Everyone was startled and took a few steps back, afraid of getting into trouble, but they were very worried about the Empress.
Hai Ling's kick landed squarely on Sima Zhuo's groin, causing him to writhe in pain on the street. Once he felt a little better, he struggled to order the servants of the Sima residence: "How dare she hit me! Are you all dead? Arrest her and take her to the Emperor. I will make sure the Emperor kills this woman."
The servants of the Sima household were at a loss for what to do, staring blankly at the Empress.
Unfortunately, Sima Zhuo was still shouting, "Arrest her! Hurry up, or you'll all die!"
The servants were all frightened, so they rushed over to grab Hailin.
No one on the street dared to step forward to help. Hailing turned her head to look at Rouge, whose face was slightly pale, and ordered her, "Take this girl aside."
"Yes, Miss."
Rouge pulled the girl aside, while Hailing clasped her hands in a fist salute, ready to give the masters and servants of the Sima family a good talking-to.
Just as the servants rushed over, Hai Ling was about to make her move when a whooshing sound was heard in mid-air. A long, black whip, like a swimming dragon, swept across the scene with a powerful gust of wind. Wherever the whip went, it struck the servants accurately and without hesitation, one lash after another. Each lash was powerful and domineering. After a few lashes, all the servants of the Sima family collapsed to the ground, while the rest of them turned pale and retreated.
Everyone looked up and saw a figure swiftly flip twice in mid-air before landing in front of them.
He stood tall and proud, like a plum blossom, before everyone's eyes, holding a long black whip in his hand. At this moment, one hand was intentionally or unintentionally circling the whip, which made people tremble with fear.
This person was none other than Young General Bai Ye. Bai Ye glanced at Hai Ling behind him with concern, and only when he saw that she was alright did he feel relieved.
Because he had to protect her reputation in front of everyone, he only glanced at her briefly before looking away.
A chilling glint shone down on Sima Zhuo and the servants of the Sima family opposite him, and he spoke coldly.
"Sima Zhuo, how dare you! You actually dared to beat the Empress in the street! Do you know that this is a capital offense?"
Bai Ye was shrouded in murderous intent, and his chilling aura spread throughout the room. Sima Zhuo couldn't help but shiver, then clutched his lower body in pain. A servant went to help him up.
He still held Bai Ye in some fear; many in the court dared not offend him, and even Jiang Batian treated him with considerable courtesy, let alone him.
Moreover, his lower body needs immediate treatment, otherwise he might be crippled. As for Jiang Hailing, he needs to return to the manor immediately and have his father go to the palace to inform his aunt that this woman must be severely punished.
"Let's go."
Sima Zhuo waved his hand and led the servants of the Sima family back to their residence.
The crowd cheered involuntarily. Seeing Sima Zhuo slink away like a drowned rat, they couldn't help but feel happy.
Bai Ye's men dispersed the crowd, and Bai Ye looked at Hai Ling to the side: "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Hai Ling knew he was doing this to protect his reputation, so she nodded and said, "General Bai, please get up."
"Your Majesty, I will escort you back to the palace."
"No need, I will return to the palace on my own."
She had slipped out, so how could she ask someone to escort her back? Hailin refused Baiye's offer, and although Baiye didn't refuse, he didn't leave.
Hai Ling ignored him and looked at the girl behind her who had escaped unscathed: "Miss, you should go back. It's best to stay home for a while."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am deeply grateful."
The woman kowtowed to Hailing, then hurriedly led a young maid away, fearing that Sima Zhuo might return. If it weren't for the Empress, she would be in trouble. Indeed, she needed to stay home as much as possible recently, as she wouldn't always run into the Empress.
Hailing took Yanzhi's hand, and the two returned to the palace together.
Bai Ye didn't ride a horse; instead, he led two subordinates behind them. The group quickly blended into the crowd, and what had just happened seemed like a minor incident.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say to you."
Bai Ye followed behind Hai Lin and spoke calmly.
Hailin stopped and looked around, noticing that many people on the street were watching them, because Baiye always attracted attention wherever she went.
The group left the bustling market and found a quiet, deserted street.
"Shirano, is there something you want to tell me?"
She knew that Shirono must have something to tell her, but she didn't know what it was.
Bai Ye didn't say anything, his deep, dark eyes fixed on Hai Ling, filled with heartache, reluctance, and deep self-reproach. Hai Ling felt a little guilty seeing him like this.
"Baiye, what's past is past, don't blame yourself."
"Hailin, I was unable to completely save you. Now I have to leave. Wait for me, I will definitely come back and take you away. When that time comes, I will make the whole world know that no one can bully you anymore. This time I will become the strongest, strong enough to protect you from being bullied by anyone."
Bai Ye's words alarmed Hai Ling. She didn't know what he was going to do. Was he planning a rebellion?
Although she once helped Xi Lingfeng seize the throne from Feng Zixiao, Bai Ye was a famous general of the Great Zhou Dynasty. If he were to rebel, he would surely be killed by the people of the world.
Xi Lingfeng is different. He is a member of the Cold Demon Palace, and is inherently both righteous and evil. If he does something, others will only say that it is his nature.
"Hakuno?"
Hai Ling wanted to persuade him, but he gave her a deep look, then strode away without saying another word, his back standing tall and proud like a mountain peak.
At this moment, Hailin was somewhat moved, but thinking about what he might do, she couldn't help but call out, "Baiye, don't do anything reckless."
Unfortunately, Shirayuki had already left, and the empty street was deserted, with no one in sight. The wind was blowing and it was chilly.
"Miss, let's go back to the palace. I'm afraid things aren't going well there."
The Emperor and Empress Dowager will not turn a blind eye to the fact that their master has attacked Sima Zhuo. They still have a tough battle to fight. It's better to return to the palace.
Upon hearing Yan Zhi's words, Hai Ling stopped worrying about what Bai Ye would do and started thinking about how to deal with the storm in the palace.