Zora was riding past the west market when her way was blocked by two carriages. Many passersby had stopped to watch, and as she was about to go around them, her attention was drawn to a servant pulling at someone...
Wasn't the servant pulling a young boy none other than Yeyin's maid, Yuen?
And inside the carriage was Yeyin?
Curious to see what was happening, Zora dismounted and walked closer, blending in with the crowd.
"You hit someone and didn't apologize, then you ask us to move aside? That doesn't make sense. Your master should get out and apologize, then we can let you pass, otherwise, I'll have to call the authorities," Yuen, a tall and strong woman, was nearly lifting a small servant.
"Miss, we already apologized. My young master has a heart condition, and we need to rush to the doctor. Please let us pass. If you refuse, we will, but my master cannot get out of the carriage now!" the servant was choking up, almost crying.
The coachman nearby also knelt down and knocked his head twice. "I didn't mean to offend you, please forgive me."
But Yuen was still not letting go, insisting on her stance.
Inside the carriage, Yeyin sat calmly, sipping tea, seemingly enjoying the scene without interfering.
"Cough, cough, cough. Jinai, help me down."
"My lord, your condition… you can't…" the attendant Jinai hesitated. "Let me go talk to them, the doctor is just at the end of the street. Please wait a moment."
"No need. If they were willing to let us go, they wouldn't be so persistent. Help me down," Yeyin said, motioning firmly.
The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a man in white slowly stepped out. He walked up to Yeyin's carriage and slightly bowed his head. "My servant has offended the young lady. I ask for your forgiveness."
At that moment, Yeyin also stepped out of the carriage.
"If your master wants to apologize, then…" Yeyin showed her impatience.
But when her eyes landed on the man, her expression changed, and she quickly adjusted her tone.
"Alright, forget it. Yuen, let them go. Move the carriage aside."
The man in front of her was elegant, his deep eyes and calm demeanor showing a refined and scholarly air. He looked pale, almost fragile, yet there was a purity about him that seemed far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world.
Yeyin swallowed. Why had she never heard of such a handsome man in the capital? This man was just as elegant as the finest scholars.
The man, Zhiyo, gave a soft sigh of relief when he saw that the woman was no longer pressing him. He then politely responded, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss. My surname is Xiao. I hope you will let us pass. We must hurry to the doctor."
Yeyin noticed how distant he was and felt a slight displeasure. She didn't want to drop the matter so easily, so she continued asking, "It's a rare encounter. I just wanted to get to know you, but I don't know which Xiao family you belong to?"
"I'm not from the capital," Zhiyo replied.
"Then may I ask your full name?" Yeyin pressed.
Suddenly, Zora appeared from the side.
"I say, sister, are you deaf or blind? He's having a heart condition and needs to see a doctor. Why are you blocking his way with all this questioning?" Zora sneered with disdain, acting arrogantly.
Yeyin's face darkened with anger. Why did Zora always show up at the wrong times? Just as she was about to speak, Zora pointed at the coachman.
"You, move the carriage."
Then she pointed at Yuen, "You, release him! How dare you lay hands on a man? Do you have any manners? If you can't behave, stay out of sight. If my sister can't teach you, I'll teach you myself!"
"Miss Zora, how dare you be so arrogant? I'm second miss Yeyin's servant. Who do you think you are to lecture me?" Yuen retorted angrily.
"Slap!" Zora struck Yuen hard across the face before she could finish speaking.
The entire street fell silent.
"I'm the arrogant first miss. Do you have a problem with that?" Zora wiped her hands with a handkerchief, as if disgusted by the contact.
Zora glanced at Yeyin, who always pretended to be so gentle, but Zora knew she wouldn't dare stand up to her. "I'll show you who's in charge," she thought to herself.
Zhiyo had never witnessed such a scene. Raised in a scholarly family, he was surrounded by gentle, well-mannered people. Seeing Zora's crude behavior, he found it hard to believe, yet he couldn't help but feel some curiosity.
Zora turned to look at him and asked, "Why aren't you getting back into your carriage? Didn't you say you had to go see a doctor?"
"Thank you, Miss," Zhiyo quickly got back into the carriage.
Zora waved him off dismissively and turned back to her own carriage.
After seeing his carriage leave, she climbed back onto her horse and headed home.
As soon as she arrived at the family estate, the gatekeeper handed her the reins. "Miss, the master has asked for you to come to the study."
Meanwhile, Yeyin stormed into the mansion and headed straight for Madam Bai's quarters.
Zora lazily strolled to Madam Bai's study. "Mother, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"My daughter is finally home! Did you settle things with the young master from the Shen family? When will I go and arrange the betrothal?" Madam Bai said with a delighted smile, her teeth showing.
"I've settled it, but when did I say I wanted to marry him?" Zora raised an eyebrow.
"You've already settled it, but you're not going to marry him?" Madam Bai's smile faded, and she became serious. "This isn't right, my daughter. A good match like him, you can't pass up. You have to think carefully."
Madam Bai continued, "Is it because you think our family can't match the Shen family?"
Zora sat back, enjoying her tea, and replied nonchalantly, "What do you mean? If I really liked him, I would marry him. But I'm not in a rush."
Madam Bai sighed in relief but then became more urgent. "If you truly like him, then we can request a marriage from the Empress herself! You know, your father received a royal decree from Emperor Taizu, allowing our family to request such things."
Zora stared in shock. "Wait, what? The royal decree?"
Madam Bai nodded proudly, "Yes, it was granted to us, but it's of no use to me. If it can help you, I'll go to the Empress and ask for your marriage!"
Zora was overwhelmed by her mother's words, her eyes starting to well up. She had never felt so cared for.
"Thank you, mother," she whispered, deeply moved.
Seeing her daughter's eyes beginning to tear up, Madam Bai immediately felt a pang of regret. "Oh, my daughter, did I say something wrong?"
Zora quickly shook her head. "No, mother. I just never knew how much you cared for me."
Madam Bai, seeing her daughter's teary eyes, quickly moved to comfort her, rubbing her back gently.
"Don't worry, my child. I'll make sure everything goes well for you. As for your marriage, just let me know when you're ready."
Zora smiled softly and leaned her head against her mother's shoulder. "Thank you, mother. I'll make sure to live up to your expectations."