Chapter 70
“The Bai family, since it was established by our ancestor, has been bestowed the title of Duke of Zhen! Isn’t a century of glory recorded in history books enough?! My father, uncles, and brothers were all conferred as generals! Their ranks and honors could not be higher! What kind of military achievements could surpass the prestige of our Bai family’s army, which has deterred Daliang and Rong from invading for ten years?! What kind of military merit demanded my grandfather to fight until all the men of our family were extinguished?! Even if the descendants of the Bai family lay on the laurels of our ancestors, why can’t we enjoy the peace and prosperity in Dadu City?”
Bai Qingyan pointed at the imperial plaque with black background and gold characters above her head, “Live for the people, die for the country! The Bai family only wishes not to be ashamed of the title of Zhen above our heads! Only to guard the peaceful mountains and rivers of Jin, so that our people live without fear! Life or death, no regrets!”
“But in the end, in this prosperous Dadu City… those who compose poetry and indulge in pleasures enjoy glory! While the heroic souls of the Bai family who died in the war to protect the country are accused of using military merit to harm their fellow soldiers! How is this just?!”
She turned to the side, pointing with five fingers towards the twenty-some coffins lined up inside the main gate of the Duke’s Mansion, “Tell me… If my grandfather killed your sons, then who killed my grandfather?! Who killed the men of the Bai family?! Even ten-year-old children of the Bai family shed blood on the battlefield! Whose ten-year-old child ever marched to war?! Whose ten-year-old child could ride a horse with a sword to kill the enemy?! Who is willing to let their ten-year-old child die in battle for the country?! Who?!”
Her voice grew louder with each question; every word was like a pearl, her voice thunderous. Yet the pain in her heart was unbearable, making her body tremble.
The people were also shaken by Bai Qingyan’s words. Their hairs stood on end, and their eyes filled with hot tears. They were moved by the loyalty and righteousness of the Bai family, feeling a mix of sorrow and righteous indignation as they stared at the troublemakers.
…
Qin Shangzhi, who was recuperating at the Duke’s Mansion, hurried over when he heard that the families of soldiers were causing trouble at the gate, intending to help the Bai family in gratitude for their hospitality.
He did not expect that upon arrival, he would hear Bai Qingyan’s heart-wrenching and soul-stirring questions, which moved him to tears, wishing he could take up a sword immediately and join the Bai men in battle, defending his country with his blood.
Bai Jinxiu, with blood on her face, clutched her chest and knelt on the ground, crying bitterly to the sky, “Grandfather, open your eyes and see… These are the people the Bai family fought to protect! The Bai family sacrificed their lives for the people… Eldest Young Lady was severely injured for killing bandits! The men of the Bai family are all dead! And in return, we are slandered! Grandfather… You taught us to sacrifice for the people, to love and protect them! But who will protect the Bai family?!”
Hearing Bai Jinxiu’s cries as she knelt, Bai Jinzhi bit her lip and couldn’t hold back her own sobs after enduring for so many days.
The servants of the Bai family, dressed in mourning clothes, were already in tears. Some knelt and cried out to the Duke, and others clutched wooden sticks, wishing to beat the troublemakers to death.
The onlookers at the gate also had tears running down their faces, moved by the spirit and dedication of the Bai family.
They wiped their tears with their sleeves, gritting their teeth and cursing at the families of the soldiers causing trouble at the gate.
“The one causing trouble earlier was Wang Ergou’s stepmother, a shameless woman… Wang Ergou isn’t her biological son, of course, she wished for his death! The entire male line of the Duke of Zhen’s family died defending the country! But she’s brazen enough to make a scene here! She only wants money! Heartless dog…” one of them cursed.
“Shame on her! The Duke of Zhen’s family protects the people of Jin, even when they have an enormous tragedy in their family, she still dares to ask for money! They should be sent to the border, let the Nanyan Army and the Xiliang army torment them! Then they’ll understand the worth of the Duke’s family!”
“All the men of the Duke of Zhen’s family are dead, and now, the Nanyan and Xiliang allied forces are breaking through the southern borders. With Daliang and Rong watching like tigers, who will protect Jin in the future?!”
“Don’t worry! The daughters of the Duke’s family are just as brave! The eldest young lady, second young lady, and third young lady all fought on the battlefield! The eldest young lady even personally killed Shu Kingdom’s Great General Pang Pingguo and crushed the kingdom that humiliated Jin!”
After those words, the people looked up at Bai Qingyan standing high above. They saw Bai Qingyan with tears in her eyes, her face like frost. And Bai Jinxiu, who was clutching her chest, cried so much that she needed two maids to support her; seeing this, the spectators felt even more sorrowful.
The eldest, second, and third young ladies of the Bai family were indeed formidable, but they were still young women…
“These scoundrels don’t understand respect for the deceased. Making trouble now, aren’t they afraid of breaking the hearts of the Duke’s widows?!”
Some of the people had already started sobbing. Their emotions were affecting each other, creating a wave of righteous fury. They glared at the troublemaking families so fiercely that those at the back were already stealthily retreating, planning to slip away unnoticed.
Wang Ergou’s stepmother, who had caused the most disturbance, was trembling with fear, unable to find a place to hide under the hostile stares that wanted to tear her apart. Pretending to be tough, she said, “Your Duke’s family may have great achievements, but who would ever have too much merit?! Of course, the more the better!”
Bai Jintong stepped forward, tears in her eyes, gritting her teeth, “How dare you mention military merits! What kind of merits require over twenty coffins that can’t even fit in our hall, having to line them up out here in broad daylight?! Tell me, what kind of merits caused my elderly grandmother to lose her husband, sons, and grandsons?! If you came here to make a scene, then tell me… what kind of merits did my grandfather desire?!”
The people’s emotions grew even more intense, many strong men ready to fight.
“Damn it! Their whole family died for the country and the people, and you still cause trouble here! Do you want to get beaten?!”
Lu Yuanpeng and Xiao Rongyan arrived with guards, dragging two bloodied bandits, slowly approaching the Duke’s Mansion.
As they discussed how to approach the Duke’s family about this matter, Lu Yuanpeng saw a large crowd gathered at the mansion’s gate.
“Brother Xiao, I’ll go ahead and check it out! You bring the others! Don’t steal my credit!” Lu Yuanpeng said, mounting his horse and riding away.
Xiao Rongyan smiled faintly, but his eyes were sharp. He had already noticed Bai Qingyan standing in mourning attire at the gate, and ordered, “Send two guards to take the bandits over first.”
“Yes!” his subordinate responded.
Remembering the note, Xiao Rongyan’s expression grew even more profound.