Before Qi Mingyue could answer, she suddenly heard a cry of alarm from another boat. Turning around, she saw Bai Lian'er losing her balance and nearly falling into the water, but fortunately, she was caught by someone next to her.

"Miss Bai, be careful!" Xie Ansu hurriedly shouted, "The boat is rocking, it's best to sit down."

Bai Lian'er's face was pale, and she forced a smile, saying, "Thank you for your concern, young master. Lian'er is fine." But then she coughed lightly again.

Qi Mingyue observed coldly, noticing that Bai Lian'er had deliberately worn a plain white dress today, making her appear even more frail. She subtly shifted her gaze, focusing on admiring the scenery on both sides of the river.

As the boat reached a bend in the river, weeping willows lined both banks, their green canopies casting long shadows over the water. Xie Ansu suddenly said, "This is the best view. Why don't we stop here for a while and compose some poems?"

Everyone praised it. Several students took the lead in reciting, all with willows as their theme. When it was Xie Ansu's turn, he pondered for a moment and recited: "'A light boat is moored under a green silk ribbon, not tied to sorrow of parting, but to elegance.'"

The crowd cheered. Qi Mingyue continued, "'Let the storms rise and fall, I'll still steadily fish in the middle of the stream.'"

These two lines are not only fitting for the occasion but also contain profound philosophical implications, surpassing the previous line. Xie Ansu clapped his hands in praise: "Mingyue's line is brilliant! I, Ansu, am ashamed of my inferiority."

Bai Lian'er watched from the side, a shadow passing over her eyes. She forced a smile and said, "I admire your quick wit. It's a pity I'm so dull-witted, I can't think of any good lines..."

Xie Ansu gently comforted her, "Miss Bai, there's no need to be so modest. Poetry is just for leisure; why take it so seriously?"

Bai Lian'er seemed encouraged and said softly, "Then Lian'er will also offer a humble line: 'A thousand-foot-long slender branch cannot be tied down, and flowing water never returns.'"

The poem was plain, yet it contained a hidden sense of melancholy. The students exchanged glances, unsure how to respond. Xie Ansu could only try to smooth things over: "Miss Bai's line... has a deeper meaning."

Qi Mingyue, however, seemed oblivious, focused solely on the sight of willow branches brushing the water's surface. Suddenly, she whispered, "Listen."

The crowd quieted down, but they could hear faint singing in the wind, clear and melodious, though the lyrics were indistinct.

“It’s a lotus-picking girl singing.” Xie Ansu listened intently. “She’s singing ‘The Lotus-Picking Tune of the Twelve Months’.”

Qi Mingyue listened intently and found the melody simple yet moving. She couldn't help but praise, "This rustic tune is more genuine and touching than those pretentious poems."

Xie Ansu's eyes lit up: "The moon feels the same way? Ansu often feels that true poetic beauty lies in this landscape of mountains, rivers, and fields."

The two looked at each other and smiled, feeling a deep connection. Bai Lian'er watched from the side, her round fan waving faster and faster.

On the return journey, the two boats traveled side by side. Xie Ansu and Qi Mingyue chatted across the water, discussing everything from poetry and songs to local customs and traditions, finding themselves quite congenial. Bai Lian'er tried to interject several times, but never found the right moment.

As the boat approached the dock, Bai Lian'er suddenly stood up: "Oh no, I dropped my handkerchief!" She then went to retrieve a silk handkerchief floating in the water.

The boat rocked violently, and amidst gasps of alarm, Bai Lian'er lost her balance and tumbled towards the water. Xie Ansu reacted swiftly, leaping over the side of the boat and catching her. Though they avoided falling in, both of them slumped into the water, their clothes soaked.

"Is Miss Bai alright?" Xie Ansu asked anxiously.

Bai Lian'er, still shaken, said with tears in her eyes, "Thank you so much, young master... The handkerchief was a gift from my mother. I was just in a panic..."

Everyone rushed forward to comfort her. Qi Mingyue watched coldly and saw that although Bai Lian'er was frightened, she was tightly clutching the silk handkerchief in her hand. She immediately understood.

Back at the academy, news of Bai Lian'er's failed attempt to drown quickly spread. Many praised Xie Ansu's bravery, while others lamented Bai Lian'er's frail health and poor health, finding her truly pitiful.

That evening, Xie Ansu came to Tingxue Studio to find Qi Mingyue, his expression showing some worry: "Mingyue, what do you think of today's events?"

Qi Mingyue was practicing calligraphy and didn't even look up: "What does An Su want to ask?"

Xie Ansu hesitated for a moment: "I always feel that Miss Bai has been acting a bit... strangely lately. It seems that every time she is with you and me, something unexpected always happens."

Qi Mingyue paused slightly as she wrote, then looked up at him: "An Su is overthinking it. Miss Bai is frail, so accidents are common."

Xie Ansu gazed at her for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Mingyue, have you noticed something?"

Qi Mingyue put down her pen and sighed softly, "An Su, do you still remember what you said when you taught me to play the willow leaf flute by the river that day?"

Xie Ansu was taken aback: "I said... true poetic beauty lies in the landscapes and fields."

“Exactly.” Qi Mingyue looked out the window at the moonlight. “Some people in this world love real mountains and rivers, while others only love sculpted bonsai. There is no right or wrong, it’s just that people with different values ​​cannot work together.”

Xie Ansu seemed to understand something, and after pondering for a long time, he said, "I admire Mingyue's insight." He paused, then said firmly, "In the future, I will be able to distinguish right from wrong and will not let Mingyue down."

Qi Mingyue smiled slightly and said no more.

The next day, rumors about Xie Ansu's heroic rescue of the beauty intensified in the academy, with some even secretly speculating that the two had an unusual relationship. Upon learning this, Xie Ansu made a point of clarifying in front of everyone: "What happened yesterday was purely accidental. It was only right that I helped. Please do not make any unfounded speculations, so as not to damage Miss Bai's reputation."

These words were spoken tactfully, both preserving Bai Lian'er's dignity and distancing herself from the situation. Upon learning of this, Qi Mingyue couldn't help but think more highly of Xie Ansu.

In the afternoon, Xie Ansu came to Tingxuezhai again, this time bringing a copy of "Yingzhou Local Chronicles": "Mingyue, please take a look. This book records many stories about ancient sites in Yingzhou, which may be useful to you."

Qi Mingyue took the book, flipped through a few pages, and found that it contained detailed records. She couldn't help but say with delight, "An Su, you've gone to a lot of trouble. This book is exactly what I need."

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