"Don't worry, Miss, I'll beat them to a pulp and make them run for their lives."
Hailing said nothing more. Although Yanzhi insisted on calling her "Miss," she actually thought that Yanzhi was just a companion. She couldn't let Yanzhi treat her like a slave just because she had saved her. Born in modern times, she wasn't that old-fashioned. However, Yanzhi insisted, so she stayed by her side and considered herself a maid.
Speaking of rouge, Hailing thought of something: the Seven Star Glass Bracelet on her wrist. Unexpectedly, this bracelet was a magical one. Its base was made of translucent white jade, shimmering with light and color, while the front of the bracelet was a circular surface, resembling a watch. However, instead of an hour hand, the surface was inlaid with seven gemstones, six of which surrounded the central one.
Originally, these seven beads were transparent and colorless, like the finest glass beads. Later, after the incident with Rouge, she realized that these beads actually had color, but they had not yet awakened, which was why they were colorless.
That day, Rouge was sold to a brothel by her gambling-addicted adoptive father. Besides fighting desperately, she even used a rope to climb from the second floor to the first floor at night. However, she was discovered by the pimps in the brothel and chased down. In her haste, she jumped down, breaking two ribs. In addition, her abdominal cavity was filled with blood from the violent impact. The broken ribs were not serious, but the blood in her abdominal cavity was serious. If it was not cleared immediately, she might be in danger of dying.
That night, Hailing happened to pass by and saw someone chasing a fourteen-year-old girl. Of course, she had to help, so she grabbed her and ran. The two of them finally managed to shake off the pimps after many twists and turns. However, Rouge already had blood clots in her abdominal cavity, and after running, the blood surged upwards, and she started vomiting blood. She was on the verge of death. Hailing was extremely anxious. At that moment, she wished she could immediately return to the modern world. If she were in the modern world, she could immediately operate on Rouge and definitely save her life.
She was a doctor, and the anxiety and pain she felt watching patients in front of her helplessly was unimaginable.
Just when she was at her wit's end and about to go crazy, she suddenly discovered that one of the seven-star glass bracelets on her wrist had lit up, flashing a dazzling red light.
Hai Ling subconsciously reached out and pointed, and a space immediately appeared in front of her, containing all the modern surgical instruments she needed. It was almost as if her old operating room had been moved there. Although the space was not particularly large, it was small but complete, with nothing missing.
Seeing that Yan Zhi had fainted, Hai Ling didn't have time to think and immediately found a secluded place to perform surgery on Yan Zhi.
After the surgery, he took Rouge back to his own courtyard to recuperate. Rouge recovered within the courtyard.
Even now, she still couldn't quite believe it. If she hadn't seen the scars on Rouge's body, she would have thought she was dreaming. Several times afterward, she went to secluded places, opened the space inside the red pearl, and found that it was indeed true. The space did indeed contain the modern surgical instruments she needed.
In other words, there are seven hidden spaces within this Seven Star Glazed Bracelet, each containing something. However, she doesn't yet know exactly what those things are. All she knows is that the bright red bead contains her modern surgical instruments, which is why she can now heal the sick.
On a moonlit night, at the foot of the stone steps in front of the courtyard gate, Hailing gazed thoughtfully at the bracelet on her wrist. Seeing that her mistress was silent, Yanzhi also subconsciously looked at her hand.
Rouge knew about the bracelet's magical ability: "Miss, when do you think the other jewels will light up?"
Hailin shook her head, then looked up and laughed: "I don't know, who cares? I'm so tired, let's go to sleep."
As they spoke, they yawned. Although they no longer did horse stance or walk on plum blossom stakes, they still did their 3,000-meter morning run every day. In addition, they had been through a lot with the second young lady, Jiang Feiyu, so they were really tired.
“Okay,” Rouge stood up, reached out to help Hailing up, and the two turned to go into the room to tidy up and rest.
A cool breeze blew by, causing the two women's skirts to flutter lightly, and they were completely at ease.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed in the darkness, orderly and heading straight for the courtyard.
Hai Ling and Yan Zhi couldn't help but exchange glances, a hint of doubt flashing in their eyes. Could it be that Jiang Feiyu had finally alarmed General Jiang, and now someone was coming to arrest them?
Rouge looked a little worried and couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what do you think?"
"It's alright, what do we have to be afraid of her for?" Hai Ling looked fearless. She really wasn't afraid of her. No matter how powerful Jiang Batian was, could she really kill her daughter? At most, she would suffer some physical pain. But Jiang Feiyu, if I get beaten up, I will pay you back sooner or later. So what if Bai Ye is protecting me?
In the darkness, someone carrying a lantern rushed over hurriedly and quickly approached Hailing and Yanzhi. The one in the lead was none other than the head steward of the Jiang family. He lowered his eyes and said, "Third Miss, the General has asked you to go through the main hall."
Chapter 007 Imperial Decree Granting Marriage
The commotion at the courtyard gate startled Du Caiyue, who was sleeping in the inner room. She called out from inside, "Ling'er, who is it?"
Hailing glanced back at the ceiling, worried that what was happening outside might disturb Du Caiyue's peaceful sleep, and quickly replied, "Mother, it's alright, you can go to sleep."
There was a moment of silence inside. Hailing turned to look at Han Liang, the chief steward of the Jiang family, who was standing respectfully. Despite his advanced age, he was extremely skilled and was Jiang Batian's right-hand man. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been in charge of the Jiang family's power.
"Steward Han, I wonder what Father wants to see me about when we're all in high spirits? Let's talk about it tomorrow."
