The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 31

Holding the hand warmer, her head was lowered and her eyes were cold, “By now, the capital mayor’s office should have received the report and sent people to the mass grave outside the capital to examine those female corpses.”

Currently, all eyes in the entire capital were focused on the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence and the Zhenguo Dukes residence. From what she knew, many noble families were discreetly trying to gather information from both households.

Jiang-shi from the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence was naturally venting her grievances, while the daughter-in-law of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence, Dong-shi, was claiming to have no idea and was insisting on waiting until the five maids sold by Jiang-shi were found before explaining the situation. Second Madam Liu-shi was concerned about her daughter and refused to see anyone.

However, the more these aristocratic families and common people failed to uncover anything, the more they speculated and eagerly awaited the retrieval of the five maids, hoping to showcase their own astuteness.

Even Bai Jintong, who has been on the battlefield, was surprised by Jiang-shi’s decisive actions. She looked at Bai Qingyan and asked, “Eldest Sister, you investigated everything thoroughly. Is that why you’re making Eldest Aunt report to the authorities to escalate the matter?”

Bai Qingyan paced slowly, “The capital mayor’s office would receive a report of five unidentified female corpses. Coincidentally, our household is searching for the five maids sold by the Madam of the Zhongyong Marquis. The capital mayor’s office wouldn’t even need to investigate much, they’ll naturally think of the Madam of the Zhongyong Marquis who admitted to selling five maids, and will have our Zhenguo Duke’s residence send someone to identify the corpses.”

“But, Eldest Sister…” Bai Jintong was standing with one hand behind her back, exuding a somewhat masculine air, “In our dynasty, these maids and servants have always been considered the master’s personal property. Even if it reached the officials, it can only be said that the Zhongyong Marquis’ Madam reached into Second Sister’s dowry. Her reputation is already trouble, and this won’t harm her much more. Is it worthwhile?”

“So, this morning, our residence has already sent someone to free the slavery status of those five dowry maids, turning them into ordinary people. Second Sister also returned the deeds of those maids to their parents.”

Bai Jintong’s eyes lit up, and she clasped Bai Qingyan’s arm, “Freeing their slavery status means they’re now citizens. Killing citizens at will would lead to severe consequences! Last time, Eldest Sister told Second Sister that keeping those maids’ deeds might come in handy one day. Was it for today?! Then… Can we really make that poisonous woman pay with her life this time? Why don’t we think of a way to ensure the outcome of this case is death punishment? After all, it wouldn’t be unjust for her to die by a thousand cuts!”

Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jintong’s bright eyes and felt a subtle worry. Seeing that Bai Jintong was about to leave home, her temperament still lacked some stability.

Since she had spoken to Bai Jintong about this, it would be good to take advantage of this incident to further explain and make it clearer to Bai Jintong.

Bai Jintong was the most intelligent and astute among all of her sisters, but sometimes her youthful fervour led her to act impulsively. However, her greatest strength was that once the reasoning was made clear, she immediately understood.

“What we initially wanted was for Second Sister to not be under the control of her mother-in-law, and for the two young ladies in the Marquis’ residence to not dare provoke Second Sister again. Our purpose was not the Zhongyong Marquis’ Madam’s fate, right?” Bai Qingyan held Bai Jintong’s hand, walking forward while speaking softly and gently.

Bai Jintong nodded, not understanding Bai Qingyan’s meaning.

“The only way is to drive Jiang-shi out of the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence. Only then can Second Sister be completely free from her mother-in-law’s control. Otherwise, even if they live in separate residences, if Jiang-shi complains of headaches one day and fevers the next, filial piety dictates that Second Sister must attend to her dutifully and cannot refuse going. Furthermore, about the two young ladies in the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence, when their mother is absent, their eldest sister-in-law would practically be their mother, and Second Sister would be their eldest sister-in-law and in the future, Second Sister will be responsible for settling marriages for them. Would these two young ladies dare to cause trouble to Second Sister? Is this not the case?”

Bai Jintong thought for a moment and nodded.

“So, it doesn’t matter what the outcome of the case is! If the Zhongyong Marquis’ Madam was sentenced to death, it would be pleasing for us, but that is not the goal. What we want is for the consequences of the Zhongyong Marquis’ Madam being involved in a murder case to unfold as we wish. Once she is implicated in a murder case, even if she isn’t made to pay with her life for the deaths of the five dowry maids, her reputation will still be tarnished from the murder. Firstly, a highly prestigious family being embroiled in a murder case will surely attract the attention of the Imperial Censorate, and the censors, with their sharp eyes and keen minds, will undoubtedly keep a close watch and not hesitate to report and impeach. Secondly, the two daughters and son raised by the Zhongyong Marquis’ Madam would also suffer due to their mother’s tarnished reputation, making it difficult for them to hold their heads high in the capital city.”

“Think about it again… With the Zhongyong Marquis’ personality being inclined towards benefits over righteousness, would he still allow his wife, whose reputation has been repeatedly tarnished, to stay in the Marquis’ residence and further implicate his children? Our goal seems to be within reach… But if you were to resort to means to push Jiang-shi to her death, wouldn’t that be a case of trying to be smart but actually being foolish?”

Seeing Bai Jintong’s slightly dull expression, Bai Qingyan stopped and adjusted Bai Jintong’s cloak, speaking softly, “Soon you’ll be going out on your own. Eldest Sister wanted to use this incident to tell you this so you understand… No matter what you are doing and planning, always remember the goal you want to achieve. All strategies are meant to be used for those goals, and never use tactics for the sake of gaining more, lest you lose everything all at once. Moreover, you cannot judge everything solely by its outcome. Take this case, for example. The result of the trial isn’t important. What matters is whether the consequences are what you want. Results and consequences may seem similar, but they’re vastly different.”

Bai Jintong suddenly remembered the words Bai Qingyan had spoken to her in Bai Jinxiu’s room that day.

“To make them obedient, you have to strike them hard the first time, break their backbone, and destroy their support! Let them know what pain is, what fear is, so that in the future, their legs will tremble at the mention of Second Sister’s name… Only then can Second Sister live in peace.”

Bai Jintong prided herself on being intelligent. Although she knew she was not as smart as her eldest sister, she had not thought she was not that far off. Now, seeing her eldest sister cleaning up the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence with such precision and efficiency, without any redundancies, taking one step at a time and foreseeing ninety-nine steps ahead, her meticulous thinking left her unable to catch up.

At this moment, Bai Jintong realised that she had much to learn from her eldest sister.

“I will always remember Elder Sister’s teachings and keep them in my heart, and will never forget them,” Bai Jintong said respectfully, bowing to Bai Qingyan, feeling genuinely convinced.

Bai Qingyan pulled Bai Jintong up. She held her hand and said, “You’ll be leaving home soon. The world outside is much larger than the one at home. Eldest Sister spoke a few more words just now, hoping you’ll be extra cautious in your actions.”

“I understand! Eldest Sister, rest assured!” Bai Jintong said with tears in her eyes as she squeezed Bai Qingyan’s hand. She smiled broadly and said, “I’ll escort Eldest Sister back to the inner courtyard.”

After taking just a few steps with Bai Jintong, Bai Qingyan noticed Qin Shangzhi from a distance who was recuperating at the Duke’s residence, standing not far away and seemingly looking at her. He smiled lightly and bowed respectfully.

Bai Jintong, not understanding the situation, also followed suit and curtseyed.

Qin Shangzhi looked at Bai Qingyan with a furrowed brow, as if wanting to say something but hesitated. Eventually, he cupped his fists and turned away to leave.