Bai Qingyan wore a light yellow jacket and skirt embroidered with folded branch patterns, which made her raven-black hair appear even more lustrous and her beauty even more radiant and elegant, graceful beyond compare, with the refined bearing of a legitimate daughter throughout her being.

Second Uncle Dong Qingyue was thirty-eight years old this year. Unlike eldest uncle Dong Qingping, who appeared refined, scholarly, easygoing, and gentle, he had dark skin and looked quite imposing. Though the younger son of the Dong family, he appeared more naturally authoritative than his elder brother, and was also steadier.

The moment Bai Qingyan saw Dong Qingyue, she couldn’t help but redden her eyes. Back then, Second Uncle had submitted a memorial for the Bai family, but was slandered as an accomplice of Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion, stripped of his official position, and exiled to the frontier.

Before departing with shackles around his neck and hands, Second Uncle had cried out loudly, “Loyal souls are defiled, heroic spirits no longer exist! I shall see how this Great Jin empire falls to ruin!”

“Grandmother! Mother…” After Bai Qingyan paid respects to Grand Princess and Dong Shi, she solemnly performed a grand bow to Dong Qingyue and his wife.

Second Aunt Cui Shi hurriedly rose to support her: “A’Bao, what are you doing?”

She grasped Cui Shi’s hands in return and helped her sit down: “It’s been many years since we’ve met. Is the maternal grandmother well? Are uncle and aunt well?”

Dong Qingyue set down his teacup with a smile. His canine teeth showing at the corners of his lips somewhat diminished his imposing dignity, instead revealing some warmth: “All well! Especially your maternal grandmother, who thinks of you constantly! In the blink of an eye, three years have passed, and A’Bao has grown up so much.”

Today, Dong Qingyue and Cui Shi had come together on Old Matriarch Dong’s orders to propose marriage on behalf of her legitimate second son Dong Changyuan.

Initially, Cui Shi had been unwilling. Even though she genuinely liked Bai Qingyan, this daughter-in-law would be three years older than her son, and with difficulties in bearing children, what would they do after marrying her?

Back in Dengzhou, Cui Shi had cried and made a fuss. But both Old Matriarch Dong and her husband said that precisely because Bai Qingyan had difficulties with childbearing and would likely struggle even as a second wife, only by marrying her into their own family and keeping her among their people would she avoid being bullied by in-laws. When the time came, they would take a concubine for Changyuan, and any children born would be registered under Bai Qingyan’s name. This way, Bai Qingyan wouldn’t be bullied by in-laws and would have children in her old age, while Dong Changyuan would also have heirs.

But even so, those children would ultimately be of concubine birth at their roots. Which noble family didn’t want more legitimate sons? Even though Cui Shi remained unwilling, with Old Matriarch Dong and her husband having made up their minds, she had no choice but to comply obediently today.

Cui Shi smiled and patted Bai Qingyan’s hand, her face showing a smile while her eyes held bitterness, truly having grievances she couldn’t voice.

Naturally, Dong Shi was overjoyed to hear of this matter. Although Bai Qingyan marrying into her maternal family could be considered marrying down, this way, Dong Shi would never again worry about Bai Qingyan being bullied by in-laws. Bai Qingyan would have her maternal grandmother’s protection above and her own uncle’s affection below. At most, they would need to take a concubine for Dong Changyuan to continue the family line. Even if Bai Qingyan had no obstacles with childbearing, this was still a good marriage that others couldn’t even beg for.

“Your maternal grandmother commanded me and your aunt to come first today, one, to pay respects to Grand Princess. Two, your maternal grandmother misses you, but unfortunately, the long journey has truly exhausted her today, and she cannot move, so she specifically sent us to escort you to your eldest uncle’s mansion.” Dong Qingyue said with a smile.

Before Bai Qingyan had arrived, the Dong Qingyue couple had already expressed their intention to form a marriage alliance with the Grand Princess. This trip to escort Bai Qingyan was so she could meet Dong Changyuan and see if she was satisfied.

