Chapter 315: Let Her Be the Primary Wife

"Ahem..."

Bai Ming coughed to stop his daughter's fussing, then said in a deep voice, "Zhengshan, Jiaorong, since the matter has already occurred and we are all family, what use is there in scolding or beating? The urgent priority is for us to think of a way together to resolve this."

Chu Meixiang wiped her tears and spoke up at the right moment, "Master, I fear this matter has already spread outside the manor. I estimate that within two days, the entire Lin'an City will know of it. Our Qingtong has yet to be married off, but now her reputation is completely ruined. How is she to face people in the future, and how can she be married off?"

Bai Ming glanced at her and sighed, "Qingtong's reputation is damaged, and Zijun is not having an easy time either. If this matter is not handled properly, I fear that in next year's imperial examinations, Zijun might very well be struck from the list because of this..."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhengshan and Luo Jiaorong were filled with panic, gratitude, and shame.

At a time like this, the others were still concerned about the future of their younger brother; where else could one find such magnanimous and kind-hearted people?

Luo Jiaorong wept and kowtowed, "Great Master, Great Mistress, what virtue or ability does that little bastard have to deserve such great kindness and grace from you? It would be better to just beat him to death with sticks and be rid of a scourge!"

She was naturally saying this out of extreme agitation, hoping that the more harshly she cursed and beat her good-for-nothing brother, the more the other party might let go of their anger. As for who would actually dare to beat her brother to death, she would certainly fight them to the death.

Li Zhengshan advised from the side, "Wife, stop saying such things. The Great Master and Great Mistress just want us to think of a way to resolve this matter."

Chu Meixiang said with a bitter face, "That's right, Jiaorong. Zijun is also a member of our Bai Family. Since he made a mistake, a slight punishment will suffice; there is no need to talk of beating and killing. Fortunately, this is just a private matter within our Bai Family, and the ones hurt are all our own people. We can just close the doors and think of a way to solve it ourselves."

Bai Ming also advised, "To err is human. Zijun only committed a mistake that any man might make."

Once these words were spoken, Chu Meixiang's gaze suddenly turned strange as she looked at him; her lips moved, but she stopped herself from speaking.

"Ahem..."

Bai Ming changed the subject, "Zhengshan, Jiaorong, how do you think this matter should be resolved to be for the best?"

Luo Jiaorong's mind was currently a blank; how could she think of any way to resolve the matter?

Li Zhengshan was also encountering such a situation for the first time; for a moment, he racked his brains but could not think of any solution.

The room suddenly fell into an awkward silence.

After another moment, Bai Ming had to offer a hint, "The rumors and gossip certainly cannot be stopped, and Qingtong's reputation cannot be restored. We can only think of a way to make this act, which goes against law and ritual, as compliant with law and ritual as possible; only then can we stop future criticism."

Li Zhengshan was stunned, "Make this act, which goes against law and ritual, compliant with law and ritual?"

He muttered to himself, *A brother-in-law hooking up with his sister-in-law, the sister-in-law crawling out from under the brother-in-law's bed in front of her sister... how can such a thing possibly be made compliant with law and ritual? *

No matter how he thought about it, he could not figure out how to make it compliant with law and ritual.

Luo Jiaorong stammered, "How about we say that Zijun and the Third Miss were drunk and lost their senses, and had a drunken... encounter? Those who do not know are not blamed; it wasn't a deliberate act of illicit behavior, so there are extenuating circumstances?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

In the courtyard outside, Luo Zijun also covered his forehead.

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Li Zhengshan hurriedly scolded, glaring as he said, "Which eye of yours saw Zijun and the Third Miss having a drunken... if you don't know how to speak, then don't!"

Seeing everyone's expression, Luo Jiaorong knew she had said the wrong thing; she immediately shrank her neck, lowered her head, and shut her mouth.

Li Zhengshan had no choice but to cup his hands and say, "I wonder if the Great Master and Great Mistress have thought of any solution? If there is a way to resolve this, my wife and I, along with Zijun, will accomplish it even if it costs us our lives."

Bai Ming and Chu Meixiang exchanged a glance and said nothing.

Seeing that he was slow-witted, Chu Meixiang could not help but want to say it directly, but Bai Ming gave a light cough and said, "We cannot think of a good solution for the moment; we can only think about it further. Every problem has a solution. After you two return, please help think about it as well. Actually, things like face and dignity don't need to be dwelled upon at this time; the main thing is what to do about Qingtong in the future, and how Zijun can make amends for doing such a thing to regain some reputation."

He had hinted quite clearly.

Luo Jiaorong still had a bitter face and red-rimmed eyes, looking completely bewildered.

Li Zhengshan was also in a state of mental chaos, not knowing what to do.

It was no wonder the two could not grasp the hint from this Duke's manor's Great Master. After all, given their respective statuses, and with Luo Zijun being a Matrilocal Son-in-law who had committed a grave error, even if they were given a hundred times more courage, they could not imagine the audacious idea of having their brother take both sisters.

They simply dared not think of it.

"Alright, stop kneeling. You should head back first. Think it over carefully after you return, and if you think of something, come find us."

Bai Ming shook his head secretly and spoke to see them off.

Li Zhengshan had no choice but to help Luo Jiaorong up and take his leave with trepidation.

Arriving in the courtyard and seeing his younger brother still kneeling there, Li Zhengshan could not help but sigh, and Luo Jiaorong could not help but wipe her tears and scold, "Look at the good deed you've done, you little bastard! They treat us like family, and you—you actually commit adultery in your own home, not even sparing your own sister-in-law! Your brother-in-law and I have taught you since you were young to be grateful, to know your place, to..."

"Alright, alright, Zijun already knows he was wrong. Don't make a scene here; let's go back and think of a way."