Rongrong and Xie Yuanchu both froze at the sound and turned their heads simultaneously.

They saw the Crown Prince standing on the nearby wooden plank path, watching them.

Fu Quan, who was behind him, was covering his mouth, clearly having been the one to cough just now.

Rongrong and Xie Yuanchu exchanged glances, both irritated but saying nothing more, and kept their frustration to themselves.

“What’s all this commotion about?” the Crown Prince asked in a neutral tone.

Xie Yuanchu glanced at Rongrong, realizing that the Crown Prince had come to eavesdrop on their argument.

He said bitterly, “If you want to know, just ask her. After all, you’re all in cahoots, so it’s my fault either way.” With that, Xie Yuanchu turned to leave, but suddenly there was a commotion ahead.

“Someone’s fallen into the water! Someone’s fallen into the water!” It sounded like a eunuch was shouting loudly.

Rongrong’s heart skipped a beat, and she and Xie Yuanchu instinctively looked at the Crown Prince.

“Let’s go see,” the Crown Prince said with a flicker of seriousness in his eyes.

Xie Yuanchu nodded and quickly walked ahead.

Rongrong, feeling anxious, was about to follow when the Crown Prince pulled her back, saying in a low voice, “Stay close to me.”

The Crown Prince’s tone was stern, making Rongrong uneasy.

She had a feeling he knew something. Could something major be happening today?

Her heart raced as she nodded and followed behind the Crown Prince.

Hiding behind him, watching his back, her anxiety gradually subsided.

If the sky were to fall, it would land on his shoulders first, right?

The wooden plank path twisted and turned along the water’s edge.

The three of them walked towards the Yi Cui Pavilion, and after rounding a corner, they saw a young eunuch shouting loudly at the edge of the path. A bright-colored garment was floating in the pond.

Rongrong recognized the familiar color of the garment and her heart skipped a beat.

Xie Yuanchu also recognized it and immediately ran forward.

Just as he reached the eunuch and was about to inquire further, someone jumped off the wooden path and into the pond to rescue the person.

“Your Highness, that garment looks like…” Rongrong touched the Crown Prince’s sleeve and said hesitantly.

That shade of lake green was the same fabric that she and Liang Muchen both had.

Liang Muchen was about to marry into the Eastern Palace and become Yuanbao’s stepmother.

Rongrong felt a bit conflicted about this, but seeing her in danger, she couldn’t help but worry for her and wanted to go see what was happening.

The Crown Prince grasped her hand and tightened his grip. “Don’t worry, someone will save her.”

The person who jumped into the lake appeared skilled at swimming and quickly reached the one who had fallen in.

Although the Crown Prince had instructed Rongrong not to move, she couldn’t help but cling to the railing of the wooden path and look over.

The rescuer, burdened with another person, was clearly struggling in the water. Fortunately, two guards jumped in to assist, helping him make it back to the shore smoothly.

In a short while, more and more people gathered at the edge of the wooden path, and the commotion had even attracted those in the Yi Cui Pavilion.

First, the Duke of Heng, the Duke of Su, and Princess Zhaoyang, who were the most eager to join in the commotion, arrived.

Next came the Duke of Jing and the Duchess of Jing, followed by the hurried arrival of the wife of the Marquis of Wei and Liang Mu Yun.

“Looking at this garment, the one who fell into the water must be Miss Muchen,” Princess Zhaoyang said, quickly raising the palace fan she was holding to cover half her face.

It was inauspicious to look directly at a person who might be dead.

The three princes, upon realizing that the one who fell into the water was Liang Muchen, did not dare to comment.

The wife of the Marquis of Wei glanced at her, then fainted away without a sound.

Indeed, the person who had fallen into the water was Liang Muchen.

She lay unconscious with her eyes tightly closed.

The expensive silk garment she wore was soaked and clung to her body, outlining her graceful figure.

“We need to get the water out of her system,” someone said, shifting everyone’s focus from the drenched Liang Muchen to the person who was rescuing her.

“Fifth Brother, are you alright?” the Crown Prince asked in a deep voice.

To everyone’s surprise, the rescuer was the Duke of Qing.

Duke of Qing, panting heavily, replied, “I’m fine, Your Majesty. Quickly send for a physician.”

“Alright,” the Crown Prince nodded and instructed Fu Quan, “Go quickly.”

The Duke of Qing then sighed in relief, wiping the lake water off his face.

