Chapter Eleven: Standing Up for Justice

Because the area near the West Market was bustling with people, the carriage hitting someone quickly drew a crowd of onlookers. When Yang Xi approached, the gathered spectators had already formed a circle, leaving him to watch from the outskirts.

The one who stepped forward to defend the victim was a young girl, seemingly no older than sixteen or seventeen. She was tall and well-proportioned, her delicate features strikingly handsome with an air of resolute spirit—clearly someone trained in martial arts. However, from where Yang Xi stood, only her profile was visible, making it difficult to discern the precise details of her face. Yet, his interest was not in her appearance but in how this incident would unfold.

Though the carriage driver’s status was not high, the master he served was no ordinary person to provoke. Yang Xi felt a twinge of concern for the young woman’s safety and was reluctant to leave before seeing how the matter would be resolved.

The driver seemed taken aback that someone in Chang’an dared to confront him so boldly. After the young woman’s stern questioning, he stood there stunned, momentarily at a loss. Someone actually had the audacity to rebuke him face to face and demand he apologize and compensate the elderly man he had knocked down. Who was this striking woman, and why was she so brazen?

The driver was worldly enough to know that many in Chang’an were not to be trifled with. Those who dared to defy the master behind him were often untouchable themselves, or at least not worth the trouble.

He had been rushing to fetch a very important person, which explained his frantic whipping of the horses, yet he never expected to hit someone.

In truth, hitting a person wasn’t so frightening. He wasn’t afraid of being challenged, but rather fearful of losing time. He was not alone; several attendants on horseback accompanied him. After the accident, they all dismounted and gathered together.

However, without first confirming the identity of the young woman standing up for justice, it was unwise to act too aggressively.

“Hey, you hit someone and behave so fiercely, completely unreasonable,” the woman said angrily, pointing at the man wielding the whip. Her face flushed with indignation, her voice sharp: “You knocked down this elderly gentleman in broad daylight, showed no help or remorse, refused compensation, and even spoke harshly! Such arrogance! Under the very feet of the Son of Heaven, how dare you act so recklessly? If you don’t apologize and compensate this old man today, I will report you to the authorities!”

At the mention of reporting to the government, the middle-aged carriage driver smirked. From the young woman’s fierce demeanor, he sensed she was not someone easy to provoke—probably the daughter of an official or a wealthy family. This was also evident from the imposing entourage around her. She was truly reckless. Of course, he would not concede; otherwise, it would be a humiliation to his master.

He shouted angrily, “Who do you think you are to dare speak so rudely to someone from the Guo State Madam’s household?”

Upon hearing the driver identify himself as a servant of the Guo State Madam’s residence, the young woman was momentarily stunned, clearly surprised.

Some of the onlookers quietly dispersed upon learning it was a servant from the Guo State Madam’s household who had caused the accident.

The Guo State Madam was the second elder sister of the current emperor’s favored consort, Yang Yuhuan, and held a special relationship with the emperor. One year during the Lantern Festival, she had a dispute with Princess Guangning and her husband, which escalated to a physical fight, yet the emperor sided with the Guo State Madam.

Even the princess dared not challenge her, so who else could?

Yang Xi was not surprised; he had already heard from Yang Dong that the driver was a servant named Pei Ning, who held a significant position as the chief guard in the Guo State Madam’s mansion.

Abusing power to intimidate others was something that happened in every era. Yang Xi knew this Pei Ning was about to make a scene and that it was time for him to step in.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, Pei Ning began to lose his temper.

“You insolent little girl, how dare you threaten someone from the Guo State Madam’s household! Are you tired of living?” Pei Ning swung the whip with a sinister grin, threatening, “I have urgent business today, and you’re blocking my way. I’m not happy about this! Guards, teach them a lesson! Let them know who cannot be insulted under the Son of Heaven!”

The young woman who stood up against this bully had many attendants with her, indicating she too was from a notable family, but Pei Ning was not worried. His master enjoyed the emperor’s favor, even princesses dared not provoke him—why should he fear anyone?

To oppress ordinary citizens brought no satisfaction; humiliating someone of status was what truly felt dignified!

“Chief Guard Pei, you shouldn’t behave this way!” Just as Pei Ning prepared to lead his men to rough up the young woman and her entourage, a voice called out from the side. It was Yang Xi, who stepped forward to intervene.

To be honest, he despised Pei Ning’s arrogance and bullying. By nature, he wanted to charge forward and knock these ruffians to the ground, but his current status forbade such rash actions, so he sought to defuse the situation.

“Ah? It’s you?” Pei Ning recognized Yang Xi and was familiar with Yang Dong as well. He was surprised Yang Xi had stepped in and immediately reined in his raised whip. Pei Ning knew exactly who Yang Xi was—the Fourth Young Master of the Yang family, a military commander stationed at Tong Pass with authority over a large force. No one in Chang’an dared provoke him, not even Crown Prince Li Heng, let alone a mere servant like Pei Ning. Hastily, Pei Ning explained, “Young Master Yang, I was on my way to fetch the Madam, but they blocked my path.”

The young woman who sought to fight back was taken aback by Pei Ning’s respectful attitude toward Yang Xi, but she remained wary, as did her entourage.

Yang Xi cast a sidelong glance at the astonished young woman, then smiled at Pei Ning and said, “Chief Guard Pei, since you injured someone, you should apologize properly. Offering some money won’t lose you face, and then you can leave without further trouble. If you act otherwise, won’t that embarrass the Guo State Madam? Would she behave so petty as to quarrel with a commoner?”

Inwardly, Yang Xi was surprised that this meddlesome young girl was quite beautiful.

“Ah?!” Pei Ning was caught off guard by Yang Xi’s words, momentarily at a loss.

“Do me a favor and save face!” Yang Xi leaned close and whispered, “You have important business to attend to, so hurry. Do you really want to be reprimanded by the Madam? If so, when I meet her, I will say a good word for you.”

“All right, I will follow Young Master’s orders!” Pei Ning quickly caught on to Yang Xi’s meaning. He threw down his whip, approached the elderly man who looked terrified of the unfolding scene, and reluctantly bowed. “Sir, I apologize for the earlier incident. Here is some compensation. I have no time to accompany you to a doctor, so please find one yourself.” Saying this, he handed the old man a pouch of money.

He ignored the young woman’s protests and returned to Yang Xi, bowing respectfully. “Young Master Yang, I have urgent business today and must take my leave.”

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