Falling into the Water
Seeing the flicker of determination in Su Jintang’s eyes, Yu Guiwan’s gaze shifted, a cold laugh echoing in her heart.
If the female lead lacked love, then she would make sure she never received her parents’ affection.
Just a worthless pearl—who said she would be the one to lose?
The following days passed relatively peacefully.
Apart from Yu Fangyi’s occasional visits, only Yu Guiwan would have the small kitchen prepare some pastries to send to Yu Shuwan.
Yu Shuwan didn’t eat a single one, feeding them all to Guigui instead.
Guigui was a dog she had specially begged Grandmother Yu to keep.
It was fierce and swift, with a pitch-black coat.
Soon, the day of the banquet arrived.
Grandmother Yu rose early, personally applying makeup for Yu Shuwan.
As Yu Shuwan looked at her reflection in the mirror, she was momentarily lost in memories of the recognition banquet in her previous life.
This banquet had invited all the notable figures in Jingcheng. Unfamiliar with such grand occasions, she had naturally been anxious back then.
Yu Guiwan had offered to accompany her, fearing she might make a mistake out of nervousness.
After the incident with the Bright Pearl, Yu Guiwan had apologized guiltily, blaming herself for her poor choice of words. Though Yu Shuwan felt wronged, she hadn’t dwelled on it.
Thus, that day became the first nightmare that turned her into a laughingstock across Jingcheng.
Noticing her distraction, Grandmother Yu smiled gently. “Shuwan, your eyes are truly beautiful.”
Yu Shuwan snapped back to reality. “As your granddaughter, it’s only natural that I have something to add to your grace.”
“You and your sweet words.”
Grandmother Yu shook her head. “There will be many guests today. If you encounter questions you’d rather not answer, simply change the topic or excuse yourself.
I’ll have Zhi Qiu accompany you, and you—”
“No need, Grandmother. I can manage on my own.”
Yu Shuwan smiled sweetly.
If she had someone by her side, how would Yu Guiwan find an opportunity to act?
Seeing not a trace of timidity in her, Grandmother Yu felt even more reassured.
When the auspicious hour arrived, Grandmother Yu brought Yu Shuwan to the banquet.
Everything was just as she remembered from her previous life, with only one difference: while she had been tense and fearful back then, this time she felt a faint sense of anticipation.
At the recognition ceremony, Su Jintang’s face was nearly stiff from smiling, yet she repeatedly praised only the radiantly dressed Yu Guiwan by her side.
Leaning against a nearby railing, Yu Shuwan watched the lively scene with amusement.
Without the Bright Pearl, there was the Floating Light Brocade. Su Jintang truly cherished Yu Guiwan from the depths of her heart.
This was the time for socializing among the ladies. Grandmother Yu, after all, was getting on in years, and once the recognition ceremony ended, Yu Shuwan urged her to return and rest.
Initially reluctant, Grandmother Yu finally relented when Yu Shuwan said with a smile, “No one can bully your granddaughter. Please go back and rest well. I’ll return once the banquet is over.”
If it had been her past self, Yu Shuwan would have felt nothing but awkwardness. But now, watching it all unfold like a play, she found a certain enjoyment in it.
Soon, Yu Guiwan noticed her and approached.
“Sister, let me accompany you.”
Yu Guiwan’s gaze was sincere. “This banquet is for you. As the host, you shouldn’t be standing here all alone.”
“No, thank you.”
Yu Shuwan replied with a faint, mocking smile. “I prefer being alone.”
Yu Guiwan frowned slightly. “But…”
“If you really want to help me, go prepare some meat dishes and send them to Changhong Yuan later. I’ll feed them to Guigui.”
“Guigui?”
“My dog. Isn’t that a good name?”
Yu Shuwan watched as Yu Guiwan’s expression shifted from shock to resentment, then to anger.
She suppressed her fury and said, “Are you insulting me?”
“No.”
Yu Shuwan shook her head earnestly.
After all, in her view, giving the dog such a name was probably an accidental insult to Guigui.
Yu Guiwan’s expression softened slightly at that.
But her tone was no longer as warm as before. “These are all distinguished ladies and young misses from the capital. You should go meet them.”
“I already saw them.”
Yu Shuwan counted, “The one in the pink dress is your friend, the one with lotus embroidery on her clothes is also your friend… Are you going to introduce me to them?”
Yu Guiwan hadn’t expected Yu Shuwan to be so observant, and her face stiffened slightly.
She took a deep breath, stepped forward, and softened her voice. “Shuwan, I know you have misunderstandings about me, but… Ah—”
Before she could finish speaking, she lost her balance and fell into the lotus pond beneath the bridge.
The splash wasn’t small, but Yu Shuwan, afraid no one would notice, deliberately raised her voice and shouted, “Someone, come quickly! The eldest young miss has fallen into the water!”
Su Jintang had initially only been curious about who had fallen in, but upon hearing it was Yu Guiwan, she panicked and rushed frantically to the edge of the lotus pond.
There, she saw Yu Guiwan flailing desperately in the water, looking utterly disheveled.
“Someone, come quickly! Save my Guiwan!”
Su Jintang was on the verge of tears.
Naturally, the noble guests present wouldn’t jump into the water, the maids were nowhere to be seen, and the servants who rushed over glanced at Yu Shuwan standing safely on the shore, hesitating and unsure whether to dive in.
Yu Guiwan’s struggles grew weaker and weaker, and her despair deepened.
She had underestimated Yu Shuwan!
But she truly couldn’t swim. Was she really going to die here?!
Yu Shuwan kindly remarked, “Is no one really going to save her? It looks like my sister might drown.”
“If Guiwan isn’t saved, I’ll have all of you buried with her!”
Su Jintang’s voice was shrill. Yu Shuwan curled her lips, feeling speechless.
“Buried with her” this, “buried with her” that.
Did she really think Yu Guiwan was some princess or emperor?
She squatted nearby, nodding. “That’s right, hurry up and save my sister.”
No sooner had she spoken than a figure swiftly plunged into the water with a loud splash.
Some of the splashing water even landed on Yu Shuwan’s face. She stood up and took a few steps back, her expression tinged with disgust.
Water tainted by Yu Guiwan—how revolting.
Still, Yu Shuwan was curious: Who would disregard everything to save her?
She craned her neck and saw the face of the rescuer, her heart instantly drenched in cold water.
It was Yu Jingzhou.
The eldest son of Zhongyi Houfu, the one who doted on Yu Guiwan to the core—her own biological brother.
Yu Jingzhou granted Yu Guiwan’s every wish. Even when he went out for a stroll, he would always bring back something she liked on his way home.
He truly held Yu Guiwan close to his heart.
Her presence displeased Yu Guiwan, which naturally displeased Yu Jingzhou as well.
Even though she was his own biological sister, Yu Jingzhou had never once stood by her side.
Her thoughts returned to the present, and Yu Shuwan watched indifferently as Yu Jingzhou fished Yu Guiwan out of the water.
The surrounding servants had all been dismissed by Su Jintang, and the guests, understanding the situation, tactfully took their leave one by one, seeing that everyone was safe and adhering to the principle of not prying into others’ affairs.