Quan Heng couldn’t care about anything else. She grabbed the child and tried to pull him toward the shore. But he was frightened and choking, flailing about.
Though she was an adult, Quan Heng was not in good health. Struggling with the child, she too swallowed several mouthfuls of water. Her body felt heavier and heavier.
If this kept up, not only would she fail to save the boy—she might drown too.
But she didn’t want to die.
She had worked so hard, walking from Baixue Manor to the Gu family, and then to the capital. Her life couldn’t end like this!
In that moment, Ah Zheng’s image flashed in her mind. He still hadn’t recovered his memories—how could she leave him behind?
With that thought, she summoned a burst of strength and forced the child toward the shore, finally pushing him up onto land.
As they got out, she heard the people around them cheering and crying with joy.
But Quan Heng felt like she couldn’t breathe. Her vision darkened—and she collapsed.
This time, everyone around was screaming in panic.
Especially Ziyun—she truly seemed terrified.
“Miss! Miss! Please don’t scare me!!”
In an instant, chaos broke out on the shore.
As soon as the Sixth Prince was pulled from the water, he burst into loud wails. His wet nurse hurriedly cradled him in her arms, patting his back to soothe him, but even so, his crying wouldn’t stop.
Finally, the commotion drew the attention of the banquet guests, and everyone rushed over.
Among the crowd, Quan Rui immediately spotted Quan Heng lying on the ground and began to tremble all over. This scene was eerily similar to what had happened at the banquet in the marquis’ residence last time.
If that bringer of disaster Shen Zhengyu were here, he’d surely go mad and risk everything to save her.
But now—he wasn’t here!
Quan Heng’s life was now entirely on her shoulders.
Not caring about anything else, Quan Rui ran over and pulled Quan Heng into her arms.
The next moment, her trembling fingers reached under Quan Heng’s nose—only to find she wasn’t breathing!
This sudden turn of events terrified her so much she burst into tears.
“Sister Heng, don’t scare me! Wake up, please! I won’t fight with you anymore, I swear!”
Though she had never been fond of Quan Heng, she was still her older sister. She had only wanted to annoy her a little—not see her dead!
In that instant, her whole body turned cold.
Looking at the crowd that was just standing around watching, she yelled in anger for the first time in her life, “What are you all standing there for?! Go get the imperial physician!!”
Only then did the palace maids snap out of it and rush toward the Imperial Medical Bureau.
At that moment, Quan Rui held Quan Heng’s gradually chilling body, completely helpless.
They had come together in the same carriage that very morning. How had things changed so drastically in just a short while?
Just then, Princess Zhaohua and the others finally arrived. As soon as she saw Quan Heng’s pale face on the ground, she nearly fainted on the spot.
She had been the one to send the invitation to Heng’er. If she hadn’t insisted that she come to the palace today, this wouldn’t have happened!
A wave of guilt surged in her chest, nearly knocking her off her feet. She collapsed beside Quan Heng, tears falling like strings of pearls.
Just then, a woman in red stepped forward.
“I lived by the sea when I was young and saved many children from nearly drowning. If you trust me, let me try. She might still be saved.”
Quan Rui and Princess Zhaohua were both stunned, but at the mention of a possible chance, they quickly stepped aside.
The woman in red knelt down and placed one hand over the other, pressing repeatedly on Quan Heng’s chest.
The onlookers whispered among themselves.
“She’s been pressing for so long and the young lady still hasn’t woken up. Is this even working?”
Another person shook their head and sighed, “If you ask me, it’s probably hopeless. The young lady of the Quan family isn’t even breathing anymore—how can she be saved now? Poor thing… she was only just recognized and brought back to the marquis household a month or two ago, and now she’s gone. What a tragedy!”
Hearing all the defeatist talk around them, both Quan Rui and Princess Zhaohua were on edge, holding their breath.
They prayed silently, hoping the heavens would show mercy on this poor girl.
The scene was chaotic, but the woman in red remained composed, unaffected by the noise, continuing her chest compressions.
At last, Quan Heng suddenly coughed up a mouthful of water and woke up.
Witnessing this miracle, everyone gasped, covering their mouths in disbelief.
No one had expected that someone who had stopped breathing could actually be brought back to life!
Quan Heng opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was the woman in red. Upon seeing her awake, the woman even smiled gently and asked, “Are you feeling better now?”
Quan Heng dazedly nodded.
“You had swallowed a lot of water just now. I helped press your chest to get the water out. Fortunately, the drowning didn’t last long, so there was still a chance to save you. If it had gone on any longer, even the gods wouldn’t have been able to help.”
Hearing this, Quan Heng realized it was this woman who had saved her. Her eyes welled up. “Thank you for saving me. May I ask your name? I must visit to thank you in person another day.”
To her surprise, the woman in red waved it off. “No need to visit me. It was just a small effort. My name is Yu Shuning. My father is General Zhenbei. Let’s just consider this a fateful good deed between us.”
