Chapter 83: Falling into the Water

Chapter 83: Falling into the Water

Xu Qingxing's straightforward question, though direct, was not meant with any malice.

The gentle smile on Sun Zhiye's lips faltered slightly, the warmth in his eyes fading as the cold wind seeped through the window. After a moment, he collected himself and said, "The phrase 'poking your nose into things' is an insult to Qingxing's act of standing up for me."

"Qingxing, I know you truly and genuinely regard me as a friend."

"I’m willing to stand by you through any accusations or suspicions."

"Qingxing, we are best friends, aren't we?"

Outside the Lake Pavilion, the biting wind swept snowflakes across the frozen lake, swirling in the air and forming icy whirlwinds that rushed into the pavilion, bringing with them a bone-chilling cold.

The charcoal brazier crackled with embers.

Xu Qingxing involuntarily shivered from the cold and quickly closed the window.

"Brother Sun, have you also noticed that Lu Yao and Xie Yan have hidden agendas?"

Sun Zhiye: ...

Sometimes, it’s better not to dig too deep.

When we both understand each other, silence often speaks louder than words.

The plum blossom viewing banquet was primarily about the plum blossoms.

Once the banquet ended, the guests filed out of the Lake Pavilion in an orderly manner, walking in small groups toward the plum grove.

The embroidered carpet on the waterside corridor was dusted with a thin layer of snow and ice crystals, making a crunching sound underfoot while also being slightly slippery.

The magistrate's wife wanted to keep an eye on Lu Mingchao, but as the hostess of the plum blossom viewing banquet, she also had to attend to the other female guests, leaving her with little time to focus on Lu Mingchao.

Admiring plum blossoms in the snow was truly one of winter’s greatest joys.

Treading through the snow to admire the plum blossoms, with snowflakes adorning the branches and the red and white colors complementing each other, it felt like being in a fairyland.

The plum blossoms, with their delicate beauty and pure elegance, seemed to stand unrivaled in beauty.

Lu Mingchao couldn’t deny that the scene before her was unforgettable.

However, the howling northwest wind, carrying snowflakes, relentlessly lashed against her face, as if she were being slapped repeatedly, and occasionally it felt as sharp as a knife.

Her entire face became chapped, dry, tight, and red from the cold.

After just a brief stroll through the plum grove, Lu Mingchao was shivering. Looking out, the plum grove seemed endless.

So, she pulled her cloak tighter and decided to find a secluded corner to quietly wait for the end of the plum blossom viewing banquet.

The pavilion by the waterside corridor was a perfect, secluded spot.

As Lu Mingchao neared the lakeside, a sudden gust of wind hit her from behind. Instinctively sensing danger, she had no time to dodge.

At the moment someone behind her collided with her, Lu Mingchao quickly resolved to take someone down with her.

Two figures tumbled heavily onto the icy, snow-covered lake.

Lu Mingchao clearly heard the sound of the ice cracking, a faint crunching noise.

Immediately, the surface of the lake cracked with a dense network of lines, spreading rapidly and wildly.

The woman beside her screamed in terror, flailing her arms in an attempt to grab onto the unbroken ice. However, this struggle was futile and only made the ice crack faster, making the situation increasingly dire.

Under the ice, Lu Mingchao kicked the woman and then grabbed a stone from a potted plant in the spatial supermarket, smashing it onto her head.

She was the kind of person who settled scores right then and there.

As Lu Mingchao pondered whether to drop into the spatial supermarket or try to save herself using a method she had learned before, someone in the plum grove finally noticed the commotion on the lake and called for help.

Her cloak, soaked with water, became incredibly heavy.

It felt as if a stone were tied to her, dragging her deeper.

After choking on several mouthfuls of icy water, Lu Mingchao was rescued by Xie Yan, who had heard the commotion.

Xie Yan patted her back as she coughed up mouthfuls of lake water.

The wind blew, and Lu Mingchao felt the cold cut through her to the bone.

"A Yan, she’s the one who pushed me."

Xie Yan's pitch-black eyes glared with icy fury as he looked at the unconscious figure beside them.

Upon hearing the news, the magistrate's wife hurried over, already feeling overwhelmed.

"Magistrate's wife, may I take my wife to change her clothes? Could you direct us to a suitable place?" Xie Yan, holding Lu Mingchao, spoke in a voice colder than the wind.

The magistrate's wife quickly replied, "Of course, right this way."

"Chun Xing, take the guests to the Ziyuan Garden."

Ziyuan Garden.

Lu Mingchao changed into the clothes provided by the magistrate's wife while Xie Yan dried her hair.

In the room, the charcoal stove was burning brightly.

"A Yan," Lu Mingchao whispered, looking up and gently grasping his wrist.

She could feel him trembling beneath her touch.

"A Yan, I could have gotten out of there on my own."

Xie Yan said, each word dripping with ferocity, "That person deserves to die."

"She does deserve to die," Lu Mingchao said without a hint of sympathy.

"A Yan, I hit her when we were underwater."

Xie Yan's expression remained stern. "Mingchao, when you're in danger, your first priority is to save yourself, not to seek revenge."

No one could understand the terror he felt watching her cloak sink slowly into the lake.

Lu Mingchao was about to say more when a knock interrupted them.

Chun Xing entered, carrying a tray with a steaming white porcelain bowl.

"Madam Xie, this is the medicinal soup the mistress had me prepare to ward off the cold."

"The physician is ready. If Madam Xie needs anything, just let me know."

Xie Yan stood up and took the medicinal soup.

"Miss Chunxing, do you know who pushed me into the lake? How are they doing now?" Lu Mingchao tied up her long hair and asked curiously.

Chunxing looked down and replied softly, "It was Miss Qu Ying, a cousin staying at the Sun residence. She calls Madam Sun her aunt."

"The doctor treated her, and she’s out of danger, but she’s still unconscious from hitting her head underwater."

"If Madam Xie is feeling up to it, maybe we could head to the flower hall."

We need to settle the matter of the fall into the lake.

Since Madam Xie is awake, she’s in control of the situation.

Chunxing dropped a subtle hint.

Lu Mingchao nodded, "Thank you for the advice, Miss Chunxing."

Lu Mingchao sipped some of the warming herbal soup, wrapped herself tightly in her cloak, and followed Chunxing to the flower hall with Xie Yan.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Xie Yan, who looked like a bloodied sword unsheathed, its scabbard missing.

The spacious flower hall was packed with people.

"Chaochao," Lu Yao said with concern.

Lu Mingchao smiled faintly, her eyes warm, but her pale face after the fall gave her smile a fragile, sorrowful edge.

"I’ve inconvenienced the magistrate’s wife."

The magistrate’s wife forced a smile, "Are you feeling unwell?"

What should’ve been a lovely plum blossom viewing turned into an accident, which was really unfortunate.

"Thank you for your concern. I suppose my body’s been well cared for," Lu Mingchao replied gracefully.

The magistrate’s wife silently agreed.

As a noble lady from a wealthy family, raised to be a high-ranking matron, she’s been nurtured with the best remedies since she was young.

She may look delicate, but she’s actually quite strong.

Isn’t that just heaven’s blessing?"