Chapter 30 Jumping into the Lake

Chapter 30: The Lake Plunge

Qiu Heng sprinted to the side gate, told the gatekeeper she was going out to shop, and he let her out.

The gatekeeper had heard that the Old Madam had ordered ten sets of jewelry for the Sixth Miss Qiu and had eight outfits tailored for her. He also heard the Elder Earl was singing the Sixth Miss's praises for being so well-behaved.

Since the two most important people in the house were so fond of her, a lowly gatekeeper like him knew better than to get in her way.

But what was the Sixth Miss in such a hurry to buy? he wondered.

Meanwhile, Qiu Heng headed straight for Green Lotus Lake.

It was the lake closest to the Earl of Yongqing's estate. Lotus flowers bloomed in summer, and by autumn, sweet lotus seeds could be harvested.

Qiu Heng didn't know if it would work, but she had to try.

In the Great Xia of thirty years later, a place she never should have been, injuries, bleeding, and the passage of time ultimately left no trace on her body.

This was why she was so sure her master was right: she would eventually return.

But staying in a place that didn't belong to her came at a cost. On the fifteenth of every month, when the moon was full, a searing pain would rack her entire body. The only relief came from soaking in Magpie Lake.

During those times, she would think: perhaps this place was rejecting her, an outsider.

Fortunately, after waiting ten years, she had finally returned.

The fifteenth of March and the fifteenth of April passed without incident. But on the fifteenth of May, the familiar agony came back.

No time to wonder why, Qiu Heng made a beeline for Green Lotus Lake.

On the street, a youth in scarlet watched a figure flash past the exit at the end of an alley. He told his men to keep patrolling and followed alone.

The alley opened onto another street. Looking left and right, he spotted the girl walking swiftly.

He could tell she was in a hurry just from her posture.

Had something happened?

Xue Han, puzzled, quickened his pace to follow.

Qiu Heng's eyes were fixed only on Green Lotus Lake.

If she weren't so aware that, as Miss Qiu the Sixth, she could be known for making incense, playing cuju, and studying, but must never reveal her martial skills, she would have started running ages ago.

She reached Green Lotus Lake. Fortunately, no one was around at that moment.

Qiu Heng hiked up her skirt and rushed into the lake.

Xue Han, following from a distance, saw this and his expression changed drastically. He sprinted toward her.

The cold water closed over her, and Qiu Heng sighed in relief: Thankfully, it didn't have to be a lake from that other time and space.

Only then could she think to wonder why nothing had happened the previous two months, but it had hit her this month.

This punishment, or rejection as she saw it, was for being an outsider.

What was different about this month compared to the previous two?

A sudden thought struck Qiu Heng: Could it be because—

Before she could finish the thought, a strong hand grabbed her from behind, dragging her toward the shore.

"Let go!" Recognizing Xue Han, Qiu Heng restrained her strength as she pushed against him.

This was the Imperial City Commissioner who, she'd heard, had come to the estate immediately upon hearing about the recovered lost girl to check if she was a spy. Qiu Heng was even more careful not to show her martial arts skills.

Initially uncertain, Xue Han became convinced the moment Qiu Heng struggled and pushed: Miss Qiu the Sixth was trying to drown herself!

The young man locked one arm around the struggling girl. Paddling with the other, he hauled her, with great effort, onto the shore.

Qiu Heng propped herself up on the ground, both in pain and seething: If only she could reveal her martial skills...

Xue Han panted, exhausted yet relieved: Thank goodness he happened to be there!

Both were soaked to the skin, looking quite disheveled.

"Why would Miss Qiu the Sixth want to end her life?"

Qiu Heng gritted her teeth. "I didn't."

Xue Han frowned. "If you've been wronged, I can speak to your grandfather. Don't do anything foolish."

"I didn't." Qiu Heng knew he meant well and shouldn't blame him, but the rekindled burning pain made it impossible for her to remain calm.

Xue Han looked at the cold-faced girl and felt a surge of anger himself.

He wasn't angry at her poor attitude; he was angry that she didn't value her own life.

