Dong Shi clutched the handkerchief in her hands, already deeply moved in her heart, wishing she could agree immediately.

Old Madam Dong sighed and looked toward Grand Princess: “After all, they’re my grandson and granddaughter – what’s there to be ashamed of? But if A’Bao doesn’t nod her agreement to this marriage, we can’t force her. It’s just that whenever I think of A’Bao’s lifelong matter, my heart aches terribly!”

“Mother!” Dong Shi looked at Old Madam Dong anxiously, “But…”

“Eldest daughter-in-law, don’t you know your own daughter’s temperament? If you force her to marry, can her heart be at peace?” Grand Princess cut off Dong Shi’s words.

Grand Princess was Bai Qingyan’s grandmother and naturally worried about her just as much as Old Madam Dong, but Bai Qingyan would rather break than bend – she would never act against her conscience or settle for less.

Dong Shi dabbed at her tears with her handkerchief: “Fine! Fine! As long as A’Bao can be happy, even if she never marries in her lifetime.”

Later, when Dong Changyuan and Bai Qingyan entered the room, his face was ashen as he stood beside Old Madam Dong without saying another word.

Old Madam Dong sat for a brief while before taking Dong Changyuan back to their mansion.

Dong Shi and Bai Qingyan personally escorted Old Madam Dong to the entrance. Dong Shi and Old Madam Dong reluctantly parted ways again before finally seeing the old lady into her carriage.

After watching Old Madam Dong’s carriage depart, Bai Qingyan was again summoned back to Changshou Courtyard by Nanny Jiang.

Grand Princess spoke with her about Second Uncle’s son, who was to be brought back to the mansion.

“Go ahead and test the character of those two. If that boy’s birth mother is honest and dutiful, bring her back as well. If she’s too ambitious, you can send her away on the spot!”

“Grandmother, rest assured. Your granddaughter understands!” Bai Qingyan nodded.

Nanny Jiang entered carrying eight-treasure tea, lifting the curtain with a smile: “That little maid called Chun Yan in First Miss’s courtyard has been pacing around outside Changshou Courtyard for who knows what reason, her little face red with anxiety. Cui’er went out but couldn’t get anything out of her. Should First Miss have her brought in for questioning?”

She sneered inwardly – what could make Chun Yan so anxious yet unable to speak to others, if not that precious and noble Prince Liang?!

Bai Qingyan changed the subject: “I just heard Mother say that Qin Lang came to speak with Second Sister this morning, saying today was the day he would move out of the Marquis mansion, and he would wait quietly in the mansion for Second Sister to return home.”

Grand Princess nodded: “Qin Lang can be considered decisive, not wasting the effort you put into paving his way…”

Bai Qingyan served as Grand Princess during her Buddhist devotions at Changshou Courtyard and only emerged after taking the midday meal.

Chun Yan, who had been huddled in the snow for half the day, hurried forward to meet her, her face flushed red from the cold: “First Miss…”

She cast a cold glance at Chun Yan: “We’ll talk when we get back.”

Chun Yan’s legs were numb as she gritted her teeth and followed behind Bai Qingyan. As soon as they entered the room, she proudly produced the jade pendant she had been keeping warm against her chest and offered it to her: “First Miss, this is the jade pendant Prince Liang had Tong Ji deliver. Prince Liang said he will seek to marry First Miss as his principal consort in the future!”

Her bone-chilling gaze turned toward Chun Yan, and a surge of blood rushed to her head. She never would have imagined that this traitorous thing Chun Yan would be so bold as to dare accept Prince Liang’s jade pendant on her behalf!

Chun Tao’s eyes widened, her face turning bright red, her chest heaving violently: “How dare you, Chun Yan! Have you truly gone mad?!”

Fury attacked her heart as she gripped the edge of the small table with her fingers, glaring at Chun Yan: “Chun Yan is truly remarkable – deciding my marriage and betrothing me to Prince Liang just like that! Not letting you be the head of Duke Zhenguo’s household has truly wronged you!”