As long as Bai Qingyan nodded, Old Matriarch Dong would immediately invite the wife of Earl Shoushan, the mother-in-law of legitimate eldest son Dong Qingping, to come as a matchmaker.

Both families already understood this matter clearly, keeping only Bai Qingyan in the dark. Seeing daughter-in-law Dong Shi’s satisfied expression, Grand Princess naturally nodded approval. She only instructed Bai Qingyan to go and return early, and had Bai Qingyan bring generous nourishing medicines to Old Matriarch Dong.

“Eldest daughter-in-law, you also haven’t seen Old Matriarch Dong for many years. Go along with A’Bao.” Grand Princess smiled and turned to look at Dong Shi.

Dong Shi suppressed the joy in her eyes, then thought and said: “But… today we still need to select servants and maids for Second Son-in-law’s new mansion. I also arranged for the people broker to bring people over at the si hour.”

“Let the second daughter-in-law handle it herself. If you’re not at ease, leave your Nanny Qin to help the second daughter-in-law keep watch!” Grand Princess spoke decisively.

Dong Shi hurriedly rose to express thanks, even more delighted.

In the carriage, Cui Shi couldn’t help but dab her eyes with her handkerchief again. Dong Qingyue grasped Cui Shi’s hand to comfort her: “You also saw that A’Bao has grown even more beautiful, and her behavior and demeanor are measured and appropriate, with outstanding temperament. Aside from the childbearing issue… whether in family background or person, our Yuan’er is inferior to A’Bao in every way!”

Cui Shi glared at Dong Qingyue: “Your niece is the best! You think I don’t know you’re doing this to solve problems for your sister and to repay your brother-in-law’s favor of promotion! Poor my Yuan’er…”

Seeing Cui Shi start crying again, Dong Qingyue’s face darkened: “Whether you’re willing or not, Dong Changyuan must marry her! There’s no discussion! Don’t say such things again, and stop those tears before Mother finds out and punishes you!”

Seeing her husband’s face darken, Cui Shi bit her lip, her tears falling even more fiercely.

In the four-horse carriage with azure silk and ink-blue top, Dong Shi explained Old Matriarch Dong’s plan to Bai Qingyan.

“Ever since your maternal grandmother learned of your injury, she hasn’t been able to sleep at night! After thinking it over, only by keeping you under her own eyes can she ensure you won’t be bullied by a mother-in-law! Your second uncle just said… all these years, Yuan’er hasn’t even had a serving maid in his room! Although Yuan’er is a year younger than you, that child is mature for his age and has the makings of a scholar – he couldn’t be better!”

Dong Shi beamed as she held Bai Qingyan’s hand and studied her for a moment, then reddened her eyes: “With your lifelong happiness settled, even if mother dies, she can close her eyes in peace.”

Only now did Bai Qingyan understand why, just now at Grand Princess’s place, Cui Shi had smiled at her while her eyes held nothing but helpless bitterness.

She grasped Dong Shi’s hand, her heart full of tender emotions, but not knowing how to speak: “Mother, Yuan’er is Second Aunt’s flesh and blood. Would she be willing for her legitimate son to marry a wife who cannot bear children?”

“Yuan’er is ultimately the legitimate second son, not the eldest. Your second aunt has always been extremely fond of you, so she should… not mind, right?” Dong Shi spoke without much certainty either.

Chun Yan, following alongside the carriage, stretched her ears and, upon hearing Dong Shi’s words inside the carriage, her face went completely pale and her feet went weak, causing her to fall behind the carriage.

“Chun Yan! What are you doing?! Hurry and keep up!” Chun Tao frowned and scolded.

Only then did Chun Yan lift her feet. Her heart was full of worries, her legs felt heavy, and she couldn’t keep up with Chun Tao’s pace, only able to jog at the rear of the group.

If First Miss married the legitimate second son of her maternal uncle’s family, what would Prince Liang do? What would she do? She feared she would never again see Prince Liang, that immortal-like person of golden nobility.

Thinking of this, Chun Yan’s eyes reddened, and she calculated in her heart that she needed to hurry and send word to Prince Liang.