The Eldest Daughter Is Beautiful and Saucy
Chapter 478: Never break your promise
Chapter 478 I Will Never Break My Promise
After Dong Tingzhen came back, she actually wanted to hug Bai Wanqing. Bai Wanqing blew bubbles and stared at the tassel hairpin on Dong Tingzhen’s head with her big grape-like eyes. Dong Tingzhen immediately pulled it off and gave it to Bai Wanqing to play with. Her love for her was beyond words.
It seemed that Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi had both returned. There was a rare sound of laughter in the Bai Mansion. The maids and servants in the mansion all had happy expressions on their faces as they walked. Led by the nanny, the maids greeted each other face to face in Shaohua Hall, and greeted each other with bright smiles. They talked about what the masters in the inner room were laughing about. It was very lively.
The corridors were decorated with gauze and bamboo curtains to keep out flying insects. They swayed in the wind, and the bells on the gilded bronze hooks rang.
Led by the nanny, the maids of the Bai Mansion entered the Shaohua Hall one after another, holding pots and plates. They walked lightly up the stairs on the right and down the stairs on the left, carrying plates of seasonal fresh fruits and cold snacks.
Mrs. Dong was in a good mood today, so she asked someone to warm up a pot of rose wine and told Dong Tingzhen to have some fun with it.
Seeing that there were meat dishes on the table, Dong Tingzhen felt a little uneasy. After all, the Bai family was still in mourning, and they couldn’t take care of her just because she was a guest.
Fifth Madam Qi patted Dong Tingzhen’s hand and said, “The Grand Princess said that we should not eat meat during the mourning period just to show off to others. If we really don’t eat meat for three years, the children’s health will be ruined! It’s just for show in front of outsiders. You are not an outsider… Let’s eat well and stay healthy, then our ancestors will be happy!”
Dong Tingzhen felt a little relieved when she heard this.
She looked at the Bai sisters sitting together and talking about the battlefield in the northern border, and she was very envious. Although many nobles in the capital city said that the Bai family treated illegitimate sons and daughters very well, they didn’t know that the Bai family was so lively.
Take Dong Tingzhen herself for example. Although she had a pretty good relationship with her two concubine sisters, she was a legitimate daughter and knew in her heart that there was a difference between herself and concubines’ daughters, so she had a high opinion of herself.
But in the Bai family, the legitimate and illegitimate children get along well with each other, and it can be seen that… the sisters are truly close to each other, and there is no intention of hypocrisy in their eyes.
Dong Tingzhen was envious for a moment, and then felt relieved. Every family has its own way of living. The Bai family has been a family of generals for generations, and they need the legitimate sons and illegitimate sons to have a harmonious relationship so that they can work together as a team on the battlefield and be invincible.
Their father was a scholar, so he naturally attached great importance to the hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate children.
Dong Tingzhen was surrounded by the laughter of the Bai family. She gradually forgot about King Liang and felt much happier.
During the banquet, Fifth Madam Qi left early because she had to take the children home to rest. Dong Tingzhen drank a few cups of rose wine, and her cheeks flushed and her eyes were a little blurry.
Mrs. Dong smiled and stood up to send Dong Tingzhen back to rest. Bai Qingyan also left with Mrs. Dong.
After sending Dong Tingzhen back to the yard, Dong watched the maids help Dong Tingzhen wash up and lie down on the bed before she got up and left with Bai Qingyan.
Perhaps because she was used to her bed, Dong Tingzhen couldn’t open her eyes after drinking a few glasses of sweet wine, but now she is awake.
She stood up and drew aside the pale blue brocade curtain, looking at the coral screen in the room which was made of nanmu wood and inlaid with emerald jade, which was Dong’s dowry. In the gilded bronze incense burner… was lit her favorite sinking water incense, which had an extremely rich yet elegant and distant scent. One could tell it was a fine product at the first sniff.
