Chapter 122: Chapter 121: Words of a Hundred Chapters_1
“Don’t worry, Young Lady. I understand,” Chun Tao nodded.
“I reckon on the day of the tenth, Chun Yan will likely create quite a scene for us. Just wait and see!” Bai Qingyan said to her two younger sisters.
Whether King Liang or Chun Yan wished to cause trouble, naturally they would seize the moments when the Duke’s Mansion was at its busiest.
Releasing the news of the funeral on the tenth, either King Liang would seek out Chun Yan beforehand, instructing her to stir trouble amid the chaos of the funeral preparations.
Or he would approach Chun Yan on the tenth, directing her to place the letter in Grandfather’s study that very day.
Either way, both of them were bound to take action on the day of the funeral.
...
The black lacquer plaque with golden characters was especially conspicuous amidst the flickering candlelight in the mourning hall.
She looked towards the plaques of her grandfather and father, praying that if they truly had spirits in heaven, they would bless her on the tenth, allowing her to crush the villain King Liang in one fell swoop. Only then could she confidently journey to Nanjiang.
·
On the ninth, before dawn.
The Eldest Princess called upon her daughters-in-law to discuss matters concerning Bai Qingxuan.
The wicks of the lamps on the high platform were trimmed high, gently flickering within their glass shades, illuminating the room brightly and casting the Eldest Princess’s haggard expression in stark relief.
The Eldest Princess, having been sleepless all night, after much thought, decided to make a resolution on this matter.
After all, tomorrow was the funeral, and someone needed to smash the mourning vessel.
“I know none of you favor this concubine-born son, nor do I. But he is indeed the bloodline of my second son and the last male descendant of the Bai family,” the Eldest Princess said slowly. “Bringing this concubine-born son back this time, his mother will not stay. He will stay with me, and I will personally educate him. If the second daughter-in-law is willing, she can adopt him under her name. If not… one of you will be in Shuoyang, and one will stay by my side, out of sight, out of mind.”
The daughters-in-law looked at the Eldest Princess, remaining silent, listening to her slowly speak.
“Once the funeral is over tomorrow, I will enter the palace to request the Bai family’s title. I will not let the title fall upon that concubine-born son. I will also ensure enough modest withdrawal. In the future, should Heaven bless our Bai family and my fifth daughter-in-law bears a son, he will grow up and enter officialdom. The reputation accumulated by our retreat today will become a great help to him!”
“Mother has thought it through. Let’s bring him back then!” Mrs. Dong spoke.
Having been the daughter-in-law of the Eldest Princess for so many years, she understood her too well. The Eldest Princess, having spoken thus, had made up her mind. Further persuasion would be futile.
Moreover, on that day, her daughter Bai Qingyan had also said that the concubine-born son fled when the Bai family fell. When the Emperor’s Imperial Edict to punish King Xin arrived, that concubine-born son still had to come back. She had already been mentally prepared for this.
“So be it! I will have Nanny Jiang prepare the carriage to fetch him. After tomorrow, you and the children can have a good rest,” the Eldest Princess clasped her cold fingers around the Buddha beads in her hand, her expression as benevolent as ever. “You’ve all worked hard these days!”
·
Bai Jinzhi, with her three younger sisters, replaced Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinxiu, and Bai Jintong, allowing them to rest for a while.
Back at Qinghui Courtyard, she washed her face, not rushing to rest. She inquired about Ji Tingyu’s condition, learning that Ji Tingyu had woken up but was extremely weak from blood loss. She finally sighed in relief.
“Young Lady, you stayed up all night. You should rest for a bit,” Chun Tao watched her with concern, noting the red veins in her eyes.
She shook her head, standing behind the desk, attempting to write eulogies for her grandfather and father. But although she had dipped her brush in ink, she could not bring herself to write.
There were countless words she wished to say to her grandparents but could not voice. She could only say them in her heart.
One hour later.
Chun Tao attended to Bai Qingyan, washing the ink off her hands before she lay down to sleep. Only then did she quietly leave the room.
Returning to Qinghui Courtyard, Chun Yan greeted Nanny Tong. Seeing Chun Tao come out, Chun Yan smiled and approached her, “Chun Tao, I’m back to keep you company again!”
“Shh…” Chun Tao made a hush gesture. Remembering the Young Lady’s instructions to draw Chun Yan close, she then led her aside, lowering her voice. “The Young Lady stayed up all night and has just lain down. Speak softly. Now that you’re back, don’t do anything to hurt the Young Lady again. Otherwise, I’ll be the first to not forgive you!”
Chun Yan clung to Chun Tao’s arm, saying, “I still remember that the Young Lady said you pleaded for me. I wanted to thank you several times, but you were always busy.”
Chun Tao felt a surge of annoyance but held it back, saying, “There will be more work tomorrow. If your health isn’t good, stay inside. Don’t cause trouble, and don’t show up before the Young Lady.”
Had it been any other time, Chun Yan would have likely snapped at Chun Tao, but today she replied with a smile, “I understand! Nanny Tong wants me to stay with Yingshuang, but I still cherish our old friendship and want to stay with you. Can you talk to Chun Xing after the major events in the mansion are over and ask if she can switch places with me?”
Chun Tao sneered inwardly. Chun Xing’s room was for a first-class maid. Chun Yan must have thought her a fool, speaking of cherishing old friendship while eyeing the prestige of a first-class maid.
“We’ll see,” Chun Tao dismissed Chun Yan, pulling her hand away. “I still have tasks to attend to for the Young Lady. You go and settle in.”
Having said that, Chun Tao walked out of Qinghui Courtyard.
Chun Yan didn’t mind. Thinking of the stunned expressions of those who had humiliated her when they heard she had been allowed back to Qinghui Courtyard by the Young Lady, she felt pleased.
Chun Tao was a blockhead, not nearly as clever as she. Once the Young Lady calmed down, Chun Yan would still be the first-class maid by her side.
Returning to Qinghui Courtyard, Nanny Tong, mindful of Chun Yan’s injuries, assigned her no chores but had her instruct Yingshuang in manners. Yingshuang, obedient and diligent, greeted Chun Yan.
But Chun Yan felt annoyed just looking at the dimwitted Yingshuang. Laying lazily on the bed, she constantly ordered Yingshuang to fetch water, shell melon seeds, and massage her legs.
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Yingshuang complied with every order, making Chun Yan view her more favorably.
At noon, Nanny Tong came to inquire about Yingshuang’s progress in etiquette. Yingshuang honestly said, “I learned to fetch water, shell melon seeds… and massage her legs!”
Chun Yan’s face turned red. Seeing Nanny Tong’s expression darken, she snapped, “What nonsense are you spouting? I only asked you to fetch water once, yet you malign me before Nanny Tong! Nanny Tong, I can’t teach her any more manners!”
Despite her slow wit, Yingshuang was a girl with a temper. She glared, taking three steps in two and shoved the injured Chun Yan to the ground, “Fetched water eight times! Not once!”
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