Chapter 82 if·Yuan Shuyun (5)
Zhu Yun's bright smile revealed that she was in an extremely bad mood.
Luo Yan didn't dare to delay and took a step forward, but was stopped by Cui Wuyang. The young man's clean white robe was stained with bloodstains, like red plum blossoms in the snow. His voice was gentle: "Ayan, I will take you away."
Before Luo Yan could respond, Zhu Yun, who was under the eaves, flicked his sleeve and threw out three poisoned darts, which cut through the night wind and pierced Miao Rong.
Cui Wuyang swept his sword horizontally, and two poisoned darts fell to the ground.
But one of the remaining stones struck the door knocker directly, and after bouncing back, its force increased. It looked like it was about to graz Miao Rong's neck, but Cui Wuyang calmly raised his hand to block it.
Miao Rong was bitten by a venomous snake within the formation. Although the poison was sucked out, she remained weak. Cui Wuyang's heart softened, and he held the trembling girl, whispering words of comfort.
Zhu Yun seemed to have anticipated this, and snapped his fingers. The disciples tacitly rushed into the courtyard, separating Luo Yan from the two of them.
Luo Yan actually breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't bother watching the commotion and quickened her pace, but tripped over the thin blanket hanging on her body.
Zhu Yun immediately suppressed his smile, lifted her into his arms, and used the tip of his sword to pry aside the obstructing fabric.
After doing all this, it was time to question her about why she was arguing with Cui Wuyang, but Luo Yan looked up at him and said, "You scared me so much I almost fell."
"Huh?" Someone fell into the water?
Everyone's expression changed, and they immediately walked towards the stern of the ship from which the sound came.
Zhu Zhaoyue asked anxiously, "Is it Xi Yun?"
Yang Jingling shook her head, indicating she didn't know: "Second Miss Xie is here today as well."
Xie Xiyun did not pick lotus flowers with them, saying that she was going with her half-sister. The Miss Xie who fell into the water may also be Xie Xiyun's half-sister.
Stepping out of the inner room and reaching the stern, all one could see were vast expanses of red lotus leaves and green foliage, with ripples spreading across the water's surface. Through the clusters of lotus blossoms came the cries of a woman struggling for help, sending chills down one's spine.
The once lush lotus pond had now become a surreal cave that swallowed people. Luo Yan could only see the lotus flowers trembling, and could not make out the figure of the person who had fallen into the water.
Several noble ladies stood at the bow of the boat, also panicking and exclaiming. One of the noble ladies, who was closest to the lake, was forcibly pulled away by the palace servants, and tears streamed down her face.
"Don't stop me! Sister! Someone, come quick!"
Zhu Zhaoyue was shocked: "It's Xiyun! Young Master! Can you please send someone to rescue him from the water immediately?"
Xiao Ying immediately asked the palace servants and eunuchs on the ship, only to be told that none of them could swim. She couldn't help but panic: "Eunuch Xu, quickly go and call someone."
"Young master! We don't have a small boat on our ship, how can this old servant go and call for help?"
Xie Xiyun's cries for help were growing weaker and weaker.
Qingyue Lake is quite large, and the only place around it is Xiao Ying's painted boat. For miles around, there are lotus flowers and leaves, but not a single person in sight.
If no one else goes into the water, Xie Xiyun is likely to drown in the lake.
Luo Yan's expression turned serious, and the others realized this as well, their expressions becoming flustered. Xiao Ying stamped her foot anxiously, "Do you have any ropes? Why don't you tie some ropes together and go into the water?"
"Yes, yes, young master, it was originally used to tie up lotus flowers. You all hurry up and get it. You, get ready to go into the water."
At Eunuch Xu's command, the palace servants hurriedly responded and ran to the bow of the boat, immediately causing chaos on board.
Xie Xiyun's cries for help were completely swallowed up by Qing Le Lake in an instant. All that could be heard was the ethereal bird call, which sounded like a death knell in their ears and sent chills down their spines.
The boat rocked precariously as the palace servants and eunuchs hurriedly prepared to launch, swaying precariously on the lake like standing on a rickety rope on a mountain path, the group clinging to each other for support. Luo Yan stood on the outermost edge, watching the lotus blossoms disappear into the distance, biting her lip slightly, and took a thoughtful step forward.
But before she could take a step, suddenly, a pair of hands pushed her hard from behind—
Before Luo Yan could look back, she fell into a sea of lotus leaves.
