Chapter 34: Rescuing the Living

"Oh dear, Seventh Sister, how could you be so careless as to fall into the water? What are you all standing there for? Hurry over and save her!"

Wen Qiao feigned surprise, acting as if she had only just noticed Wen Qi in the water. She hurriedly beckoned the surrounding palace maids and eunuchs to rush over. However, none of them knew how to swim. Wen Qi struggled violently in the water, a wave of regret washing over her as she realized she had resorted to such a desperate measure.

Now, there was no one to save her—no one knew how to swim—and she had even exposed such a disheveled and pathetic side of herself in front of the Crown Prince.

She had originally intended to use this to tarnish Wen Qiao’s image in the Crown Prince’s heart. Instead, she had suffered a double loss, losing the battle while paying a heavy price. She worried that not only would the Prince not dislike Wen Qiao, but he might also be put off by the sight of her own current, unsightly state.

The more Wen Qi thought about it, the more she regretted her actions. It was truly a testament to her tenacity that she could contemplate so much while still struggling for her life in the water.

Many people gathered by the lakeside, watching from a distance, yet none dared to enter the water to save her.

Only then did Wen Qi realize just how grave her situation had become. Xiao Minghe had originally wanted no part in this; if he intervened, he risked further displeasing Wen Qiao. If she were to misunderstand his intentions toward Wen Qi, how would he ever manage to trick her into handing over that pair of earrings?

However, he could not simply watch Wen Qi drown. None of the servants knew how to swim, and if something truly went wrong, the rumors would be unsightly—after all, Wen Qi was a young lady of the Marquis of Yongning’s household.

"Very well. Since none of you can swim, I shall go down and bring the Seventh Miss up."

Unable to bear watching such a delicate beauty struggle any longer, Xiao Minghe moved to remove his outer robe, intending to jump in.

"What? Absolutely not! Your Highness, you are of noble birth; how can you risk your life in the water for a young lady? Even if she is from the Marquis’s estate, it is improper. Furthermore, the Seventh Miss is an unmarried lady; it would be against decorum for you to do so. Seventh Miss, hold on a moment longer! I will go and find a maid who can swim!"

It was Xiao Xiazi, the young eunuch attending the Crown Prince, who spoke up. He had originally intended to stay out of it, but he could not allow the Crown Prince to jump in himself. If the Emperor or Empress were to blame him, he would be the first to suffer. If the Prince caught a chill or missed his studies, he knew the Empress would flay him alive. Besides, in his eyes, Wen Qi was hardly worth the Prince taking such a risk.

The Prince, however, was reluctant: "Human life is at stake; why worry about such things now? Besides, it is not as if I cannot swim. If I were a landlubber, would I have been so impulsive? Fine, since you say so, go and find someone quickly. If you find someone, all the better; otherwise, I cannot bear to watch her struggle like this."

Xiao Minghe, still unsure of the relationship between the two sisters, assumed Wen Qiao would be anxious and was performing this act to show his concern. He did not realize that Wen Qiao was simply standing by, watching him and Wen Qi perform with great interest, having no intention of interfering.

Xiao Xiazi did not consider the matter significant at first, but hearing the Prince’s insistence, he hurried off to find help. He knew that if the Prince actually jumped into the water, he would be held responsible for his death.

"Cousin, do not worry. If Xiao Xiazi returns late and the Seventh Miss cannot hold on, I will jump in and save her myself. I will not let anything happen to her."

Wen Qiao pulled a handkerchief from her waist and gently dabbed the corners of her eyes, feigning a weak and pitiful appearance.

"That is good, that is good. I do not know why Seventh Sister suddenly fell. She was the one who called me over to feed the fish, but before I could send anyone to fetch the feed, she had already fallen in. It startled me so. With you here, Cousin, I feel much more at ease. I truly would not have known what to do today if not for you."

"Do not worry, Cousin. With me here, I will not let anything happen to the Seventh Miss, nor will I let you be frightened. I suppose it is natural to be scared, as this is likely your first time encountering such a situation."

Thinking that Wen Qiao had just returned from the countryside—where there was likely less intrigue—he assumed she was naive. He realized then that the relationship between the sisters was not as close as it seemed; otherwise, a sister would not be so calm while her own kin was drowning.

As the two chatted lightheartedly on the bank, neither paid any mind to the struggling Wen Qi.

Wen Qi wanted to emerge and scream curses, but she was too weak. She could only curse Wen Qiao in her heart. Every time she opened her mouth to call for help, she only swallowed more water. Just as she felt the grip of despair, Xiao Xiazi finally returned with several maids.

Because his own life was at stake, he had moved quickly. Had he truly cared about Wen Qi from the start, she would have been saved long ago.

As soon as the maids arrived, they jumped into the water and hauled Wen Qi onto the bank. She lay there, soaking wet, her hair plastered to her face in strands, her clothes clinging tightly to her frame, revealing her figure in a way that left little to the imagination.

If the atmosphere were not so tense, Wen Qiao might have laughed at how much Wen Qi looked like a drowned ghost.

Seeing Wen Qi coughing incessantly, Wen Qiao had to keep up the facade of a devoted sister. She stepped forward, intending to drape her own outer coat over Wen Qi, but the Crown Prince stopped her.

"Although it is summer, there is still a breeze. If you give her your coat and catch a cold, what then? Do not worry, I have already ordered Xiao Xiazi to bring a coat and a cloak. Xiao Xiazi, bring the items over! Why are you standing there like a fool?"

"Yes, yes!" Xiao Xiazi hurried forward.

Once the maids had wrapped Wen Qi up, the Prince turned his back to maintain decorum.

"Thank you, Cousin. You are so thoughtful, I am truly grateful. I am just relieved Seventh Sister was saved; if something had happened to her, how would I have explained it to my father?"

Knowing the Prince favored the weak, Wen Qiao continued her act. She thought to herself that since Wen Qi loved to perform, she would play along. In her past life, it was Wen Qi’s acting that had captivated the Prince; she wondered if he would now show her the same pity.

Indeed, seeing Wen Qiao’s teary-eyed expression, Xiao Minghe felt a pang of heartache. He moved to wipe her tears but restrained himself, looking at her with a mix of concern and hesitation. Unlike the Fourth Prince, he was a man of status and caution, and he maintained his composure well.

Once Wen Qi had warmed up, she looked over to see Wen Qiao and the Prince chatting, seemingly ignoring her entirely. Resentment flared in her heart. She coughed loudly, trying to draw their attention, but they remained focused on each other.

"Your Highness, Sixth Sister," Wen Qi called out.

Xiao Minghe finally remembered her presence. He turned, looking slightly embarrassed. "My apologies, Seventh Miss. I was so focused on your rescue that I neglected to ask how you were feeling. Are you alright?"

Wen Qi lowered her head, her long lashes hiding the hatred in her eyes. When she looked up again, she blinked, feigning a fragile and pitiful look. "I am fine, cough... I had asked my sister to bring me here to feed the fish, but she only wanted to walk around the Cining Palace. It was only after my insistence that she brought me here. I felt she was reluctant, perhaps because she did not want the Empress Dowager to know about this area. Perhaps she grew angry and pushed me into the water."

She looked up, tears streaming down her face. "Sixth Sister, ever since you returned to the estate, I have treated you with nothing but respect. Why would you do this? If the Crown Prince were not here, would you have just watched me drown? Did you truly want to kill me?"

Wen Qi’s voice grew increasingly aggrieved, as if Wen Qiao had indeed pushed her. Xiao Minghe, who had not clearly seen the moment of the fall, was now left in deep doubt.