Before the mother and child could even react.
A man strode over, sharply rebuking Si He.
“Are you blind? You didn’t even move aside for the Si Family’s horse?”
The guards at the city gate hurried over to help Si He up, sighing in relief upon finding the child unharmed.
“Young Master Si, this woman didn’t mean it. She just entered the city gate with her child and couldn’t react in time. Please be magnanimous and overlook this minor offense.”
The man before them was the Si Family’s Third Young Master, Si Zhao.
“Hmph, it’s fine if you were scared, but if my sister had been frightened, I wouldn’t have let you off.”
It seemed the matter would end here.
But Si He shielded Qing Bao in her arms.
Standing up, she declared righteously, “As a General, riding so recklessly in the city and harming people—isn’t that your fault?”
“Oh dear, are you trying to get yourself killed? General Si just achieved military merits, and Young Master Si is famously the Si Family’s little devil. Let it pass and leave quickly!”
The guard lowered his voice, urgently urging Si He to depart.
He too had a wife and children at home, naturally fearing the mother might provoke someone and endanger her child.
Si He thanked the guard for his kindness, then turned her gaze to Si Zhao and Si Yao.
Si Zhao glanced at her sideways, then straightened up, scrutinizing her from head to toe. “Si He, it’s you?”
“Oh, not content with being the village belle anymore? Heard Su Xiao returned victorious and rushed back to the city hoping to become the General’s Wife?”
His tone dripped with disdain and mockery.
Si He took a deep breath and said firmly, “Whether I return to the capital or not is none of your business. Your horse injured me—shouldn’t you apologize?”
“Apologize? Hahaha! I, a young master from the Minister’s household, apologize to a village girl like you?”
He then glanced at Si He’s arm. “There’s not even a drop of blood—you call this an injury?”
“Oh, I see. You’re just saying this to extort money from us, aren’t you?”
Si Zhao untied a money pouch from his waist and tossed a silver ingot on the ground. “Take it. This should be enough for your wretched family to survive a year.”
“Take the money and scram. Don’t block the way. My one and only dear sister Yao Yao is in a hurry to greet someone.”
He deliberately emphasized “one and only” with perfect clarity.
Afraid that Si He might still harbor illusions about the Si Family’s young lady position.
After all, a wild girl raised in the countryside, never having seen such splendor and wealth—who knows what shameful things she might do for money?
Si Zhao’s lackeys burst into loud laughter.
Si He stood facing them, opposing Si Zhao’s group as they surrounded and insulted her.
Yet she remained steadfast with one firm statement: “Without an apology, I will not move aside.”
As more commoners gathered, Si Yao, seated on her horse, adopted a magnanimous expression and said to Si Zhao:
“Third Brother, women already have it hard enough in this world. Why make things difficult for them? Let this matter go.”
Her words resonated with many women present.
Immediately, an elderly woman stepped forward. “Miss, since General Si says to let it go, you should step aside and take your child home.”
“If I hadn’t protected my child in time, those iron-shod hooves would have struck Qing Bao! I don’t want money—I just want an apology from those responsible!”
Si He stood her ground, her plain clothing unable to conceal her striking beauty.
Her unyielding gaze fixed directly on Si Yao.
Si Yao was slightly taken aback—a village woman actually possessed such eyes and demeanor.
But so what? Si He was merely a discarded woman despised by both the Si and Su families.
Si Yao snorted coldly, “I have no time for your nonsense. General Su is waiting for me to fetch him on horseback. If I’m even a moment late, you can’t bear the consequences!”
She tightened her grip on her whip, already showing signs of wanting to take action.
“That’s right, General Si has chosen not to pursue this further and even spoke up for you. How can you be so stubborn and ungrateful?”
“Step aside, set your petty schemes aside. Don’t think we don’t know you’re just after more silver. General Si isn’t fooled by the tricks of a woman like you.”
“She’s already shown great magnanimity by forgiving your extortion. What more do you want?”
The onlookers chimed in, trying to persuade Si He.
Si Zhao had lost all patience and said to Si Yao, “Sister, go ahead on your way. Dealing with this kind of woman isn’t worth dirtying your whip!”
As soon as he finished speaking, with just a glance from Si Zhao, several lackeys swarmed forward, grabbing Si He and trying to drag her off the road.
With a “swish,” an unexpected red light struck the lackeys’ hands, forcing them back several steps, their faces filled with shock.
Qing Bao, who had been shielded behind her mother all this time, peeked out her little head.
In a clear, crisp voice, she addressed the adults, “A gentleman uses his words, not his hands. Everything should be based on reason. You can’t bully others just because you hold high status.”
After speaking, the little one boldly lifted her head and looked directly at Si Yao.
Qing Bao’s clear gaze swept over Si Yao’s general’s horse.
The horse beneath Si Yao suddenly went wild, shaking violently and throwing her to the ground.
“What’s wrong with this horse?”
“That shouldn’t be possible. This is a trained Ferghana horse—it wouldn’t go mad and throw its owner for no reason.”
“General Si, are you alright?”
“I thought General Si was highly skilled in martial arts. How could she be thrown off so easily?”
The commoners murmured among themselves, making Si Yao burn with shame. Clenching her teeth, she stood up and glared at Si He.
“You dare lay hands on my horse? Si He, what are you trying to do?”
Si He met her gaze calmly but firmly. “I’ve said it before—all I want is an apology!”
Without an apology, she would never let this rest.
“Hah, me apologize to you? I’m a Female General appointed by the imperial court. What exactly are you?” Si Yao sneered contemptuously.
Si Zhao pointed at Si He’s nose and scolded, “Don’t force me to slap you right here on the street!”
No sooner had he spoken than a mysterious black energy materialized out of nowhere and slapped Si Zhao across the face.
He spun around frantically, confused like a Ma Lou, cursing repeatedly:
“Who was it? Who did that?”
A brush quietly hid behind Qing Bao, who reached out and patted its furry tip.
With a serious expression, the little one said:
“My mother is General Su’s wife, and you’re just his concubine. If we’re comparing status, you should be the one apologizing.”
“I’m just a child, and even I understand this principle. How come you don’t, Auntie?”