Now that we're out, we should naturally find someone to go shopping with. I didn't have any girlfriends before, but now that I have Xi Liang, it's a perfect opportunity to go shopping.
Xi Liang was naturally happy to see Hai Ling. In the end, the two of them, disguised as men, went out to stroll around the streets of the Cangwang Mansion, accompanied only by a few subordinates.
Bianliang City was bustling with people. Although the court was in turmoil, the people were overjoyed, their faces beaming with happiness. How could the common people not be happy when they saw those high-ranking officials and corrupt bureaucrats fall from power? Similarly, everyone supported the emperor, who was truly wise.
As Hailin and Xiliang strolled along, they listened to the chatter of the people on the street and occasionally exchanged smiles.
"Ling'er, I never expected the new emperor to be so wise and intelligent, and to be so trusted by everyone. Even my father and brother admire him very much."
Xi Liang winked and teased Hai Ling with a crooked mouth and sticking out her tongue: "You've really struck gold."
Hai Ling smiled happily, her features exquisite; even in disguise, she was still remarkably beautiful.
"And you? How is it? Is that prince really the right person for you?"
Hai Ling asked Xi Liang with concern. Xi Liang blushed and pouted, "If he's a bad boy, I'll beat him until he reforms."
Hailin chuckled as she remarked on her fierce demeanor. The two strolled and chatted, just as happy as ever.
Suddenly, shouts and curses came from ahead. The two stopped and looked over to find a large crowd gathered in front of them.
Hai Ling instructed Shi Lan to go ahead and find out what had happened.
Shi Lan quickly arrived. It turned out to be a pharmacy. A beggar had been chased out because he didn't have money to buy medicine. The beggar refused to leave and blocked other people's way.
Hai Ling frowned upon hearing this, and Xi Liang, who was standing next to her, reached out and pulled her: "Come on, let's go take a look."
A group of people squeezed in and saw several people beating a beggar on the street, while in front of the pharmacy, a pretty figure was giving orders, commanding her subordinates to beat the beggar severely.
"Beat him! You blind fool, don't you know where you are? You dare to come to our Xifu territory to try and take advantage of us? Is this a place you can come to?"
This girl was arrogant and domineering, and many people disliked her. Hai Ling and Xi Liang looked over and found that the woman who was giving orders was actually Xi Yan, the young lady of the Xi family. At this moment, her eyebrows were raised, her hands were on her hips, and she looked like a teapot. She was domineering and her eyes were sharp and fierce.
The onlookers pointed and whispered among themselves, but west Yan not only felt no shame, but rather a sense of smugness. Hai Ling was very puzzled, wondering who could have taught such a person.
Seeing that the beggar was about to be beaten to death and no one stepped forward, Hailing leaned close to Shilan and whispered a few words.
Shi Lan obeyed the order, walked over, and coldly shouted, "Stop!"
The servants of the west family stopped what they were doing and all looked at Shi Lan when they heard someone speaking.
Because Shi Lan was disguised, west Yan did not recognize her and looked at her with disdain, waiting for Shi Lan to speak.
“You run a pharmacy, so even if this man is poor, he shouldn’t have been beaten like this. Whatever he wants, I’ll pay for it.”
As soon as Shi Lan finished speaking, the onlookers nodded and praised her righteous act.
In fact, many of the onlookers had wanted to speak up for a long time, but no one dared to go against the people of the Xi family, because the Xi family was related to the Empress Dowager. How could ordinary people like them fight against the royal family? That's why they held back. Now that they saw someone take action, they started talking all at once.
Most people said that Xifu was bullying others because of his power, but Hailing listened without saying a word.
Xi Liang didn't say anything, after all, the West Mansion involved the Emperor, and as an outsider, she shouldn't interfere.
This matter could have ended peacefully, but Xi Yan was furious when she saw someone targeting the west family. She ignored Shi Lan and instead pointed at Shi Lan aggressively.
"How dare you go against our Xifu? Do you think you can help him just because you have money? We won't sell even if we have money."
After west Yan finished speaking, Shi Lan's face darkened. At this moment, the beggar struggled to get up, kowtowing and pleading, "Miss Xi, please have mercy! It's not for me, it's for my son. If my son doesn't have this medicine, he will die. Please have mercy on me."
"Hmph, what good is it if you die, with such worthless lives? Living is just suffering, so you might as well die sooner."
west Yan spoke with disdain, and seeing that more and more people were gathering in front of the pharmacy, she ordered the west family's men: "What are you doing? Why don't you chase these people away? How are we supposed to do business?"
The servants of the West Mansion have been acting arrogantly lately. Hearing what the young lady said, they came over early and began to disperse the crowd, while also chasing Shilan away.
Shi Lan was furious. Although she wasn't as fiery as Shi Mei, she wasn't so easy to bully. As soon as she saw a servant from the West Mansion trying to pull her away, she kicked him.
This really stirred up trouble. The servants of the west family immediately surrounded Shi Lan and started beating her.
For a moment, a fight broke out on the street. Hai Ling and Xi Liang watched coldly. With Shi Lan's skills, these people from the Xi family were no match for her.
She quickly knocked him to the ground, groaning. west Yan's face changed, and she pointed at Shi Lan: "How dare you hit someone from the west family!"
This time, Shi Lan remained silent, but Hai Ling couldn't hold back any longer. She stepped out from the crowd and said calmly, "What's wrong with beating people from the Xi family? Are the Xi family people gods that can't be beaten?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd buzzed and erupted as they all stared at Hai Ling. She was a handsome young man with dark skin and delicate features, but her imposing presence commanded respect and made her someone not to be underestimated.
Many people were worried for her, as the west family was known for being unreasonable, and they wondered if the young man would be alright.
When west Yan saw Hai Ling come out, she opened her mouth to curse, but she quickly realized something was wrong. After taking a closer look, she knew who was in front of her. She was filled with hatred, but dared not do anything reckless, biting her lip and remaining silent.
Those watching couldn't help but find Miss west's expression strange.
Hailing ordered Shilan to bring the beggar inside: "Get him some medicine."
"Yes, Master."
Shi Lan accepted the order and quickly got the medicine for the beggar. The beggar thanked her repeatedly with great emotion, and left after getting the medicine.
In front of the west family's pharmacy, west Yan's face was flushed red. Today, she had been humiliated in front of everyone, all because of that damned woman, Ji Hailing. However, Xi Yan dared not confront Hailing directly. She still remembered being punished and reprimanded by her aunt, the Empress Dowager, last time.
After the crowd in front of the pharmacy dispersed, Hailing led Xiliang to Xiyan and spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Miss west, please bring honor to the west family from now on. Stop referring to the Xi family so casually. The west family even has the Emperor above them."
After saying that, he led his people away leisurely, while west Yan behind him was practically spitting fire in her eyes.
Xi Liang looked at Hai Ling and kindly reminded her, "Be careful. It's easy to guard against a gentleman, but difficult to deal with a villain. That woman doesn't look like a good person at all, not to mention that the Empress Dowager is behind her."