Chapter 80

"Damn, I hate people like you the most! When you think you have a strong background, you bully others with arrogance, thinking you're the best in the world! But once you find out someone has a stronger background, you immediately become a coward, just like you are now! Pan Shaofeng, if you could have shown a bit of backbone after learning about my background, I might have looked at you a little differently. But your performance has disappointed me greatly! It also made me realize that without your father's support, you're nothing! I think you should realize this too. Tell me, if your father wasn't the Governor of the Imperial City, what would be the difference between you and the common people on the street? What makes you so great?"

Pan Shaofeng was scolded by Song Li like a grandson, his face pale, and he didn't know where to put his hands. If one didn't know the inside story, they might think it was an elder scolding a younger relative, but in fact, Song Li was five or six years younger than Pan Shaofeng. Being scolded by a younger person, it's no wonder Pan Shaofeng's face turned the color of a pig's liver.

"Kneel down!" Song Li suddenly roared.

To be honest, Pan Shaofeng didn't originally plan to kneel to Song Li. Whether he was shameless or bowed his head to be scolded, he just wanted to get through this day, hoping Song Li would forgive him and let him leave the Imperial City. As the saying goes, a gentleman can wait ten years for revenge. With the support of the Taishan Sect, he would have his chance to settle the score.

However, deep down, he had already developed a sense of fear towards Song Li. So when Song Li roared "kneel down," Pan Shaofeng's mind went blank, and his knees bent reflexively, making him kneel involuntarily. By the time he realized it, he was already kneeling in front of Song Li. Sometimes, the human mind is very strange. What seemed impossible at first, once done, doesn't feel so bad. Since he had already knelt and lost face, he might as well just go with it and hope to get through this.

Seeing the once arrogant Pan Shaofeng now in such a pitiful state, the brothers of the Justice Alliance burst into loud laughter. This laughter made Pan Shaofeng feel utterly humiliated, and he lowered his head even more.

Song Li gestured for Pang Da to bring a stool, sat in front of Pan Shaofeng, and said with a smile, "Pan Shaofeng, you finally decided to kneel to me! You should remember one thing: I always keep my word. If you had knelt and begged me earlier, maybe we wouldn't be in this situation. I gave you a chance, but you didn't seize it. However, you misunderstood me. I didn't ask you to kneel to me. Kneeling to me now is meaningless, and I won't let you take the carriage away. It was a gift from His Majesty, so don't even think about it. What I mean is, you must go to Chang'an Street and kneel before the people, begging for their forgiveness. If they forgive you, I will forgive you!"

Pan Shaofeng felt like he wanted to die! Damn, if you didn't want me to kneel to you, why didn't you say so earlier? Only a fool would have thought about the carriage. I'll never touch a carriage again! He knew Song Li was deliberately playing with him, but there was nothing he could do. The other party had the right.

"Prince, I am kneeling to you willingly, not to get the carriage back," Pan Shaofeng thought, since he had already knelt, he might as well stay down. "Can we not go to Chang'an Street? I know I've angered everyone... they'll beat me to death..."

"Do you realize you've angered everyone? You're a man! Since you know you've hurt the people, you should take responsibility. Kneeling before them and begging for forgiveness is your only choice. Otherwise, wherever you go, you'll carry the burden of guilt. If you ever return to the Imperial City, you'll have to cover your face with a cloth because you won't have the face to see them! Do you think such a life is meaningful?" Song Li said coldly, "You forgot what I just said. I always keep my word! Didn't I say that if you don't kneel and apologize on Chang'an Street, I won't let you off?"

Pan Shaofeng fully understood. Although Song Li was young, he was far more difficult to deal with than he imagined. Damn, what did he do in his past life to deserve such a ruthless person?

He knew that if he didn't do as Song Li said, this matter would never end, and Song Li would come up with more ways to punish him. Song Li didn't even need to do it himself; the group of arrogant young men around him could break Pan Shaofeng's bones.

Fine, better to face the people on Chang'an Street than to deal with these malicious young men. Pan Shaofeng decided to follow Song Li's instructions and go to Chang'an Street to kneel and beg for forgiveness.

Not long after, a golden carriage pulled by a fire kirin arrived at the busiest part of Chang'an Street. This time, the carriage didn't speed by but moved slowly. Many people who witnessed this whispered, "No way, is Pan Shaofeng showing off again?"

"It's not Pan Shaofeng. Don't you know? The Emperor has already granted this carriage to the Prince of Mingwang..."

"I heard that Governor Pan has fallen out of favor and was exiled to the border as a magistrate..."

"The Prince of Mingwang is truly a great hero who helps the people..."

