"Don't cry, miss. Lord Bai is a kind - hearted man, and Miss Bai is gentle. There must be some misunderstanding about your elder brother's matter," an old woman said gently, trying to console the girl.
But upon hearing this, the girl's sobs grew louder. She whimpered, "I knew it. Even if we went to the yamen to seek justice, this would be the result. But my elder brother was truly captured by the Bai Mansion.
Even if there is a misunderstanding, why does the Bai Mansion refuse to receive guests? Until now, no one has come forward to explain.
Are we commoners doomed to be bullied?
Is there no justice under the emperor's nose?"
These words, full of sobs and complaints, made Bai Yinan's face flush with anger.
"Outrageous!"
He stared with wide - open eyes, clenched his fists tightly, and suddenly stood up.
But he was blocked by a slender hand.
Following the arm covered in a moon - white gauze, Bai Yinan's gaze landed on Bai Zheng's calm eyebrows and eyes.
"Father," Bai Zheng smiled slightly. "The trouble - maker outside is a woman. Father, you are a man. No matter what you say to her now, it's hard to avoid getting the reputation of bullying a weak woman.
Moreover, this matter all started because of me. Logically and emotionally, it's most appropriate for me to handle this."
Outside the carriage, after hearing the girl's complaints, the old woman sighed deeply. The onlookers all sided with this desperate girl. Some even said indignantly,
"Don't cry, miss. The Bai Mansion is just a third - rank official's residence. In Yongding, there are many places to seek justice. If all else fails, you can go to the prefectural yamen and beat the drum to file a complaint. Heaven is just, and you will surely get justice!"
"That's right, brother. Heaven is just. Under the emperor's nose, justice will surely be served for our Bai Mansion," Bai Zheng replied loudly.
As soon as Bai Zheng's voice sounded, the girl's sobs and the onlookers' condemnations suddenly stopped. Everyone followed the sound and looked towards the street corner, where a simple blue - felt carriage had appeared at some point.
The coachman jumped off the carriage neatly and respectfully lifted the carriage curtain. A slender girl stepped out gracefully.
The girl was wearing a light - blue long dress with a moon - white gauze overcoat, making her look out of this world.
When she lowered her head and stepped out of the carriage, everyone clearly saw that there were no ornaments in her hair bun, only a uniquely - styled wooden hairpin. Her attire was very simple.
But when she raised her head and looked back with her black - and - white eyes, not only the onlookers but also the trouble - making girl couldn't help but hold their breath.
In those eyes, the dark pupils were as bright as shiny lacquer. That kind of clarity was supposed to be only found in children, but on the girl's calm face, it had a different meaning.
Her gaze passed through the crowd and fixed on the girl sitting in front of the Bai Mansion with tear - stained cheeks. She bent her eyebrows and said gently,
"Miss, tell me. Do you want to go to the prefectural yamen now and accuse our Bai Mansion of abducting commoners, or should our Bai Mansion send someone to the prefectural yamen and ask if it's meddling when our Bai Mansion raids a bandit nest and captures the bandit leader?"
The girl was slightly stunned. When she came to her senses, her face turned pale. Because of her guilt, her voice became louder as she shouted, "What are you talking about? Who is the bandit leader?"
Only then did Bai Zheng see clearly that the trouble - making girl in front of her was extremely beautiful.
Since she came to this world, she had seen countless beautiful women.
Not to mention others, just her two cousins, Bai Sheng and Bai Di. Although Bai Zheng disdained their personalities and behaviors, she had to admit from the bottom of her heart that they were extremely beautiful.
Especially the eldest cousin, Bai Sheng. With her flawless features and elegant and noble demeanor, she was like a fairy descending to the mortal world, attracting many young masters in Yongding to pursue her.
But facing this girl in front of her, Bai Zheng understood why the onlookers so easily believed her words and sided with her.
She was really too beautiful.
Even standing there in a mess, her fair skin and beautiful appearance couldn't be concealed. Her eyebrows were full of affection, and her eyes were like flowing water.
Even a simple plain silk dress was worn by her with a delicate and charming posture, with a kind of fresh and elegant natural beauty.
Her slender waist made her figure look as slender as a willow.
Under the blue sky, she stood upright. With a slight glare from her watery eyes and a pout of her cherry - like lips, her angry and charming look took away half of people's souls.
"Miss, you probably don't know what your friend's elder brother has done. It's understandable. After all, being a bandit is not a glorious thing. If I were him, I wouldn't want my family to know," Bai Zheng said in a softer tone.
Since she saw this girl, Bai Zheng had a clear mind. Today, no matter what, she couldn't confront her head - on.
Because this girl was too beautiful.
And this beauty was her greatest weapon.
Just seeing the girl showing a wronged expression to Bai Zheng, the onlookers wished they could stare her down. Bai Zheng knew that if she made this girl cry a little more, she might be attacked and scolded at her own mansion gate just like Princess Yunxi was.
So Bai Zheng changed her way. She tried to show a sympathetic look and continued to the girl,
"Miss, you are so beautiful. Your friend's elder brother is a man after all. In front of a beautiful woman, men care about their face. Maybe he was too ashamed to tell you the truth.
Alas, it's all his fault. Why did he lose his mind and take the wrong path back then..."
Since she couldn't confront the girl head - on today, she had to play a game with her and see who had better acting skills.
These words made the girl's face turn red and then white. For a moment, she couldn't say a word to refute. After choking for a long time, she slowly asked,
"I've met my elder brother a few times. He is honest and kind. He would never do such evil things. Even if he really became a bandit leader, it should be the prefectural yamen's job to arrest him. How could it be the Bai Mansion's turn?"
Hearing this, Bai Zheng smiled even more gently. She walked forward gracefully, gently tapped the girl's forehead, and said lovingly, "You silly girl. You don't know how powerful the bandits are."
The girl turned her slender and charming eyes to Bai Zheng. Her delicate fingers lifted and casually stroked the forehead that Bai Zheng had tapped. Her cherry - like lips were tightly pursed.
Bai Zheng then turned around and smiled at the onlookers, "Has anyone here been out of the city and seen how powerful the bandits are? Could you come out and explain it to this girl?"