Word of the incident spread like wildfire to the officials, who immediately submitted a document, praising the Princess Consort with great admiration.
Though the Emperor found it a bit nauseating, he was pretty pleased.
Who wouldnât like a good reputation for their family?
In no time, Jiang Ning became the talk of Changâan City.
After sending the terrified Ms. Ma back to the Prince of Huaiâs residence, Jiang Ning rode in a carriage back to the palace. As they passed through a small alley, another large carriage was approaching from the front.
When two carriages meet in a narrow alley, one of them must reverse to make way for the other.
However, Jiang Ningâs carriage had entered the alley first, so, by right, the other carriage should reverse and let Jiang Ningâs carriage pass.
But the other party wouldnât budge.
Jiang Ning was too lazy to fuss over such trivial matters and was about to instruct Gucheng to reverse when a well-dressed young man hopped down from the carriage ahead.
The young man was wearing a green robe, had a fair complexion, and was quite charming and dashing. However, he carried himself with a frivolous air. When he saw Jiang Ning poking her head out of the carriage, his eyes lit up.
âMy goodness, where did this little beauty come from?â The man approached with a fixed gaze on Jiang Ningâs face, swallowing hard. âLittle Master has lived for twenty years, and I have never seen such a beauty. Old Man Li, go find out whose beauty this is, I need to know her name, age, and marital status!â
A response came from the front carriage.
Jiang Ning, holding onto the carriage, laughed, âYou donât recognize me?â
âIdo.â
âOh?â
âThe beauty is my future wife.â The man rubbed his hands together, drooling over Jiang Ningâs ravishing face, âWhat age are you, my beauty? Will you let this Little Master marry into your family? No problem if youâre already betrothed, I have to have you.â
âWhich familyâs master are you from?â
âLi Baodan, legitimate son of Prince of An, favored.â Gucheng suddenly spoke from the front of the carriage.
Jiang Ning looked at him in astonishment.
Li Baodan exclaimed, âLittle beautyâs carriage driver even knows me! Seems like you have quite a background.â
But what astonished Jiang Ning was not that Gucheng knew these things, but that he had actually spoken such a long sentence.
Ever since she had known him, she had never heard him speak so many words at once.
Jiang Ning found it too fascinating, completely ignoring Li Baodanâs lecherous gaze on her.
Li Baodan reached out to touch her hand.
Jiang Ning, reacting reflexively, slapped him across the face.
It made a crisp sound.
Li Baodan was stunned.
He touched his face, sniffed his hand, and laughed, âLittle Master has lived for twenty years and no one has dared to touch a hair on my head. Itâs a first today.â
Jiang Ning jumped down from the carriage, looked around, bent down to pick up a stone from the ground, and hurled it at Li Baodanâs face.
Li Baodan did not expect her to be so quick to strike. Unable to dodge in time, the stone hit his forehead, causing blood to gush out immediately.
Jiang Ningâs actions didnât stop there. After throwing one stone, she raised her hand to throw another. Li Baodan finally reacted, covering his head and turning to run away.
âHelp, help, help!â
âShameless lowlife, you stop right there! Letâs see if I donât beat you to death!â
Jiang Ning hurled the stone at him, hitting him in the butt. The pain made him howl, and he dove into his own carriage, panic-stricken, ordering the driver to hurry and reverse away.
The driver, who had been with him for many years, was used to relying on his connections. Never had he seen a woman like this and he cried in fear, âWhich familyâs woman are you? How dare you injure our young master?â
Li Baodan, covering his head and bloodied, yelled, âEnough of this nonsense, take me to find a doctor! As for you, woman, you just wait, youâre dead!â