Chapter 25: Who Actually Sent the Cloak?

As Tang Feng entered the water, Ye Chenxuan quickly held back Ye Junyu, who was about to jump in after him. “Someone from the Tang family is already in the water. Let’s avoid suspicion.”

The one who entered the water was indeed Tang Feng. As soon as Yan Shu informed him, he had rushed over in a hurry.

Tang Feng was an excellent swimmer. With just a few strokes, he reached Tang Mi and Tang Ying, grabbing one in each hand and pulling them from the water.

Tang Mi’s first reaction was to see who had saved her. When she saw it was Tang Feng, her heart finally settled.

As soon as Tang Ying broke the surface, she gasped desperately for air and clung tightly to Tang Feng, using his body to prop herself up.

Tang Feng originally intended to bring both women to shore, but Tang Ying clung to him so tightly that he had trouble moving. Worse yet, she kept pushing him down into the water.

After swallowing several mouthfuls of water, Tang Feng’s face turned pale.

Seeing Tang Ying using Tang Feng as a stepping stone, Tang Mi’s eyes turned cold. She raised her foot and kicked Tang Ying hard in the stomach several times.

Tang Ying cried out in pain and finally let go of Tang Feng.

Tang Feng suddenly rose from the water, gasping, and looked at Tang Mi in shock.

But Tang Mi had an utterly calm expression, as if she had done nothing wrong.

The people on shore quickly noticed Tang Feng’s struggle.

“This won’t do. One person can’t save two someone else has to go in.”

“Yes, otherwise even the rescuer might be in danger.”

As they were talking, another person jumped into the water.

It was Tang Ying’s cousin, Qin Qingyu. When he saw Tang Ying fall into the water, he didn’t hesitate before jumping in.

In the water, seeing Qin Qingyu, Tang Feng handed Tang Ying off to him and swam toward the shore with Tang Mi.

“Cousin, are you alright?” Qin Qingyu asked anxiously when he saw Tang Ying’s pale face.

Seeing Qin Qingyu come to save her, Tang Ying immediately wanted to kick him back into the water.

Idiot. Why did he jump in to save her now? Everyone else knew to avoid suspicion, how could he not?

Qin Qingyu, unaware of Tang Ying’s thoughts, assumed she was too frightened to speak and started swimming her toward the shore.

Tang Feng brought Tang Mi to shore first. Glancing at her curvy figure, now visible beneath her soaked clothing, he quickly removed his own outer robe and draped it over her.

All the girls on the shore blushed and lowered their heads, except for one young girl whose eyes sparkled as she stared at Tang Feng.

Tang Feng climbed ashore and pulled Tang Mi up with him.

Seeing that Tang Mi had been safely rescued, Ye Junyu was filled with frustration. He could have been the one to save her, to ruin her reputation, and force her to marry him, if not for Ye Chenxuan stopping him.

Everything had been perfectly planned, and it was all ruined by Ye Chenxuan.

Gritting his teeth, Ye Junyu looked for Ye Chenxuan but found he had already vanished.

“Big Sister, are you alright?” Tang Ning finally stopped crying upon seeing Tang Mi safe.

“I’m fine.” Tang Mi clutched Tang Feng’s robe tightly, her face pale as she tried to comfort Tang Ning.

Seeing Tang Mi trembling from the cold, Ye Junyu’s eyes lit up. He immediately removed his cloak and handed it to her. “It was my failure to keep watch that led to this. The night is cold, please take this cloak to stay warm.”

Everyone turned to look at Tang Mi. She stared at the cloak in his hand but made no move to take it.

Just then, a young eunuch approached and offered a cloak to Tang Mi. “By order of Her Highness the Princess Royal, I am here to deliver this cloak to the esteemed Lady Tang.”

Everyone was stunned.

So, Tang Mi and the Princess Royal were that close?

Even Tang Mi herself was surprised.

Since when had her relationship with the Princess Royal become close enough for her to send a cloak? Was it because of her aunt?

Ye Junyu’s brows twitched slightly.

Why was the Princess Royal inserting herself into this now?

Tang Mi couldn’t think of a reason, and at the moment, she didn’t care to. Given the choice between Ye Junyu and the Princess Royal, she would obviously choose the latter.

Tang Mi accepted the cloak from the eunuch. “Please thank Her Highness for me.”

“I will deliver your message, Lady Tang.” Having completed his task, the eunuch bowed and retreated.

Seeing Tang Mi refuse his cloak, Ye Junyu didn’t show any sign of anger. He retrieved his cloak and said gently, “It’s early autumn and wet clothes are dangerous. Why not go inside and change?”

“No need. I’ll change on my own.” Tang Mi turned to leave. She had no desire to speak to Ye Junyu and certainly didn’t want any entanglements with him.

Even a fool could now tell Ye Junyu was pursuing her.

It was obvious the prince was interested in Lady Tang, but it seemed she wasn’t the least bit receptive.

Ye Junyu clenched his fists, his gaze on Tang Mi burning with determination.

Tang Mi didn’t seem to notice the intensity of his stare. She handed the cloak to Tang Feng. “Wear this, you’ll catch a cold.”

Tang Feng’s face flushed. He shook his head. “You wear it. I’m not cold at all.”

Tang Mi frowned. Before she could respond, Tang Feng had already taken the cloak and wrapped it around her.

A faint, chilly fragrance wafted over, and Tang Mi’s body suddenly stiffened. Her face turned ghostly pale.

Almost instinctively, she bolted.

“Sister!” Tang Feng quickly followed.

Tang Mi ran a few steps but could no longer see the eunuch’s figure.

“What’s wrong?” Tang Feng looked at her in confusion.

“That person!” Tang Mi grabbed Tang Feng, trying to speak, but no words came out.

“Who?” Tang Feng was even more confused. He had no idea what she meant.

Tang Mi’s pupils shrank. That was his scent!

Who was he?

“Who are you looking for?” Tang Feng asked, noticing her anxious expression.

“No one.” Tang Mi regained her composure and smiled reassuringly at him and herself. “It’s nothing.”

Ye Junyu, who had observed her strange behavior, narrowed his eyes slightly.

Why was she so agitated? Was there something wrong with the cloak?

A cloak from the Princess Royal?

Meanwhile, Qin Qingyu brought Tang Ying ashore.

“Second Sister, are you okay?” Tang Ning hurried over in concern.

“Cough… cough…” Tang Ying weakly coughed a few times, shivering, and looked pitifully at Tang Mi. “Elder Sister, did I do something wrong? Why did you pull me into the water?”

Her words caused an uproar.

“So it was Tang Mi who pulled her in?”

“I did see Tang Mi pull Tang Ying into the water.”

“That’s outrageous! Tang Ying can’t swim, she could have died!”

“Exactly! They’re sisters, how could she be so cruel?”

Tang Mi narrowed her eyes at Tang Ying. Without saying a word, she raised her hand and slapped her hard.

SMACK!

The crisp sound shocked everyone.