Chen Jinghan stroked her wet hair, feeling conflicted. “Qing’er, of course I want to stay with you, but with the recent wars, I really can’t let go so easily.”
Su Qing’er had expected this answer, yet a pang of disappointment still tightened her chest. She gripped his hand more firmly.
Jinghan entwined their fingers, silently offering comfort.
After lingering in each other’s embrace for some time, they finally rose, washed up, and went to pay respects to his mother.
Lady Chen sat in the room, lost in thought. Seeing the couple arrive, a flicker of joy appeared on her face as she gestured for them to sit.
Qing’er noticed her aunt was absent and asked about her.
Lady Chen explained that she had been called home the previous night, so she hadn’t disturbed anyone.
Jinghan’s anger at Wang Shi over the previous incidents—and the forged letter—remained unresolved, but Wang Shi had already left.
“Mother, where is the letter Qing’er supposedly wrote?”
He had no choice but to question his mother. Qing’er tugged at his sleeve, but he pressed on.
Lady Chen handed him the letter, and he passed it to Qing’er, who shook her head.
“Mother, this letter was forged by someone imitating Qing’er’s handwriting to frame her. Who gave it to you?” Jinghan demanded.
Lady Chen’s eyes flickered nervously. Seeing an opening, Jinghan pressed on. “Mother, tell me the truth so I can clear Qing’er’s name! Haven’t you forgotten she nearly fell ill to death because of this?”
Hearing “death,” Lady Chen recoiled two steps and gripped a chair, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
She murmured, “It was your aunt who found it. She claimed to have seen the maid Cui’er drop it and wanted to see what was inside.”
Again, Wang Shi! Jinghan’s mind pieced it together—first the letter, then the medicine, a chain of malicious schemes.
How could a delicate lady like Qing’er defend herself against her?
“Mother, please do not associate with my aunt anymore! If I had been a moment later, Qing’er might have been harmed seriously!”
Lady Chen’s face flushed as she was scolded before the servants, awkwardly defending Wang Shi. “Jinghan, you misunderstand your aunt. She isn’t like that.”
“Mother! Then who caused Qing’er so much suffering these past days?!” Jinghan’s teeth clenched with anger. Though limited by Wang Shi’s status, he could only watch his beloved endure injustice.
Lady Chen sighed, unsure what to say. In her heart, she still leaned toward Wang Shi—after all, Wang Shi had cared for her during childhood. But she could not completely ignore her son, so she merely placated him outwardly, hoping that once things settled, it would blow over.
Jinghan wanted to press further but was stopped by Qing’er, who gently pulled him out of the room.
“Husband, it’s fine. I’ll be careful from now on. I won’t be easily trapped again,” she said softly, unwilling to see him clash with his mother, leaving her caught in the middle.
Jinghan’s face was full of concern—what could he do for such an innocent wife?
He held her hand, earnestly advising, “Wife, people’s hearts are unpredictable. If you’re always so forgiving, you’ll be taken advantage of.”
Qing’er calmed him with a gentle smile. “Husband, don’t worry about me. I know enough about household matters to not sit idly by. This time I was careless, but it won’t happen again.”
“Why don’t you learn some martial arts from me? Just a few moves for self-defense,” Jinghan suddenly thought of a brilliant idea, eager to start teaching immediately.
Qing’er looked around and lowered her voice. “Husband, so many people are watching. Don’t be too conspicuous.”
Jinghan paused, but remained determined to teach her self-defense in secret.
Having returned from a victorious campaign with generous rewards, Jinghan let Qing’er choose first from the gifts before storing the rest.
Qing’er picked a cloth rattle and a jade rabbit. Jinghan remarked she was too frugal, but she shook her head, smiling. These were worldly possessions—she was used to them.
The cloth rattle was unique, adorned with a magnolia blossom, and the jade rabbit, charming and perfectly crafted, immediately caught her eye.
Three to five days later, Jinghan returned home from court to see his mother and Qing’er talking together.
Lady Chen mentioned receiving an invitation from Princess Yiyang for her birthday banquet in two days.
Jinghan, seeing Qing’er smiling and chatting with his mother, was delighted. He insisted they attend. Lady Chen readily agreed to help Qing’er meet other ladies at court, easing tensions with her son.
On the day of the banquet, Jinghan brought his mother and wife. Upon entering, male guests gathered in the front hall, female guests in the rear.
Lady Chen had been introducing Qing’er to the court ladies, but when she saw a childhood friend, she walked away excitedly. In the crowd, Qing’er soon became separated and quietly sipped her tea alone.
Suddenly, a figure in pale yellow appeared, pointing at the seat Qing’er occupied. “Who are you to take my place?”
Qing’er looked up in surprise. A striking girl with deep, dark eyes and a small cherry mouth stood before her—beautiful but with a hint of ferocity, mismatched with her attire.
Qing’er politely rose and returned the greeting, explaining she had sat there without knowing it was reserved.
The girl’s nose twisted in anger—no one had ever dared defy her before.
Seeing Qing’er step aside, the girl followed and, glancing around, pushed her with force.
Splash!
Caught off guard, Qing’er fell into the lake. Unable to swim and shocked by the icy water, she flailed in panic.
“Ah!”
The women around gasped, pointing at the lake, yet none dared to rescue her.
Today is the end of my life, she thought.
Having swallowed much cold water, her body began to sink, leaving only one desperate thought…
Bang!
Another splash—the sound of someone diving in. A young man, strong and agile, swam swiftly toward her, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward the shore.
Half-conscious, Qing’er could only make out a fair, determined face.