He held Liang Muchen, supporting her against the railing of the wooden path, and began to forcefully pat her back.

After a dozen or so firm pats, Liang Mu Chen suddenly vomited a large amount of water.

“Is the person saved?” came the authoritative voice of the Empress.

Everyone quickly turned and bowed in respect.

Those from the Yi Cui Pavilion had already come over upon learning of the incident and followed the Empress.

“Reporting to Mother, the person has been saved,” the Duke of Su quickly responded. “She’s still breathing.”

The crowd parted to make way for the Empress, who approached with a frown and saw Liang Muchen, unconscious in the arms of the King of Qing.

Her gaze briefly faltered.

“An Ru.”

The Empress called out, and An Ru immediately understood.

She directed two old maids to come forward and help lift Liang Muchen from the Duke of Qing’s arms, while others went to assist the wife of the Marquis of Wei.

The Crown Prince said, “Let’s first take them to the Ruyi Pavilion. I’ve already sent for a physician. Mother, please do not worry.”

Reassured?

The Empress stared intently at the Crown Prince, seemingly trying to find some hint of an answer in his expression.

However, the Crown Prince’s demeanor remained calm and unflinching, without a trace of a flaw.

The Empress said sharply, “Such a major incident has occurred in the Eastern Palace; you should address it thoroughly.”

The Crown Prince agreed and replied “What you said is very true. A dam can be destroyed by an ant hole; the Eastern Palace has been infested by rodents for too long and needs a thorough cleanup.”

Most of the people present were seasoned foxes with decades of experience and immediately sensed something unusual from the exchange between mother and son.

Earlier, everyone had focused on the person who fell into the water, but now that the person was saved, they began to piece together the situation.

The future mistress of the Eastern Palace, Liang Muchen, had fallen into the water today in the Eastern Palace.

Whether she would be saved or not was uncertain.

Even if she were saved, the one who rescued her was the Duke of Qing. With the Duke of Qing having touched her, how could she possibly become the Crown Princess?

Everyone’s gaze inevitably fell upon Rongrong, who was standing behind the Crown Prince, and even the Empress’s attention shifted in that direction.

The Crown Prince stepped forward and stood in front of Rongrong. The moment the cold and indifferent gaze of the Crown Prince met those scrutinizing eyes, they all quickly averted their gaze.

“Mother, let’s end the banquet for today.”

The Crown Prince issued a dismissal, and naturally, no one objected.

Everyone took their leave.

“I will see you out, Mother,” said the Crown Prince.

“No need,” the Empress replied. “I don’t need you to see me out, just give me an explanation.” Her gaze was meaningful and carried a hint of threat. “Mu Chen is chosen by your father, and any small actions you take will only anger him.”

The Crown Prince nodded, “Rest assured, Mother. I am as eager as anyone to uncover the truth behind this matter. There is no need for you to urge me; I will investigate thoroughly and give you an explanation. I only hope that when the truth comes out, you do not cover for anyone.”

The Empress’s expression changed slightly, and she left with a flick of her sleeve.

“Your Highness.” Since the incident, Yuanchu had looked increasingly displeased.

The Crown Prince turned and said, “Come with me to the study.”

Rongrong, having just heard the Empress’s dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince, looked at him with some concern.

Her gaze made him momentarily lose his focus.

“Go back to the Jade Flower Palace first. Wang An will bring Yuan Bao to you later. Wait for me there.”

Seeing his serious expression, Rongrong nodded in agreement.

She had thought that he would let her walk back to the Jade Flower Palace on her own, but to her surprise, he accompanied her all the way back.

Yuanchu fell behind them by several steps, watching as the Crown Prince stood in front of the Jade Flower Palace until Rongrong had entered before turning away.

If it were any other time, he would have mocked the situation thoroughly, but at the moment, he lacked any interest.

“Let’s go,” said the Crown Prince.

Yuanchu nodded slightly and followed the Crown Prince to the study.

As soon as they entered the study, Fu Quan came forward with a report: “Master, the physician has treated the Lady of Wei. She has regained consciousness.”

The Crown Prince responded with a simple “Hmm” and then asked, “What about Liang Muchen?”

“The physician sent two maidservants to assist Miss Liang in expelling the water she swallowed,” Fu Quan said, lowering his voice. “The physician mentioned that Miss Liang sustained a head injury before falling into the water. The severity of her injury is unknown, so it’s uncertain when she will wake up.”