The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 73

Bai Jinxiu nodded, “I only hope Fifth Aunt can give birth to a son! At least it would provide some support for the Bai family’s legacy!”

Mentioning the possibility of a son inevitably made Bai Jinxiu think of that illegitimate son in Qingming Courtyard, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, “Father’s illegitimate son… I’ve already heard about what happened on the main street. He is an utter jerk! There is no hope to rely on him!”

Bai Qingyan did not want to dwell on the topic of the illegitimate son again and simply said, “You don’t need to concern yourself with that illegitimate son, he won’t amount to anything significant! As for whether Fifth Aunt bears a son or daughter, it’s a matter of fate and cannot be forced! We must plan for the worst-case scenario.”

“Then what will become of our Bai family in the future?” Bai Jinxiu asked, her voice choking.

“When Grandfather… and the others return, Grandmother will ask the Emperor to allow our family to return to our ancestral home in Shuoyang. Under the pretext of worshipping the Buddha and praying for blessings for Great Jin, she will take up residence in seclusion at Qing’an Temple, keeping Third Sister Jintong by her side. Grandmother will have Third Sister disguise herself as a man to go out and conduct business, and secretly accumulate wealth for our Bai family…”

Hearing Bai Qingyan disclose this, Bai Jinxiu was overcome with anxiety and dread.

She tightened her grip on Bai Qingyan’s hand, her thoughts in turmoil, and spoke rashly, “Moving the entire family back to Shuoyang? I want to go back too! Qin Lang has already moved out of the Zhongyong Marquis’ residence… Shuoyang is a place of outstanding people and is ideal for studying! I…”

Compared to staying in the capital, Bai Jinxiu felt more at ease and warm at heart when she was together with her sisters.

Bai Qingyan patted Bai Jinxiu’s hand to calm her before shaking her head, “Setting aside the fact that you’re already married to Qin Lang, and just talking about our Bai family… Whether or not we can retreat safely to Shuoyang is uncertain. Even if we manage to return peacefully, here in the capital… We cannot leave ourselves entirely blind and uninformed about the capital. Do you understand what I mean?”

Bai Jinxiu froze, faintly sensing that Bai Qingyan was strategising something, “Eldest Sister…”

Bai Qingyan gripped Bai Jinxiu’s hand firmly, “This time, if our Bai family can retreat to Shuoyang intact, the capital still needs someone to hold the fort. You have always been composed and dependable. With you in the capital… Eldest Sister can rest assured.”

Bai Jinxiu pressed her lips together, suddenly understanding Bai Qingyan’s intentions. Eldest Sister was planning for the Bai family’s future. The Bai family…. Retreating to Shuoyang was only temporary. Eldest Sister intended to lead the Bai family back one day!

Now that she realised Bai Qingyan had plans in place, Bai Jinxiu would not be the one to hold them back. She raised her eyes with a calm expression and nodded, “Eldest Sister, don’t worry. I will not disappoint Eldest Sister. I will stay in the capital and await your return.”

“Eldest Miss, my cousin is here!” Chuntao called softly from outside the door.

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinxiu quickly wiped her tears with a handkerchief, tidied up her appearance, and sat properly beside the intricately carved copper brazier.

“Let Chen Qingsheng come in,” Bai Qingyan said.

Chen Qingsheng entered, noticing Bai Jinxiu was also present. He immediately bowed respectfully, keeping his head lowered, “Greetings to Eldest Miss, greetings to Second Miss.”

Bai Qingyan sat by the small table next to the sofa. Without avoiding Bai Jinxiu, she asked directly, “Have you heard about what happened in front of the Duke’s residence today?”

Chen Qingsheng was astute and observant. Since Eldest Miss did not mind Second Miss being present during their conversation, she evidently was not afraid of her knowing. He replied honestly, “I have heard about it. Eldest Miss, please give your instructions!”

Lowering her gaze, Bai Qingyan opened the gilded incense burner’s lid, holding a plain silver stick to stir the ash inside. She suppressed the overwhelming and terrifying murderous intent in her eyes as she spoke, “The words ‘stubborn misuse of troops’ were sent by Prince Xin! The people behind this dared to strike against our Bai family, hoping to shift the blame for Prince Xin’s failed military campaign onto us, aiming to incriminate the Bai family further by fabricating charges of harming the soldiers’ families. They sought to add fuel to the flames and ruin our family’s reputation. Since they have failed, it’s now time for the Bai family to retaliate and let them understand that once they disturb these waters, it will not be so easy to restore calm.”

