Once onshore, Chu Qingying and Yao Yunyi hurried over with cloaks in hand. The moment the two emerged from the water, the cloaks were wrapped around them.
Gan Li felt the warmth of the cloak and let out a breath of relief, expressing her gratitude to the two women.
If she had been pulled out of the water in full view of the gathered servants and eunuchs, her reputation would have been irreparably ruined.
This cloak was like armor, preserving her dignity.
Gan Li, who hadn’t shed a tear while in the water, suddenly found her eyes reddening.
Chu Qingying, however, ignored her and instead pulled Duan Mingxi aside, asking anxiously, “Are you alright? What were you thinking, jumping in like that to save someone?”
Duan Mingxi replied with a smile, her tone gentle, “I know how to swim. I couldn’t just stand by and let someone drown.”
“You’re unbelievable! Always rushing to help anyone in trouble,” Chu Qingying huffed in frustration.
Standing nearby, Gan Li recognized Chu Qingying and Yao Yunyi but couldn’t take her eyes off Duan Mingxi. Despite having just emerged from the water with droplets still clinging to her face, Duan Mingxi radiated a stunning, fresh beauty.
“So you’re Miss Duan,” Gan Li stepped forward. “Thank you for saving me today. If not for you…”
If not for her, she might have been rescued by the Crown Prince, leaving her with no way out.
Before Duan Mingxi could respond, a messenger from the Empress arrived, summoning Gan Li. Without acknowledging Duan Mingxi, they hurried Gan Li away.
Duan Mingxi wasn’t bothered, but Chu Qingying and Yao Yunyi couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
Gan Li falling into the water and the Crown Prince attempting to save her should have been a romantic narrative.
However, Duan Mingxi’s intervention disrupted everything, leaving the Crown Prince rescuing Fu Hongxiao instead—a tangled mess.
Seizing the moment, Duan Mingxi glanced around but saw no sign of Duan Wang. He must have slipped away while they were speaking.
Chu Qingying led Duan Mingxi to change her clothes. “I already sent word to your maid to bring your spare garments. Let’s get you changed before you catch a cold.”
“Thank you,” Duan Mingxi said sincerely.
Yao Yunyi stayed behind, determined to see how the situation would unfold.
“I’ll wait here,” she called after them.
Chu Qingying nodded, lowering her voice. “Keep an eye on things. I want to know how this plays out.”
Inside, Duan Mingxi’s maid, Qiancao, hurried to her side, helping her change and fix her hair.
While waiting in the outer room, Chu Qingying spoke through the flower-patterned screen.
“Duan Mingxi, do you think today’s incident was an accident or…”
“I don’t know,” Duan Mingxi replied honestly. “At the time, I only thought about saving people. There wasn’t any time to think about anything else.”
Of course, she couldn’t reveal her rebirth. For now, she had to continue playing the role of a well-meaning, kind-hearted heroine.
Who would have thought that living a second life would involve specializing in saving others?
“I’m telling you, there’s no way today’s events are as simple as they seem,” Chu Qingying said in a low voice. “How could it be such a coincidence? Gan Li fell into the water, and the Crown Prince just happened to pass by and save her?”
Duan Mingxi nodded in agreement. “You have a point.”
“Zhenbei Wang’s household holds military power. I’ve heard that the Empress once subtly hinted at an alliance to Zhenbei Wangfei, but Zhenbei Wangfei pretended not to understand,” Chu Qingying sighed. “It seems the Empress and the Crown Prince are determined to secure military power, but it’s a pity that your intervention spoiled their plans…”
At this, Chu Qingying’s expression shifted. “What if the failed marriage alliance leads the Empress and the Crown Prince to take their anger out on you?”
Duan Mingxi replied indifferently, “I was only trying to save someone, without any ulterior motives. Besides, the Empress, as the mother of the nation, wouldn’t trouble me over such a matter.”
Chu Qingying thought to herself, You really don’t understand the Empress’s nature—she’s not as magnanimous as you think.
“You should still be careful.”
“I know, I’ll be cautious,” Duan Mingxi replied.
After changing her clothes, Duan Mingxi had her hair dried and tied up again by Qiancao, her maid. She had lost a golden hairpin in the rescue, likely sunk to the bottom of the water. For now, she had to use a simple comb to secure her hair, giving her a plainer appearance.
When Chu Qingying saw Mingxi step out, she quickly urged, “Let’s hurry and see what’s happening. I’m dying of curiosity.”
Duan Mingxi was equally eager to know.
The two left the changing area and headed back. Along the way, palace attendants rushed about with lowered heads, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
Yao Yunyi’s maid, Zijing, was waiting for them nearby. Upon seeing them, she quickly greeted them with a bow. “Greetings, ladies. My mistress asked me to inform you that everyone has gone to Fengxiang Hall.”
The two then made their way to Fengxiang Hall. Upon arrival, they saw that the main hall’s doors were tightly shut, while many people were gathered in the western side hall. Clearly, this was where everyone was waiting.
Entering the side hall, Yao Yunyi waved them over.
Unintentionally, Mingxi became the center of attention.
This Miss Duan was truly extraordinary—there seemed to be no one she couldn’t save.
Ignoring the curious gazes, Duan Mingxi followed Chu Qingying to sit beside Yao Yunyi.
As soon as they sat down, Chu Qingying whispered, “What’s the situation now?”
Duan Mingxi tilted her head slightly to listen, just as curious.
Yao Yunyi lowered her voice. “The Empress and the Four Consorts summoned Miss Gan and Miss Fu to the main hall for questioning. The Crown Prince and a few Wangyes are also there, but no one has come out yet.”
The incident had happened so suddenly that no one knew why the two women had fallen into the water together.
Now, with everyone gathered in the main hall, those outside could only wait for news.
Yao Yunyi noticed Chu Qingying’s strange expression and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Chu Qingying said, “I think this matter will be swept under the rug.”
Yao Yunyi quickly warned, “Hush! Don’t let anyone hear you say that.”
It was clear that the Empress wanted to keep things quiet. The truth didn’t matter as much as maintaining appearances.
Duan Mingxi had already anticipated this. She wasn’t surprised. Since it was the Crown Prince’s scheme, the Empress would naturally clean up after her son.
Thankfully, Gan Li hadn’t been saved by the Crown Prince, so he couldn’t use the pretext of being her savior to take her as his wife.
As long as Gan Li didn’t marry the Crown Prince, Duan Mingxi’s goal was achieved. The rest didn’t matter.
As expected, before long, a palace attendant came to dismiss the crowd from Shangyang Palace.
The attendant addressed them, “Miss Fu slipped near Lingshui Pavilion and accidentally pulled Miss Gan into the water in her fright. The truth has been ascertained, so there’s no need for concern. Her Majesty has instructed me to escort you all back to your residences.”
The crowd exchanged skeptical glances—no one believed this explanation.
Miss Fu Hongxiao might lack wit, but even she wouldn’t dare drag Gan Li into the water with her.
It was clear she was taking the blame for this incident. However, if she was wronged, she might receive some form of compensation.
The question was, what kind of compensation the Empress would provide.
Lost in thought, everyone gradually dispersed. As Duan Mingxi walked along the palace path, she glanced back toward Fengxiang Hall with a sharp, contemplative gaze.
This was just the beginning.