Hai Ling spoke calmly and patiently. She could tell that Han Liang was anxious, but she remained calm despite the enemy's anxiety. She believed that Han Liang would tell her why Jiang Batian wanted to see her. Although she was unwilling to admit that the man who never cared about their lives was her father, she still couldn't let anyone find fault with her in public.
"Third Miss, is the General waiting in the front hall?"
Han Liang emphasized his words. He hadn't expected the Third Miss to be so difficult to deal with. With his keen intuition, he could easily tell that the Third Miss had no intention of going to the main hall at all.
However, this matter was of utmost importance, and she could not avoid going to the main hall. The general and the entire household were waiting for this third young lady. Han Liang was anxious. If this matter were investigated, even if the third young lady was punished, he would not benefit. The general would definitely question his ability. If he could not even manage a little maid, how could he manage such a large general's mansion?
Han Liang waited anxiously, but Hai Ling was not in a hurry. She spoke slowly and deliberately: "Steward Han told Father that Hai Ling is shy. With so many guests today, Hai Ling is a little nervous. If she goes to the main hall, she will surely embarrass Father. So I will go to see Father alone tomorrow."
After Hailing finished speaking, she turned around and prepared to go into the house. Yanzhi added a sentence behind her.
"Steward Han, Miss is tired. Go and tell the General that Miss is timid."
Han Liang's face was grim under the moonlight. He hadn't expected that after not seeing her for a while, the Third Miss would become so opinionated, not even giving him face anymore. Seeing Hai Ling walk into the house, Han Liang didn't dare to delay and quickly stopped her from going in.
"Third Miss, a palace eunuch has come to deliver an imperial decree, specifically requesting your presence."
Someone from the palace came to deliver an imperial decree. What did that have to do with her? Hai Ling instinctively wanted to refute, but she held back. A thought flashed through her mind quickly. It wasn't Jiang Feiyu who complained and Jiang Batian who wanted to punish them. Instead, someone from the palace came to deliver an imperial decree, ordering her to come over. So she had no choice but to go. No matter how powerful Jiang Batian was, he wouldn't dare to openly defy the Emperor. Therefore, he had to send someone to summon her out of respect for authority. But why did this eunuch specifically ask her to be there? What did it have to do with her?
Hai Ling thought for a moment, then turned to look at Han Liang: "Since it's someone from the palace, there must be no outsiders here. I'll go then."
Han Liang breathed a sigh of relief, but was surprised to find himself covered in cold sweat. He, a man who could speak with authority even in front of the general, was so nervous in front of the little girl. He didn't know if it was because he was afraid she wouldn't go, or because he was intimidated by the natural aura emanating from her.
"Third Miss, please."
Han Liang stepped aside to let Hai Ling lead Yan Zhi towards the main hall in front of the General's Mansion, with Han Liang and the others following closely behind. The group marched in a grand procession towards the front of the General's Mansion.
As for the front hall of the general's mansion, Hai Ling had never entered it in the past three years. Her memories of it were limited to a few times.
Inside the General's Mansion, the rightful master was Jiang Batian. Jiang Batian had one wife and three concubines, and had two sons and three daughters. His eldest son, Jiang Wenzhen, and eldest daughter, Jiang Feixue, were both born to his wife, Lady Liu. Lady Liu not only gave birth to the legitimate son and daughter of the Jiang family, but was also a young lady from a prominent family in the capital. Her father had been a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, but later retired. Now, her brother was also a high-ranking official of the third rank, serving as the salt transport commissioner of a province. Therefore, Lady Liu's position in the Jiang family was secure, and no one dared to disrespect her. Even Jiang Batian treated her with great respect and affection.
Next was the second wife, Madam Su. Madam Su gave birth to Jiang Ba's second son, Jiang Wenhao. Although she was a concubine, she was still respected. Moreover, her family was a well-known imperial merchant family in the capital. Although merchants were not as powerful as officials and their status seemed lower, the second wife was the wealthiest person in the Jiang family. She brought a large dowry when she married into the family. In addition, the second wife had been exposed to the ways of the world since childhood and was good at using tricks. She often used small favors and benefits, so everyone in the Jiang family, from the general to the steward and servants, liked her very much.
The third wife, Yan Ruyu, was originally a courtesan in a brothel. Jiang Batian took a liking to her and brought her back to be his third concubine. Although the third wife had neither power nor money, she had plenty of beauty. Jiang Batian's favorite concubine was this one. Although she had no money, power, or backing, she was the only one who won Jiang Batian's favor. So naturally, no one in the Jiang family dared to bully her. Moreover, she had given birth to a second daughter, Jiang Feiyu, whose beloved was Bai Ye, the young general of the Great Zhou Kingdom. This backing was quite strong, so the third wife was now even more spirited.
Finally, there was Hailing's mother. Her mother was originally a maidservant to the principal wife, Liu, and had always served Liu. She was originally Liu's confidante, but one time Jiang Batian got drunk and actually forced himself on her mother. Afterwards, unable to let go of his pride as a man, he pushed all the blame onto her mother, which made Liu lose face. From then on, she hated her mother and originally wanted to have her mother kicked out, but who knew that her mother would become pregnant at that time.
It's easy to imagine what kind of status this mother and daughter had in the Jiang family. Not only were they the general's wives looked down on, but even the servants looked down on them and would cause them trouble from time to time.
Fortunately, they lived in a remote area, so they could avoid seeing each other and had a lot less to worry about. They also tried to avoid people who were looking for trouble, and they lived peacefully like this.