Chapter 036
Chapter 36: Let Me See Who Saved the Heroine
“Little Tao, quickly, summon the house physician,” Madam Yun said, worry edging her voice now that the mishap had happened in her own estate.
The maid bowed and ran off at once.
[Heavens, the heroine really did fall into the lake. What kind of twisted fate is this.]
[Let me see clearly, who was it that saved the heroine.]
Yun Wan Ning’s eyes darted over the crowd, bright with curiosity, but too many people had gathered. She could not tell who was wet or dripping.
[Oh no, I cannot see. I cannot see at all.]
Madam Yun gently squeezed her little hand to soothe her. There was no need to fret, the rescuer would not be forgotten. For now, all eyes were on Su Qian Xue.
Winter had only just begun. The air was mild, but the lake was bitter cold. The chill cut like a knife. Su Qian Xue shook so hard her teeth chattered. Her lips turned blue. Her face was as pale as paper, and she had no strength to speak.
Madam Su’s hands trembled as she pressed a warm cloth to her daughter’s icy cheeks.
“Madam Su,” Madam Yun said as she approached with Yun Wan Ning in her arms, her tone steady yet full of concern: “Qian Xue is chilled to the bone. Let us bring her to a side chamber to warm her. I will have hot soup prepared.”
She spoke with care. If trouble happened during her banquet, rumors would spread quickly among the nobles.
“Yes, yes, quickly help me take Xue’er inside and change her clothes,” Madam Su said, coming to her senses as she reached for her daughter.
“Allow me,” a calm voice said.
The crowd parted. Su Jian stepped forward, brows knit with worry. He shrugged off his thick cloak and wrapped it around Su Qian Xue, then lifted her into his arms.
“Madam Yun, please show the way,” he said.
“This way, please,” Madam Yun answered.
They carried Su Qian Xue to a quiet room, Madam Su close behind. Soon the house physician arrived. Many honored guests drifted after them, drawn by concern and curiosity.
Only then did someone notice a drenched young man standing at the edge of the courtyard. His outer robe was gone. His deep-hued brocade underlayer clung to him, soaked through. Someone glanced at the familiar cloak draped over Su Qian Xue’s shoulders and understood.
“So it was the Young Marquis who saved Miss Su. Such gallantry, how admirable,” one gentleman said.
“Indeed, a life-saving act. Truly the model of noble virtue,” another praised.
“Quite so,” a third agreed.
A marquis’s heir leaping into icy water was no small thing.
“Not at all. It was a minor thing, you praise me too highly,” the tall young man said with humble grace. Water still streamed from his hair and sleeves, yet his bearing stayed refined and proud.
“Hmph, a fine scene indeed, hero saves beauty, and in my own courtyard. Bravo, truly bravo,” a cold voice said with biting sarcasm.
Heads turned. Princess Hua Yang stood tall and proud, her face full of disdain. Several steps behind her stood Second Young Master Yun, distant as ever.
The rumors seemed true. The two could barely share the same space without sparks.
It was Second Young Master Yun who had spoken just now. His mockery had landed clean.
Many cursed him in their hearts. The Young Marquis had done a brave deed, yet this one had to spoil it. He even chose the phrase hero saves beauty on purpose. With the princess’s fierce temper and possessive pride, was that not a slap to her face.
Then again, the Young Marquis and Second Young Master Yun had long been enemies. Their clashes were known far and wide. If Second Young Master Yun ever praised him, that would be the real miracle.
“Zhao Zhao,” Lu Huai Jin ignored Yun Wan Ye and stepped toward the princess, eyes full of concern.
“Stop right there. Do not come near me. Look at yourself, soaking wet and filthy,” Mo Zhao Zhao said with a sharp scowl as she took two quick steps back.
Her heart simmered with rage. After all the effort to push Su Qian Xue into the lake, Lu Huai Jin had leapt in and ruined everything.
“Zhao Zhao,” he said, confused by her anger. He looked down at his drenched clothes and sighed softly. “Alright then, wait for me. I will go change.” He thought she was only mad at the mess.
Before he turned to leave, he leaned close and said in a low, wounded voice: “Zhao Zhao, I looked for you everywhere. Where did you go.”
His words struck a note of guilt. Mo Zhao Zhao’s anger faltered and left a dull ache behind.
Yun Wan Ye watched with narrowed eyes and gave a cold scoff.
Outside the room, some guests still lingered, unwilling to miss the gossip. Feeling idle, Yun Wan Ye picked up Yun Wan Ning and played with her. Mo Zhao Zhao joined them soon, cooing over the tiny hands, her heart melting at once.
Listening to the nearby gentlemen talk, Yun Wan Ning pieced it together. The rescuer was Young Marquis Lu Huai Jin of the Marquis Chang Le household.
[Of course, it is Lu Huai Jin again.]
[In the original story, he saved Su Qian Xue after the princess pushed her into the lake. When the heroine transmigrated, the scene reversed, and he saved the princess instead. Now once more, it is still him.]
[Congratulations, Lu Huai Jin. You are the designated life-saver of drowning beauties.]
[No matter how the story changes, your fate stays the same.]
[But I still do not understand. Why does the plot keep falling apart. Su Qian Xue clearly holds the script, so how did she end up in the lake this time. It makes no sense.]
[I cannot shake the feeling that many have reincarnated in this world, all targeting Su Qian Xue. Or maybe it is my imagination.]
Hearing this, Yun Wan Ye let out a soft laugh. He wanted to tell his little sister there were no other reincarnators. It was her. She was the chaos.
If she had not revealed pieces of the story, how would that foolish princess have thought of such a reckless plan to push someone into a lake, only to fall in herself.
It was lucky he had this little sister. Otherwise…
He glanced at Mo Zhao Zhao. His smile faded. A shadow passed over his face.
