He finally managed to take a breath, but immediately sank again. Hongshi flailed his arms on the surface of the water and kicked his legs wildly underwater, enduring the pain of choking on the water, and shouted for help: Help... me... help me...

Hongshi's mind went blank. The fear of death swept over him, like a pair of invisible giant hands gripping him tightly, determined not to let him go as long as there was a sliver of opportunity.

At that moment, he thought of his birth mother, Consort Li, who had long since turned to ashes. He recalled all the things he had done under the Empress's care over the years.

Hongshi struggled desperately in the water, groping for anything he could grab onto...

Pedestrians on the roadside gathered around, watching Hongshi struggle and call for help on the surface of the water, but no one went into the water to save him.

Hongshi sensed a figure not far away, so he shouted loudly, "Help... help... me... please... save me..."

But no one jumped down; instead, they pointed and laughed at Hongshi.

"Everyone, come quick! Someone has fallen into the water..."

"Come quick! A beggar has fallen into the water..."

Hongshi was in despair. In other people's eyes, he was no longer a noble prince, but a despised beggar. Who would be foolish enough to risk their life to save a beggar?

Was he really going to die here? Hongshi was unwilling to accept it...

Suddenly, a bamboo pole, seemingly out of nowhere, touched Hongshi's hand. Without hesitation, Hongshi grabbed the pole and held on tightly as if it were a lifeline.

Using the bamboo pole, Hongshi was slowly pulled back to the shore. He used all his strength to climb ashore with difficulty, collapsed on the ground, choked on water, and coughed incessantly...

Having just escaped death, Hongshi cherished everything he had with all his heart. Even breathing felt like a luxury. Hongshi lay sprawled on the shore with his eyes closed...

After a while, Hongshi finally came to his senses and slowly opened his eyes amidst the noise.

A group of unfamiliar faces surrounded Hongshi, and someone was carefully poking the back of his hand with a twig. When Hongshi moved, they were frightened and stepped aside.

"Oh my god, that scared me to death! I thought he was dead..."

"He was just a beggar, so what if he died..."

"Look, he's moving..."

Hongshi struggled to his feet, shivering from the cold, his lips black and his face pale, looking at the onlookers with disappointment and hatred.

Hongshi had already experienced the darkness and cruelty of human nature. The only thing that could bring him a sliver of warmth at this moment was the stranger who saved him with a bamboo pole.

"Where is my savior? Who saved me?" Hongshi muttered to himself, his eyes searching frantically.

Everyone burst into laughter: "Hahaha... The person who saved you is long gone, who would wait for a beggar to thank you..."

"Yeah, you're lucky today... I never knew someone would actually save a beggar..."

Hongshi scrambled to his feet and stumbled towards the man who had spoken. Grabbing him, he shouted, "Where did he go? Who saved me? Tell me!"

Perhaps frightened by Hongshi's appearance, the man forgot to struggle after being grabbed by Hongshi, stammering, "I...I don't know...when we came...you were already on the shore..."

Hongshi shoved the man aside, wildly waving his hands and screaming at the top of his lungs, "Get out of here...get out..."

Seeing that Hongshi had gone mad, everyone was afraid of accidentally hurting themselves, so they all kept their distance.