Xiao Ying watched as the person fell into the lake right before her eyes, trembling with anxiety: "Miss Luo! Miss Luo has also fallen into the water! Someone! Quickly tie the rope and go down!"
Even in summer, suddenly plunging into the lake is as painful as an ice pick piercing one's bones.
Consort Qiong loved lotus flowers, and Qing Le Lake had always been well maintained. The view in the water was still quite clear, and Luo Yan easily spotted Xie Xiyun sinking not far away.
She steadied herself by gripping a few lotus stems, the thorns on the stems piercing her tender palms. Luo Yan frowned slightly, then swam towards Xie Xiyun after regaining her balance.
Xie Xiyun was already in a daze. Luo Yan helped her out of the water and she met the faces of the crowd, which were filled with both astonishment and joy.
Luo Yan, still as nimble as a fish, darted among the lotus flowers, and helped the person onto Xie Xiyun's small boat.
The noblewoman who had just been forcibly pulled back by the palace servants immediately rushed over, almost pushing Luo Yan back into the water.
She threw herself in front of the unconscious Xie Xiyun, tears streaming down her face: "Sister! Sister, are you alright? What will I do if something happens to you?"
Xie Xiyun's younger sister looked like she was about to burst into tears, and several noble ladies couldn't help but step forward to comfort her.
Xiao Ying reacted quickly and ordered someone to row a boat over and bring Luo Yan and the other person back to the pleasure boat for their return journey.
Xie Xiyun's younger sister cried and refused to let go: "Sister..."
Yang Jingling swept her gaze over with a stern face: "Second Miss Xie, if your sister's condition is delayed, can you bear the responsibility?"
Xie Xiyun's sister stood there, her lips trembling, tears welling up in her eyes, but after a few moments she finally let go.
The two were led into the inner room.
Zhu Zhaoyue asked worriedly, "Cousin, are you feeling unwell?"
Luo Yan shook her head and looked at Yang Jingling, who was taking Xie Xiyun's pulse while she was unconscious.
Yang Jingling looked embarrassed and withdrew her hand, instead pressing on Xie Xiyun's chest and abdomen.
Xie Xiyun was pale, her hair disheveled and plastered to her face. She was barely breathing. Yang Jingling exerted force, and she immediately vomited a lot of water, but she still didn't wake up.
"We need to find a place to administer acupuncture to Xiyun as soon as possible."
Xiao Ying immediately shouted, "Hurry up!"
Knowing the seriousness of the situation, the men below dared not delay and gritted their teeth, rowing swiftly. Before long, they reached the shore.
As soon as they reached the shore, several palace maids went to report to Consort Qiong, while the rest of the people busied themselves finding clothes and calling for the physician. Those on the shore who had not gone to pick lotus flowers immediately gathered around them, instantly surrounding them in three or four circles.
"What happened? Who fell into the water?"
The situation was chaotic, and those who outwardly showed concern were all harboring their own agendas. "Quickly take off your outer robes and drape them over the two young ladies, lest they catch a cold!"
The people of Daqi are open-minded, and offering clothes to someone who has fallen into the water is a matter of urgency and will not cause any controversy. Several young men immediately began to take off their outer robes, but they had other intentions and were vying to give them to Luo and Xie.
In the chaos, Luo Yan spotted Zhu Yun walking quickly through the gaps in the crowd. She had a bad feeling and was about to take a closer look at his expression when suddenly everything went dark.
A dark robe with gold trim completely obscured her vision, concealing her slender figure.
She subconsciously pulled off her robe, only to meet Fang Yuanling's eyes directly.
He gave her a deep look, then turned and left. If it weren't for his outer robe still being on, it would have been as if he had never been there at all.
Luo Yan frowned.
"The Imperial Concubine has arrived!"
A path immediately parted in the crowd, and a noblewoman was seen walking briskly, surrounded by others. Her appearance was beautiful and charming but not vulgar, like a peony in full bloom.
Luo Yan had never met Consort Qiong before, but she knew her identity at a glance; only she could be so luxurious and flamboyant. Luo Yan remembered Zhu Zhaoyue's words that she and Consort Qiong looked somewhat alike, and then turned to look at Consort Qiong's appearance.
Before she could even take a second look, she suddenly heard Lan Hui call out loudly, "Luo Yan!"
Lan Hui followed behind Consort Qiong, her eyes red with worry, and hurriedly pulled Luo Yan aside to ask her what was wrong.
