Chapter 10: Betrayal_1

Then later, a crisis occurred at the border. Grandfather took Father and Second Uncle to the front line. When they returned in triumph three years later, they sought out that girl again, only to learn that a flood had ravaged her hometown years ago. Everyone believed that girl had died.

A few years ago, who would have known that the girl, carrying a boy, approached the side gate of the Duke of Zhen's residence? Seeing Second Son and Daughter-in-law living harmoniously, the Eldest Princess did not want the Duke of Zhen's residence to be disrupted by this matter. She hid it from everyone and sent the person directly to her own estate to raise.

Bai Qingyan felt her temples throbbing.

Thinking about the previous life when the Duke of Zhen became an empty title. After Second Uncle's illegitimate son inherited the title, he engaged in corrupt practices, seized women by force, and murdered tenants. The Bai family's hard-earned reputation was utterly ruined. Even Shen Qingzhu, who was like a sister to Bai Qingyan, was turned into a beautiful figurine by that scoundrel for others to admire.

Bai Qingyan felt a surge of blood in her heart, as though a mountain was pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She wished she could immediately hack that scoundrel with a knife!

Bai Qingyan unwillingly asked, "Are you sure it's Second Uncle's child?"

The Eldest Princess looked pale, leaning on a soft pillow, and sighed, "That child looks almost exactly like your Second Uncle when he was young."

Bai Qingyan's hands, hidden in her sleeves, tightened. Her nails dug into her palms. If he wasn't Second Uncle's child, she feared she would have Lu Ping eliminate the threat now.

But, if he was Second Uncle's offspring...

Bai Qingyan felt a sharp pain in her heart. After a moment, she forced herself to make a decision. She then looked at the Eldest Princess. "Then bring him back!"

While the child was still young, maybe proper teaching could change him. Even if he couldn't be changed... it would be better for the child to be in her grasp than in the hands of King Liang.

"Alright, bring him back. Grandmother will raise him herself!" The Eldest Princess firmly grasped Bai Qingyan's hand. "As for your Second Aunt, Grandmother will speak to her after your Second Sister returns."

Bai Qingyan nodded, her fingertips cold. She forced down the nausea and revulsion, not letting her thoughts wander. She began discussing her plans for Bai Jintong with the Eldest Princess.

"Grandmother, after careful consideration, I believe the Bai family should have a retreat plan. Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows, let alone the Bai family."

"Tell me what you have in mind."

"Grandmother, do you remember that third sister, Jintong, once helped my mother manage the household and increased the shop's income by thirty percent within half a year? My mother joked that if Third Sister went into business, she would become as wealthy as Xiao Rongyan, the richest man."

The Eldest Princess nodded, remembering that because of this joke, Bai Jintong indeed had the idea of going into business. The Duke of Zhen was furious, declaring that no Bai family child would degrade themselves by becoming a merchant.

"Grandmother, if Third Sister wishes, we could pair her with a loyal and capable steward. Let Third Sister disguise herself as a man and demonstrate her talents, secretly accumulating wealth."

"Secretly accumulating wealth?" Kid, what are you planning? You..." The Eldest Princess looked at Bai Qingyan in astonishment, her hand trembling slightly. "Are you planning a rebellion?"

The Eldest Princess gripped Bai Qingyan's fingertips so tightly that it hurt. Bai Qingyan shivered and was stunned.

The atmosphere between grandmother and granddaughter instantly became like a taut bowstring, stretched to the limit and ready to snap at any moment.

How could she forget... the Eldest Princess was her grandmother, but she was also a daughter of the royal family, the Eldest Princess of Jin Kingdom. The territories of Jin belonged to the Lin family. In protecting the Bai family, her greatest difference with her grandmother was that she was willing to rebel for the Bai family. But her grandmother wanted to protect both the Bai family and the Jin Kingdom.

But Grandmother did not know that the current emperor was already displeased with the Bai family and how the emperor treated the Bai family!

As Qin Shangzhi said, in the previous life, the Bai family ended up utterly destroyed because of the emperor's orders. With such a ruler... if he truly pushed her Bai family to destruction like before, how could she not rebel?

She closed her eyes, breathing erratically. If it weren't for the emperor, why would the men of the Bai family all die tragically? Why would her mother and the other aunts hang themselves? Why would Aunt Five, who had just given birth, despair to the point of taking her own life at the palace gates?!

Bai Qingyan's heart ached as if being cut by a knife. It hurt so much that she trembled all over when she thought of these things.

"Kid!" The Eldest Princess saw the immense hatred in Bai Qingyan's eyes and pulled her close, her gaze cold and stern. "Are you planning a rebellion?!"

The Eldest Princess knew Bai Qingyan's capabilities. Although Bai Qingyan had stayed secluded for many years, her reputation in the Bai family army was extremely high. If she had rebellious thoughts, raised her arm... Jin would be in turmoil.

The Eldest Princess couldn't even bear to think of such a scene. If her most beloved granddaughter really planned to rebel...

The Eldest Princess gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with red veins. If Bai Qingyan did intend to rebel, as the Eldest Princess of Jin Kingdom, she could not sit idly by. Even if it meant imprisoning Bai Qingyan for life, or more extreme measures, she could not allow anything to undermine the Lin family's imperial power.

Bai Qingyan closed her eyes, suppressing the overwhelming hatred in her heart. After a while, she spoke softly, "Grandmother, the Bai family ancestral teachings value loyalty, righteousness, and put personal honor and life last. Your granddaughter would never dare defy these teachings or tarnish the Bai family's century-old reputation for loyalty and courage."

"Third Sister enjoys this path. Let her change her name and disguise herself as a man, staying far from Dadu City. If the Bai family encounters misfortune, at least Third Sister can be preserved! Furthermore, Third Sister's business acumen can help the Bai family with finances."

Seeing Grandmother's intense gaze still fixed on her, seemingly unconvinced, she added, "Over the past few days, I have thought repeatedly. If Grandfather, Father, Uncles, and Cousins cannot return, I hope Grandmother permits the family to move back to our ancestral home in Shuoyang. The intrigues in Dadu City are too dangerous. Grandfather's uprightness has offended many treacherous officials. With no one from our family in court, public opinion could destroy us. Retreating to Shuoyang is our only way to preserve the Bai family."

Hearing Bai Qingyan's words, the Eldest Princess remained silent for a moment before releasing her grip and nodding while fingering Buddha Beads.

Bai Qingyan was right. Public opinion was potent. Recently, while victory reports had come frequently, treacherous officials in the court praised the Duke of Zhen openly but hinted that his merits overshadowed the ruler, causing discord. The Eldest Princess was aware of this.

The Eldest Princess spoke earnestly, "Kid, remember this well. You are the granddaughter of the Eldest Princess of Jin Kingdom, and royal blood flows within you. You must never harbor rebellious thoughts!"

She looked down at her pale fingertips, held tightly by the Eldest Princess, feeling uncontrollable exhaustion and chill. With a hoarse voice, she replied, "Your granddaughter will remember."

Seeing Bai Qingyan like this, the Eldest Princess softened, gently caressing her head. "The painter sent the painting of you and your sisters yesterday. Why wasn't yours among them?"

"Your granddaughter doesn't enjoy such bustle," Bai Qingyan said softly.

If the Bai family couldn't survive, what use was a painting?

After conversing with the Eldest Princess for a while, Bai Qingyan rose to take her leave. Just as she reached the gate of Changshou Courtyard, she heard Nanny Jiang sending Grandmother's maid, Lianxin, to call for Third Miss.