Chapter 38: Grievance_1

Mrs. Dong clutched the handkerchief in her hand, already deeply moved, wishing she could agree immediately.

Madam Dong sighed and looked at the Eldest Princess: “After all, they are my grandson and granddaughter. What’s there to be ashamed of? But if Kid doesn’t nod to this marriage, we can’t force him. Thinking about Kid’s lifelong matter, it really makes my heart ache!”

“Mother!” Mrs. Dong looked urgently at Madam Dong. “But…”

“Eldest daughter-in-law, don’t you know your own daughter’s temperament? If you force her to marry, would she be happy inside?” The Eldest Princess interrupted Mrs. Dong.

The Eldest Princess was Bai Qingyan’s grandmother. Naturally, like Madam Dong, she worried about Bai Qingyan. But Bai Qingyan would rather break than bend and would never compromise against her will.

Mrs. Dong dabbed her tears with a handkerchief. “Forget it! If Kid never marries in her lifetime, as long as she is happy.”

Later, Dong Changyuan and Bai Qingyan entered the room, Dong Changyuan standing like a statue beside Madam Dong, not uttering a word.

Madam Dong sat briefly and then took Dong Changyuan back to the mansion.

Mrs. Dong and Bai Qingyan personally escorted Madam Dong to the door. After some reluctance, Mrs. Dong sent Madam Dong onto the carriage.

After watching Madam Dong’s carriage depart, Bai Qingyan was summoned back to Changshou Courtyard by Nanny Jiang.

The Eldest Princess spoke to her about the son of her second uncle who was to be brought back to the mansion.

“Go ahead and test the character of those two people. If the boy’s birth mother is honest and forthright, bring them both back. If she’s ambitious, send her back immediately!”

“Grandmother, don’t worry. I understand!” Bai Qingyan nodded.

Nanny Jiang entered, holding a tray of eight-treasure tea, smiling as she said: “The little maid named Chun Yan in the eldest sister’s courtyard, she’s been anxiously peeking around outside Changshou Courtyard for some time now, her face red with worry. Cui’er went out but couldn’t find out anything. Does the eldest sister want to call her in and ask?”

Bai Qingyan’s heart sneered. What could make Chun Yan so anxious but unable to tell others? Aside from that exalted King Liang!

Bai Qingyan changed the subject. “I just heard mother say, Qin Lang came to talk to the second sister this morning. Today is the day he moves out of the Marquis Mansion. He will wait quietly in the mansion for the second sister to return.”

The Eldest Princess nodded. “Qin Lang is decisive. It’s not in vain that you paved the way for him…”

Bai Qingyan served the Eldest Princess Buddha in Changshou Courtyard and only came out after having lunch.

Chun Yan, who had been nestled in the snow all morning, hurriedly greeted her, her face red from the cold. “Miss Bai…”

Her cold eyes glanced at Chun Yan. “We’ll talk back inside.”

Chun Yan’s legs were numb. She gritted her teeth and chased after Bai Qingyan. As soon as they entered the door, she eagerly took out a jade pendant that had been warm in her bosom for a while and handed it to her. “Miss Bai, this is the jade pendant that King Liang had Tongji deliver. King Liang said he would formally propose to marry you as his main wife!”

A rush of blood went to her head. Bai Qingyan’s cold and fierce eyes stared at Chun Yan. She had never expected Chun Yan, this treacherous servant, to be so bold as to accept King Liang’s personal jade pendant!

Chun Tao’s eyes widened. Her face flushed red, her chest heaving dramatically. “Chun Yan, how dare you! Are you insane?!”

Enraged, Bai Qingyan gripped the edge of the small table fiercely, staring at Chun Yan. “Chun Yan, you really are audacious. You made the decision for my marriage and set me with King Liang! I’m terribly sorry we didn’t let you manage the entire Duke’s household!”

Chun Yan immediately knelt down. “Chun Yan wouldn’t dare, Miss Bai! Chun Yan did it for you! Miss Bai, think about it. The Princess’s esteemed position… The Lord of Dengzhou is just a mere Juren. What right does he have to covet our miss!”

She almost couldn’t resist slapping this treacherous servant but thought that keeping Chun Yan would allow her to investigate which petty people in the mansion were King Liang’s. She suppressed the urge, feeling utterly nauseated.

She closed her eyes, her temples throbbing. “By the end of the day, return this thing the way it came! Or don’t blame me for breaking your legs! Get out!”

Chun Yan left the room in tears. Chun Tao almost cried out of anger. How could Chun Yan plead with Miss Bai after being rebuked at noon; she must be out of her mind.

Seeing Bai Qingyan close her eyes in agitated breathing, Chun Tao felt immense guilt. She quickly poured her a cup of water. “Miss Bai, this maid will severely punish Chun Yan later.”

After a moment, she calmed down, eyes still closed. “Go find out who allowed Chun Yan to go out today. Tell the steward to find a reason to detain that person, saying the steward has assigned them a task outside to avoid suspicion!”

“Yes, this maid will handle it right away!” Chun Tao responded promptly.

Before the sun set, the Duke of the Zhen Kingdom’s carriage steadily stopped at the entrance of Manjiang Tower.

Chen Qingsheng, who was sitting with the coachman, leaped off the carriage and informed Bai Qingyan inside, then went into Manjiang Tower to make arrangements.

The shop assistant saw Chen Qingsheng and quickly informed the shopkeeper. “Head Shopkeeper, Master Chen has arrived!”

The Head Shopkeeper, seeing Chen Qingsheng, beamed with joy and hurried out from behind the counter. “Master Chen, as per your instructions, I had the best private room cleaned early this morning. The stove has been burning warmly all day, no guests have been let in, and we’re waiting for Miss Bai.”Update by n0vgo. co

Chen Qingsheng quickly walked two steps and respectfully handed over some silver. “Thank you, Head Shopkeeper. Without your permission for Madam Luo of the Luo family wonton stand to use your kitchen, our Miss Bai might not have tasted fresh wontons. When Miss Bai rewards us, I must treat you to a drink! You can’t refuse!”

“Master Chen, what are you saying? Your business is my business!” The Head Shopkeeper guaranteed, warmly pushing the silver back, grateful. “Besides, I know you did this to let Miss Bai taste our food on her way. If Miss Bai of the Duke of the Zhen Kingdom’s mansion says it’s good… won’t all the noble families know about our Manjiang Tower? I understand your kind intentions, Master Chen. Rest assured… We will serve Miss Bai well today.”

Spring Tao and Chun Yan had already helped Bai Qingyan down from the carriage. The shop assistant at the door was so stunned that he stood there, though he wasn’t unfamiliar with seeing wealthy young ladies in the Dadu City—it was his first time seeing someone as stunning as Bai Qingyan.

“Let’s settle accounts clearly!” Chen Qingsheng hurriedly stuffed the silver into the shopkeeper’s hands, then quickly walked back two steps to personally greet Bai Qingyan. The Head Shopkeeper followed behind, holding the silver, bowing and smiling.

In doing so, Chun Yan was squeezed to the back. Chun Yan, who had been reprimanded by Bai Qingyan at noon, couldn’t understand why Miss Bai hadn’t scolded Chen Qingsheng and the shopkeeper for taking her place after she had sent back King Liang’s jade pendant.

Feeling wronged, Chun Yan trailed behind with a pout on her face.