While answering her aunt, Luo Yan couldn't help but glance at Consort Qiong and Xiao Ying. She saw Consort Qiong hurriedly pull Xiao Ying over, carefully checking her over, and only after confirming that she was unharmed did she relax and gently comfort her daughter.
Consort Qiong was flamboyant and sharp, but when facing her daughter, she was no different from an ordinary mother and daughter.
Luo Yan had never spent time with her mother, but she had seen her. Her stepmother's sister often brought her daughter to visit. This nominal aunt was sharp-tongued, but she was a completely different person when she was with her daughter, speaking softly and never using a harsh word.
Luo Yan snapped out of her reverie and realized that staring at the Consort and her daughter was inappropriate, so she quickly and discreetly looked away.
After comforting her daughter, Consort Qiong glanced coldly at everyone, her gaze lingering on Luo Yan for a moment, seemingly casually.
The unexpected incident at the lotus banquet was tantamount to a slap in the face! Consort Qiong's upturned eyes revealed a sharp anger: "Quickly take Miss Xie and Miss Luo to the side hall to settle them, and then summon the physician. Whether this was an accident or intentional, I will investigate it thoroughly."
She said matter-of-factly, "As someone who practices martial arts, why would I trip over something on flat ground?"
Zhu Yun's lips twitched slightly. He glanced down at her overly long hem and said impatiently, "Fine, I'll take the blame."
"What kind of attitude is that?" Luo Yan used her sleeve to hide her hooking of his little finger. "Are you hoping I'll leave? You're giving me attitude."
Zhu Yun withdrew her hand and took a half step away from her: "You've even resorted to unreasonable arguments. You've really gone to great lengths for Ye Ning."
Even so, he had long since regained his normal expression after Luo Yan's antics. You see, she wasn't a great actress, but she was good at coaxing her husband, who was prone to getting jealous.
Luo Yan took half a step forward and squeezed next to him again: "This Miao girl is to my liking. Let Song Tian give her the antidote."
Upon hearing this, Miao Rong flew into a rage: "You're just crocodile tears, who cares about you—"
“Miss Miao,” Cui Wuyang said in a slightly somber tone, “I believe Ayan means well. You should go with her and don’t worry about me.”
Miao Rong looked at Luo Yan and then at the young man in front of her, her eyes brimming with tears: "You still can't forget her."
Luo Yan: "..."
Zhu Yun, standing to the side, frowned in disgust: "Kill."
“Ah Yun,” Luo Yan shook his arm, “at least release Miss Miao, she is innocent.”
A fierce battle ensued in the courtyard. Zhu Yun, carrying her, hid in the shadows of the trees, his expression unreadable: "Release the Miao girl, and with you holding me back, it will be difficult for Ye Ning to lose. He is no longer your cousin, so why care about him?"
She was naturally afraid that if the protagonist died, he would open his eyes and return to the past, endlessly, turning a perfectly good life into an infinite loop.
But the most urgent thing was to soothe Zhu Yun's hair. She found the boy's strong waist and abdomen and hugged him tightly: "Because I want to be a princess!"
Luo Yan's cheeks flushed, and she couldn't say anything harsh for the moment. She grabbed his belt and said, "Have breakfast with me."
He gave him a bewildered look, muttering impatiently, "Aren't you being a bit too clingy?" as he pulled out a chair and sat down.
“You’re the clingy one,” Luo Yan wagged her index finger and corrected her. “Not only do you insist on having meals with me, but you also only allow me to sit on your lap. It’s so annoying.”
"Don't bother me."
Zhu Yun was uneasy about Cui Wuyang's presence and couldn't bear to hear her say such heartless things. He reached out and pulled her to his knees, saying, "I'll stay with you."
She unfolded the anecdotes she hadn't finished reading: "Read this one."
He then turned to drink his porridge.
Zhu Yun glanced at her a few times, threw the book away, and looked at her profile: "No need, I'll just tell you directly."
Luo Yan: "That's right, you know these things better than anyone else."
He smiled slightly, propped his chin on his hand, and began to speak slowly and deliberately. Unfortunately, Luo Yan had only eaten half a meal for breakfast, and she had to get up after listening for a short while.
Zhu Yun let go with a hint of regret, and then Qin Yan reported: "Young Master, Miao Zhuo and Leng Rushuang caught a fish and said they want to exchange it for Ye Ning and Miao Rong."
"Change."
He had originally promised Luo Yan to release the person.
Qin Yan hesitated and looked up: "But Ye Ning said she wants to see the young mistress, otherwise she will stay in the building for a long time."
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