"Miss, don't think about it anymore. Let me accompany you to explore the different places."
"What's there to see? I'm tired of it all."
Hai Ling couldn't muster any enthusiasm. Although the palace was magnificent, it was just the same no matter how many times you looked at it. The scenery was a little better, the accommodations were a little better, and the food was a little better, but otherwise there was no difference. Moreover, she disliked Feng Zixiao very much, and by extension, she also disliked the palace.
Imagine, who would have a good impression of a man who always wants to kill them?
"Leave the palace."
Hai Ling spoke without room for argument. She hadn't seen her mother for several days, so she wanted to leave the palace to visit her. However, during the time since the late emperor's death, she had visited her mother frequently and knew that she was living a comfortable life, which put her mind at ease.
Right now, no one in the general's mansion dares to treat her mother badly. It's unclear whether this is because they still have to consider her feelings or because they haven't thought of a good way to deal with her yet.
In any case, Hailin dared not be careless, because the people in the Jiang residence were all bad news.
Actually, she wanted to bring her mother out of the palace. Even if she didn't live in the palace, she could buy her another place to live. However, her mother said that her status was that of Jiang Batian's concubine. If she disappeared, the Jiang family would definitely turn the capital upside down. It would be better for her to stay in the General's Mansion. Anyway, she was the Empress now, and Jiang Batian and Liu Shi and others wouldn't dare to do anything to her.
Rouge knew that once her mistress made a decision, she would not change it, so she summoned three palace maids, Lühe, Xiaoke, and Lianyi. Xiaoke and Lianyi were maids who used to serve Princess Fengqian. Since Hailing entered the palace, she had rescued them from the laundry room. These two maids could be said to be loyal to Hailing.
"I'm going out of the palace with the Empress. The three of you must not let anyone know. If anyone asks, just say that Her Majesty is resting in her palace or strolling around the palace."
"Yes, we understand."
The three responded in unison. This wasn't the first time they had done something like this, so they were quite at ease. Although they didn't know how the Empress had managed to leave the palace, as long as the Empress was able to get out, that was all that mattered.
Hailing led Yanzhi out of the back palace gate, trying to avoid others, and walked towards the most secluded place in the palace. This was the same path that Feng Qian had led her on before, and now it had become her only way out of the palace.
The two left the palace without incident. Since it was still early, they weren't in a hurry. Hailing put away her Fire Cloud Boots and headed leisurely towards the General's Mansion.
The streets were bustling but the scenery was monotonous. Because Emperor Heng had passed away, the new emperor had issued an edict forbidding weddings and celebrations for three months. So, all the shops with red lettering were covered with white cloth, and most pedestrians were dressed in plain clothes. At first glance, it was quite elegant. It had not been three months since the late emperor's death.
Hailin and Yanzhi walked along, playing with the little trinkets on the street.
The two were dressed in ordinary maid's clothes, so they didn't attract attention. Although Hailing was plump, the Empress wasn't the only one who was plump, so no one mistook her for the Empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Hailing was happy to be at ease. The two chatted and laughed as they walked towards the General's Mansion. This was the kind of happy life they had.
Inside the Qinfang Courtyard of the General's Mansion, it was as quiet as before. Du Caiyue was very happy to see her daughter return, but then she became worried. She knew without a doubt that her daughter must have sneaked out of the palace. So the mother and daughter talked for a while and then urged Hailing to return to the palace quickly.
Hailing returned home only to find out if her mother was alright. Now that she saw her mother was indeed safe, she was relieved and led Yanzhi back to the palace.
However, something happened on the way back to the palace.
A woman screamed in the street: "Let go of my hand! What are you trying to do in broad daylight?"
Many people on the street looked up in surprise and saw a richly dressed young man holding the hand of a beautiful woman in front of a small vendor's stall. The woman was full of anger and glared at the man hatefully.
Hai Ling immediately recognized the noble young man holding the girl's hand as the son of Sima Yuan, the powerful Right Chancellor of the current dynasty.
The Sima family is not as prosperous as it was when the late emperor was alive. The new emperor is still the Sima family's nephew, and the empress dowager is this young nobleman's aunt. That's why this guy dares to forcibly hold a woman's hand in broad daylight.
I heard that this young master Sima has many wives and concubines and is an uneducated fellow. Because he was born to Sima Yuan in his later years, he was spoiled and developed an arrogant and domineering personality. He wants to take back anything he likes.
