Only that clear, smiling voice could be heard, speaking in measured tones: “Changyuan cousin need not be so polite. When my seventeen younger brothers at home were learning to write, I gave Hui ink and She inkstones to all of them. Uncle and aunt treat me like their own flesh and blood, so I naturally regard Changyuan’s cousin as my own younger brother! It’s just that since Changyuan’s cousin is already a jieyuan, I deliberated over the quality of the Hui ink and the She inkstone. If cousin acknowledges me as his elder sister, please don’t decline.”

Hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, Cui Shi suddenly looked toward Bai Qingyan and Dong Shi, her heart unable to tell whether she felt joy or sorrow.

Though Dong Shi hadn’t expected Bai Qingyan to say this in front of everyone, she already had an inkling in her heart. She wasn’t as flustered as Old Matriarch Dong and the others, merely picking up her teacup and taking a sip.

Dong Changyuan was stunned for a moment before suddenly raising his head, looking properly at his cousin for the first time.

He saw Bai Qingyan dressed in moon-white plain silk robes, her eyes clear and bright, her smile maintaining just the right balance of distance and warmth without the slightest affectation. Her raven-black hair was neatly arranged in a simple chignon with a white jade hairpin crossed through it. Such an elegant and simple appearance couldn’t conceal her peach-blossom beauty. Though born stunningly beautiful, she somehow gave people the impression of refined elegance and tranquil composure, graceful and serene.

Dong Changyuan’s heartbeat inexplicably quickened. He hurriedly lowered his head in panic, his ears reddening as shame arose within him.

Previously, he had resented his grandmother for threatening him with her life to force him to marry his cousin. Full of resentment and unwillingness, he had developed an aversion to this cousin before even meeting her, and today had refused to give Bai Qingyan a proper look.

Who would have thought that this cousin of his had no intention of marrying him at all? With her serene and noble bearing, she made his petty-minded, narrow outlook seem small by comparison.

After having lunch at the Dong mansion that day, Dong Shi and Old Matriarch Dong had a private mother-daughter conversation before setting off to return home.

The absent-minded Chun Yan helped Bai Qingyan change into everyday clothes, then said as if casually: “That legitimate second son of Second Uncle’s family – just because he won jieyuan he puts on airs! This servant watched coldly at the Dong mansion gates – he wouldn’t even look at First Miss, clearly showing disrespect!”

Bai Qingyan was leaning against the window on a gold-threaded, cloud-patterned welcoming pillow, reading. Hearing this, she didn’t even lift her eyelids: “What are you up to now, badmouthing Changyuan cousin in front of me?”

Chun Yan, caught out, blushed with embarrassment.

Having learned her lesson from last time, Chun Yan didn’t dare mention Prince Liang again, simply saying: “This servant just feels that Second Uncle’s family is like a toad wanting to eat swan meat. With our First Miss’s family background and beauty, what kind of noble family couldn’t she marry into in the future? They certainly have grand ambitions!”

Seeing no change in Bai Qingyan’s expression, Chun Yan couldn’t restrain herself and moved forward another step, pushing her luck to speak well of Prince Liang: “A dragon son like Prince Liang doesn’t despise Miss and has true feelings for her – that’s Miss’s great fortune! Miss mustn’t fail to cherish such blessings!”

Ha… her great fortune?! Bai Qingyan felt she must have been a fool in her previous life. Chun Yan’s treacherous heart was so obvious, yet she had believed Chun Yan’s praise of Prince Liang’s feelings for her every time.

She closed her book and casually tossed it onto the chicken-wing wood small table, knocking over the begonia frozen stone teacup on the table: “Chun Yan has such grand ambitions, wanting to control my marriage? Who gave you the courage and audacity?”

Chun Yan’s legs went weak, and she knelt on the ground: “First Miss, this servant wouldn’t dare! This servant doesn’t mean that! This servant just feels… just feels that First Miss marrying Second Uncle’s legitimate second son would be too much of a compromise! This servant is thinking of First Miss!”

Chun Yan shook like a sieve, frightened until large tears fell: “This servant is just indignant for First Miss. Even a prince like Prince Liang is so humble toward Miss – what right does a mere jieyuan have to not look at Miss properly!”

Chun Tao entered, lifting the curtain, originally to tell Bai Qingyan that Jingzhao Prefecture had sent people to summon Marquis Zhongyong’s wife for questioning. But upon entering and seeing this scene, she hurriedly used a cloth to clean up the spilled tea on the small table.

Anger churned in Bai Qingyan’s chest: “Get out!”

Chun Yan left the main room crying. Chun Tao had someone bring fresh eight-treasure tea and smiled as she comforted: “Miss needn’t be angry with Chun Yan, but if you had broken this finest begonia frozen stone banana-leaf teacup, your favorite tea set would have been ruined.”

She suppressed her anger, picked up her book again, and turned a page: “Send someone to secretly watch Chun Yan. Report any movements immediately…”

Chun Tao looked reluctant but agreed, then perked up to say: “First Miss, early this morning, the parents of Second Miss’s five dowry maids went to Jingzhao Prefecture to claim the bodies. Before noon, Jingzhao Prefecture sent people to Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion to ask Marquis Zhongyong’s wife which people broker she had sold those maids to. Marquis Zhongyong’s wife couldn’t explain for a long time and could only admit that Second Miss’s five dowry maids had served our Second Miss poorly, so she ordered people to beat those maids to death. Right now, Jingzhao Prefecture’s officers are blocking Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion gates, in a standoff with the mansion’s guards and unable to arrest anyone.”

“Marquis Zhongyong’s wife’s affairs are for Jingzhao Prefecture to worry about. We’ll just watch.” Bai Qingyan said. “I just wonder if this matter will delay Qin Lang’s move out of Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion tomorrow.”

Since Qin Lang was moving out of Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion by imperial decree, Marquis Zhongyong couldn’t obstruct it, which troubled him greatly.

Marquis Zhongyong Qin Dezhao had schemed extensively to secure a position as department director in the Ministry of Revenue, finally establishing a foothold among the capital’s nobility. Now, everyone could gossip about the discord between his stepmother and legitimate son, which was truly vexing.

Fortunately, Prince Liang sent his advisor to personally comfort him, promising that once the Nanjiang situation was resolved, he would recommend to His Majesty that Qin Dezhao be promoted to Minister of Revenue for an important position. Then he’d see which nobles in the capital would dare look down on him!

In a private room at a tavern, the drunk Marquis Zhongyong Qin Dezhao thought of Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion and the heir apparent far away in Nanjiang. He poured a cup of wine and raised it toward heaven: “Duke, Young Master! Don’t blame me… your Duke’s Mansion has achieved too much and aroused the sovereign’s suspicion. The current emperor and the entire court cannot tolerate you! I’m just following orders. The grain and supplies I owe you, I’ll repay in the next life… hic…”

Qin Dezhao hiccupped drunkenly, then suddenly laughed foolishly: “Next life, I’m afraid I still won’t be able to repay!”

Having said this, Qin Dezhao tilted his head back and drained the strong wine in his cup.

“My lord! My lord! Something’s happened at the mansion…” Qin Dezhao’s attendant burst through the door in great urgency.

“What disgraceful panic is this!” Qin Dezhao was full of anger and slammed down his wine cup heavily, his sharp gaze turning toward the attendant. “It’s just Qin Lang moving out of the marquis’s mansion – what other major incident could there be?”

“No, my lord! Officers from Jingzhao Prefecture are blocking our mansion gates, wanting to arrest Madam!”