Chapter 102 Miss Qiu is the Brightest Star

Chapter 102: Miss Qiu is the Most Dazzling Star

Xue Han clenched his fist, his emotions in turmoil.

She had said she was thankful he arrived in time...

"Official Xue, thank you for saving A Heng," County Princess Jiayi said as she curtsied.

"I was just doing my duty," Xue Han replied with a slight nod, having regained his composure.

"Sixth Miss Qiu—" a woman's voice called out.

Qiu Heng smoothed her slightly disheveled hair and looked toward the speaker.

Princess Rongning approached, and when she reached them, she bowed deeply. "Thank you for saving me."

As she spoke these words, Princess Rongning was deeply awkward.

Just before this incident, she had looked down on Sixth Miss Qiu, convinced she was someone trying to climb the social ladder by any means.

She knew many people were in the woods and could hear the guards' screams, yet the first to arrive was Sixth Miss Qiu.

At that moment, she was in grave danger and couldn't think too much, but witnessing Sixth Miss Qiu lure the bear away shook her as much as the sudden attack by the enraged black bear.

How could someone solely focused on personal gain act so selflessly?

She had judged a noble heart with a petty mind.

Ashamed and awkward, Princess Rongning waited for Qiu Heng's response.

Qiu Heng was well aware of Princess Rongning's earlier attitude but hadn't taken it to heart.

The path she had chosen was like climbing a steep peak—full of difficulties and obstacles, destined to involve many unconventional actions. If she cared about others' opinions everywhere, she might as well do nothing.

"If it were anyone else, I would have done the same," Qiu Heng said calmly.

Feng Caixing giggled. "A Heng, your words sound just like what Official Xue said to Cheng Susu."

Though an inadvertent remark, it made Qiu Heng and Xue Han exchange a glance.

Princess Rongning shot Feng Caixing a glare and scolded, "Cai Xing, what are you saying!"

This wasn't comparing her to Cheng Susu, was it?

Her misunderstanding of Sixth Miss Qiu stemmed from a lack of understanding, while Cheng Susu had deliberately made things difficult and bullied others.

How could these be the same?

After the initial awkwardness passed, Princess Rongning, not one to be overly reserved, looked at Qiu Heng seriously and said, "Sixth Miss Qiu, I misunderstood you earlier. I apologize."

"You're too kind, Princess. That bear—"

"It was surrounded and killed," Princess Rongning replied, still shaken at the mention of the black bear, which made her even more grateful for Qiu Heng's rescue.

"Let's leave this place first," County Princess Jiayi interjected.

The party made their way out, and outside the woods stood many people. There were young noblewomen who had fled the forest upon hearing the screams and the bear's roars, men who had chased the black bear, and even more guards who had rushed over upon hearing of the incident.

As Qiu Heng and the others emerged, countless eyes turned to her.

"Look, that's Sixth Miss Qiu in the cherry-red riding outfit."

"No way? She looks so delicate. How dare she lure away a black bear?"

"How did she survive the bear's attack?"

"No idea. It's hard to imagine."

Among them was a noble lady who, like Feng Caixing, was a member of the Yuantuan Club. Driven by curiosity, she boldly waved. "Cai Xing, Cai Xing—"

Hearing the call, Feng Caixing said to County Princess Jiayi and the others, "You go ahead back. I'll catch up."

"Return soon too. There's been enough chaos today; let's not invite more trouble," Feng Caiyue reminded her.

"Got it," Feng Caixing replied, quickly walking over to the noble lady. "What's up?"

The women immediately surrounded Feng Caixing. "Cai Xing, tell us how Sixth Miss Qiu escaped the bear's clutches!"

Feng Caixing, still exhilarated by Qiu Heng's narrow escape, wished she had a megaphone to spread the story. She was all too happy to oblige.

"A Heng climbed a tree to avoid the bear's attack."

"Wow, Sixth Miss Qiu can climb trees too?"

"Of course! A Heng lived in the southern countryside for many years. Climbing trees must be an essential skill there."

"So, people from the south can all climb trees?"

"Probably. Don't you remember? A Heng can swim too."

"Right, right! I recall now. During Qixi Festival, Sixth Miss Qiu jumped into the water to save her sister."

"Sixth Miss Qiu is skilled at so many things."

"But I heard black bears can climb trees too?"

Hearing this, Feng Caixing puffed up with even more pride. "That's why A Heng is clever! She specifically chose a thin tree to climb. The bear was no fool either; seeing the tree was too thin, it didn't dare climb but kept ramming into it..."

The women listened to the thrilling details, letting out gasps from time to time.

"Just as the tree was about to fall, the guards and Official Xue arrived..." Feng Caixing finally reached the end.

A chorus of gasps went up. "That was too close!"

Feng Caixing smiled. "Exactly. What did A Heng say when she nearly fell off her horse? 'Fortune favors the bold!'"

The noble ladies nodded in unison. "It really is."

After Feng Caixing left, these women, now armed with firsthand gossip, were soon surrounded by acquaintances. The details of how Sixth Miss Qiu lured away the black bear and how she escaped spread to more and more people.

Cui Er listened silently, filled with regret.

With such courage and character, Sixth Miss Qiu should have been his wife. He shouldn't have backed down when things got tough. He would ask his parents to propose marriage again!

Princess Rongning had just parted ways with Qiu Heng and the others when she encountered Princess Consort Fu, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

"Rong Ning, are you alright?" Princess Consort Fu was out of breath from hurrying over, her eyes red. She burst into tears as soon as she saw her daughter.

Accompanying Princess Consort Fu were Princess Kang and several other noble ladies.

The noblewomen's worry was either genuine or just for show, but regardless of their true feelings, upon hearing that Princess Rongning had been in danger, they couldn't just sit back, not when they'd been having tea with Princess Consort Fu.

"Mother, I'm fine. It's just that two guards were injured—one seriously and one lightly." In front of her mother, Princess Rongning's tightly wound emotions finally relaxed, and she started to cry.

"As long as you're safe, that's all that matters." Princess Consort Fu, still badly shaken, hugged Princess Rongning, her hands icy cold.

Heaven only knew how she felt upon hearing her daughter was in danger—a sensation she never wanted to experience again. Once back, she would go to temples and Taoist shrines to offer incense and thank the gods for protecting Rong Ning.

"Mother, it was Sixth Miss Qiu who saved me."

Princess Consort Fu was taken aback and instinctively looked toward Princess Kang.

Princess Kang was stunned.

Sixth Miss Qiu? Her nominal adopted daughter?

A pair of hands firmly grasped Princess Kang's: "Princess Consort, please take me to see Miss Qiu."

Princess Kang looked at Princess Consort Fu's eager expression as if she were dreaming.

The adopted daughter she had always looked down upon had become Princess Rongning's savior?

After all, Prince Fu was the emperor's closest relative in their generation.

Pulling herself together, Princess Kang replied politely, "There's no need for you to go, Princess Consort. Rongning has suffered such a fright—you should take her back to settle down first. I'll bring A Heng over later."

Princess Consort Fu was, above all, worried about her daughter. Hearing this, she did not insist further. "I feel truly ashamed. I should have gone to thank the child in person. Then I'll wait for you to bring Sixth Miss Qiu over."

After parting from Princess Consort Fu, Princess Kang immediately rushed back to see Qiu Heng.