The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 72

She stared intently at Bai Jinzhi, who knelt stiffly in the courtyard, refusing to admit her mistake. Her chest heaved with anger, “All reckless actions are incompetent indulgence of fools who are at a loss! Grandfather, Father, Uncles, and our brothers have all perished at Nanjiang. The court is filled with treacherous villains eyeing the Bai family like covetously. The Bai family is now struggling to survive on the brink of despair, as if teetering on the edge of an abyss at midnight. Do you think there is any room for such reckless behaviour?”

As Bai Qingyan’s impassioned words fell, the atmosphere in the Qinghui Courtyard grew stifling and depressed. The four sisters pressed their lips together in silence.

Apart from Bai Jinzhi, Bai Qingyan, Bai Jinxiu, and Bai Jintong had all read the bamboo slips recording the military campaigns. How could they not understand how precarious the Bai family’s situation was?

Bai Jinxiu’s eyes instantly stung as she turned her head and burst into tears.

Bai Jintong clenched her fists tightly, lowering her gaze as tears fell.

The midwinter wind swirled and swept through the courtyard. Despite the bright sunlight, it was colder than during snowfall.

Her already sore eyes could not bear the glare reflecting off the snow. She closed her eyelids, calming the tempestuous emotions churning in her chest. With a hoarse voice, she asked, “Do you know… why Grandfather did not permit you to join the frontlines when you were ten and begged him for the opportunity to train there?”

Bai Jinzhi no longer had her earlier defiance. Clenching the fabric of her clothes tightly, she replied, “Don’t know.”

“Grandfather once said that among us sisters, your Second Sister is outwardly gentle but strong on the inside, appearing compliant but possessing her tricks. Your Third Sister is the most clever with a mind full of strategies. As for you… You’re the most gifted in martial arts among us sisters! You resemble Grandfather the most in his youth. You’re competitive, vengeful, reckless, and unruly down to your bones. Grandfather feared that you were not stable enough and would become even more unscrupulous once you were stained by bl00d. That’s why he kept you in the capital… to study classical literature with your tutor for a few more years.”

Bai Jinzhi’s face turned pale as Bai Qingyan’s words struck her. Her spine stiffened.

She opened her eyes and looked at Bai Jinzhi. Her tone tinged with heartache as she whispered, “Equestrianism, swordsmanship, spearmanship, archery, and whip skills! You learn faster than others and are more proficient than others in all of them. At just 15, how many people in this capital could rival you? You should be self-disciplined and far-sighted, acting only after thorough planning! Display your spontaneity outwardly but maintain composure within. You should rise as a female general celebrated on the battlefield, like Grandfather, a general admired by future generations. You should be the brightest star of our Duke’s residence and even in the Great Jin! Not someone who is competitive and seeks fleeting triumphs, dragging yourself and the Bai family into ruin!”

Bai Jinzhi’s originally proud and stiff posture sagged slightly, her expression becoming sombre. Her clenched fists trembled with restrained emotion.

Unable to suppress her feelings, she spoke helplessly, “If you recognise that you were wrong today, go find Uncle Ping and accept the 50 lashes! But if you still believe you are not in the wrong… then forget it.”

If she did not see that she was wrong, what good would a beating do?

Bai Jinzhi could not muster a reply. She bit down hard on her lip, stood up, and left Qinghui Courtyard to find Lu Ping and receive her punishment.

“Jintong, go and tell Uncle Ping to show mercy in light of the pressing matters the Bai family is facing,” Bai Qingyan said with a lowered voice.

Bai Jintong nodded and quickly turned to catch up with Bai Jinzhi.

“Eldest Sister…” Bai Jinxiu gripped Bai Qingyan’s hand tightly, giving it a firm squeeze, “Little Fourth will understand that Eldest Sister’s harsh words stem from the high expectations Eldest Sister has for her.”

The Bai family had lost all its men, leaving only daughters behind to bear the burden. Supporting the family was already an uphill battle.

