I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?

Chapter 488: How About the Three of Us Share a Family Tree (Part 4)

"And what does Miss Xiang have to say?"

"Prime Minister Gao divorcing his wife is one matter, but apologizing and paying compensation is another. They can’t be conflated," Ye Qianning said, stepping forward and looking up at him with big, bright eyes.

Prime Minister Gao hadn’t expected her to press the issue even after he had divorced his wife. ’She still won’t let it go.’ "Miss Xiang, you shouldn’t take things too far."

"That’s not right. This isn’t about taking things too far; it’s about basic human respect. Her disrespecting you and your decision to divorce her is a private matter for the Gao family. But she forced the coachman to drive recklessly, causing the horse to panic and crash into all these people and carriages. She must apologize to the coachman and to us, the victims. That is a matter of basic decency and responsibility," Ye Qianning said, enunciating every word, her small face completely serious.

Hearing this, the crowd nodded repeatedly, their admiration for the little girl before them growing.

"I recognize her. I think she’s the young lady from General Xiang’s estate."

"You mean the one from the Xiang family, who was just praised in an imperial edict from the Emperor as a model for all noble families?"

"Yes, that’s her."

"No wonder she’s so perceptive. She was praised by the Emperor himself. You can tell just by looking at her that she has an extraordinary air about her and a clear sense of right and wrong."

As the townspeople chattered amongst themselves, their fondness for Miss Xiang grew.

Seeing this, Prime Minister Gao’s brow furrowed. It wouldn’t be easy to leave now. ’I knew this little girl would be a handful.’

"You’re just a little girl, and you want me to apologize to this rabble? Dream on!" Having already been divorced, the former Mrs. Gao was even more furious, acting as if she had nothing left to fear.

"I can’t be bothered to argue with someone as unreasonable and belligerent as you. Let’s report this to the authorities." Ye Qianning turned her head to look at Li Zhonghuai. "It just so happens Lord Li is present.

That saves us the trouble of calling a witness, since he saw exactly what happened."

Li Zhonghuai had been watching the drama unfold with a mixture of intense focus and astonishment. When his name was suddenly called, he jolted.

The former Mrs. Gao was also stunned. ’Going through official channels will leave me with a criminal record. Being divorced is already humiliating enough; if this goes to court, I could very well be sentenced to prison...’

"Miss... Miss Xiang... If you wish to report this, you can go to the Prefectural Office," Li Zhonghuai stammered, desperate to avoid getting involved.

"As I recall, Lord Li holds the post of Secretary in the Ministry of Justice. Compared to the Prefectural Office, the Ministry of Justice holds more authority. I’m sure Lord Li will see that justice is served for everyone here, and he certainly won’t let a vicious woman escape the law," Ye Qianning said softly.

Li Zhonghuai’s expression soured. ’How does a little girl know so much?’ he wondered.

"Former Mrs. Gao, you were in the wrong. You should apologize and pay compensation. If this gets taken to the Ministry of Justice, you won’t be getting out for at least three to five years." He glanced at Miss Xiang, sensing that she wasn’t necessarily determined to escalate things to an irreparable point.

Prime Minister Gao shot a furious glare at the woman. He couldn’t afford the humiliation of having this matter brought before the Ministry of Justice.

The former Mrs. Gao’s fearless bravado deflated considerably. She knew full well what prison was like.

"Former Mrs. Gao," Li Zhonghuai prompted.

The woman pressed her lips together, her fingers tightening on her clothes. Taking a deep breath, she first walked over to the coachman. "I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I was too impatient and didn’t listen to your warnings. I will compensate you in full for the loss of your carriage and horse."

The middle-aged coachman, faced with her apology, was both astonished and nervous. He stammered, "Th-thank you, madam."

With little of her former arrogance left, she turned and bowed to the crowd. "I was in the wrong today. Everyone who was affected will be compensated."

Watching the woman who was normally so arrogant bow to a crowd of commoners left a sour taste in Prime Minister Gao’s mouth. But more than that, he was furious with her temperament.

’If she had just apologized like this from the start, he wouldn’t have been forced to write a letter of divorce.’

But now... He sighed.