hot water. The maid, accustomed to the sight, bowed without making a sound and went out with a broom to sweep the courtyard.

After Bai Qingyan finished her breakfast, she leaned by the window on a large embroidered cushion of golden clouds, reading a book. A maid from her mother Mrs. Dong’s side tactfully arrived at Qinghui Courtyard.

Hearing the maids outside greeting Tingzhu with laughter, Chun Tao quickly went out to meet her, seeing Tingzhu already standing under the eaves. She smiled and asked: “Sister Tingzhu, you look so happy. Is there good news?!”

Tingzhu was genuinely happy. She rubbed her cold arms and smiled at Chun Tao: “This year, Madam Dong from Dengzhou and Second Master Dong, have come to Dadu to celebrate the New Year. They entered the city last night. Madam Dong did not send anyone ahead because she was afraid of making our madam anxious. Early this morning, Madam Dong asked Second Master Dong and Second Madame Dong to bring generous gifts to pay their respects to the Eldest Princess. They are now in Changshou Courtyard, talking, and she specifically sent me to invite the eldest young lady over.”

“That is indeed good news! Our madam hasn’t seen Madam Dong for several years. She must be very happy now!” Chun Tao held the thick felt curtain for Tingzhu.

“Isn’t it!” Tingzhu laughed as she entered the door.

Hearing Tingzhu’s words from outside, Bai Qingyan closed her book and instructed Chun Yan to prepare clothes for her.

She remembered that in her previous life, her second uncle Dong Qingyue had brought her grandmother to Dadu City on the nineteenth day of the twelfth month. But at that time, Bai Jinxiu had just passed away, and she was gravely ill. She hadn’t seen her second uncle on the day he visited.

Later, when the Duke’s household encountered trouble, other aunts’ families avoided them. Her second uncle, Governor Dong Qingyue from Dengzhou, risked his life to appeal for justice for the Bai family. Her eldest uncle, Chief of Honglu Temple Dong Qingping, wearing mourning and sackcloth, collected and buried the Bai family’s remains.

Countless memories from her past life surged in, and Bai Qingyan’s eyes turned red, feeling overwhelmed with bitterness. She couldn’t wait to visit the only uncle who had stood up for the Bai family.

Through the screen inlaid with mutton-fat jade and emerald, Tingzhu saw Chun Yan wrapping Bai Qingyan in a fox fur cloak. She smiled and greeted: “Eldest young lady, Second Master Dong and Second Madame Dong from the Dong family in Dengzhou have come to pay their respects to the Eldest Princess. Madam sent me to invite you.”

Bai Qingyan smiled, took the maid’s newly prepared hand warmer, and nodded: “I heard. Let’s go!”

Upon entering Changshou Courtyard, Bai Qingyan didn’t bother to change her footwear in the warming room but headed straight to the main room. The maid in a dark blue padded jacket hurried to lift the curtain for Bai Qingyan and announced her arrival.

Standing at the door, Bai Qingyan handed the hand warmer to Chun Yan, and as she untied her cloak, Chun Tao stepped forward to help her remove the white fox fur cloak. Bai Qingyan walked straight into the main room.

Chun Tao had never seen Bai Qingyan in such a hurry before. She hastily handed the cloak to Chun Yan and followed her inside.

In the main room, the Eldest Princess was leaning on a large embroidered cushion of golden clouds, laughing, and said: “Kid came so quickly today. It must be because you miss your uncle and aunt!”