Chapter 3: Hold on_1

"Eldest Princess" heard Bai Qingyan's words, her body stiffened, and the blood drained from her face. Nanny Jiang hurriedly poured out the life-saving pill granted by the Empress Dowager and handed it over with water to the Eldest Princess: "Eldest Princess..."

The Eldest Princess waved her hand at Nanny Jiang, comforting Bai Qingyan: "Silly child, it was just a dream. Dreams are always the opposite."

"This dream was too real, too terrifying! Grandmother... I dreamt that the entire court mocked our Bai family for having no men, mocked our family for having no one to protect us. I saw our sisters being hurriedly sent away by Mother, changing names and never to contact again. I saw Mother struggling to clear the Bai Clan's grievances without any means... hanging herself in the prison along with our aunts, leaving behind a blood oath! I was really, really scared."

Her hatred and sorrow in her eyes shocked the Eldest Princess.

"Kid, don't be afraid!" The Eldest Princess held Bai Qingyan tightly, "Don't be afraid! Grandmother is here with you!"

After speaking with the Eldest Princess for a while, Bai Qingyan left. As soon as she left, the Eldest Princess could no longer hold on, clutching her chest and vomiting blood, collapsing onto the couch.

"Princess!" Nanny Jiang quickly supported the Eldest Princess, wiping the blood from the corner of her lips with a handkerchief, and called out in panic, "Someone, quickly call Doctor Huang!"

The Eldest Princess grabbed Nanny Jiang, shaking her head and holding back tears, asking: "Have they gone far?"

"Rest assured, Eldest Princess, the Eldest Young Lady has already gone far..." Nanny Jiang's voice was choked with sobs.

The Eldest Princess loosened her grip slightly, tears falling like broken strings: "I raised that Kid myself, don't I know her temperament? She must be afraid I wouldn't be able to take the news and made this dream up to tell me; otherwise, why would she bring such ethereal matters before me, making me worry with her!"

Nanny Jiang also cried, holding the Eldest Princess's hand tightly: "Princess, you must hold on! If the dream Eldest Young Lady mentioned becomes true, our Duke of Zhen Mansion will still depend on you!"

"Hold on! Of course, I have to hold on!" The Eldest Princess's eyes reddened like torches, she braced herself against the edge of the table, sitting upright, "If all the men of our Bai family truly die in their armor, and I too fall, the Duke of Zhen Mansion would indeed be vulnerable! For these kids, I must hold on!"

Nanny Jiang nodded repeatedly: "Eldest Princess, Doctor Huang is already here. Let him come in and take your pulse! Your health must not falter now!"

The Eldest Princess nodded, closing her pained eyes. Thinking of her husband, son, and grandson possibly dead in the South Frontier, her heart felt torn apart, a wrenching pain.

But now, she had no time to grieve. She had to think things through before any definite news returned to Dadu City. If the news was indeed true, she must plan what future lay ahead for their Duke of Zhen Mansion.

·

Bai Qingyan came out of the Eldest Princess's residence, just in time to see the fourth, fifth, and sixth young ladies riding back on horseback.

In the thick snow, the three little girls, dressed in crimson riding outfits, came gallantly, laughing and chatting. Their clear laughter, as pure as silver bells, could clear away any gloom in one's heart.

All of Dadu City knew that the girls of the Duke of Zhen Mansion were different from the ladies of other mansions. The Duke of Zhen Mansion never restricted their daughters to needlework or the arts. The girls of the Duke of Zhen Mansion were flashy and bold.

Upon seeing Bai Qingyan standing in the red silk-decorated corridor, the fourth young lady, Bai Jinzhi's eyes lit up, and she ran over quickly: "Eldest Young Lady!"

The fifth and sixth young ladies also lit up and ran over, happily calling: "Eldest Young Lady..."

Chun Tao smiled, wiping the railing of the corridor, supporting her to sit down.

"Eldest Young Lady, are you fully recovered? Coming out even on a snowy day!" The fourth young lady, Bai Jinzhi, sat down next to her full of concern, "Then can we go horseback riding in the spring? The riding master is so boring, he doesn't dare let go and let me ride on my own!"

The fifth and sixth young ladies were twin sisters, just over ten years old, delicate and lovely, with two adorable buns on their heads.

Looking at the three little girls, still the young ladies of the Duke of Zhen Mansion, she remembered the last life... where her third sister Bai Jintong and fourth sister Bai Jinzhi, living under false identities, sought revenge against the Jin Kingdom, her fifth sister Bai Jinzhao perished under King Liang's sword while attempting assassination, and her sixth and seventh sisters Bai Jinhua and Bai Jinse were sent to a brothel by King Liang...

Thankfully, they were all still here and well before her now.

Her nose tingled, and she smiled lightly at the three spirited young girls.

"Eldest Young Lady, did you like the plum blossoms I sent you yesterday?" The fifth young lady, Bai Jinzhao, leaned in with a proud face, "My mother said elder sister fears the cold and cannot go to chilly places. I saw those red plums blooming beautifully and picked them for you, putting them in a white jade vase. Did you like it?!"

"I loved it! The flowers picked by our fifth young lady are most beautiful. I woke up seeing them first thing this morning..." She gently comforted the child.

"And me! And me! I also cut some window flowers for you! They look so lovely on the windows in the snow! I also gave some to Aunt Five, my mother said Aunt Five, who has a child in her belly, might be worried as Uncle Five and the brothers are away on the expedition, so we should make her happy!"

She nodded with a smile: "Yes, those two chubby babies you cut are lovely, Aunt Five will surely like them too!"

She finished and turned to Bai Jinzhi: "Tomorrow, Jinxiu will be wedded. I have something to entrust you."

Bai Jinzhi, holding her whip, patted her chest: "Eldest Young Lady, just say the word. I will do it without hesitation!"

"Tomorrow, when the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage Mansion comes to claim the bride, if no one steps up to block the gate, you will lead our maids and servants to block their way. Do not let the Princely Heir of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage take your second sister as if we have no men in the Duke of Zhen Mansion, thereby tarnishing our reputation."

"Rest assured, Eldest Young Lady! When it comes to tough actions, no one in Dadu City can outdo me, Bai Jinzhi!" The fourth young lady confidently promised.

Bai Qingyan saw Lu Ping from afar, smiled, and told the three children: "Alright, you go dress up now. Grandmother has invited a palace artist to paint us sisters before your second sister's wedding day tomorrow. Make sure to look your best!"

The three little girls respectfully saluted Bai Qingyan before leaving.

Lu Ping, nearly forty but looking particularly old and stern, clasped his fist in salute to Bai Qingyan: "Eldest Young Lady, you sought me."

"Uncle Ping, let's talk while walking." She stood and left the corridor.

Seeing her solemn expression, Lu Ping became alert, took the umbrella from Chun Tao and held it over Bai Qingyan's head, following her properly.

She tightly held the hand warmer, her steps steady, avoiding the servants sweeping the snow in the yard. It was only then that she slowly spoke: "Last night, someone sent me an anonymous message, asking me to go to Zuian Square on Changan Street tomorrow at noon, saying they have news of the South Frontier for me!"