“Aunt?”
“So this must be the other young lady of the Si Family?”
“What other young lady does the Si Family have?”
“You all don’t know this, but the biological daughter of the Si Family was stolen at birth. Later, Lady Si missed her daughter too much and adopted Si Yao to raise as her own. Three years ago, the biological daughter was found and returned, and both the adopted and biological daughters married the same man. The whole capital knew about it at the time.”
“Oh my, marrying the same man? If you ask me, the biological daughter is utterly shameless—she stole the adopted daughter’s fiancé as soon as she was recognized.”
“The fiancé you’re talking about—it couldn’t be General Su, could it?”
“Exactly…”
In an instant, rumors spread like wildfire among the capital’s residents.
Back then, because Si He was the biological daughter, she became the official wife, while Si Yao, as the adopted daughter, became the co-wife.
But anyone with eyes could see that the husband should have been Si Yao’s, because on her wedding day, Si Yao wore the bright red dress of the principal wife.
Moreover, General Si Yao and General Su returned together after achieving military merits, making them a perfect match.
Thus, everyone speculated that Si He must have stolen Si Yao’s fiancé.
So this woman before them was that shameless General’s Wife and her unloved child?
The crowd’s gazes were filled with contempt.
She was blocking the way, demanding justice and an apology, but in reality, she was just jealous of General Si’s heroic bearing, military achievements, and noble title.
Hearing the people’s discussions, Si Yao was in high spirits. She approached Si He and said,
“Sister, ever since you returned to the Si Family, I’ve been yielding to you at every turn. Today is the day my husband returns in triumph. Are you blocking my way intentionally to compete for the General’s favor?”
“Rest assured, I won’t compete with you for a man’s affection. After all, I don’t rely on men to get by, and I despise your inner-household tactics.”
“Step aside! I need to go greet the General!”
Si Yao reached out and boldly patted Si He’s shoulder.
To men, this seemed like nothing more than an ordinary, everyday gesture.
But Si He dodged it.
She had never feared gossip and could let go of wealth, but she would never compromise her dignity.
With a cold expression, she said, “Even the Son of Heaven is subject to the same laws as commoners when he breaks them. Just now, many pairs of eyes saw you riding your horse and crashing into someone. Since you’re so magnanimous, I’m sure you wouldn’t hesitate to apologize and avoid lingering here with me, right?”
“Si He, don’t push your luck when given face.” Si Zhao’s face turned red, and his neck bulged—he had truly had enough.
At that moment, a slap came out of nowhere and struck his face again. Enraged, Si Zhao beat up the people around him.
Qing Bao frowned and muttered, “Noisy, so noisy it’s killing me.”
If this were the Netherworld, she’d have them all arrested, fried in oil until golden and crispy, enough to make the neighboring children drool with envy.
Unfortunately, there were too many people around, and Qing Bao couldn’t make a move.
“Oh? Many pairs of eyes saw it? Tell me, who saw it?” Si Yao turned to look at the guards at the gate.
The guards shrank back and quickly hid in the crowd.
The other commoners also fell silent instantly.
The women let out admiring screams.
“General Si, a role model for our generation.”
“She made a man shut up with her strength—so cool!”
“She really stood up for us women!”
Si Yao’s vanity was further satisfied. She turned back to Si He and said, “Even if I don’t go greet the General, I have plenty of time to deal with you.”
“If someone steps forward and says I crashed into you, then I’ll apologize.”
As soon as these words were spoken.
Instantly, the area around Si He was completely empty.
At that moment, a little milk bun beside the teacher silently raised a chubby hand and said in a crisp voice,
“I saw you bump into her… mmph!”
The next instant, the adorable child was muffled by her parent and dragged back into the crowd.
Qing Bao shouted loudly, “I saw it too! It was you who bumped into her!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding children chimed in one after another, “I… I saw it too.”
“Father, Mother, why aren’t we telling the truth?”
“Grandma, didn’t you teach me to be honest?”
Seeing someone take the lead, the children who had been watching the commotion all began to speak up.
Among them, a little boy was slapped the moment he spoke.
He cried out, “The teacher taught us to be honest, but you adults are lying. You’re not our role models!”
The children’s innocent words immediately made the surrounding common people ashamed.
The children brought by the teacher all had such sincere and pure eyes, completely untainted by self-interest.
A sensible commoner spoke up quietly, “General Si, just apologize.”
The discussion grew louder again.
Si Yao’s cheeks burned with panic.
What did this mean?
Was it really her fault?
“You’re at the height of your influence now. What would happen if this matter escalates and reaches the emperor or the civil and military officials?”
Qing Bao said sternly, her little face serious and her voice crisp.
She had always understood human nature—human hearts were more terrifying than ghosts.
But children were the purest and kindest treasures in the world. If they didn’t grow crooked, they would always stand up for justice.
Si Yao panicked.
Si Zhao also whispered, “Little sister, it’s not worth losing face as a Female General over a village woman.”
Sometimes, being able to bend and stretch, admitting mistakes openly and generously, could win people’s hearts even more.
Si Yao felt relieved. She laughed heartily, “Good sister, it was my fault earlier. I was just joking with you. Let’s go drinking another day, us sisters.”
After saying this, she was about to mount her horse.
But with one look from Qing Bao, the horse began thrashing wildly again, throwing her off.
Si Yao’s expression turned grim.
“Auntie, that doesn’t count as an apology. To apologize, you must bow and loudly say the three words ‘I’m sorry.’ If you can’t do it, the horse won’t carry you. Horses don’t like dishonest people.”
Qing Bao stretched out her chubby little hand, and the horse immediately pressed its face against her palm, docile and gentle.
Good horse, truly a worthy friend of Ma Mian.
Si Yao found it increasingly hard to back down.
But with so many commoners and children watching her, she had no choice but to swallow her humiliation. Closing her eyes, she shouted,
“Sorry, is that enough?”
“It’s three words, not six,” Qing Bao added, twisting the knife.
Si Yao took a deep breath, barely restraining the urge to whip Qing Bao to death.
“I’m sorry!”
Si He’s tense expression finally relaxed.
She patted her daughter’s fluffy head and looked at Si Yao. “My clothes are torn. It’ll cost five coppers to have a tailor mend them.”
“And you say it’s not about the money? Scrounging for a mere five coppers? Si He, have you gone mad with poverty?”
Si Zhao picked up the silver piece from the ground disdainfully and tossed it to Si He. “This is one tael. Keep the change!”
Si He reached out to catch it, then took out a money pouch from her bosom.
The pouch was made from new fabric, looking fresh and exquisite, with embroidery on it.
She carefully gathered the scattered silver from inside and gave it to Si Zhao.
Si Zhao stared blankly at the jumble of silver fragments and copper coins in his palm, momentarily stunned.
“Third Brother, what are you thinking? Arguing over five copper coins for so long—I’m so annoyed by such a petty woman,” Si Yao said, watching the mother and daughter leave as the surrounding crowd dispersed, stomping her foot to urge Si Zhao.
Si Zhao snapped out of his daze, a strange thought seeming to sprout in his heart.
Perhaps Si He wasn’t the greedy person they had imagined.
“Report—General Si, it’s terrible!”
A scout soldier, in his panic, fell from his horse and tumbled to kneel before Si Yao.
“General Su has been enveloped by black energy on his way back and is in critical danger!!!”
“What?!!”