Bai Jinxiu was married into the Qin family, and soon Bai Jintong would leave to do business. It was not that Bai Qingyan thought Bai Jinzhi was too young to take on responsibilities. Rather, she intended to keep Bai Jinzhi by her side for a year or two after the family’s affairs settled, to guide and nurture her gradually. After that, she would let her showcase her military talents to the fullest.

However, she had overlooked the fact that the Bai family was now walking a precarious path, fraught with obstacles and urgency. There was no longer time for Bai Jinzhi, a carefree and wilful young girl, to indulge her whims. Having endured the immense sorrow of losing their loved ones, Bai Jinzhi had to quickly grow into a woman of the Bai family who was responsible and mentally strong to support the Bai family.

She looked up at the clear skies, where clouds drifted lazily in the distance, her usually calm gaze now brimming with murderous intent. If the claws of Prince Xin’s faction dared to stir up trouble in the shadows, scheming to fan the flames and topple the Bai family, now that they had been exposed… If they still wanted to retreat smoothly, she would not grant them such convenience.

Bai Qingyan had lost her martial prowess, so she would wield the voice of the people as her sword.

They both wished to use public sentiment as a weapon, so let’s fight and see… who was superior.

Her eyes shifted to the uneasy maids and servants lingering at the entrance to Qinghui Courtyard, hesitant to enter. She called out, “Chuntao…”

Chuntao hurried in at the sound of her name and, seeing Bai Qingyan supporting Bai Jinxiu as they were entering the room, quickly lifted the curtain for them.

“Go and fetch your cousin. I have instructions for him.”

“Yes! This servant will go at once!” Chuntao nodded.

Inside the main room, Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinxiu sat by the brazier. She personally massaged Bai Jinxiu’s arm.

Earlier, at the gates of the Duke’s residence, Bai Jinxiu had stepped in to stop Fourth Miss Bai Jinzhi and had been caught off guard. That reckless girl had not known how to control her strength and had pushed her against the copper-edged door frame, striking her old wound. The pain left her unable to lift her arm.

Perhaps it was the tranquil stillness of the room, or perhaps it was simply the sense of peace and security she felt in her Eldest Sister’s presence, but Bai Jinxiu began to speak without realising it…

“Eldest Sister…” Bai Jinxiu lowered her gaze, her voice thick with emotion, “This morning, Aunty Luo from my mother’s side passed on a message from my maternal family. They said… All the men of the Bai family have been wiped out, my father and brothers are gone, and I am already married. His Majesty’s attitude towards the Bai family remains unclear, so my mother should make preparations early and ask Grandmother for a divorce letter to avoid being implicated by the Bai family.”

From the gilded incense burner adorned with auspicious beasts, light smoke spiralled upwards, filling the room with a faint and delicate fragrance.

“Second Aunt will not leave,” Bai Qingyan said softly but with certainty. In her previous life… It had been like that.

Her aunts, though they had married into the Duke’s residence during its days of glory, had not faltered when disaster struck. Not one of them… had abandoned the Bai family. Instead, they risked their lives, even threatening the Emperor, to seek justice for the Bai family.

“I know,” Bai Jinxiu replied in a low voice, “I just feel that the world is so fickle. In the past… Grandmother always taught my mother to be gentle and kind, to serve her in-laws dutifully. But now that something has happened to the Bai family, she tells Mother to seek a divorce while Father’s body is not yet cold. It’s really… so heartless.”

“A mother’s heart always hopes for her children to live healthy and peaceful lives! As the saying goes… When a parent raises a child for 100 years, they worry for their child for 99 years. Don’t blame your grandmother.”

The faint resentment and shame lingering in Bai Jinxiu’s heart dissipated with Bai Qingyan’s words. Turning her head to look at Bai Qingyan, who was gently massaging her shoulder, tears streamed down her face, “I wonder if the maternal families of the other aunts will also ask them to leave the Bai family at a time like this.”

“Our aunts won’t leave!” She clasped Bai Jinxiu’s hand firmly and spoke earnestly, “That’s why we must stand with Mother and our aunts to hold up the Bai family! Let the world see that even though our grandfather, fathers, and all the sons of the Bai family are gone, no one can belittle the Bai family’s name! No one can degrade our mothers and aunts!”