Not only do her parents treat her like a treasure, but her aunt and cousin also treat her so well. Why should she be sad for a man who takes advantage of her?
·
Bai Qingyan held Dong’s arm and walked back along the corridor with bamboo curtains and gauze draped on both sides. The lights in the corridor were bright. Nanny Qin and the maids followed them several steps away so as not to disturb Bai Qingyan and her daughter’s conversation.
“Mother hasn’t had time to ask you today, why did you suddenly bring Tingzhen to Shuoyang? What happened?” Dong held Bai Qingyan’s hand and stepped onto the steps of the corridor.
“What could happen? It’s just that mother’s birthday is coming soon, and Abao brought Tingzhen here to celebrate for his mother.” Bai Qingyan helped Dong up the stairs.
“Stop fooling me here! When you wrote to me saying you wanted to bring Tingzhen back, I felt something was wrong. If it wasn’t a last-minute decision… with your aunt’s personality, she would have sent a letter long ago! What’s more, when Tingzhen came to Shuoyang this time… she didn’t even bring Haitang, who served her personally. Do you think you can hide it from me?” Mrs. Dong glared at Bai Qingyan, “Why don’t you tell the truth!”
“Mother, it’s nothing serious. It’s just that Master Chen’s family asked the Dong family to propose marriage for Chen Zhaolu, but Tingzhen is not very happy about it. I brought Tingzhen to Shuoyang to relax!” Bai Qingyan shook Dong’s hand and smiled, “Mother, you know that Tingzhen has always been shy. Mother, please don’t mention it or hint at anything. Just wait for Tingzhen to figure it out herself during this period of time.”
“I remember that Chen Zhaolu from Master Chen’s family was a very talented young man!” Mrs. Dong lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, “Does Ting Zhen have a crush on someone?”
Bai Qingyan nodded: “Mother, please don’t ask Tingzhen, otherwise Tingzhen will think that Abao likes to talk about people behind their backs!”
Dong was amused by Bai Qingyan and poked Bai Qingyan on the forehead. She asked softly, “Did you suffer any hardship in the Northern Frontier? I heard from Aunt Tong that you were not injured. Is that what you said or is it true?”
“I’m really not injured!” Bai Qingyan didn’t want Mrs. Dong to worry, so he said, “In this battle in Northern Frontier, Abao was only responsible for giving advice to General Liu Hong. Abao said that he would bring Xiao Si back safely, and he would never break his promise to A Niang.”
Mrs. Dong shook Bai Qingyan’s hand vigorously, smiled and nodded. Her daughter’s safety was more important to her than anything else.
Bai Qingyan sent Dong back to Qinghe Courtyard. As soon as she came out of Qinghe Courtyard, Chunzhi from Boyun Courtyard came hurriedly and bowed to Bai Qingyan: “The eldest lady… the second lady sent someone to deliver a letter back, and Madam Tong asked me to call the eldest lady.”
Chuntao’s heart skipped a beat. The eldest girl had just returned today and a letter from the second girl had already been delivered. How come another letter came now? Could something have happened in the capital?
Bai Qingyan was slightly startled, and walked quickly with Chunzhi to Boyun Courtyard. As soon as they entered Boyun Courtyard, they saw Tong Mama standing under the corridor holding a letter in her hand. She stepped forward and supported Bai Qingyan, saying to Chunzhi, “You can go down, Chuntao will serve you!”
Chunzhi bowed and left.
Matron Tong took out the letter from her bosom and handed it to Bai Qingyan: “My dear, the messenger who came to deliver the letter traveled day and night to catch up with us. Lupin was not here, and I was with Chunzhi when I received the letter, so I couldn’t hide it from Chunzhi!”
“It’s okay. I’ll take this opportunity to try Chunzhi. If I need it, I can keep it by my side!” Bai Qingyan took the letter into the house, sat under the lamp and opened it.
The third update! I’m still asking for monthly tickets. It’s the end of the month and there are only a few days left… The third update for monthly tickets will be released next month!