Chun Yan immediately knelt: “Chun Yan wouldn’t dare, First Miss! Chun Yan did this for First Miss! First Miss, think about it – that’s the honor of being a princess consort… That Dengzhou cousin is merely a county graduate – what gives him the right to harbor thoughts about our miss!”

She almost couldn’t restrain herself from slapping this traitorous thing across the face, but thinking that keeping Chun Yan would help her thoroughly investigate which petty people in the mansion were Prince Liang’s agents, she forcibly held back, feeling utterly disgusted.

She closed her eyes, feeling her temples throb: “Within one day, however this thing came here, you will send it back the same way! Otherwise, don’t blame me for breaking your legs! Get out!”

Chun Yan left the main room in tears. Chun Tao was also so angry she nearly cried – to think she had pleaded for such a creature before First Miss. She truly must have been possessed.

Seeing Bai Qingyan close her eyes, her breathing unsteady from anger, Chun Tao felt extremely guilty and quickly poured her a cup of water: “First Miss, this servant will definitely give Chun Yan a severe lesson later.”

After a long while, she calmed her emotions and said with closed eyes: “Go ask who sent Chun Yan out of the mansion today. Have the steward find an excuse to detain that person as well, saying the manager assigned them duties outside the mansion, to avoid arousing suspicion!”

“Yes, this servant will handle it immediately!” Chun Tao quickly responded.

Before the sun set in the west, Duke Zhenguo’s carriage stopped steadily at the entrance of Manjiang Restaurant.

Chen Qingsheng, who had been sitting with the driver, jumped down from the carriage and informed Bai Qingyan inside before entering Manjiang Restaurant first to make arrangements.

When the restaurant staff saw Chen Qingsheng, they quickly called the manager: “Head Manager, Second Master Chen has arrived!”

The head manager’s face lit up with joy when he saw Chen Qingsheng, hurrying out from behind the counter: “Second Master Chen has arrived! Following your instructions, I had the best private room cleaned thoroughly first thing this morning. The brazier has been burning warmly all day, and no guests have entered – we’ve been waiting for First Miss!”

Chen Qingsheng quickly stepped forward and gave the manager a crisp half-bow, respectfully handing over silver: “Thank you, Head Manager. If not for your permission allowing Madam Luo from the Luo family dumpling stand to use your restaurant’s back kitchen, our First Miss probably couldn’t have eaten freshly made Luo family dumplings. When I receive a reward from our First Miss later, I must treat you to drinks! We agreed you cannot refuse!”

“Second Master Chen, what are you saying? Your business is my business!” The head manager promised while affectionately pushing the silver back, saying gratefully, “Besides, don’t I know that you’re doing this to let Miss Bai sample our restaurant’s dishes on the side? If Miss Bai from Duke Zhenguo’s mansion speaks well of us… all the distinguished families will know about my Manjiang Restaurant! I understand Second Master Chen’s good intentions. Rest assured… today we’ll serve First Miss well.”

Chun Tao and Chun Yan had already helped Bai Qingyan down from the carriage. The shop assistant standing at the entrance was momentarily stunned – though this assistant had seen wealthy young ladies in the capital city, this was his first time seeing someone like Bai Qingyan with such stunning features, like a fairy descended to earth.

“We handle things separately!” Chen Qingsheng quickly stuffed the silver into the manager’s hand, then hurried back two steps to personally welcome Bai Qingyan. The head manager followed behind Chen Qingsheng, clutching the silver and bowing with a smile.

With these two crowding forward, Chun Yan was pushed to the back. Having been scolded by Bai Qingyan at noon, she had already sent Prince Liang’s jade pendant back through someone else – surely First Miss wouldn’t continue to be unforgiving? Otherwise, why hadn’t she reprimanded Chen Qingsheng and the manager for taking her position?

Chun Yan immediately felt extremely wronged, her face dropping as she followed behind, her mouth hanging so low it could hold a teapot.