Chapter 6: Welcoming the Bride_1

Bai Jinxiu saw the entirely white sword sheath, carved with the Bai family's military totem. She quickly stood up, walked briskly to the brocade box, and carefully took out the sword, gripping it in her hand, her heart racing. "Qingfeng Sword?!"

This was the Bai family's heirloom sword!

Back then, after her eldest sister got injured on the battlefield and lost her engagement to the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage's family, their grandfather was worried that Bai Qingyan would be stubborn and remain unmarried for life. He was also concerned that the sisters-in-law wouldn't get along with Bai Qingyan, so he specially passed the heirloom sword to her.

Bai Qingyan tucked Bai Jinxiu's stray hair behind her ear and gently said, "The Marquis's wife is the stepmother of the Princely Heir. It's inevitable that there will be conflicts. Remember, you should never have to compromise on everything. The Duke of Zhen's family stands behind you."

In the previous life, Bai Jinxiu died on her wedding day and never entered the Marquis's household. Afterwards, Qin Lang, the Princely Heir of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, married the soft-hearted second daughter of the Chief of Staff. She was bullied by her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law until she died of illness before the age of thirty.

Listening to Bai Qingyan's heartfelt words, Bai Jinxiu, who was anxious about entering an unfamiliar environment, felt comforted to the point of tears.

Bai Qingyan pulled out a handkerchief to wipe Bai Jinxiu's tears, but Bai Jinxiu held her hand instead. She stepped closer to Bai Qingyan, lowered her voice seriously, "His Highness, King Liang, is deeply in love with you. He will surely cherish and protect you. Don't miss out on such a good marriage!"

Bai Qingyan recalled how, in her previous life, Bai Jinxiu had begged King Liang to protect her well and not fail her. Overwhelmed with emotions, her eyes turned red. "Quickly apply your makeup!"

At Si time, the sound of firecrackers was heard at the mansion's entrance.

Bai Qingyan glanced up toward the partition outside and rubbed her fingers on the teacup.

"Oh dear, what should we do? The Second Young Lady hasn't finished her makeup yet!"

"This young gentleman from the Marquis's household is too anxious! Why did he arrive half an hour earlier than the scheduled time?"

"Oh no! The earrings can't be found..."

"The bridal veil?! The bridal veil is missing too!"

Inside the boudoir, the maids and nannies were in a frenzy, searching for things everywhere.

As expected, just like in her previous life, the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage's wedding carriage arrived half an hour ahead of schedule. The elder relatives who were supposed to block the door were likely gambling in some remote place.

However, it didn't matter. Bai Qingyan had already arranged for their fourth sister, Bai Jinzhi, to guard the main gate with a chessboard ready. Today, their Duke of Zhen's mansion must not, like the previous life, have no one blocking the door, letting Bai Jinxiu leave an hour early and lose her life.

At this moment, the bridegroom, the Princely Heir of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, Qin Lang, dismounted at the front gate of the Duke of Zhen's mansion. The young, handsome lad exuded exceptional charm, his face beaming with joy, likely due to the celebratory occasion.

The marriage of the Duke of Zhen's daughter to the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage was the most anticipated joyous event in Dadu City before the Year-end. All the famous playboys of Dadu City followed Qin Lang to join in the wedding festivities.

"Our young Duke Qin is having it too easy, marrying the Duke of Zhen's daughter while the seventeen young masters of the Bai family are away fighting in the southern border!" cried Lu Yuanpeng, the youngest legitimate grandson of the Right Prime Minister.

Because Bai Qingyan's grandfather, the Duke of Zhen, and her grandmother, the Eldest Princess, were still alive, and since the Eldest Princess did not reside in the princess's mansion but lived instead in the Duke of Zhen's mansion, the Bai family had never split into separate households. This is why the Bai family's younger generation was collectively referred to as the seventeen young masters.

Usually, Lu Yuanpeng was close to the Bai family's seventeen young masters and made jokes without reservation. "Everyone, all say the Bai family's army of the Duke of Zhen is invincible, entering enemy territory as if walking into an uninhabited place. Today, as we come to the Duke of Zhen's mansion to welcome the bride, let's also experience what it's like to enter an uninhabited place. Everyone, charge! Let's snatch the bride!"

The crowd outside the Duke of Zhen's mansion laughed heartily and, following Lu Yuanpeng's order, began to charge in.

