Xingyi's face darkened further. What a disappointment! It was a rare treat to be with Young Master Jue, and now it had all been ruined.
Seeing the Emperor's extremely grim expression, the eunuch hurriedly said, "Lady Jue has fallen into the lake!"
"What?!" Xingyi exclaimed in shock, standing up and looking to the side. Young Master Jue was nowhere to be found.
Xingyi hurriedly rushed up and shouted, "Pack your carriage at the Hundred Gardens!" Her father-in-law followed closely behind, yelling at the top of his lungs.
"What time is it? Why are you still putting on airs?" Xingyi walked on top of the carriage, turning back to scold her father-in-law behind her.
Xingyi's heart tightened. She hoped nothing would go wrong, or all their efforts would be in vain. They had finally managed to get him here; they couldn't let this matter cause any trouble. The ministers also hurriedly followed the Emperor to Mirror Lake.
When they arrived, Young Master Jue had already rescued his wife and brought her aboard, his face ashen as he called out, "Xue'er, Xue'er!"
I was in a coma when I felt a pressure of water on my chest, which was very uncomfortable. I vaguely heard someone calling my name and slapping my face repeatedly. Dude, be gentle! I still have my face to save. If I get disfigured, you'll have to pay me back!
Unable to bear the suffocating feeling of the water in my chest, I vomited. I struggled to open my eyes, my gaze blank as I stared at Jue before me. I weakly called out, "Jue!" My call startled Jue. He glanced at me, then hugged me tightly. After a moment, he released me, and I finally saw his face. His eyes held fear, unease, and joy. Water dripped from his hair, occasionally landing on my face. It was Jue who had saved me! Okay, I'll forgive my earlier rudeness. I smiled sweetly, smoothing his furrowed brow with my hand, and softly said, afraid of disturbing him, "Jue, I'm alright."
Seeing how worried Jue was about me, I felt a little guilty, with a mix of guilt and gratitude.
"What's going on?" Jue's gaze pierced the stunned Xiao Wu, who was walking over.
"Master, she pushed Miss Xiaohu." Xiaowu squatted down, carefully wiping my face with a handkerchief, and said without hesitation, concisely and clearly. My God, Xiaowu, you're so cool, I admire you.
"No...no, I didn't, she jumped herself, no, she's making false accusations!" she screamed hysterically, trying to defend herself, but no one believed her; they all looked at her with contempt and pity.
His piercing gaze was like a sharp sword piercing through Baili Xinru. He entrusted me to Xiaowu, stood up, and approached Baili Xinru. Baili Xinru was at a loss and retreated in great fear.
"Your Majesty, please investigate." From behind the Emperor, an old man emerged. It shouldn't be my uncle; he was about the same age as my father. He touched the ground with both hands, bent over, almost parallel to the ground, blocking Jue's path. He then knelt in front of the Emperor, his position perfectly chosen. It seems this uncle is Baili Xinru's father, the great Prime Minister of this country.
During this process, I didn't say a word. Everyone in silence looked at me, hoping I would speak to break the silence.
I mentally slapped myself on the head. Oh no, I was so caught up in that amazing honey trap that I forgot I had a role to play.
I pushed myself up from the ground, my steps unsteady. Xiao Wu quickly helped me up. Seeing that I had stood up, Jue came over, took my arms from Xiao Wu, and hugged me, leaning me against his chest. What a considerate man! If this weren't the time for me to enjoy myself, I would definitely cling to him.
I looked at Baili Xinru, who was completely lost, and said, "Miss Xinru, I will not leave Jue." I took Jue's hand and pretended to be trembling with fear. Perhaps because I had just come out of the water, a breeze had blown through me, making me a little cold, so I did this very well.
My words undoubtedly pushed her into an even deeper abyss. People around us started talking, and their eyes mocked her without any restraint. She looked at me in disbelief. She probably didn't expect me to do this. I know it's wrong, but if I hadn't jumped first, I would be the one standing there being questioned now.
"It's alright, it's alright," Jue hugged me tenderly, his cold gaze shooting towards Baili Xinru. He was now trembling behind his prime minister father, his lips quivering, unable to utter a single word. I think she must hate me for framing her like this.
"Oh no, I'm so scared, so scared!" I pretended to cry, my voice mingling with the lake water, and buried myself even deeper into his chest. I admit I was taking advantage of the situation. Isn't that obvious? Holding such a handsome man like this, it would be a shame not to take advantage of him a little.