On the street, many people recognized that the elegantly dressed young man was still from the Right Prime Minister's residence. Who would dare to go up and risk death? So they could only worry about the girl in secret.
When Yan Zhi saw Hai Ling walking forward, she quickly grabbed her hand, afraid that she would cause unnecessary trouble. Right Prime Minister's residence was currently in its prime, Right Prime Minister Sima Yuan was highly respected by the new emperor, and there was also the Empress Dowager. Her mistress was just an unfavored empress. If she offended the Sima family, she didn't know what kind of punishment she would receive.
"Miss, don't go over there. Perhaps someone else can save her. Let's wait a little longer."
To be honest, Rouge also felt sorry for that woman. She was so beautiful, and if she had fallen into Sima Zhuo's hands, it would have ruined her.
Everyone in the capital knew that Sima Zhuo was extremely fickle. No matter how beautiful a woman was, he would only be interested in her for a few days. Once that interest wore off, he would go out and seek pleasure with other women. It was hateful that Sima Yuan, as the Right Chancellor, did not know how to restrain his son. Many people in the capital dared not speak out against the Sima family.
After listening to Yan Zhi's words, Hai Ling looked around. Although there were many people on the street, no one appeared to be a hero to save the beauty. The girl was about to be dragged into the carriage by the people from the Sima family. If she didn't intervene, she could only watch helplessly as the girl fell into the clutches of evil.
Although she knew she shouldn't be going against the Sima family at this moment, she would despise herself to death if she just stood by and watched someone be bullied.
Hai Ling thought to herself, then ignored Yan Zhi and strode over. She reached out and grabbed the girl's struggling arm, and said in a deep voice, "Stop."
Sima Zhuo turned around in surprise. After all, this was the capital city under the emperor's nose. If he encountered a powerful figure, he would not dare to be too presumptuous. However, when he saw Hai Ling, he couldn't help but laugh unrestrainedly. Others might not know Hai Ling, but he did. He raised the corner of his lips and spoke sarcastically.
"Oh, isn't this the Empress from the palace? Why aren't you staying in the harem? Have you been deposed by my cousin, the Emperor?"
On the street, Sima Zhuo's shout drew everyone's attention, and they all looked at Hailin.
So this is the current Empress. She is not exactly pleasing to the eye, but she is not that bad either. Most importantly, the Empress is a talented woman. Now, looking at her act of saving people in the street, the Empress is indeed the mother of the country, and her heart is good.
However, Sima Zhuo clearly doesn't respect the Empress. Will the Empress be able to rescue the girl from Sima Zhuo's clutches?
People were initially too afraid to look, but now that the Empress had stepped forward, they stared at the scene with curiosity.
Ignoring the whispers around her, Hai Ling glared fiercely at Sima Zhuo. The cold, aloof aura emanating from her made Sima Zhuo uneasy, though he still looked down on her. Everyone knew the Emperor disliked her; he hadn't even performed the wedding ceremony with her, and they probably hadn't even consummated their marriage yet. Sima Zhuo smiled sinisterly. His father had said that the Emperor's marriage to her was merely a temporary measure, and he would depose her sooner or later. So he had no reason to fear this woman. With this thought, Sima Zhuo's courage returned. He ignored Hai Ling and gave orders to the servants of the Sima household beside him.
"Guards, take him back."
Upon hearing this, the woman turned pale and tightly gripped Hai Ling's hand, pleading, "Your Majesty, save me, save me!"
Since Hailin had already made her move, she was certain she wouldn't back down, she said in a gloomy and cold voice.
"Sima Zhuo, let go of my hand immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite."
"Oh," Sima Zhuo's interest was piqued, and a smug smile crept onto his lips: "Today, I'm bringing her back to my manor, so what can you do about it?"
He was initially only interested in the woman, but now he's intrigued by her provocation of the Empress. He wants to see how this woman dares to treat him.
"I'll cripple you."
As Hai Ling finished speaking, she pulled the girl away from Sima Zhuo's grasp. Then, she spun around, raised her foot, and kicked Sima Zhuo hard in the groin. Although she didn't use the Fiery Cloud Boots, the kick was very powerful, causing Sima Zhuo's face to change drastically and large beads of sweat to pour down his face. A pig-like scream echoed through the street.
"ah."