She couldn't help but wonder if Bai Yujing had encountered some kind of accident, otherwise why would it have been delayed for so long?
She was worried and wanted to check on things herself, but the coachman had also not returned for a long time. She could not abandon the carriage and had no choice but to wait there.
As for Bai Yujing, he had just bought some snacks at Liang's shop and was about to turn back when suddenly a carriage sped past like a wild horse. Along the way, it not only knocked over several vendors but also nearly ran over a six- or seven-year-old child. It was a very dangerous situation.
If it weren't for the driver's skillful maneuver in pulling the reins in time, the child would probably have been killed on the spot, resulting in a tragedy.
Pedestrians on the street witnessed this scene and were all frightened, quickly moving aside to avoid it.
Although the driver successfully avoided the child and caused no harm, he still couldn't help but shout at him.
"You blind little brat, you've gone mad with your eyes! How dare you rush towards the carriage! If you disturb the distinguished person inside, your insignificant life won't be enough to pay for it!"
His words were arrogant, and the carriage's appearance clearly revealed extraordinary wealth, suggesting the person inside must be of high status. Although the crowd felt indignant, they dared not interrupt, hoping he would finish venting before checking on the child to see if he was alright.
The child's parents weren't there. He had just rolled under the horse's hooves and was already terrified. Now, being scolded by the driver, he was even more frightened and squatted on the ground, sobbing loudly.
After venting his anger, the driver was about to continue driving away.
Suddenly, a pretty young woman's face appeared inside the carriage. She first looked around, then angrily scolded the driver, "Useless! How do you drive this carriage? You almost scratched the princess's face! Be careful when you get back!"
She pointed at the child on the ground, her tone cold.
"And him! Not only did he disturb the princess's peace, but he also cried and made a scene, disturbing her peace of mind. Why don't you quickly get the whip and teach him a good lesson!"
Upon hearing that the person inside the carriage was actually a princess, even those who sympathized with the child dared not easily defend him.
That is the noble Princess, who would dare to offend her easily?
The driver quickly apologized, obeyed orders, and hurriedly rolled up his whip, jumped off the carriage, and menacingly approached the child.
"You naughty little thing, you deserve it!"
The coachman brandished his whip, his eyes fierce, preparing to punish the child.
"Wait!"
A deep, solemn shout suddenly rang out, and Bai Yujing resolutely stood in front of the child, like an indestructible barrier.
The driver frowned and shouted unhappily, "Who are you? Get out of my way right now, don't stop me from teaching this disrespectful brat a lesson!"
Bai Yujing held the child tightly behind her, her gaze fixed firmly on the carriage, and earnestly said, "This child did it unintentionally. I hope Your Highness will be merciful and forgive him for his youth and ignorance."
The clear, melodious voice echoed in the air, and all the pedestrians on the street showed expressions of admiration.
This young man dared to confront the powerful and influential so directly; didn't he know the risks involved?
"Does his youth and ignorance absolve him of his guilt?" A slightly disdainful voice came from inside the car.
Bai Yujing bowed respectfully to the ground, "I apologize on behalf of this child and beg Your Highness to show mercy."
"Ha." A contemptuous laugh came from inside the car.
"What right do you have to take the blame for him? He startled my horse, injured my head, and almost disfigured me. Shouldn't I punish him? Since you don't want to see him punished, then you should take the beating for him!"
Before the words were finished, the maid who had peeked out earlier gracefully descended, accompanied by another young woman.
They carefully arranged the footstools, one lifting the carriage curtain while the other respectfully stood guard by the door. In a moment, a pair of delicate, jade-like hands reached out, and a graceful woman exuding aristocratic air stepped down from the carriage with the help of her maid, standing elegantly beside it.
In fact, Princess Ziyan didn't need to get out of the carriage herself, but she was filled with curiosity and wanted to see for herself who dared to step forward and perform the heroic act of drawing their sword to help her after learning her identity.
However, to her surprise, the one who issued the challenge was a handsome and charming young man...
"you……"
She was momentarily stunned, captivated by the handsome face of the young man before her.
Bai Yujing watched her calmly alight from the carriage. He first bowed respectfully and politely, then said in a serious tone, "Just now, the princess mentioned right and wrong. So, I am not talented enough to challenge the princess and discuss what is right and wrong."
Princess Ziyan gazed at his face with a dreamy look in her eyes, and couldn't help but marvel that there could be such a handsome man in the world.
She was so engrossed in the moment that she failed to hear his words clearly until a maid gently reminded her, at which point she snapped out of her reverie.
Princess Ziyan suppressed her amazed gaze, glanced at him lightly, and said calmly, "You have disturbed my peace. Isn't that a fault?"
"Indeed, but everything has a cause and effect. If the princess hadn't been riding her horse at high speed through the bustling city, how could this child have disturbed her entourage?"
"So, according to you, it is I, the princess, who is at fault?"
Bai Yujing's expression was stern. "Our dynasty's laws clearly stipulate that it is strictly forbidden to drive recklessly in bustling urban areas. The princess's actions just now were illegal. Not only did she knock over the vendors, but she also nearly injured innocent people. Isn't this a clear case of negligence?"
"Hmm? How do you know that I, the princess, have no urgent business?"
Bai Yujing countered, "May I ask, Princess, do you have any urgent official documents that need to be submitted?"
Princess Ziyan gently shook her head, "No."
"Is there anyone in your family who urgently needs medical treatment?"
"No."
"In that case, how can it be said that the princess is without fault for disregarding the law and riding her horse recklessly in the street?"
Princess Ziyan became increasingly interested in him and asked curiously, "I have always been like this, and no one has ever dared to criticize me in the slightest. Judging from your appearance, you seem to be a learned man. Do you know the consequences of offending this princess?"
Bai Yujing maintained a composed and dignified attitude, saying, "I am merely arguing based on reason and have no intention of being an enemy of the princess. However, I implore the princess to forgive this child."
"What if I just refuse?"
Bai Yujing frowned slightly and said firmly, "Then I will truthfully report the princess's words and actions to the yamen today. Although I am just a humble scholar, I believe that the censors and officials in the court will speak out for justice and uphold righteousness. Even though the princess is of noble status, she cannot ignore the opinions of the officials, can she?"
Princess Ziyan suddenly smiled, her lips slightly raised, carrying a hint of barely perceptible arrogance, "You have extraordinary courage. You are the first person to dare to be so presumptuous towards me in the middle of the city."
"How dare I, a mere nobody like myself."
Princess Ziyan glanced at the child indifferently and waved her hand casually.
"Fine, I am not an unreasonable person, I will let him off the hook today."
She gave a wink, and the maid behind her immediately took out a shiny piece of silver from her sleeve and gently tossed it at the child's feet.
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