"Well, well, who might this little beauty belong to?" Xiao Jian'an took a few steps forward.
Behind him followed a group of servants, looking menacing.
Bai Wei showed no fear, "We are from the Zhenguo General's Mansion."
"Hm, I don't recall hearing about any young lady from the General's Mansion. Perhaps you're making this up, little maid."
Bai Wei: "I advise you to leave quickly, sir. Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite."
"Haha, there's actually someone in Shengjing who dares to be impolite to me."
"Men, bring this little beauty back to our mansion. As for these maids and guards, just get rid of them."
As Xiao's servants were about to act, Bai Wei said to the two guards, "Don't hold back. Just leave them barely breathing. Do they think they can bully people from our General's Mansion?"
Upon hearing Bai Wei's words, both guards drew their swords and charged towards the opposing group.
Feng Qingyi was witnessing ancient people fighting for the first time and watched with rapt attention.
The two guards moved with agility, their techniques simple yet powerful. In just moments, the group of servants was beaten black and blue.
"Bai Wei, these two brothers are amazing!" exclaimed Feng Qingyi.
Bai Wei: "Miss Qingyi, you don't know, but most of the guards in our mansion used to follow the old general into battle. Their strength is not to be underestimated."
"The princess was worried you might encounter trouble, so she chose the two most capable ones. So don't worry, nothing will happen to you."
Seeing his men overpowered, Xiao Jian'an shouted, "Do you know who my father is? If he finds out about this, he absolutely won't let you off!"
Feng Qingyi looked at Xiao Jian'an, who was now restrained by the guards, "However powerful your father might be, that's his own merit. What does it have to do with you?"
"Isn't this Miss Mu? Born in the countryside, you really don't know your manners, causing trouble as soon as you step out."
Shangguan Yi had appeared among the crowd at some point, holding a folding fan which he occasionally fluttered.
Xiao Jian'an spotted Shangguan Yi, "Shangguan, you're here! Quick, tell them to release me!"
"Isn't this Young Master Xiao? What seems to be the issue with Miss Mu here?" Shangguan Yi inquired curiously.
Xiao Jian'an had some acquaintance with Shangguan Yi. Hearing his question, he quickly said, "This lady's carriage crashed into mine, and now she's trying to extort money from me."
Bai Wei angrily retorted, "You're lying! It was clearly you who crashed into us. How dare you twist the facts!"
"Since you claim they crashed into you, do you have any evidence?" Shangguan Yi asked.
Bai Wei looked around at the bystanders, but they all avoided eye contact, clearly unwilling to be witnesses.
Shangguan Yi: "Since there are no witnesses, Miss Mu, you'd better release Young Master Xiao and apologize quickly. The Censor's Mansion is not someone you can afford to offend."
Feng Qingyi knew Shangguan Yi disliked her, and the feeling was mutual.
But to start by slandering her and then trying to force her to admit fault, one might think they had some deep grudge!
"The innocent have nothing to fear. Shangguan Yi, you didn't witness it yourself, how can you be sure it was our fault?"
"Given your attitude, I suspect you've been bullying people for a long time. The common folk around here are too afraid to speak the truth, but I'm not scared."
"I just don't understand. I've done nothing to wrong you, so why are you slandering me like this?"
Shangguan Yi's face remained expressionless, "Miss Mu, you jest. Why would I slander you? People should know their place and not covet things that don't belong to them."
Feng Qingyi laughed, "Coveting things that don't belong to me? The way you say that makes me think you might have some designs on Qin Yuchuan yourself."
"Besides, don't you think you're meddling? My relationship with Qin Yuchuan seems to have nothing to do with an outsider like you."
"His family doesn't have any objections, so who are you to him? Don't you think you're overreaching?"
Having heard Feng Qingyi's words, Bai Wei looked warily at Shangguan Yi. Surely he didn't actually have improper thoughts about the general!
"You woman, spouting nonsense in public like this. Have you no shame?" Shangguan Yi said angrily.
Feng Qingyi mocked, "Are you feeling embarrassed and angry now?"
In the blink of an eye, Shangguan Yi appeared before Feng Qingyi, his eyes full of derision, his folding fan pressed against her neck.
"Miss Mu, you certainly have a sharp tongue. You'd better be sensible and stop using the General's Mansion's name to deceive people out here."
Feng Qingyi thought to herself, could this guy be Qin Yuchuan's secret admirer?
She snatched the fan from his hand and, catching him off guard, kicked him hard in the stomach.
Due to the suddenness of Feng Qingyi's action, Shangguan Yi was unprepared and fell to the ground.
Hearing the thud of his fall, Feng Qingyi tossed the fan at him, "Stay away from me in the future. The smell on you is truly nauseating."
The scent of cheap perfume powder could be smelled from afar, making people feel genuinely uncomfortable.
Not wanting these two to ruin her mood further, Feng Qingyi said, "Brothers, release this Xiao fellow. Let's go!"
Hearing this, the guards released Xiao Jian'an, and the group of battered servants rushed over to check on him.
As Feng Qingyi was about to board her carriage, Shangguan Yi's fan came flying towards her.
Sensing danger, Feng Qingyi dodged to the side.
However, she didn't notice some small stones on the ground and slipped, about to fall.
Just as Feng Qingyi thought she was going to have an intimate encounter with the ground, she found herself supported by someone.
Turning her head, she saw Xuanyuan Yan. He was still dressed in white, but she couldn't quite read the emotion in his eyes.
"Miss Qingyi, are you alright?" Xue Cha asked worriedly.
Feng Qingyi extricated herself from Xuanyuan Yan's arms, "Thank you!"
"No need for thanks. Be more careful in the future."
Seeing the worried expressions on Xue Cha and Bai Wei's faces, Feng Qingyi quickly said, "I'm fine."
Xuanyuan Yan picked up the fan from the ground and turned towards Shangguan Yi.
"Master Shangguan, attacking from behind is not the behavior of a true gentleman."
Shangguan Yi had met Xuanyuan Yan before and was about to bow, but Xuanyuan Yan's gaze stopped him. "We've certainly witnessed quite a show today."
As Shangguan Yi was about to speak, Xuanyuan Yan had already turned his attention to Feng Qingyi.
"Miss Feng, it's rare to encounter you in Shengjing today. To show my gratitude, I'd like to invite you to Jin Zun Tower for a meal. Would you do me the honor?"
Feng Qingyi pulled out her phone to check the time, "It's only ten o'clock now, not quite mealtime yet!"
"Then how about the tea house next door?" Xuanyuan Yan suggested.
"Tea house? But I don't particularly like tea either," Feng Qingyi replied.
Bai Wei stood trembling nearby, almost scared to death upon hearing Feng Qingyi's words.
The man before them was the new emperor, and only Miss Qingyi would be so bold as to speak to him like this.
