Chapter 188: Diving

Chapter 188: Diving

"Prince, this way, please."

Lin Huabin followed his elder brother, leading Qi Lingheng to pay respects to Lady Lin.

The two brothers, beaming with joy.

"The prince actually took the initiative to pay respects to our family's matriarch! This is such an honor."

As they walked, Qi Lingheng inquired, "How has the old lady been recently?"

Seeing his younger brother eager to step forward, Lin's elder uncle, having spoken with the prince several times, remained silent, allowing Lin Huabin to talk with the prince.

"Replying to the prince, the old lady is in good health, though she has some chronic ailments and needs to take some nourishing medicine regularly."

Qi Lingheng smiled slightly, "Would my visit now disturb the old lady?"

Lin Huabin hurriedly replied, "Not at all! The old lady would be overjoyed."

At the turn, Lin Huabin eagerly said, "This way, please, Prince."

Letting Qi Lingheng go ahead.

Qi Lingheng also inquired about Nanny Fan, "Years ago, Nanny Fan served by the side of the old Princess of Yan. I had a few encounters with her when I was young."

As for Nanny Fan, he actually didn't recognize her at all.

But having heard that she was recently instructing Lin Yunwan, he felt compelled to ask.

Lin Huabin was pleasantly surprised, feeling the sudden interest of Prince Huan in the Lin family.

He hesitated to reply.

The elder Lord Lin chimed in, "Nanny Fan is enjoying her days with the old lady, just as well."

Qi Lingheng paused, then said, "That's good to hear."

Passing by the side gate of the garden, they saw a maid running out in a panic, shouting, "The young lady has fallen into the water! Someone help! The young lady has fallen into the water! Is anybody there?"

Qi Lingheng and the others stopped in their tracks as the maid fell to the ground, pale-faced.

Lord Lin frowned and scolded, "Why are you running? Who did you say fell into the water? Where did she fall?"

The maid knelt on the ground, frantically responding, "The second branch's young lady, she fell into the lotus pond. Her maid came running for help, but I can't swim!"

Turning to Lin Huabin, "It sounds like it's your maid. Why would she be near the lotus pond?"

Lin Huabin's face changed, his beard trembling.

Just now, Yunwan had gone to meet Wen Hai's mother. That must mean it's Yunwan!

"This is bad, it's Yunwan!"

"His heart sank. How was he going to explain this to Zhao Jingyi!"

"Big brother, you go ahead with the prince. I'll—"

"Prince! You... You..."

Lin Huabin had barely finished speaking when Qi Lingheng was already out of sight.

He and his elder brother exchanged bewildered glances.

"Big brother, this..."

"Why did the prince run towards the Lin family's garden!"

Lord Lin was also dumbfounded, not having time to think deeply, he furrowed his brows and said, "Hurry and follow him. If anything happens to the prince, our entire Lin family will be in deep trouble!"

Lin Huabin felt a chill in his heart, trembling as he said, "…Let’s go and see!"

"Yunwan is just Zhao Jingyi’s illegitimate daughter. Even if she was rescued after falling into the water, it would be fine. And if not, it would be an accident."

"He had always thought that the incident with Ling Xiang was orchestrated by Zhao Jingyi."

"But during his last visit to the Zhao family, Zhao Jingyi didn't mention a word about it, which was out of character for him."

"This indicated that Zhao Jingyi wouldn't go to great lengths for an illegitimate daughter."

"Prince Huan is a different matter altogether."

"The prince must not come to any harm..."

"If something happens, it won’t just be the Lin residence in turmoil, but the entire Jiang Qian region will be turned upside down."

"Why did Prince Huan have to add to the chaos?"

Lin Huabin couldn't help but blame.

By the lotus pond, everything was in utter disarray.

Fan's mother had fainted, Lin Yunjiao was crying inconsolably, still not recovered from the shock, and Wen Hai, looking bewildered at Lin Yunjiao, muttered, “Isn’t it the Eldest Miss? Why is it you?”

Lin Yunjiao raised her hand and slapped him.

"You... you still have the audacity to say... I... I was touched by you..."

Wen's mother had succeeded in her scheme, but now, not knowing what to do next, was also in a panic.

She said, “Second Miss, perhaps you should go home first. You’re all wet; don’t catch a cold.”

