The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 70

Although it was unclear whether the note came from Eldest Miss Bai or if she had already discerned his true identity, the sender of the note had not taken action, had made no demands based on favours owed, and had not exposed his identity. So he chose to remain still, observing quietly to adapt to any changes.

However, he guessed that the note was likely connected to this intelligent Eldest Miss Bai.

“Sister Bai!” Lu Yuanpeng, now near the crowd, reined in his horse and leapt to the ground. Gripping his whip, he squeezed through the crowd and swiftly ascended the steps. He bowed respectfully to Bai Qingyan, then turned to face those kneeling and causing trouble at the gates of the Duke’s residence. “Early this morning, Brother Xiao and I received word that two individuals had bribed some soldiers’ family members to come to the Duke’s residence and stir up trouble. It must be these people…”

At the mention of “Brother Xiao,” Bai Qingyan raised her eyes.

Not far away, Xiao Rongyan was riding his horse slowly surrounded by more than a dozen guards. Draped in a cloak lined with grey squirrel fur, his demeanour was graceful, calm, and composed.

The onlookers, hearing the guards shouting commands, turned their heads.

They saw tall, broad-shouldered guards with blades at their waists and stoic expressions as they dragged two bl00d-soaked men toward the Duke’s residence. The crowd quickly parted, forming a path.

“Sister Bai! When I heard about the tragic loss of the Bai family’s 17 young men this morning, I was deeply saddened. On my way to the Duke’s residence, I encountered Brother Xiao. It so happened that Brother Xiao’s family elder was reporting to him, saying that early this morning, while delivering silver to several destitute families on behalf of Brother Xiao, they unexpectedly overheard people in an abandoned temple on the outskirts of the city distributing silver to soldiers’ family members. They said to come here and cause trouble at the Duke’s residence. They were told to claim that the Zhenguo Duke was stubborn, using the army to make a name for himself in history, and that he was greedy for merit and gambled with the soldier’s lives! Afterwards, each of them would be given an additional 50 taels of silver!”

“What a vicious scheme! This is an attempt to drive the widows of the Zhenguo Duke’s family to death!” Bai Jintong clenched her fists tightly by her side.

The soldiers’ family members who had come to the Duke’s residence to cause trouble now trembled uncontrollably. Lu Yuanpeng’s detailed account, even stating the location so clearly, exposed everything. Some attempted to flee but were stopped by the crowd and guards. Panicked, they fell to their knees with a thud, kowtowing and confessing everything.

“Eldest Miss, spare us! It was those two who gave each of us 20 taels and told us to cause trouble at the Duke’s residence!”

“Eldest Miss! Eldest Miss, I don’t want the money anymore! I’ll give it to you, all of it! I know I was wrong! I’ll never dare to do it again! Please spare me!”

“Sister Bai, do you know what else?” Lu Yuanpeng swung aside his cloak, pointing his whip at the bloodied men lying on the ground, “These two men were waiting at the abandoned temple for this group of greedy idiots to return, so they could kill them all! Then pin the blame on the Zhenguo Duke’s residence to destroy the Duke’s residence’s reputation!”

The soldiers’ family members who had come to stir up trouble instantly turned deathly pale. Crawling forward on their knees, they began to kowtow and beg for their lives, ““Eldest Miss Bai! We were blinded by greed and accepted money to cause trouble in front of the Duke’s Mansion, but… But I only have one son in my family! If he’s truly gone, I just wanted some money to live out the rest of my days!”

“Yes! We were forced to act out of desperation. If our sons are gone, how are we supposed to survive as old and frail people?!”

Standing tall at the top of the steps, Bai Qingyan’s back was straight as she looked down at those same people who had come earlier, confidently accusing her grandfather of causing their sons’ deaths. Now, they were grovelling and wailing with their heads on the ground, yet her heart did not stir. Instead, her gaze shifted to the two bloodied criminals held firmly by the guards. She asked, “Who sent you?”