Unexpectedly, before anyone could rush in, they were stopped by the meticulously trained maids and servants of the Duke of Zhen's mansion, lined up like soldiers. This sight startled the playboys who came to welcome the bride.

"Is the Duke of Zhen's mansion planning to have maids block us?" Lu Yuanpeng asked in surprise, eyeing the formation.

Moments later, Fourth Young Lady Bai Jinzhi of the Duke of Zhen's mansion stepped out from behind the line of maids with a horsewhip in hand, exuding a heroic and spirited demeanor.

"The people of the Duke of Zhen's mansion, listen to my orders!" Bai Jinzhi raised the long whip in her hand.

"Hear the Fourth Young Lady's command!" The maids and guards of the Duke of Zhen's mansion responded in unison, orderly and disciplined, intimidating the rowdy playboys who had come to pick up the bride.

"My eldest sister has ordered, those who forcefully enter the Duke of Zhen's mansion shall not be shown any mercy. Let no one think that our Duke of Zhen's mansion lacks men!" Bai Jinzhi swung her whip, scaring off the playboys trying to rush forward. The sharp sound of the whip slicing the air commanded unexpected respect.

The Duke of Zhen's mansion, indeed the backbone of the nation, even the daughters had strong and heroic stances.

The Princely Heir of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage, Qin Lang, stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Fourth Young Lady Bai Jinzhi, "Fourth Young Lady, you misunderstand. The Duke of Zhen is a pillar of our nation. We enjoy peace and prosperity in Dadu due to the Duke and his sons shedding blood on the frontier. Even if we are mischievous, we wouldn't dare to belittle the Duke of Zhen's mansion. Please, Fourth Young Lady, let us in!"

"Very well!" Bai Jinzhi retained her proud and unrestrained demeanor as she put away her whip. "Bring out the chessboard!"

The household servants of the Duke of Zhen's mansion cautiously brought out a chessboard, placing it at the entrance with a stool.

Fourth Young Lady Bai Jinzhi then said, "My eldest sister said that our Bai family has generations of generals. The chessboard is like a battlefield. If the Princely Heir's wedding party can break through the chess game, you will be qualified to enter and pick up my second sister!"

Outside, Bai Jinzhi firmly blocked the gate, while inside the boudoir, Bai Qingyan leaned over to help Bai Jinxiu put on her earrings. "Don't worry. Even without Grandfather and Second Uncle, our Duke of Zhen's mansion won't let the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage look down on our Bai family as if we are defenseless."

"Big Sister! Big Sister!" Bai Jinzhi rushed in hastily, panting and placing a piece on the chessboard, fanning herself with her hand. "Big Sister, Qin Lang placed a white piece here, and everyone is cheering. Did he break it?"

According to the timeline, it was still before the time King Liang would be assassinated. Bai Qingyan handed her teacup to Bai Jinzhi, wiped her sweat with a handkerchief, and then observed Qin Lang's placement of the white piece on the chessboard.

Bai Jinzhi gulped down the tea, craned her neck, and leaned close to Bai Qingyan, hoping to see where Bai Qingyan would place the piece.

Qin Lang placed the white piece in a position that avoided many traps on the chessboard. It wasn't overly aggressive, steadying the advantage while supporting the overall strategy. From the whole board, it was evident that no matter where the next black move landed, it couldn't prevent an overwhelming defeat.

After pondering for a moment, Bai Qingyan pressed her sleeve with her left hand, picked a black piece from the chess box, and placed it on the board.

Bai Jinzhi saw where Bai Qingyan placed the piece, then quickly ran to the main gate of the Duke of Zhen's mansion, placing a black piece where Bai Qingyan had indicated on the chessboard.

Outside, there were exclamations. With the placement of the black piece, the situation changed drastically. The black pieces surged like a mighty wave, instantly taking half of the white pieces' territory.

"Marvelous!" Lu Yuanpeng exclaimed, "This black piece is like a sudden troop, cunning and deceitful, reversing the killing momentum in an instant. Ruthless and terrifying! May I ask, who in the Duke of Zhen's mansion is playing with the black pieces?"

"My eldest sister," Bai Jinzhi said proudly.

For a moment, everyone recalled that in the Duke of Zhen's mansion, there was only one person whose name shared the same character "Qing" as the men in the family, the eldest young lady.

Qin Lang was dazed upon hearing that Bai Qingyan was the one playing with the black pieces.