"Both are from powerful families, but the difference in character is so great. Look at the Prince of Mingwang, how slowly the carriage moves. That's what we call grace! A true great person should be like this!"

"Spit, how can a second-generation rich kid like Pan Shaofeng compare to the Prince? He doesn't deserve it!"

"..."

The people on Chang'an Street were discussing the golden carriage, and when they mentioned Song Li, they spoke with great admiration. No matter where or when, the people are the same. If you do something good for them, they will remember it and be grateful. Yet there are so many inhuman beings who refuse to do even a little good, always thinking about exploiting the people and pleasing their superiors. These people don't deserve to be human.

When the carriage stopped, to everyone's surprise, it wasn't the Prince of Mingwang who got out, but Pan Shaofeng, whose face was still swollen.

Could it be... the rumors were wrong, and Governor Pan hadn't fallen out of favor, and the Imperial City was still under Pan Shaofeng's control? Otherwise, how could the golden carriage be back in his hands?

The crowd suddenly fell silent, everyone staring at Pan Shaofeng with disdain. Damn, even if you win this time and the Prince loses, we still think the Prince is the better one. You, Pan Shaofeng, don't even deserve to carry his shoes. We'll kill you with our eyes!

While the people were speaking up for Song Li, Pan Shaofeng did something they never expected. He got out of the carriage, walked to the crowd, and with a "thud," knelt down, bowing and pleading, "People of the Imperial City, I am kneeling to apologize. I, Pan Shaofeng, have behaved improperly and recklessly, almost causing harm to the people. Fortunately, I met the Prince of Mingwang. If he hadn't intervened, I would have made a grave mistake. At the Mingwang Palace, I listened to the Prince's teachings and deeply reflected on my mistakes. I am about to leave the Imperial City with my father to take up a new post. Before I go, I must face my mistakes and take responsibility. I was wrong, and I have hurt everyone's feelings. Fortunately, no one was injured, so I still have the face to kneel here and beg for your forgiveness! If you forgive me, I can leave with peace of mind! You can hit or scold me, I will accept it, as long as it makes you feel better!"

Song Li, sitting in the carriage, exchanged a glance with Pang Da, thinking that Pan Shaofeng was quite good at talking. Whether he was sincere or not, his words were quite impressive.

The crowd was initially silent, but then burst into a roar!

"What's going on? Why is Pan Shaofeng kneeling to us?"

"This is a once-in-a-thousand-years scene in the Imperial City, finally, a descendant of the powerful is kneeling to the people and apologizing!"

"Did he just say he listened to the Prince's teachings at the Mingwang Palace?"

"Yes, he did say that..."

"I get it, the Prince must have made him come and apologize..."

"The Prince is truly a great person... He not only saved the people's lives but also protected our dignity..."

"If it weren't for the Prince, he wouldn't have such a good heart..."

"The Prince must be in the carriage!"

"Prince, Prince, Prince... We want to see you!"

"Prince, come out, Prince, come out..."

The people's wisdom is astonishing. From Pan Shaofeng's change in attitude and his words, they guessed the truth. They were sure Song Li was in the carriage, and he must have brought Pan Shaofeng to apologize to the people. The news spread quickly, and people gathered on Chang'an Street, not to punish Pan Shaofeng but to see the Prince. Pan Shaofeng, kneeling on the side, was ignored, but he didn't dare to get up without Song Li's permission.

Seeing the people's support for Song Li, Pan Shaofeng felt a mix of emotions. Both were from powerful families, and Song Li was even more ruthless than him. Why could Song Li gain the people's love, while he had to kneel and apologize? He didn't realize how much his actions differed from Song Li's. Song Li was ruthless to the rich kids but warm to the people, while Pan Shaofeng was ruthless to the people and a coward when faced with someone stronger.

The people outside were calling for the Prince to appear. Song Li and Pang Da, sitting in the carriage, heard everything clearly. Song Li was still hesitating about whether to appear, thinking it might be too showy. But before he could decide, Pang Da, like a weasel, jumped out, stood on the carriage, raised his hands, and smiled, signaling everyone to calm down. The crowd quieted down, and Pang Da, proud of his ability to control the scene, cleared his throat and shouted, "Now, let's welcome the Prince to meet everyone!"

"Wow! Prince, Prince, Prince..." The crowd erupted again, and even the shop assistants nearby were drawn by the loud cheers to come and watch.

There was no time to hide now. Pang Da loved to be in the spotlight and wouldn't miss such an opportunity to show off in front of the people of the Imperial City. Even if it was just using Song Li's name to gain attention, he was happy to do it.

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