The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 28

The parents of Bai Jinxiu’s five dowry maids harboured intense resentment towards the Zhongyong Marquis’ wife. Due to their powerful influence, they could only stand aside cowardly, bowing their heads and refraining from speaking out.

The Zhongyong Marquis’ wife Jiang-shi arrived at the Zhenguo Duke’s residence with great fanfare and lavish gifts, claiming she wanted to pay respects to the Princess Dowager, and that she wanted to take Bai Jinxiu back to her residence to take care of her.

Second Madam Liu-shi was unwilling to meet the Zhongyong Marquis’ wife Jiang-shi. She delegated the task to Dong-shi, the wife of the Duke’s eldest son. She herself stayed firmly in the Qingzhu Pavilion, accompanying Bai Jinxiu, who was still recovering from her injuries.

Upon entering, there was no master to greet the Zhongyong Marquis’ wife Jiang-shi. Instead, a rough old servant woman from the Zhenguo Duke’s residence invited her in. Although she had come to be subservient, the apparent neglect stoked her resentment. She could not hide her emotions and showed an unpleasant expression, wondering how to vent her frustrations before news arrived that all the men from the Zhenguo Duke’s residence had met their demise.

Aunty Wu helped Jiang-shi walk into the Zhenguo Duke’s residence. Her lips curled, “This Zhenguo Duke’s residence is neglecting Madam too much.”

Perhaps having heard Aunty Wu expressing dissatisfaction on her behalf, Jiang-shi’s mood seemed to ease. She smiled and said, “You were persuading me just yesterday, so why is it you being angry today? After all, Bai Jinxiu is my daughter-in-law. If the Zhenguo Duke’s mansion won’t give me face, how can I give Bai Jinxiu good face? As long as we can bring Bai Jinxiu back and keep Qin Lang from moving out of the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence,the Marquis’ dignity will be preserved a bit! After all, there are many days ahead of us… Let’s just watch for now.”

“Madam is wise!” Aunty Wu fawned, smiling flatteringly as she supported Jiang-shi inside.

Having followed Jiang-shi for many years, Aunty Wu knew Jiang-shi’s temperament too well. If she had not complained just now, Jiang-shi might explode when she meets with the wife of the Duke’s eldest son later. By complaining first… This allowed Jiang-shi to console her, making Jiang-shi feel that she had a broad mind and deep wisdom, and is the most capable person in the world. This would help stabilise her emotions and keep her feelings hidden.

When she entered through the Chuihua Gate of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence, Jiang-shi saw Dong-shi’s stewardess, Aunty Qin, standing there. Upon seeing Jiang-shi approach, Aunty Qin greeted her with a smile and a respectful curtsy, “Greetings to the Marquis’ Madam. The Princess Dowager just sent a maid over to say that she’s not feeling well today, so she won’t meet with the Marquis’ Madam! Second Lady is busy taking care of our Second Miss and won’t be coming over either. Our Eldest Madam, Eldest Miss, and Third Miss are all waiting for the Marquis’ Madam. They sent me to welcome Madam.”

Upon hearing that Eldest Miss Bai was also present, Aunty Wu’s face twitched involuntarily and she felt uneasy. After all, that Eldest Miss Bai had been on the battlefield before, witnessing bloodshed and killing!

Jiang-shi’s expression was not pleasant either. It was one thing for the Princess Dowager to not see her, but was Liu-shi planning to act haughty towards her?!

Even if the Eldest Miss received her, there was still Eldest Miss Bai who had no etiquette at all. She looked gentle and polite, but… When she spoke, there was a murderous sharpness. That day in front of the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence gate, even their Marquis had been left speechless after being contradicted. Having to meet her… How could Jiang-shi not feel uneasy?!

Though she was unhappy about it in her heart, Jiang-shi still had to maintain the appearance of an elder, “Eldest Miss Bai’s health is delicate. Why isn’t she resting properly? It makes my heart ache.”

Aunty Qin was leading the way, and when she heard Jiang-shi mentioning Bai Qingyan’s health, she rolled her eyes internally. She maintained her composure, but did not respond either. She just straightened her back and continued leading the way.

