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Chen Feng and the others were taken aback. If something had happened to that girl, it would spell trouble for the Fu family. Moreover, it was the day of Third Master Fu’s wedding—a bad omen indeed.
Concerned about their own daughter who was also boating by the lake, Mrs. Qin quickly sent a maid to check the lake and bring back Qin Lan.
Mrs. Liu inquired, “Has she been rescued?”
The maid replied, “I heard she was rescued and taken to Mrs. Fu’s courtyard, where a doctor has been summoned.”
That was a relief.
Mrs. Qin asked, “Which girl is it? How could something like this happen in broad daylight?”
The maid replied, “I heard it’s a girl from the Chen family. It’s quite a coincidence that there were several young gentlemen nearby who rescued her from the water.”
“Which Chen family is it? Which girl?” Chen Feng asked anxiously. The presence of Chen Yuhui made this situation feel like a scripted plotline.
The maid said, “I don’t know the specifics regarding which Chen family.”
Worried, Chen Feng sent Xiaomo and another maid from the courtyard to gather more details.
Shortly after, Qin Lan returned, looking visibly shaken with a pale face. The older maid accompanying her explained the situation.
They were rowing on the lake, and incidentally, they were close to the spot where the accident occurred.
There was a small arched bridge on the lake, shaped like a half-circle, surrounded by many lotus leaves. The girl leaned over the low side of the bridge to pick lotus leaves and accidentally fell into the water. Fortunately, there were several young gentlemen nearby on the shore, and one of them promptly jumped in to rescue the girl…
Qin Lan added, “While I was on the boat, I saw those gentlemen, including Uncle Chu, nearby. However, after the girl fell, the boatwoman was too afraid to approach, and we’re unsure which gentleman jumped in to save her.”
Chen Feng’s heart skipped a beat. With Chu Lingxuan present, the girl who fell into the water could very well be Chen Yuhui. She had always wanted to become Chu Lingxuan’s concubine and believed he held an interest in her, sure that he would come to her rescue.
Internally cursing, Chen Feng thought the girl was delusional to expect Chu Lingxuan to play the hero. She knew he wouldn’t impulsively jump in to save her.
However, if it truly was Chen Yuhui, the reputation of the Chen family would suffer even more.
About twenty minutes later, Xiaomo returned.
In a hushed tone, she reported, “Madam, it was indeed the Second Miss who fell into the water, but she’s unharmed. The Mistress has returned to the residence with the young ladies.”
“Who saved her?” Chen Feng inquired.
Xiaomo replied, “It’s said that it was the Second Young Master of General He, known as Young General He.”
“What? Young General He?” Both Mrs. Qin and Mrs. Liu exclaimed in surprise, then exchanged a glance, shaking their heads with disdain.
Unaware of the strained relationship between Chen Feng and Chen Yuhui, they were likely concerned for her well-being.
What goes around comes around. Let her cause trouble, she can continue to do so after marrying Second Master He.
Addressing Mrs. Qin and Mrs. Liu, Chen Feng said, “My second younger sister has always been mischievous, but my third and fourth sisters are sensible and know right from wrong. Especially my third sister, she is gentle, virtuous, and endearing. It’s a shame…” and now she’s causing trouble again.
She didn’t finish her sentence, but Mrs. Qin and Mrs. Liu understood. They reassured, “Mrs. Chu, don’t worry. Time reveals true character. People will eventually see what kind of person the third Miss Chen truly is.”
As Chen Feng headed to the cleansing room, Xiaomo quietly informed her, “Madam, for some reason, it was initially rumored that the third Miss of the Chen family had fallen into the water. Later, it was clarified that it was actually the second Miss. I heard… Mrs. He was initially pleased, thinking that the He family would take responsibility. But upon realizing it was the second Miss, her expression changed.”
Chen Feng was somewhat surprised, unsure of the underlying circumstances. Regardless of whether Mrs. He maintained her composure or not, the He family would have to take responsibility.
While waiting for Chu Hanyan and Fu Lingshan to wake up, they stayed inside to play.
As the afternoon progressed, distant music and firecracker sounds signaled the arrival of the bride. Chen Feng refrained from visiting the bride in the new room, concerned about the crowds. Mrs. Qin and Mrs. Liu also refrained from going. However, Chu Hanyan followed the maids and young ladies to witness the festivities.
In the evening, they finally joined the banquet in the flower hall.
Mrs. Fu and old lady Fu had somber expressions, and Mrs. Fu did not make an appearance.
Feeling embarrassed, Chen Feng acknowledged that despite her strained relationship with Chen Yuhui, they were both Chen family daughters. Disrupting someone else’s joyous occasion, especially upsetting the Mrs. Fu, was truly inappropriate.
Approaching Mrs. Fu, Chen Feng whispered, “I’m sorry for the trouble my sister caused you.”
Mrs. Fu forced a smile, “It’s nothing. Please convey my apologies to your parents on our behalf. It was our oversight that led to your sister’s mishap.”
Mrs. He was seething, her face turning red with anger, unable to fake a smile. She was furious as she had planned to secure the Chen family’s legitimate daughter as a match for her son, only to have an illegitimate daughter interfere. She couldn’t believe her second son had displayed such valor suddenly, rushing to rescue a damsel in distress.
Seeing Chen Feng, Mrs. He shot her a few disdainful glances, almost wishing she could kill her with her eyes.
Chen Feng felt helpless, Chen Yuhui’s actions were her own problem.
On the way back, Chu Lingxuan, having had a few drinks, didn’t ride his horse but instead rode in Chen Feng’s carriage.
He remarked, “Chen Yuhui deliberately fell into the water, thinking I would save her. How audacious…”
Later in the afternoon, a few young military officers took Chu Lingxuan to the lakeside to relax and enjoy the scenery. On the opposite bank were the women, while the men enjoyed the cool breeze and lush willows.
A girl arrived at the bridge on the opposite bank, leaned over to pick lotus leaves, and accidentally fell into the water. Chu Lingxuan blushed upon realizing it was Chen Yuhui, feeling embarrassed about his unconventional sister-in-law.
While the other men joked about the girl’s identity, they felt awkward staring and were about to leave when they heard a splash. The girl had fallen in. Everyone hesitated, unsure whether to act as heroes.
In a rush, Chu Lingxuan exclaimed, “Oh no, she’s my wife’s younger sister.” Pretending to jump in to save her, he was preempted by He Linsheng, who dove in first.
He Linsheng had only seen Chen Yuqing once, and she was quite distant from them. Believing Chu Lingxuan’s words, he assumed it was indeed Chen Yuqing who had fallen in.