“What are you staring at,” Mo Zhao Zhao cut across the air like a blade, her glare fierce.
Heh. Thankless girl. Any warmth for her was wasted.
[If reincarnation truly exists, perhaps that is best. Maybe that is the only way to change the fate of the Yun family and the princess.]
[Sigh. Who would have thought such a bright, lively princess would meet such a terrible end.]
[Lu Huai Jin played his part well. He approached with sweet words and pretended affection only to secure his place. Maybe there was some true feeling once, until Su Qian Xue appeared.]
Yes. It began at the lake. One look at the heroine, and the halo took hold. From then on, he became her sword and her shield.
While His Majesty lived, the princess still had some protection. After his death, she stood alone, spurned by the male lead and abandoned by allies.
And Lu Huai Jin delivered the last blow. On the day he wed the princess, he left her to tend to Su Qian Xue, shaming her before all of Haojing. After the wedding he showed no kindness. Using the male lead’s power, he forced her to kneel to Su Qian Xue and open the princess’s treasure vault to please her rival. When the princess tried to stop the male lead from marrying Su Qian Xue, Lu Huai Jin drowned her.
By the time her foolish second brother pulled her from the water, it was too late.
Perhaps her death woke that foolish second brother. Holding her cold body, remembering how he had caused the deaths of Seventh Uncle, the eldest brother, and even his little sister, he took his own life in sorrow.
With each thought, Yun Wan Ye turned paler, his hands colder.
Even the Emperor died. And that Lu Huai Jin had no true affection at all. Only deception. What stung most was that the princess died in his arms.
This tragedy must never happen again.
“Hey, Yun Wan Ye, are you sick,” Mo Zhao Zhao asked, frowning. He looked ghostly pale. His dark eyes locked onto her with such focus that her heart chilled.
He pulled himself back and shook his head, turning away to calm the storm inside.
[Everything Little Sister described has not happened yet. There is still time to change it.]
But one thing unsettled him. Little Sister had said he regained his memories after a great shock. Did that mean he had lost them first. He did not know when or how. If it was true, then it explained how he became a pawn beneath the heroine’s shadow.
In the side chamber, the physician finished his work and made his report. Su Qian Xue was unhurt, but the cold shock had struck deep. Rest and warmth were essential.
She was still too dazed to explain her fall. She lay trembling while the maids changed her clothes. With no answers, the Su couple chose to take her home at once.
With such a scene, the banquet could not go on. Lords and ladies began to take their leave. The Yun couple saw them out with grace.
Amid the dispersing guests, Lin Wei’an stood at a distance. His gaze fixed on Madam Yun like a drawn bow.
Men and women had been seated apart today. It was the first time in years he had seen her. Even after four children, she was not worn. She was more calm and luminous than before. It was clear she lived well.
He should have felt relieved. Instead, it was like needles pricking his heart.
Sensing his stare, Madam Yun turned her head away to avoid impropriety, her expression cool.
Yun Zheng would never allow another man to look at his wife like that. He stepped forward and placed himself between them, his frame steady and sure.
“Lord Lin, are you unwell,” Yun Zheng said with a warm smile as he set a heavy hand on Lin Wei’an’s shoulder. His tone was friendly, but the pressure made Lin Wei’an’s knees soften.
Lin Wei’an stumbled and nearly fell. Shame and anger burned his face, but he could not muster strength to resist. Even breathing hurt.
“Oh my, cannot even stand steady,” Yun Zheng said with showy concern as he reached to steady him again. Then he called toward the crowd: “Madam Lin, your husband looks ill. Please come and help him.”
Madam Lin, unaware of the current undercurrents, hurried forward at once. Lin Wei’an was pale and silent. He only wished to escape every watching eye.
In the front courtyard, Mo Zhao Zhao lifted her chin and rose to go: “This princess is leaving now.”
As she turned, her gaze flicked to Yun Wan Ye. He stood stone-faced and silent. She hesitated, then said, a little begrudging: “Thank you for today.”
He did not reply. He did not even look at her.
Hmph. Mo Zhao Zhao sneered in her heart and turned away. She had barely taken two steps when Lu Huai Jin came from behind.
He had changed into fresh robes and dried his hair. He had regained his usual elegance. With each step, he shone with composed grace.
“Zhao Zhao,” Lu Huai Jin called softly. In a few strides, he reached her and took her hand.
His eyes were warm, like spring sunlight after snow.
Mo Zhao Zhao’s heart skipped. Her first instinct was to pull away. She forced herself to endure and smile. They were nearly married. She should not keep rejecting him.
The sight of their joined hands stabbed Yun Wan Ye’s heart. His gaze darkened. His jaw clenched until it ached. He wanted to draw a sword and cut that hand off.
[Tsk, tsk, what a sweet pair. Poor Second Brother must feel like he swallowed bitter herbs.]
[Ah, foolish Second Brother. If only you had taken the lead and learned to speak gently, maybe the princess would not have turned to Lu Huai Jin.]
[A childhood bond, mutual affection. A beautiful story, ruined by silence and missed chances. Two lives spent loving from afar. Should I pity you, or call you pathetic.]
[If you do not act in this life, will you wait for a third.]
What.
Mutual affection.
Yun Wan Ye’s brows twitched. Did Little Sister mean the princess had feelings for him.
That could not be. Could it.
His memories were full of her glares, her sharp tongue, her scolding. How could such a girl love someone like him.
Yet a small spark of hope lit in his chest. Foolish and reckless, but warm.
What if Little Sister was right.
He turned his head, but the courtyard was already empty. Mo Zhao Zhao had left with Lu Huai Jin.
A soft sigh escaped him. Quiet sorrow settled on his shoulders like falling snow.