Chapter 123: What a Bad Influence

"I revere Heaven, Earth, and my parents, and I hold the wise Emperor in the highest regard, but I cannot kneel to you. You are a relative of high-ranking court officials; should you not be the one setting an example, showing compassion and care for the common people? Yet here you are, abusing your influence, bullying the innocent without cause, and forcing a person of no rank or merit to kneel before you!"

Zhang Xiaolan no longer bothered to feign ignorance. Her words were sharp and piercing, each one striking true and hitting Fu Yan’s "vulnerable" spot.

This infuriated Fu Yan, who immediately attempted to use her status to intimidate, signaling for her men to seize Zhang Xiaolan and punish her with a flogging.

"You lowly wench, how dare you speak to me like this! Someone, seize her and flog her! Come here at once..."

Fu Yan was livid; no one had ever dared to lecture her or talk back to her before. Who did this woman think she was to address her in such a manner?

However, Fu Yan had forgotten that she was out for a stroll, not on patrol, and this was not the Minister's manor. With no one to heed her commands, she shouted several times, but her calls went unanswered.

"Young Miss, we did not bring any servants with us today."

A maidservant at her side whispered the reminder. Looking around, they saw that the surrounding crowd had gathered to watch the commotion, pointing and whispering among themselves.

While they did not know who Zhang Xiaolan was to dare stand up to the headstrong Miss Fu, they were all well aware of Fu Yan’s background. Her words and behavior were held in contempt by all, though no one dared to openly oppose her, content only to gossip behind her back.

Just as Fu Yan was fuming with frustration, Zhang Xiaolan seized the opportunity to turn the tables. She continued to preach "reason" to her, regardless of whether it would further provoke the young woman.

"Miss Fu, I suggest you refrain from such arrogance and overbearing behavior. You are only bringing shame upon your father and grandfather. Furthermore, with so many people watching, the impact is quite poor; not only does it tarnish your own image, but it also threatens your father's political career."

Zhang Xiaolan paused deliberately, observing Fu Yan’s increasingly grim expression before continuing:

"If someone with ill intent were to report this to the imperial court, claiming that the Left Chancellor and the Minister of Rites allow their daughter and granddaughter to bully the innocent and practice private forms of punishment, such a memorial reaching our wise Emperor would surely be unfavorable for your family!"

At this, Fu Yan could not find the words to retort. She was left speechless, as every point Zhang Xiaolan made was rooted in logic and principle.

"Besides, I know that the Left Chancellor and the Minister of Rites are both upright officials who serve the country and the people. Surely, the children they have raised cannot be all that bad. Miss Fu, please do not ruin your family's reputation, or your own, for this."

Zhang Xiaolan had shifted from righteous indignation to praising Fu Yan’s family.

They were officials, and while they held great power, they could not simply use their positions to crush others. Beneath the very shadow of the Imperial City, there was no room for such insolence. No matter how high one’s rank, it could not surpass that of the Emperor. Even if one were a founding hero, one could not act above the law—let alone a mere official’s daughter.

She had given the girl a way out; if she were smart, she would take it. Zhang Xiaolan was not afraid of her. If she wanted to escalate this, let her; it would be clear whether she would be the one reprimanded or if a law-abiding commoner like Zhang Xiaolan would suffer. Justice would naturally distinguish right from wrong.

"Tell me, Miss Fu, isn't that the truth?" Zhang Xiaolan finished with a provocative question.

Zhang Xiaolan was not someone to be trifled with. In terms of life experience and sharp-tongued wit, she considered herself no less capable. Having studied thousands of years of history, she had no reason to fear a mere pampered girl.