Rumors about Baili Ye were rampant outside the capital.
Some even turned these events into plays, which were performed in streets and alleys.
Despite his strenuous suppression, no opera house dared to perform plays related to him, yet everyone in the capital knew about it, and the news had already reached the Emperor.
Now, both Baili Ye and Feng Tongtong's reputations were in tatters.
If he were to cause trouble by bullying a weak child now, wouldn't the Emperor's impression of him be even worse?
He was counting on ascending the throne as the Crown Prince and inheriting the imperial throne. This matter could not escalate!
"Alright, alright! As the First Prince, I naturally wouldn't bicker with a mere child. Even if my carriage was overturned by a child, it's just my bad luck."
Baili Ye, fearing that the matter would escalate beyond his control, quickly spoke up.
Feng Ninghe, however, raised an eyebrow at this moment, her slender hand pointing to the dirty candied hawthorn on the ground: "First Prince, your words are mistaken. How could a child have such great strength to overturn your carriage? It's just that the candied hawthorn has fallen to the ground. I wonder how the First Prince intends to handle this?"
It was obvious that she wanted the First Prince to give Si Xin Xin an explanation.
Si Xin Xin's eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, filled with intense light and admiration.
As expected of the beautiful older sister, she was truly amazing!
She could even make the First Prince give them an explanation.
The cold female voice falling, however, made Baili Ye furious, a ball of anger stuck in his chest, unable to rise or fall.
He was clearly the victim, yet in the end, he had to apologize to a mere child?
He subconsciously glanced at the surrounding cultivators who were watching.
The nosy cultivators craned their necks, waiting to see the show, their eyes wide open, afraid that even a blink would make them miss a spectacular performance.
As the saying goes, words can be terrifying. Even Baili Ye had to be mindful in front of others.
Baili Ye suppressed his anger and waved at the guard closest to him.
The guard dared not delay and quickly approached. Following Baili Ye's instructions, he quickly left.
Before long, the guard reappeared, holding a large bunch of candied hawthorns.
"Little one, this is from the First Prince. Consider it compensation for the candied hawthorn on the ground."
The guard handed over the large bunch of candied hawthorns.
Si Xin Xin did not rush to take the candied hawthorns but raised her bright eyes to look at Feng Ninghe.
After receiving her affirmation, she finally accepted the candied hawthorns.
Baili Ye snorted and turned to get into his carriage.
But before he could get into the carriage, a cold female voice slowly fell, making his forward steps stiffen slightly.
"First Prince, do you think a string of candied hawthorns is enough to dismiss someone? Isn't that too perfunctory?"
Seeing that the matter was not over, the cultivators became even more enthusiastic, staring at Baili Ye with great interest.
Baili Ye was enraged. He suddenly turned and glared fiercely at Feng Ninghe: "As the First Prince, I've already been very polite by buying candied hawthorns for this child. What more do you want?"
Feng Ninghe's indifferent gaze was fixed on him, her red lips curved wantonly. Her face was bright and defiant.
She moved her lips slightly and slowly uttered, "As the First Prince, you attacked a child so fiercely, nearly taking her life. Do you think a few strings of candied hawthorns can buy people's hearts?"
"Exactly!"
Si Xin Xin felt more and more that it was reasonable. Gripping the candied hawthorns, she squeezed out two tears, her eyes teary. "If I hadn't run fast just now, I would probably be a corpse by now."
She couldn't help but grumble in her heart.
Others would offer her all sorts of rare treasures to please her, but this First Prince was so stingy!
He wanted to buy her off with a few strings of candied hawthorns? Dream on!
Seeing Si Xin Xin cry, the surrounding cultivators felt even more sympathetic, and their discussions became more animated.
Baili Ye, as the First Prince, had attacked a weak child so fiercely and was now being so perfunctory. It was too much!
Baili Ye was so angry he was trembling, "Feng Ninghe, what exactly do you want?"
Feng Ninghe looked at him with utmost innocence, tilted her body, and pointed to Si Xin Xin: "Naturally, an apology. As the First Prince, you wouldn't lack such magnanimity, would you?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Baili Ye's body went limp, his lips trembling fiercely, "Ap... apologize?"
He was the First Prince of Li Country, to apologize to a child who hadn't even fully grown her teeth?
It was simply a disgrace!
Anyone who heard it would only mock his incompetence.
Baili Ye's eyes instantly darkened, filled with a strong warning, "Feng Ninghe, don't push your luck and be unreasonable."
Feng Ninghe's expression was serene, her slender figure standing tall and graceful, her face slightly cold: "First Prince, one should apologize for mistakes. If you refuse to apologize, it's fine. However, for every whip you struck her, I will return one to you."
The crisp female voice was tantalizing.
She was like a demon, inspiring fear.
Baili Ye's body instantly stiffened.
What Feng Ninghe had done in front of the mansion was still vivid in his mind.
This bitch did not take him, the First Prince, seriously. Let alone whipping her, what difficulty would it be for her to do something even more excessive?
Compared to apologizing, being whipped in the street would be even more humiliating.
"Little one, what happened today was my rash act. No matter what, I shouldn't have attacked you, a mere child."
After weighing the pros and cons, Baili Ye finally spoke to express his apology.
That little girl ran very fast just now.
His long whip had not even touched a single strand of the little girl's hair.
Now he had to apologize to a little girl, which was ridiculous, but to resolve the matter, he had no choice but to speak this way.
The surrounding cultivators erupted in a commotion.
The dignified First Prince was actually apologizing to a mere child!
"I never thought the usually arrogant First Prince would have this day. I must say, Miss Feng is the First Prince's nemesis."
"Speaking of which, this Miss Feng is truly capable. At such a young age, she became the head of the Feng family and managed the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. I also heard that the major immortal sects of Jinling are vying for her!"
The cultivators' discussions entered Baili Ye's eyes clearly.
He suppressed his anger, his face grim, "Are you satisfied now?"
However, Feng Ninghe ignored him and looked at Xin Xin, "Xin Xin, why are you here alone?"
Normally, Xin Xin would have someone with her when she went out.
Could it be that she had sneaked out again?
Facing the question, Si Xin Xin raised a bright smile, her eyes sparkling, "Beautiful older sister, of course, I came out to play with you! Father knows I'm here to see you and is very relieved!"
She secretly resolved in her heart that a bold and intelligent beauty like the beautiful older sister would be the most suitable as her mother.
She was determined to work hard to win over the beautiful older sister to be her mother!
Baili Ye felt as if he had punched cotton, his anger nowhere to be vented.
He could only stride away indignantly.
In the shadows.
Two pairs of eyes were staring intently at the scene.
"How many whips did he lash out just now?"
Si Jian Ye opened his lips, a chilling male voice slowly emerging from his mouth.