“Don’t worry, Eldest Miss, this servant understands what needs to be done! If they want to use rumours to attack our Duke’s residence, we can repay in kind. This servant is good with such matters and experienced in it! This servant will not disappoint Eldest Miss…” Chen Qingsheng promised.

Bai Qingyan replaced the incense burner’s lid and looked at Chen Qingsheng solemnly, “Thank you for your hard work! Go and handle it!”

Bai Jinzhi had endured the lashes, and though Lu Ping had shown restraint as instructed, her back was still left bruised and bloodied.

Tough as ever, Bai Jinzhi knew in her heart that she was at fault. She gritted her teeth and bore the punishment without uttering a single sound. Refusing to let anyone carry her, she walked back to her courtyard on her own.

When Third Miss Bai Jintong entered with Jin Chuang ointment to see Bai Jinzhi, she saw Bai Jinzhi lying on the sofa and crying secretly. Hearing the door open, Bai Jinzhi hastily lowered her head and wiped her tears on the pillow.

“Eldest Sister instructed Uncle Ping to go easy on you. Your injuries are already considered mild,” Bai Jintong said as she washed her hands and sat by the bed. She pulled the brazier closer then gently lifted the quilt and began applying the medicinal ointment to Bai Jinzhi’s wounds.

“Do you accept Eldest Sister’s punishment today?” Bai Jintong asked, glancing at Bai Jinzhi, who was still secretly crying into the pillow.

Perhaps Bai Jintong used too much force while applying the medicine, as Bai Jinzhi’s body stiffened, and she responded in a muffled voice, “Yes, I know! I’ll change my impulsive behaviour! From now on, I’ll act only after making plans.”

“Do you understand what Eldest Sister meant by the phrase… outwardly spontaneous, inwardly composed?” Bai Jintong intentionally reminded Bai Jinzhi.

Bai Jinzhi propped herself on one elbow, turning to look at Bai Jintong.

Bai Jintong applied the medicine to Bai Jinzhi, covered her with the quilt, wiped her hands with a towel and said, “Eldest Sister didn’t mean for you to change your entire way of doing things! People often say that being soft on the outside and firm within is the best way to deal with the world, but you can do the opposite! Everyone in the capital knows you are straightforward and impulsive in your actions, famous for your sense of justice. If you can use this to disguise yourself as a pig eating a tiger, you can do things others cannot. No one will guard against someone they believe to be simple and unscheming.”

Hearing the words ‘simple and unscheming’, Bai Jinzhi almost grew angry, her brows furrowing tightly.

“It doesn’t matter how others see you, as long as you know in your heart who you are. Always remember that you’re the Fourth Miss of the Bai family, a family of the Zhenguo Duke’s residence! We don’t have the profound wisdom of strategists, so we must be cautious and composed within, making plans before we act. Outwardly straightforward… inwardly flexible. If you can always grasp the situation in your heart, you’ll accomplish brilliant things. Think carefully about what you should do!”

“A thousand ships sail by the sunken boat, and ten thousand trees bloom in front of the dying tree! Even though the Bai family’s men are gone, there’s still Eldest Sister… and us! We may be girls, but we must support the Bai family! Bai family members may die, but… our spirit must not wane, our resilience must not falter, and our ambition must not be extinguished!”

Bai Jintong’s eyes, so strikingly similar to Bai Qingyan’s, reddened. She grasped Bai Jinzhi’s shoulder firmly and continued, “Third Sister knows that from Grandfather down to our Seventeenth Brother, none of them will ever return. I know you are afraid, helpless, and furious in your heart at the despicable villains slandering our grandfather! Third Sister feel the same! But now, with our Bai family teetering on the edge of destruction, we can’t afford to be afraid or chaotic, and even more so we can’t vent our anger recklessly! We must help Eldest Aunt and Eldest Sister instead of causing more trouble.”

Bai Jinzhi’s eyes were suddenly overwhelmed with tears when her inner thoughts were laid bare. The shame of nearly bringing disaster upon the Bai family with her actions today made shame creep into her heart. She clutched the bed sheets tightly, “Don’t worry, Third Sister! Jinzhi understands!”