Ye Qingcheng's parents looked at her with shock, seemingly surprised by her defiance.
Ye Qingcheng didn't want to see those disgusting faces anymore. She turned and left, walking directly out of the Wangfu's main gate.
Walking on the bustling streets, Ye Qingcheng grew more and more annoyed. She turned into a small alley and directly vented her frustration against the wall: "Aaaahhhh! This is too much. How could such a family exist? I must have had terrible luck for eight lifetimes to be reborn into such a weak body, to have endured so much, and even to have endured my own life away."
After venting, Ye Qingcheng felt much better. She took a breath of relief, straightened herself, and walked out of the alley.
Ye Qingcheng looked at the lively, crowded marketplace and decided to cast aside her vexing thoughts and enjoy some shopping.
Ye Qingcheng bought a candied hawthorn and strolled along the street. She passed a small shop and found the rouge and powder inside very attractive. Ye Qingcheng picked one up, opened it, and sniffed, then shook her head.
This rouge was not good. It had too many impurities, and the scent wasn't pure. It was better to go to a reputable store to make a proper selection.
Indeed, when a woman shops, her mood naturally improves, provided she has enough money.
After browsing for a long time, Ye Qingcheng found a place to sit casually. She looked across at the entrance of a restaurant where an old man was begging. Ye Qingcheng suddenly sighed, realizing how many people were homeless in this turbulent world, forced to beg in the streets and be mocked by others.
They looked at the beggar as if he were livestock.
Ye Qingcheng thought that she understood her abilities were insufficient to provide the old man with a home, but she could at least ensure he had a meal.
Just as she was about to step forward, she saw a man, elaborately dressed and surrounded by attendants, walk past the begging old man.
The begging old man, as usual, extended his hand to beg from the noble. He accidentally brushed against a corner of the man's robe. The man became enraged, his brows knitting so tightly they could have trapped a fly. He glared at the old man, then kicked over the bowl the old man used for begging.
"You wretched beggar, you're filthy, now get out of my way."
The old man's begging bowl was kicked over, and the copper coins scattered. Other beggars rushed forward and snatched them up.
Ye Qingcheng was furious. This man was truly detestable.
The servants, seeing a group of beggars scrambling, quickly shielded the man at the front.
"Young Master, hurry, don't get dirty."
"What a group of dirty people."
The man flicked his sleeves, cast a vicious glance at the beggars snatching the copper coins, and was led away by his servants.
Ye Qingcheng watched the man's retreating figure, cursing in her heart that he was less than human.
She looked at the bewildered old man, his hands trembling, mistakenly believing he had offended some noble.
Ye Qingcheng's heart ached. She fumbled for the money she had, not much, but enough for a meal.
Ye Qingcheng stepped forward. Seeing the old man's face full of tears, she crouched down, picked up his bowl for him, and said, "Elderly sir, a small token of my regard." As she spoke, she gave him the money.
The old man accepted with trembling hands, his face full of gratitude. "Thank you, thank you, young lady."
Ye Qingcheng looked at the man walking slowly some distance away, lowered her eyes, her expression unreadable. She caught up to the man in two or three steps and used a subtle maneuver to "accidentally" bump into him.
The man couldn't keep his balance and stumbled forward. He instinctively reached for the nearest object, a corner of clothing – Ye Qingcheng's.
But Ye Qingcheng turned, causing the man to grasp at empty air. He fell directly to the ground, even spurting forward slightly.
The onlookers were somewhat startled.
The man's servants snapped back to attention and immediately rushed to help their young master. "Young Master, are you alright!"
The man was helped up, dirt smudged on his face. "Who, who was it? Who pushed this young master down?" He looked around. Everyone nearby kept their distance, but he immediately spotted Ye Qingcheng. Pointing at her, he roared, "Was it you? Yes, it was you, you pushed me down."
The man stared intently at Ye Qingcheng.
Ye Qingcheng readily admitted, "Yes, it was me. If you want to know why, it's mainly because I found you displeasing to the eye."
The man didn't believe her. "You must be after my good looks."
"What?" Ye Qingcheng's mind went momentarily blank. She couldn't follow the man's train of thought.
"Speak, are you infatuated with me, and thus staged this 'playing hard to get' to get my attention? Very well, I have indeed noticed you."
Ye Qingcheng raised an eyebrow and looked at him with disgust. "Are you sick?"
The man, upon hearing this, pointed directly at Ye Qingcheng, almost jumping up. "I told you to watch your mouth. This young master is a handsome and elegant gentleman, a man of talent, with refined features and exceptional bearing. My skin is like jade, my whole being embodies beauty. How can you not be captivated by me, by my..."
"Stop!" Ye Qingcheng interrupted him, rubbing her temples with a sense of helplessness. "I apologize. I don't know you, and I have no intentions toward you. I simply found you displeasing and wanted to cause you trouble. I didn't expect you to misunderstand. It seems you've encountered this situation many times before. Well, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."
The man watched her run away as if he were terrifying, and he asked his servants with a hint of insecurity, "Am I ugly?"
The servants shook their heads.
The man regained his confidence. "I knew it! I am clearly handsome. This woman truly lacks discernment."
The servants agreed. "Yes, she just lacks discernment. She doesn't know how handsome Young Master truly is."
Ye Qingcheng ran all the way back to the Prince Regent's manor. Leaning against a pillar at the entrance, she panted, "Oh heavens! What a misfortune to have gone out! I actually met a pervert. Fortunately, I ran fast."
Ye Qingcheng caught her breath, calmed her breathing, and then returned to her chambers. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Xiao Wangye sitting upright in his wheelchair, looking at her.
Lin Xiao stood beside Xiao Wangye. The atmosphere was very serious.
Seeing Ye Qingcheng return, Xiao Wangye faced her and clasped his hands in greeting, apologizing. "For today's offense, Xiao Wangye hereby offers his apologies."
Ye Qingcheng was stunned and didn't react for a moment. "You are... here to apologize to me."
Xiao Wangye nodded.
Ye Qingcheng relaxed her body, shook her hands, her gaze a little uneasy. "So, you've come to ask me to forgive you and your parents?"
Xiao Wangye said gravely, "Not at all."
Ye Qingcheng looked up at him.
Xiao Wangye straightened his posture, indicating his stance. "You do not need to force yourself to say you forgive me and my parents. My action today is only to tell you that I am me, and they are them. Whether you choose to forgive or to be angry is entirely your own decision."