The Eldest Legitimate Daughter is Both Beautiful and Valiant (ELDBBV) - Chapter 74

The news that the Bai family’s Fourth Miss had lashed out with a whip at the troublemakers who valued wealth over loyalty outside the Duke’s residence and was consequently sentenced to fifty strikes under the family law quickly spread among the common folk.

Some praised the Duke’s residence for its noble sense of justice in saying, the world may betray me but I will never betray the world!

Yet, others felt that the Duke’s residence was too weak. How could they allow outsiders to stir up trouble at their door, have their own daughter fight back, and still subject her to family discipline?

When discussing the matter, people inevitably recalled Eldest Miss Bai’s deafening and furious question outside the Duke’s gates. In an instant… talk turned to the claim about the Zhenguo Duke’s stubborn mismanagement of military affairs leading to a crushing defeat in Nanjiang, a claim that had earned him widespread scorn.

Some people thought about Prince Xin who had returned alive. No one knew who started it… But whispers spread that the Zhenguo Duke’s alleged stubborn misuse of the army was probably just Prince Xin trying to protect himself by shifting blame for the military defeat onto the deceased hero.

Some even suspected that the instigator bribing the soldier’s family members causing a scene at the Duke’s gates today was none other than Prince Xin himself.

The rumours spiralled out of control, and as the saying goes, three men make a tiger. Before long, the people firmly believed this version of events to be the truth.

In less than half a day, every household in the capital city had people whispering and cursing Prince Xin, and the words grew increasingly harsh.

Some bold men even ran to the gates of Prince Xin’s residence to spit at the door before walking away in anger.

Meanwhile, the advisors at Prince Xin’s residence were like ants on a hot pan, gathering in the council hall but failing to come up with any effective plan after half a day of discussion.

“Fortunately, we’ve at least confirmed that the Bai family doesn’t have the military records in their possession for now! At this moment… Our priority must be to secure those records!” one advisor, frowning deeply, said as he stood under the bright lamp.

“There’s no other option for now! We should also tighten our surveillance on the Duke’s residence. If anyone suspicious enters or leaves, report it immediately!”

An elderly man in a blue robe stood beneath the lamplight. He shook his head, “When reporting military affairs this time, Prince Xin was so eager to cover up his mistakes that he used the phrase ‘stubborn misuse of military troops.’ His attempt to shift blame was far too obvious, it was a mistake! A complete mistake!”

On the fifth day of the New Year, Prince Xin would be escorting the coffin back to the capital. Meanwhile, the Zhenguo Dukes household had unexpectedly been struck by a great loss. Fortunately, thanks to Dong-shi’s usual strict management of the household, the Bai family was united. Although it was still the festive season, and it had only been three into the New Year, the Duke’s household had already completed all necessary preparations.

It was just that neither the Princess Dowager, nor Bai Qingyan’s mother, nor any of the aunts had been able to reach a final decision on the funeral ritual of smashing the clay pot in front of the coffin.

Currently, all the men in the Bai family had perished, leaving only an illegitimate son who had not yet been officially entered into the family genealogy, and it was unknown whether Fifth Madam would give birth to a boy or a girl.

If this illegitimate son, Bai Qingxuan, were to break the clay pot in front of the coffin, it would signify that the Bai family had recognised his status and, perhaps even more significantly… entrusted the Bai family’s entire honour and legacy to him. If the Zhenguo Duke’s title could be preserved, he would undoubtedly be the one to inherit it.

However, this boy was known for his cruel and violent temperament, without any sense of benevolence or righteousness. The Princess Dowager, Dong-shi, and the other madams felt uneasy entrusting the future of the Bai family to him.

The madams spent an entire afternoon in the Princess Dowager’s Changshou Courtyard discussing the matter, yet they failed to reach a decision. Meanwhile, some witty servants, discerning the winds of change, eagerly rushed to Qingming Courtyard to curry favour.

Even Bai Qingxuan’s mother began adopting the airs of the future madam of the Zhenguo Duke’s household. At this critical juncture, during the mourning period at the Duke’s Residence, she brazenly ignored the prohibition on eating meat imposed by the heir’s wife, Dong-shi. One moment, she was demanding that the kitchen send her son bird’s nest soup from bl00d swallows, the next, she wanted honey-glazed steamed ham, and then she asked for stewed pork knuckle, after which her son then complained that the sugar-steamed fluffy cakes were too greasy. A moment later, she criticised the maids, saying they were not beautiful enough and were sullying her son’s “noble eyes.”

