The young man pulled Su Qing’er to the shore, dragging her along while shouting at the onlookers: “Why are you all just standing there? Help her onto the bank!”
Just then, some servants arrived, and together they managed to lift Qing’er out of the water.
Having swallowed so much cold water, Qing’er remained unconscious. Someone urgently called for a doctor.
The young man reached the shore as well. Seeing Qing’er pale and limp, he furrowed his brows, ordering the crowd to give them space, and began pressing her chest, checking for a response.
News of someone falling into the water quickly reached the front courtyard. Chen Jinghan’s heart sank—he had a gut feeling it was Qing’er. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the back garden.
Arriving, he saw a figure in green clothing lying on the ground. His head spun, fear gripping him tightly.
That morning, Qing’er had worn that very green outfit. He had teased her before that, though her appearance was exceptional, such plain clothing seemed too simple for her. Qing’er had replied that it was a birthday banquet for the princess and preferred to dress modestly, so he hadn’t insisted further.
Jinghan rushed forward, seeing Qing’er soaked and unconscious, a man crouched over her pressing her chest. He bellowed in anger: “You brat! Let go of my wife immediately!”
The young man ducked under his strike, glowering at him. “If you keep acting recklessly, this woman will die.”
Jinghan, hearing the seriousness in his tone, held back, shouting instead: “Quick, someone fetch a doctor! Everyone, go!”
Hearing that some had already gone, he held Qing’er’s hand, removing his own coat to cover her.
Coughing suddenly, Qing’er expelled a mouthful of water.
The young man finally relaxed. “She’s fine now. As long as the water’s out, she’ll be okay.”
He rose slowly and turned toward the culprit, eyes cold and sharp. “Song Ru’ning, if you want to act arrogant, go back to your Song family. Today, if I hadn’t intervened, this woman would have died because of you!”
Song Ru’ning—the young woman in yellow who had pushed Qing’er—was the granddaughter of Grand General Song Lian. Spoiled and arrogant due to her grandfather’s favor with the emperor, she thought herself untouchable and notorious in the capital.
“So what if you care? Who is she anyway? Even if she had died, what’s it to me!” Song Ru’ning was furious at being called out and raised her hand to strike.
Chen Jinghan blocked her, eyes blazing with rage: “Miss Song, the woman you pushed into the water is my wife. If anything happens to her, I’ll make the entire Song family pay!”
“How dare you disrespect me? I’ll have my grandfather skin you alive!” Song Ru’ning continued shouting.
Someone recognized Chen Jinghan and quickly pulled Song Ru’ning aside, whispering that he was the emperor’s most trusted general, not to be offended, and hurried her away.
Unable to confront her publicly, Jinghan gritted his teeth and watched her leave.
Qing’er slowly opened her eyes, seeing Jinghan. Weakly, she asked, “Jinghan… why are you here?”
Jinghan picked her up and comforted her. “Wife, don’t be afraid. I’ll make sure to go to the Song family and set things right.”
Suddenly, a cold laugh came from the side.
It was the young man who had saved her from the water.
Jinghan, already irritated at his unauthorized touch, snapped: “You brat! I haven’t even settled accounts with you yet—why are you laughing?”
The young man looked up. “If I were you, I wouldn’t cause trouble with the Song family right now.”
“Why not? That Song girl almost killed my wife!” Jinghan recalled the terrifying scene and still shuddered.
The young man explained: “The war is just beginning. You’ll need the cooperation of the Song family. If you now make enemies of them, isn’t that letting your loved ones suffer while your foes rejoice?”
His words hit Jinghan’s concern squarely. Though he and the Song family had maintained boundaries, the emperor’s recent intentions suggested that all forces might be reorganized for the war against the enemy. In that case, the young man’s advice made sense.
Qing’er recognized the young man as her rescuer and hurriedly thanked him.
He returned the bow politely: “No need for thanks, Lady Chen. Rest well and recover fully.”
He was about to leave when Jinghan called after him: “Who are you? Give me your name!”
“Yun Xi,” the boy said, then departed gracefully.
Those two characters caused a stir among the onlookers.
“That’s the princess’s cousin, Yun Xi, who disguises herself as a boy?”
“Yeah, I’ve seen her before. I didn’t realize she looks like this in male disguise!”
“This girl is unpredictable, yet the princess dotes on her.”
“No wonder she wasn’t afraid of Song Ru’ning!”
Jinghan was stunned. He had been ready to scold Yun Xi for touching his wife, only to find out she was a girl. Well, that was for the better—it avoided gossip.
Qing’er watched Yun Xi leave, feeling a little regretful that she hadn’t properly thanked her.
Jinghan quickly sent someone to fetch his mother, explained the situation to the princess, and carried Qing’er home.
Once home, the doctor carefully examined Qing’er to ensure she was unharmed.
“Husband, I told you I’m fine. Don’t frown anymore,” Qing’er coaxed softly, yet Jinghan’s worry did not ease at all.
He was far too anxious for Qing’er. Just a single banquet nearly sent her to death, and countless more awaited her. If he had to worry like this every time, he might as well be struck down himself.
Learning that Song Ru’ning had pushed Qing’er, he was furious beyond measure. Such arrogance—risking someone’s life over a seat! How could a person like that be of the Song family?
Qing’er held his hand, softly reassuring him that she would be more careful in the future.
Seeing his wife humble herself, Jinghan felt both heartache and anger, his voice rising: “Qing’er, it wasn’t your fault! Why do you blame yourself? That Song Ru’ning deliberately harmed you, and I will confront her tomorrow!”
Hearing this, Qing’er’s tears fell freely.
She felt wronged as well—simply attending a banquet, taking care at every step, and still an accident happened. On top of that, being scolded by her husband, she began coughing again, remembering the suffocating feeling of being submerged.
“Qing’er, Qing’er, are you alright?” Jinghan’s heart ached seeing her like this. He rubbed her chest to help her breathe, only stopping once her color returned.
He was filled with regret, taking her hand and letting her gently pat his face.
Qing’er held back, eyes red, murmuring, “Jinghan… don’t do this.”