"If not, then why did you jump into the lake?"

Faced with the young man's persistent questioning, Qiu Heng was left speechless.

To cool off? That obviously wouldn't fool anyone.

"I... I was feeling unwell." Meeting Xue Han's puzzled gaze, Qiu Heng silently forced herself to cough up a mouthful of blood.

Xue Han was utterly stunned. He wanted to reach out but felt it was inappropriate, leaving him momentarily flustered.

"What's wrong? Where are you hurt?"

"It's not an injury." Fine beads of sweat formed on Qiu Heng's forehead. "I... I have a strange illness. Please, just take me back into the lake first, and I'll explain."

Xue Han wasn't one to dawdle. Hearing this, he picked her up and jumped into the lake.

The water rippled, startling away the wild ducks.

Qiu Heng immediately felt relief, and her expression relaxed.

Seeing this, Xue Han fell silent.

It seemed to be true.

Now feeling better, Qiu Heng regained her wit and began to fabricate a story: "I was once struck by lightning."

Xue Han: ?

Ignoring the shock her words might cause, Qiu Heng continued, "I survived, but it left me with this strange illness. Usually, there's no sign of it, but occasionally I feel a burning pain, as if struck by lightning again. Soaking in lake water helps relieve it."

Xue Han remained silent.

What a mess, causing such a misunderstanding.

"This condition is unknown to anyone in the Earl's household. You'll keep this a secret, won't you, Official Xue?"

The young man nodded emphatically.

Of course he would keep it a secret. The real question was, did he know too much?

"Then you can go now, Official Xue." Qiu Heng forced a slight smile. "After all, it wouldn't be proper for others to see us bathing in the lake together."

People might think it was a double suicide!

Xue Han quickly let go, masking his awkwardness with seriousness. "How long must you remain in the water?"

"An hour."

"Alright."

Still uneasy, the young man turned back as he was about to swim to shore. "Sixth Miss Qiu, you must wait for me."

After a moment's thought, he swam to where the lotus leaves grew thick and green, plucked a large leaf, and returned to Qiu Heng, placing it over her head.

"This should hide you. Don't want anyone seeing you and jumping in."

Qiu Heng held up the lotus leaf and watched the young man reach the shore and quickly disappear from sight, thinking to herself: If anyone sees, they won't jump in—they'll be frightened.

So the lotus leaf was indeed necessary.

Finally able to think undisturbed, she had a thought: Han Wu in history died during the southward flight, not now.

Was it because she had altered the fate of a key figure, and now the world she was supposed to belong to was rejecting her?

Qiu Heng recalled what her teacher had said when she asked how to recognize him upon her return.

Don't force it; if fate wills it, you'll meet. Saying too much could be bad for her. After returning, be cautious about discussing the future with others, for fear the world would reject her.

So it was true; she could no longer be the ordinary village girl, A Heng.

Whether in the Great Xia of thirty years hence or the Great Xia of the present, she was an outsider.

A tear fell into the lake, creating a small ripple.

Hearing footsteps, the girl looked toward the shore and saw Xue Han approaching with a bundle.

His gaze swept the lake surface, immediately spotting Qiu Heng. He waved casually and sat down.

Qiu Heng swam to the shore.

"Are you done?" Xue Han asked.

"Yes."

Xue Han pointed to the bundle beside him. "There are clothes and a towel inside. Sixth Miss Qiu, change your clothes before returning."

Qiu Heng stared at the bundle for a moment, then softly thanked him. "Thank you, Official Xue."

Xue Han stood up. "I'll keep watch for you over there."

The reeds swayed gently in the wind. Before long, the girl, now dressed in fresh clothes inside and out, emerged.

"Thank you for preparing the clothes, Official Xue. I—"

"Red bean cakes," Xue Han interrupted Qiu Heng's thanks. "If Sixth Miss Qiu wishes to thank me, just give me some more red bean cakes."

Qiu Heng was surprised. "Official Xue likes red bean cakes?"

Xue Han nodded. "Yes, I love them very much."