Chapter 40

Shen Qingnian was prepared and grabbed Lin Yue'er's hand, and the two of them fell into the lake together.

Lin Yue'er's screams echoed through the sky; she never expected to be pulled into the lake as well.

The lake water is not actually cold as summer approaches.

Shen Qingnian, in the lake, gripped Lin Yue'er's shoulders tightly. The lake water wet her cheeks, her eyes were sharp, and her beautiful features were tinged with aggression.

Lin Yue'er thrashed about in the lake, crying out, "Help... I can't swim!"

Shen Qingnian curled her lips into a cold smile. She forcefully pushed Lin Yue'er into the water. Lin Yue'er swallowed several mouthfuls of water in the lake before she pulled her out of the water by her hair.

She can swim.

"Miss Lin, how could you fall in the same place twice?"

After saying this, she forcefully pushed Lin Yue'er back into the water, then swam away to create distance between them.

Immediately afterwards, a moon-white figure jumped into the lake and swam vigorously toward Shen Qingnian's location.

Shen Qingnian was pulled into a strong embrace by a large hand. The other person supported her waist and held her tightly.

She felt the man's heart pounding rapidly and nestled her head against the crook of his neck.

Her voice trembled with fear as she said, "Your Highness, she...she wants me dead."

Song Xuan's voice was cold and hoarse: "You won't die, I won't let you die, I will protect you!"

Song Xuan carried Shen Qingnian ashore and held her tightly in his arms as they left. After the two left, it was quite some time before Lin Yue'er was rescued ashore by several old women.

Shen Qingnian was carried back to the mansion by Song Xuan.

Both of them were soaked to the bone, their bodies pressed tightly together. Even so, Song Xuan held her tightly in his arms, not separating for even a moment.

Inside the Shen family mansion, in the boudoir.

Shen Qingnian changed into clean clothes and was now lying on the embroidered bed. Song Xuan had also changed his clothes and was looking at her with concern.

This time, the curtains of the embroidered bed were not drawn, and Song Xuan was holding Shen Qingnian's hand tightly.

Shen Qingnian's pale face had an unnatural flush.

"Your Highness..." she said awkwardly, feeling embarrassed.

Song Xuan's deep eyes remained fixed on her, not allowing her to escape even for a moment.

“Miss Chen, Qingnian,” Song Xuan murmured softly.

He was truly terrified; his heart stopped beating the moment he saw her fall into the lake.

He was terrified that something might have happened to her; he was terrified that he would never see her again...

It wasn't until that moment that he truly understood how ridiculous his previous hesitation had been.

He should have asked his father, the emperor, to grant him a marriage early on. With the title of Crown Princess, no one else could have designs on her!

At this moment, Xiaoju entered, her voice trembling with tears: "Your Highness, please allow me to apply medicine to Miss first. Miss fell into the water today, and I'm afraid the wound on her back has been torn open again..."

Song Xuan's expression turned cold.