But inwardly, she was thinking that Zheng’s family had already agreed with her that they would come over at the right time.

"Hurry up, come!"

"If they arrive now, it's as good as confirmed, and the marriage will be secured!"

"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Lin Yunwan had been observing their every move from the sidelines."

"Until someone who shouldn't have been there appeared, Lin Yunwan was shocked: 'Why is the prince here!'"

Xiruo focused and confirmed, "It really is the prince."

"He must have come for me."

Lin Yunwan no longer hid herself and hurriedly made her presence known.

Qi Lingheng had run all the way, slightly out of breath. Upon spotting Lin Yunwan from a distance, he finally narrowed his eyes and calmed down.

He smiled wryly.

"Concern leads to chaos; I acted impulsively."

"Given her intelligence, how could she possibly be schemed against and fall into the water?"

Seeing the uncharacteristic behavior of Qi Lingheng, Lin Yunwan guessed the reason for his hurried arrival.

They exchanged a knowing smile.

Lin Yunwan gently pursed her lips, an idea forming in her mind. Since he had already come...

"Why go through great lengths to facilitate their marriage?"

"This is a rare opportunity right before her eyes!"

"Yunjiao, how are you?"

"Lin Yunwan quickly approached to check on Lin Yunjiao."

"Lin Yunjiao, still in shock and not yet recovered, heard Lin Yunwan's voice. In a burst of anger, she pushed her away, yelling, 'Get away from me!'"

"Ah—"

"Lin Yunwan fell into the water!"

"Lin Yunjiao was stunned; she hadn't intended to push Yunwan into the water."

"Standing on the shore, she stared blankly for a moment, and for some reason, felt an urge to laugh."

"Falling into the water is good, isn't it? Why should I be the only one embarrassed?"

"Wen Hai was also shocked, scolding Lin Yunjiao, 'How could you push your sister into the water!'"

"'She could die!'"

"Lin Yunjiao glared at him, 'Mind your own business! Stay where you are! I forbid you to save her!'"

"He thinks he can touch two women? In his dreams."

"Wen Hai hesitated, looking towards his mother for guidance."

"Wen's mother was even more dumbfounded. Both sisters in the water? Was her son supposed to marry both?"

"Splash—"

"A figure plunged into the water, causing the fragrant lotus pond to ripple and splash."

"'Who is that?'"

"Lin Yunjiao stood dazed, watching the man who had jumped into the water, oblivious to her own drenched state, with her wet clothes clinging to her body, outlining her youthful figure."

"Lord Lin and his brother Lin Huabin also arrived, shouting in panic, 'Prince! Prince! Prince!'"

"Lin Yunjiao, Wen Hai, and Wen's mother all turned around to see the two heads of the Lin family arrive, scared out of their wits."

"Lin Yunjiao was even more unsure of where to hide, her clothes still wet."

"'Wen Hai. Quick, help the prince out of the water!'"

"Lin Huabin instructed frantically."

"Lord Lin, not caring for formalities, dived into the water himself to rescue the person. Lin Huabin, fearing an incident with Prince Huan in their residence, also helped to pull Qi Lingheng ashore."

"'The Second Miss is over there.'"

"The voice of Lin Yunjiao’s maid came from another direction, crying and talking to the housekeepers."

"A large crowd gathered around the lotus pond."

"Qi Lingheng emerged from the water holding Lin Yunwan."

"Ah Fu squeezed through the crowd, quickly bringing Qi Lingheng’s robe to drape over him."

"However, Qi Lingheng covered Lin Yunwan with the robe instead, enveloping her completely in his arms to shield her from prying eyes."

"He looked sternly at Lord Lin and commanded, 'Clear the area. The prince and Miss Lin need to change clothes.'"

"Lord Lin, with his lower half still wet, nodded dumbly, 'Yes, yes, yes.'"

"Such a major incident had already alarmed Lady Lin."

"The lady of the house hurried over to manage the situation, preparing a guest room, clothes, and hot water."

"Lin Yunjiao also followed, but she had completely forgotten about her own fall into the water, her mind solely fixated on how her father addressed that young, distinguished man as 'Prince'."

"'Prince Huan, he is Prince Huan, it was actually Prince Huan!'"

"'So, does this mean Prince Huan saved... my legitimate elder sister?'"

"Lin Yunjiao was utterly speechless."