My actions brought the Emperor back to his senses, and he immediately ordered, "My dear minister, stop talking! The facts are right here; there's no room for sophistry. Guards, take Baili Xinru away and imprison her!"
Baili Xinru panicked even more, ran to her kneeling father, and cried out, "Father, Father, save me!" She looked so pitiful.
"Achoo! Achoo!" I couldn't resist the itching in my nose and sneezed several times.
Jue's face darkened again. He glanced at me and said to the father and daughter with a sinister look, "If anything happens to her, I will make you pay with your lives." He ignored the scene and carried me back in his arms.
As he passed the Emperor, the Emperor reached out and stopped him, saying, "Your wife is all wet and easily catches a cold. Why don't you stay in the palace for the night, so that she can wash up?"
"Little Youzi"
"This servant is here," the eunuch standing beside him stepped forward.
"Bring Young Master Jue and his wife to the Jade Sound Palace."
"嫬"
"Young Master Jue, this way please, Madam Jue." Hearing the eunuch's voice, I got goosebumps again, felt even colder, and trembled even more violently.
Jue wanted to catch up quickly, but I stopped him and said, "Jue, put me down. I have something to say to the Emperor."
Jue's face was like a thin layer of ice, which frightened me.
Seeing the fear in my eyes, he sighed, put me down, and I staggered to the Emperor in one breath.
Her lips were bloodless, and she murmured, "Your Majesty, please release Miss Xinru."
Everyone was stunned by my words, thinking I had said something outrageous. The Emperor also raised his hand to signal the guards to stop. Baili Xinru, who had been being supported, slid down and sat there looking at me in confusion, but Jue remained expressionless.
"Your Majesty, release Miss Baili!" I repeated, to prove they hadn't misheard.
"But, Madam, she treated you like that..." The Emperor glanced at Baili Xinru on the ground.
Chapter Twenty-Six
"Never mind, I'm fine now, Your Majesty, please release her," I said, waving my hand dismissively.
"Very well, since Lady Jue has spoken, then I will release her," the Emperor said earnestly to me.
"Guards, release him!" Xingyi finally spoke.
I played both the bad cop and the good cop, and I bet Baili Xinru really wants to tear me to pieces and thinks I'm being hypocritical! Actually, I'm not exactly a saint either, and there's a reason why I did it this way.
"Let's go," Jue Fei quickly picked me up and walked in the direction the eunuch had indicated.
The night was still, with the full moon hanging high in the sky. A chilly autumn wind blew intermittently, and a storm seemed imminent. It was an unsettling night.
After passing through the winding corridor, Jue hugged me and strode in.
I glanced around the entrance and saw a tiered table with a pot of water on it. Opposite the table was a recliner, which looked to be made of expensive silk. To the left was a beaded curtain, mainly pale yellow, leading to a large bed.
They placed me on the bed with extreme care, as if I were a fragile glass doll.
"The quilt!" Jue Chong shouted as the palace maids and eunuchs stood outside.
The palace maids hurriedly brought in blankets, and Jue took them and piled them on me one by one, making it hard for me to breathe.
"Not enough, go get more!" Seeing my face turn pale, he felt the blankets weren't enough, and continued to call out anxiously.
Seeing Jue so anxious, I felt a sweet warmth in my heart. But this wasn't the first time Jue had encountered something like this, otherwise why would she not say anything and just frantically cover me with the blanket?
"Absolutely amazing," I jokingly called it.
She turned away, bent down and hugged me, as if the blanket covering me didn't exist, and asked anxiously, "What's wrong, Xue'er?"
"Jue, shouldn't you let me take a shower first? This is no use," I asked Jue, somewhat amused, looking at the increasing number of blankets covering me.
"Really?" He just stared at me blankly, his previous chilling aura completely gone, replaced by cuteness.
Xiao Wu and the others had been following closely behind Jue, but Jue was too fast. When they entered, they saw this comical scene, and they were greatly surprised. What a miracle! Even their master had such an expression! Was he still the same master who wouldn't blink an eye even if the sky were to fall? Was he still the same ruthless and heartless master? It seemed that only their young lady had this ability!
Upon hearing Xiao Wu and the others' footsteps, Jue's expressionless face returned to normal.
"Master, I deserve to die!" Xiao Wu knelt down to beg for forgiveness, feeling extremely guilty. Her master had entrusted her mistress to her care, and she had actually let her mistress fall into the lake.
Upon hearing Xiao Wu's voice, Jue stared at her coldly, his lips pressed together, pondering how to deal with her.
