Yun Wan-shuang recoiled in shock, stumbling backward several steps.
Not far away, in the bamboo pavilion, the palace maids and eunuchs noticed the commotion. They saw Wen Shuyu struggling desperately in the water, and Yun Wan-shuang standing on the shore.
Terrified, they shouted out loud, “Someone! Quickly! The Princess fell into the water! Help!”
“The Princess fell into the water!”
“Hurry to the front hall to inform His Highness and the Empress! The Princess doesn’t know how to swim—save her, quickly!”
Fuling seized the moment, using her light-footed skill to leap into the pond.
Tears welled up in her eyes, her voice trembling with anxiety: “Miss!”
…
In the front hall,
The music played, and a lady in a flowing blue skirt danced gracefully, her steps like lotus blossoms unfolding. The audience could do nothing but admire, clapping and cheering without pause.
On the high dais, however, Xiao Jingchen didn’t glance that way. His exquisite brows lowered in fatigue, and with slender fingers he lifted his wine cup to his lips, sipping slowly.
He looked at Moyu beside him and spoke in a voice only she could hear: “This wine is good. Who brewed it? Once Wen Shuyu recovers, send her a jar. She has always liked tasting fine wines.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Moyu replied softly. “The lady dancing in the center is the daughter of the Minister of Revenue. She dances well and keeps glancing toward you.”
Xiao Jingchen raised an eyebrow, then dismissed her comment with a faintly disdainful glance. “You’ve been at my side all this time, yet your taste hasn’t improved. What do you mean by ‘dancing well’?”
“That’s true. After all, you’ve never seen Wen Shuyu’s wide-sleeve dance. Two years ago, when she tried to seduce you, she danced for you once—it was like a fairy descended to earth. You also never heard her play the zither; the melody is pure, soaring like a crane in the skies.”
Moyu paused, realizing something: the Princess had danced and fallen into His Highness’s arms back then, asking if she danced beautifully. He pushed her away, saying he didn’t even glance at her and told her not to use such tricks. Yet clearly, he had watched the whole time.
Moyu scratched her head. And now—His Highness mentioned the Princess so many times today. When did he start paying so much attention to her? Did she miss something?
While the hall was still immersed in the elegance of the dance and the pleasant zither music, a eunuch burst in, panicked and stumbling.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! His Highness! Something’s wrong! The Princess fell into the water!”
“What?”
The music halted abruptly, and the entire hall froze in shock.
By the time everyone recovered, the high seat was empty. The Crown Prince had disappeared in an instant, moving too fast for anyone to see.
Following closely was the panicked Minister Wen, his beard trembling as he hastily drew a talisman and gave chase.
The Empress couldn’t remain seated either. Her voice, still commanding, carried a thread of worry: “How did Ah-Yu fall into the water? Where were you watching? Show me the way!”
The Emperor, Empress, and attendants all rushed to the rear courtyard.
By the lotus pond,
When Xiao Jingchen arrived, Wen Shuyu’s hair was soaked, her face pale, lips bluish. Wrapped in a large cloak, she shivered violently, leaning on Fuling.
He bent down and called softly: “Wen Shuyu.”
Suddenly, Wen Shuyu threw herself into his arms. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her voice trembling with sobs: “Crown Prince… the water was so cold. I struggled desperately, but it kept filling my mouth…”
“I thought I was going to die… and never see you again.”
Xiao Jingchen comforted her, gently patting her back and using his inner energy to gradually dry her clothes. His dark eyes swept over the crowd, finally resting on Yun Wan-shuang.
“Explain. What happened?”
His voice was calm and measured, betraying no emotion, yet it carried an invisible weight of deadly intent.
The attendants, accustomed to the Crown Prince’s usual gentle and warm demeanor, were terrified by this gaze. They dropped to their knees in fear.
After all, the Princess was weak due to her blood talisman and had nearly lost her life falling into the pond. This was no trivial matter.
And at that moment, standing by the pond, there was only Miss Yun.
Yun Wan-shuang looked at Wen Shuyu in the Crown Prince’s arms, met his cold, piercing gaze, and recalled the events just moments ago. She clenched her hands so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
That wretch had tried to frame her. She had underestimated this shameless girl.
She could not be made a scapegoat. Approaching the Crown Prince, she spoke softly and persuasively: “Your Highness, please listen. The Princess jumped in herself, I—”
Before she could finish, Wen Shuyu’s pitiful, tearful voice interrupted her loudly:
“It’s not Sister Wan-shuang’s fault! It’s all my own… I shouldn’t have stood there and blocked Sister Wan-shuang’s way… She was probably just too angry, not intentional.”
“It’s my fault for resting in the Eastern Palace… Sister Wan-shuang was right to advise me to leave. She was just momentarily upset because she cares for the Crown Prince… Don’t worry, Your Highness, I’m fine. It’s all my fault…”