Jiang-shi was dissatisfied but did not push further. She flicked her handkerchief, no longer speaking.

Aunty Qin led Jiang-shi into the house, but there was no sign of Dong-shi coming out to welcome her. Upon entering, Jiang-shi saw Dong-shi, Bai Qingyan, and Bai Jintong chatting and laughing. The clear display of neglect ignited her anger.

“Unfortunately, I happened to come on an unlucky day. I wanted to pay my respects to the Princess Dowager, but the Princess Dowager is unwell! Even Second Madam has to take care of Jinxiu and can’t be present” Jiang-shi said with a smile as she entered.

Hearing this sarcastic remark, Dong-shi glanced at Jiang-shi with phoenix-like eyes. She recalled what Fourth Miss Bai Jinzhi had said about the incident where Jiang-shi mocked Bai Qingyan about her body and age. From that day on, Dong-shi had hated Jiang-shi, and she was not about to put on a friendly face.

Dong-shi took out her handkerchief and patted it on her lips, looking at Jiang-shi. She said sternly, “According to the Marquis’ Madam, my mother fell ill at the wrong time and chose to be ill precisely when you came, and my younger sister has no sense of priority. With a person as esteemed as the Marquis’ Madam coming, she still chose to care for her dying daughter instead.”

Jiang-shi choked on her words, feeling humiliated. The forced smile on her face disappeared.

Dong-shi, known for her virtue and kindness, had a reputation outside as a model of a virtuous lady. However, Bai Qingyan knew her mother well. She was strict and protective, especially when it came to her children. Dong-shi could tolerate many things, but if someone bullied her children, Dong-shi feared nothing.

Despite the situation, Bai Qingyan and Bai Jintong still had to observe etiquette. They stood up and gave Jiang-shi a casual curtsey.

Bai Qingyan took her seat and smiled, asking, “Marquis’ Madam, did you come today to have the entire Zhenguo Duke’s residence greet you, displaying your prestigious status? Having just entered, Marquis’ Madam is already condemning Grandmother and Second Aunt as if they had committed crimes?!”

Hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, Jiang-shi was stunned. She realised that she might still be affected by the scare Bai Qingyan gave her that day at the entrance of the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence.

Jiang-shi’s palms were sweaty. Before she came, she had known very well that the circumstances were different now. The Zhongyong Marquis’ residence had been criticised, and she needed to swallow her pride to make amends, allowing the Zhenguo Duke’s residence to vent their anger. However, the way Dong-shi and Bai Qingyan spoke to her today was truly irritating.

Jiang-shi cleared her throat and tried to save face, saying, “How could I dare blame the Princess Dowager for any wrongdoing?!”

“The implication of Marquis’ Madam’s words is to blame Second Aunt…” Bai Jintong’s face turned cold, “I thought Marquis’ Madam’s visit today was for reconciliation, not accusations!”

Jiang-shi was originally small-minded. She felt that even a concubine’s daughter dared to show her up. Her face suddenly turned dark, “A concubine’s daughter is shouting in front of me. Dong-shi, aren’t you going to manage her? Aren’t you worried about whether the Zhenguo Duke’s residence will be criticised for not teaching their children if word spreads out?!”

Dong-shi slammed the teacup down heavily, glaring at Jiang-shi with displeasure, “Marquis’ Madam, you should pay more attention to the family education in your own Marquis’ residence! Your own two daughters were quick to harm their new sister-in-law’s life over a small dispute! Marquis’ Madam, you’ve even meddled in your daughter-in-law’s dowry. At the critical moment when your daughter-in-law was seriously injured and unconscious, you sold off the dowry maids who came with her. This incident has spread throughout the capital, becoming the talk of the town among noble families! Instead of considering how to restore the reputation of your Marquis’ residence, Marquis’ Madam is shamelessly criticising the family education of our Zhenguo Duke’s residence. How audacious!”

Dong-shi’s words undoubtedly trampled on Jiang-shi’s dignity.

“You!” Jiang-shi’s chest heaved violently, shaking with anger, and she could not utter a single word.