Quan Heng nodded solemnly, engraving this kindness deeply in her heart. If the opportunity arose, she would surely repay Miss Yu one day.
Seeing that Quan Heng had awakened, Quan Rui and Princess Zhaohua finally breathed a sigh of relief and rushed over, asking frantically if she was hurt anywhere, if she felt unwell.
Quan Heng looked at Quan Rui’s tear-streaked face and sighed inwardly.
This child, though stubborn and difficult at times, didn’t have a bad heart.
She reached out to wipe her tears away and smiled gently. “It’s alright now, Little Rui. Your sister isn’t dead. Look, I’m still here, alive and well.”
Hearing this, Quan Rui could no longer hold back her emotions and threw herself into Quan Heng’s arms, crying, “You weren’t even breathing! I thought you were really gone!”
Quan Heng helplessly patted her back, exchanging a smile with Princess Zhaohua. “My little sister lost control of her emotions. Please forgive the scene, Your Highness.”
Seeing that she still had the strength to joke, Princess Zhaohua finally relaxed. “It’s so good you’re alright. If you had really died here today, I would have felt guilty for the rest of my life.”
Just then, a sharp eunuch’s voice called from not far away, “His Majesty arrives! Consort Li arrives!”
Everyone quickly saluted. Quan Heng tried to get up, but her strength failed her. She had only just risen when she fell back to the ground.
Seeing this, the Emperor spoke. “Young lady of the Quan family, you needn’t rise. I’ve heard everything. You risked your life to save my Sixth Prince. Your body is weak now—exempt yourself from formalities.”
Quan Heng bowed her head and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
At this moment, Consort Li took the frightened Sixth Prince from his wet nurse and wept bitterly. “Hua’er, my little Hua’er! Thank heaven you’re safe! If something had happened to you today, I wouldn’t have wanted to live either!”
Seeing her cry so pitifully, the Emperor wrapped an arm around her and softly comforted, “It’s over now, my beloved consort. Don’t be afraid.”
Consort Li only nodded faintly, but she couldn’t stop sobbing.
The sight of a mother grieving for her child brought tears to many eyes.
Finally, once she had cried enough and soothed the Sixth Prince, Consort Li remembered the one who had saved them.
She walked slowly to Quan Heng and said gently, “Eldest Miss Quan, I’ve already heard everything. It was you who saved my son, Hua’er. What reward would you like?”
For a moment, Quan Heng was stunned.
She hadn’t saved the Sixth Prince to seek favor or rewards. It was only because his face looked so much like Ah Zheng’s—she couldn’t bear to let him die.
After a long pause, she shook her head. “Thank you for Your Highness’s generosity, but saving the Sixth Prince was like what Miss Yu did for me—just a small act of kindness. I dare not ask for any reward.”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor laughed heartily. “Good! What a fine girl from the Quan family! Risking her life to save someone and not even wanting a reward—what I admire most is this kind of noble character!”
“Pass down the decree: I will confer her the title of County Lady, with the honorific name Roujia. Also grant her a thousand taels of gold and a pair of luminous pearls from the Eastern Sea!”
Everyone was shocked.
Quan Heng herself was nearly stunned by the reward. “Y-Your Majesty, isn’t this too much? I cannot accept such a grand reward!”
The Emperor raised a brow. “What, saving my own son isn’t worth that much in your eyes? Besides, you are the Grand Princess’ own granddaughter—that makes you my niece. You are more than worthy of such a reward.”
Since things had gone this far, Quan Heng could no longer refuse and accepted with a clear voice, “Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace!”
Princess Zhaohua was genuinely happy for her.
Even Quan Rui, though slightly sour, accepted the outcome. Her sister had risked her life to save someone—she deserved such a reward.
Only Quan Xiang stood off to the side, fuming with resentment.
That wretched Quan Heng—how could she be so lucky? It was her first time in the palace, and she’d already landed such a massive reward. Why her?
So what if she saved someone? If she’d had the chance to save the Sixth Prince, she would’ve done the same!
Just sheer dumb luck.
She shot a vicious glare at Quan Heng, then turned her head away, unwilling to look at her any longer.
With such a major incident at the flower viewing banquet, it could no longer proceed.
One by one, the guests left the palace.
On the way home, Quan Heng leaned against the carriage wall. Drowsiness overcame her, and she soon fell asleep.
When she woke again, she was in bed at Mingyue Pavilion.
Opening her eyes, she saw her parents and elder brother gathered around with red-rimmed eyes. Seeing her awake, they grew even more anxious.
Zhao Qingrong spoke first. “Heng’er, do you feel unwell? The imperial physician is waiting in the courtyard—should we call him in to take another look?”
Quan Minghao echoed her concern, his face full of worry. “Yes, even though the physician said you’re fine, what if? What if there are aftereffects?”
Quan Ye was pacing in agitation, his neck flushed red.
Seeing this, Quan Heng chuckled lightly and comforted them. “Father, Mother, Brother—I’m fine, truly. Don’t worry.”