The two men were pinned down and unable to resist. One of them said, “We accepted money to do someone’s bidding. In Jianghu, we have our own rules and honour to uphold. We should have died rather than let ourselves be captured alive, but we were not as skilled as the others. We admit defeat! Eldest Miss Bai, whether you choose to kill us or torture us, we accept our fate.”

“To conspire with ambitious people to slander loyal and heroic warriors who gave their lives for the country and to falsely accuse the widows of the Duke’s residence of heartlessness, do you have the right to mention honour?” Her voice was hoarse. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her tone, and her expression seemed devoid of emotion. She briefly closed her eyes and said, “The Bai family’s loyal souls have barely gone cold in their graves, and already there are those who wish to destroy our Bai family! So be it! The Bai family is a family of loyal people, witnessed by both humans and gods! My grandfather is gone, and the men of the Bai family are all gone. Our Bai family can finally live up to the title of Zhenguo!”

That indifferent and cold expression, full of fatigue, was a stark contrast to her earlier impassioned indignation as she argued with the greedy people who besieged the Zhenguo Duke’s residence. It was indescribable sadness, as if there was no greater sorrow in her heart.

She curtseyed deeply toward Lu Yuanpeng, “The Bai family is overwhelmed with important matters, and neither the stewards nor the servants can spare time. May I trouble Young Master Lu to deliver these two men to the capital mayor? The Bai family trusts that the capital mayor will give justice to the Bai family.”

Momentarily stunned, Lu Yuanpeng replied, “Of course! No problem!”

Her gaze shifted to Xiao Rongyan, who stood quietly at the edge of the crowd. Surrounded by more than a dozen sword-wielding guards, he wore a cloak over a subtle blue-and-white robe embroidered with cloud patterns and a belt inlaid with jade and gold thread, exuding understated elegance.

His features were strikingly handsome, softened by a scholarly aura of refinement and poise. There was always a faint smile on his lips and the calm, introspective depth in his eyes revealed a rare combination of grace and intellect, the likes of which was rare even among the greatest scholars of the time.

She was not stupid. On the contrary, her sharp mind saw everything clearly. Today, Xiao Rongyan had delivered these two people to the gates of the Duke’s residence through Lu Yuanpeng.

Bai Qingyan nodded slightly at Xiao Rongyan. This favour… She, Bai Qingyan, will accept it.

“Fourth Miss Bai Jinzhi whipped the civilians. Uncle Ping, confiscate Fourth Miss’s whip and escort her back to the residence to await family discipline.”

After saying this, she turned and, with tears in her eyes, gently supported Bai Jinxiu whose face was stained with bl00d. Silently, she smiled at Bai Jinxiu.

“Eldest Sister…” Bai Jinxiu choked, tears streaming down her face.

“Don’t cry, let’s go!” Bai Qingyan’s voice was like a sigh. She held her sister tightly in her arms and began walking towards the Bai residence.

Bai Jintong bowed to Lu Yuanpeng and personally escorted Bai Jinzhi, who was still resentful and simmering with anger, back to the residence.

Lu Yuanpeng watched Bai Qingyan’s despondent figure retreating and he gripped the whip in his hand tightly. He had not expected that bringing those two men to the Bai residence to claim credit from Bai Qingyan would leave this once-proud and resolute woman utterly dispirited. The sight of the white mourning cloth with the words “respect to the deceased” draped over the Zhenguo Duke’s residence filled his heart with a profound sadness and anger.

Once, outside Manjiang Restaurant, this seemingly frail and delicate woman had an unyielding spirit. She had delivered heartfelt words of loyalty and righteousness and her determination to protect the people was thunderous and awe-inspiring! What powerful courage she had shown when dealing with that illegitimate son!

That day in the grand hall, her slender figure stood as upright as a pine tree, radiating an aura of integrity and loyalty. Her unshakeable courage and righteousness seemed impervious to any hardship or assault. And yet, today, she had been crushed by the very people the Bai family had sacrificed generations to protect!