And yet, some opportunistic servants still tried to please this mother and son, secretly delivering delicacies to Qingming Courtyard in various ways.

Some maids, having heard that Bai Qingxuan was greedy for beauties, even had inappropriate thoughts and went to Qingming Courtyard, relying on their own appearances.

Bai Qingyan stood by the copper brazier, listening quietly as the stewardess nanny she had planted in Qingming Courtyard reported the things that had happened in recent days with a calm, measured tone.

“Second Concubine has been spreading word in Qingming Courtyard… Saying that whoever dares to harm her son now will be repaid strike for strike when the time comes.” The stewardess nanny understood very well that these words were directed at the Eldest Miss, and she dared not withhold this information.

“You have worked hard, Nanny. Qingming Courtyard still needs your close supervision. At this critical moment, nothing must be allowed to spiral out of control,” Bai Qingyan instructed, looking up at the experienced stewardess nanny before her.

“Rest assured, Eldest Miss! If anything happens, this old servant will send someone to inform you immediately,” the stewardess nanny replied.

Chuntao escorted the stewardess nanny to the door. Just as she was about to lift the curtain and return inside to attend to Bai Qingyan, she spotted Aunty Tong entering the gates of Qinghui Courtyard in a hurry, carrying a bundle under her arm.

Chuntao’s eyes reddened, and she rushed forward, curtsying as her voice choked with emotion, “Aunty Tong, you have returned!”

Though Aunty Tong of Qinghui Courtyard was typically strict and stern, rarely smiling, and had always kept the servants in Qinghui Courtyard tightly in line, she was experienced after all. The more difficult the situation, the steadier she became.

Now that a catastrophe as grave as the sky collapsing had befallen the Duke’s residence, with Aunty Tong’s return, the servants finally felt they had someone they could rely on.

Aunty Tong helped Chuntao up. Her eyes were red and her already stiff expression became even more solemn, “How is Eldest Miss?! Is her health holding up?!”

“Don’t worry, Aunty! Eldest Miss is doing well! She’s holding up!” Chuntao said, tears streaming down her face.

So many things had happened in the short time Aunty Tong had been away. On the surface, Chuntao had managed to stay strong like Eldest Miss, but the moment Aunty Tong returned, she could no longer keep it together. Thinking about Chunyan, that shameless and despicable creature, and the tragic fate that had befallen all the men of the Bai family, Chuntao could not stop her tears from falling.

While Aunty Tong had been away, she had heard many rumours about Eldest Miss, but her heart was still uneasy and she could not help worrying. Only now, hearing Chuntao’s words, did she finally feel reassured.

“I’ll tidy myself up first, then go see the young lady,” Aunty Tong said. Then she entered the side room to tidy up her clothes. Standing by the brazier to dispel the chill from her body, she then entered the main room to pay her respects to Bai Qingyan.

Aunty Tong had rushed back when she heard of the disaster at the Duke’s residence and was exhausted. Her eyes turned red the moment she saw Bai Qingyan. She gave Bai Qingyan a long, searching look and saw that Bai Qingyan seemed even healthier and stronger than when she had left. She finally felt at ease.

Bai Qingyan told Chuntao to help Aunty Tong sit down on an embroidered stool and asked, “Nanny, you’ve returned in such haste. Is everything settled at home?”

Aunty Tong’s son had been severely ill, which was why she had left to take care of him. Originally, Bai Qingyan had sent word asking Aunty Tong to stay home until after the New Year, but it seemed that upon hearing about the deaths of the Bai family’s men, Aunty Tong had immediately rushed back, a testament to her unwavering loyalty.

“Everything has been settled, Eldest Miss, so please do not worry. On this trip back, this servant also carried out a request from your wet nurse, Aunty Jin, and brought your foster brothers back from the estate! Aunty Jin said that, with such a major event occurring in the Bai family, it is precisely the time when people are needed. She sent your two foster brothers back to the Duke’s residence to serve the First Madam and Eldest Miss. Aunty Jin asked me to tell Eldest Miss… Do not be afraid. The Bai family’s loyal servants are all here, ready to follow the commands of the First Madam and Eldest Miss.”