Chapter 24: The Prince Really Fell for Her

Tang Mi had been watching the lanterns with Tang Ning when she suddenly realized Tang Ying was nowhere to be seen. Instinctively, she turned to look for Ye Junyu and sure enough, he was gone too.

Tang Mi stood in silence for a moment, then turned around only to bump into Prince Xuan. He looked as if he didn’t want to see her at all. With a fleeting glance, he turned and walked away.

Tang Mi watched his retreating back with puzzlement. This man is really strange.

“Prince Yu is releasing lanterns at the lotus pond. Let’s go there too!” someone in the crowd shouted. Everyone began heading toward the pond.

Tang Ying appeared seemingly out of nowhere. “They’re all going to release lanterns. Why don’t we go take a look too?” she said to Tang Mi and Tang Ning.

Tang Mi gave Tang Ying a meaningful glance but didn’t respond.

“Sure!” Tang Ning answered cheerfully, pulling Tang Mi along with her toward the lotus pond. A cold glint flickered in Tang Ying’s eyes as she followed behind.

Madam Lin, still chatting idly with a few other noble ladies, didn’t notice the three girls had left.

In the shadows, Yan Shu watched Tang Mi head toward the lotus pond. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and he quickly retrieved a flower lantern. “My lord, they say the river god is especially responsive this year. Why don’t we go release a lantern too?”

Prince Xuan wasn’t moved. “This prince has no wishes.”

With mock seriousness, Yan Shu shoved the lantern into his hand. “I think Your Highness should wish for a marriage match. They say the river god is especially good at tying red threads.”

As the beautiful lantern floated up in his hand, Prince Xuan’s handsome face turned red. After a moment of hesitation, he eventually made his way toward the lotus pond.

Yan Shu was delighted. The prince really has fallen for her. Now that he has a goal, everything will be easier.

By the lotus pond, there were already many people releasing lanterns.

Tang Ning excitedly ran over to a young eunuch and took two lotus lanterns, handing one to Tang Mi. “Big Sister, you can write a wish on it.”

Tang Mi smiled lightly. “The Emperor already fulfilled my wish earlier. I don’t have anything more to ask for.”

She desired too much, only she could achieve it.

Tang Ning didn’t think too much of it and cheerfully said, “I already wrote mine!”

She flipped her lantern to show Tang Mi. On the bottom were four words: “Peace and Joy.”

Tang Mi stared at those words in a daze. Remembering Tang Ning’s tragic end in her previous life, a wave of sorrow suddenly overcame her.

“I heard wishes made on lanterns really come true, as long as the lantern doesn’t go out. The river god will see it, and our wish will come true.” Tang Ning’s eyes sparkled as she looked at her lantern. “Big Sister, let’s release them together.”

“Alright, I’ll go with you.” Seeing Tang Ning’s lively expression, Tang Mi couldn’t help but agree.

Tang Ning joyfully dragged Tang Mi to the water’s edge.

The crowd made it hard to find a spot, but eventually, Tang Ning managed to squeeze into an open space.

Tang Mi casually released her lantern into the pond. Beside her, Tang Ning clasped her hands and murmured earnestly, “Dear river god, please hear my wish. Bless everyone in our General’s Manor with peace and joy!”

Her gentle prayer darkened Tang Mi’s heart in an instant.

Why do kind and innocent people never have good endings, while those with malicious intentions always get the last laugh? What kind of world is this?

As Tang Mi stood lost in thought, a dark hand suddenly reached toward her. Caught off guard, she tumbled into the lotus pond.

“Big Sister, be careful!”

Tang Ning’s panicked voice echoed in her ears. From the corner of her eye, Tang Mi caught a glimpse of a hand grabbing her skirt. Her gaze turned sharp, and she grabbed that hand in return.

SPLASH! The two of them fell into the pond together.

“Big Sister! Third Sister!” Tang Ning stood frozen on the shore.

The other girls releasing lanterns also froze at the sudden incident.

Tang Mi didn’t know how to swim, but she immediately gripped Tang Ying tightly.

If she was going to die, she’d drag Tang Ying down with her.

“Ugh…” Tang Ying tried to free herself, but Tang Mi’s grip was like iron. Unable to move, she choked on several mouthfuls of water. The urge to strangle Tang Mi nearly overwhelmed her.

As the two girls struggled, Tang Ning grew frantic. “Help! Someone save them!”

But most of the people by the pond were young noble ladies. No one stepped forward.

“Who fell in?”

“I think it’s girls from the Tang family!”

“Why isn’t anyone helping? Even the eunuchs are gone!”

When Prince Xuan heard “girls from the Tang family,” he rushed to the pond. Seeing her struggling in the water, his body moved instinctively, he nearly jumped in.

But something held him back.

“Go find palace attendants and the Tang brothers,” he ordered Yan Shu through clenched fists.

“Yes, sir!” Yan Shu responded and ran off.

“What’s going on? Who fell in?” From the shadows, Ye Junyu emerged his plan unfolding at just the right time.

“I believe it’s two of the Tang girls,” his guard, Fengpan, replied on cue.

“Then what are you waiting for? Save them!” Ye Junyu cried urgently and made to dive in.

Suddenly, a figure blocked his path.

Ye Junyu frowned. “Seventh Brother, what are you doing?”

Prince Xuan stood expressionless. “It’s improper for a prince to jump in after two noble ladies.”

With this obstacle in the way, Ye Junyu’s face darkened. “This is a life-or-death situation. We can’t worry about propriety right now!”

He tried to move past Prince Xuan, but was blocked again.

“I’ve already sent Yan Shu to get help. Elder Brother, just wait a little longer,” Prince Xuan said coldly.

“You don’t see how dangerous this is? How can we wait?” Ye Junyu grew more agitated. He had gone through all this trouble moving the guards, timing everything perfectly, just so he could be the hero who saved her. If help arrived first, everything would be ruined!

“Even if someone needs to jump in, it won’t be you.” Prince Xuan’s voice turned icy, full of menace.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ye Junyu snapped, recognizing the threat in Prince Xuan’s tone.

Prince Xuan’s eyes were dark as he stared at Ye Junyu. He could give up on her for the sake of her happiness. But that happiness would never be with Ye Junyu. If Ye Junyu insisted on stepping in, then he would never stand down.

“Something’s wrong, they look like they’re not going to make it!” someone cried out.

“Big Sister! Third Sister!” Tang Ning was sobbing now. “Please, someone save them, I beg you!”

Prince Xuan’s heart clenched. He couldn’t bear it anymore. Without another word, he rushed toward the pond.

Ye Junyu narrowed his eyes at the sudden change in behavior and followed close behind.

Just as both men were about to dive in, they heard a loud splash, someone had already jumped into the water.