I was terrified. Xiao Wu was the one who jumped into the lake, and I couldn't bear the thought of punishing her. I cautiously glanced at Jue's face and timidly said, "Jue, don't upset Xiao Wu. I'm fine, aren't I?"
When I said that, Jue's eyes widened in anger, as if he could see right through me. I choked. I looked at Xiao Wu apologetically. "Xiao Wu, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Jue was still angry, and his expression was terrifying. I couldn't help him. (Author's note: Heartless)
The woman. Zi Xue weakly said: I'm scared. (Author's note: On behalf of the readers, I despise you.)
Jue didn't say anything more. Xiao Wu was wondering how her master would deal with him when she heard Jue's deep, magnetic voice, "Get up, prepare water."
"Master, the water is ready," Xiao Wu said, head bowed. I praised Xiao Wu in my heart; what a clever girl! I like her so much!
Jue didn't say anything more, just held me quietly. Although I liked it, it was too uncomfortable. My body was cold and sticky, and there were so many blankets. I think I looked like a rice dumpling right now.
Seeing that her master wasn't moving, Xiao Wu assumed she hadn't recovered from what had just happened, so she took it upon herself to come to my side and pull the blanket down for me. However, she unexpectedly said, "Don't move."
Why won't Jue go out? Why won't Jue let Xiao Wu take the blanket down? Could it be...?
"Hey, do you want to watch me take a shower?" I asked playfully, with a lot of joking in it.
Upon hearing my words, Jue blushed, her eyes darting around, not daring to look at me. She said, "I'll go out first," and suddenly stood up and walked towards the door. Seeing their master like this, Leng Tian and the others shook their heads and followed helplessly.
After I saw him leave, I suddenly remembered that Jue was still wet, so I shouted again, "Jue, you need to change your clothes, or do you want to shower with me!"
I thought he couldn't hear me anymore, but then I heard a 'bang' outside and Leng Tian asked anxiously, so I changed my mind.
"Hahahahaha," I laughed heartily.
"Miss, how can you tease your master like this?" Xiao Wu said, but I saw the smile in her eyes.
Behind the screen, a thin mist shrouded the scene, through which a woman could be vaguely seen. Her skin was fair and translucent, and through the mist, one could see her full figure and graceful curves. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her rosy lips were gesturing incessantly as she spoke to a woman behind her who was more beautiful than herself.
"Xiao Wu, you were so cute just now," I said with a smile, as I gently touched the petals on the water and enjoyed Xiao Wu's massage.
"Master only acts this way when he's with Miss," Xiao Wu said, unable to hide her smile.
"Hehe, that's great!"
After washing up, with my hair still wet, I walked to the bed and immediately saw Jue, who had already changed his clothes, lying in the corner of the bed waiting. His hair was also loose, and his loose clothes had opened slightly due to his movements, revealing his fair skin. Jue looked incredibly alluring and seductive. Oh my god, I'm about to have a nosebleed! This guy is too tempting!
"Jue!" I called out. Jue looked up, saw my wet hair, frowned, and pulled me to his side. I felt a warm sensation all over my body. When I touched my hair, it was dry. It was amazing! Could this be the internal energy mentioned in the novel? It's incredible!
As we walked to the bedside, I suddenly remembered Jue's expression earlier. I asked, "Jue, do you know what my actions just now meant?"
The hand that was stroking my hair froze, and I said, "I know."
Sure enough, Jue knew I was acting, but he didn't expose me. Why?
"Jue, you..." I wanted to ask, but Jue interrupted me.
"I hate being lied to."
Those words sent chills down my spine and made me break out in a cold sweat; they were like an icebox.
"Why?" I murmured, head down, twisting the hem of my clothes awkwardly. If they were my friends, they would know that this was a sign of my guilt.
After a moment of silence, despair filled my trembling eyes. I stood up, my eyelids drooping, and after a long, long time, I uttered a single sentence: "Because this makes it impossible for me to trust her."
I feel cold all over. Is it because it's late autumn? Why am I so cold?
"You've disappointed me," he said lightly, and left without looking back.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I was stunned, as if struck by lightning, staring blankly at his departing figure. Why? It was just a small matter, why did it escalate like this? Did I hurt his feelings? I'm not good at explaining myself, because I only make things more complicated, a trait that often makes me disliked in modern society. I didn't mean to.
Coming to my senses, I chased after them to the door, shouting, "Absolutely! Absolutely! Absolutely!"