Consort Mei and Zheng Yao strolled through the Imperial Garden. Along the way, Consort Mei asked Zheng Yao about some everyday matters, and Zheng Yao answered cautiously.
Zheng Yao was thinking of a way to escape.
She didn't want to have anything to do with Consort Mei.
However, Consort Mei showed no intention of letting her go.
Zheng Yao was filled with regret; she shouldn't have run out.
As they walked, Consort Mei suddenly stopped, looked at a pond of lotus flowers, and said, "These lotus flowers are so beautiful, it's a pity no one appreciates them."
Zheng Yao didn't know how to respond, so she remained silent.
Consort Mei turned to look at Zheng Yao and smiled, "Do you know what the most beautiful flower in the harem is?"
Zheng Yao shook her head, and Consort Mei's lips curled up slightly. "It is the Empress, she is the most beautiful flower in this palace. But even the most beautiful flower will wither one day."
Zheng Yao understood the implication in Consort Mei's words and was secretly alarmed. Consort Mei was implying that the Empress of Fengyi Palace was no longer in favor.
This is utterly rebellious.
If this gets out, I'll lose my head.
Consort Mei speaks so freely only because she is favored by the Emperor.
Before she could speak, Consort Mei added, "However, I prefer lotus flowers."
Zheng Yao remained noncommittal.
Everyone knows that Consort Mei loved plum blossoms as much as her life, but no one knows what she is trying to do by changing her love for lotus flowers today.
After pondering for a moment, Zheng Yao smiled and replied, "Your Majesty! There are many flowers in the Imperial Garden that are more beautiful than lotuses. In my opinion, the most beautiful sight is when all the flowers are in bloom."
Consort Mei chuckled, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes: "A hundred flowers blooming is too noisy; nothing compares to the pure and noble lotus in this pond."
Zheng Yao stood quietly to the side, secretly plotting how to get away as soon as possible.
She knew all too well that gossiping with the women in the palace could easily lead to trouble.
However, Consort Mei seemed to have a special fondness for lotus flowers, and she got closer and closer to them.
If Zheng Yao fell behind by even a step, Consort Mei would remind her to be careful.
Zheng Yao looked around warily.
Her maid was just sent away by Consort Mei.
No matter how careful Zheng Yao was, she still fell into Consort Mei's trap.
Consort Mei suddenly lost her balance and almost fell into the lake.
Zheng Yao instinctively reached out to pull, and soon felt an external force push her into the water.
Consort Mei exclaimed in surprise, "Save her! Quickly, save Miss Zheng!"
The palace maids in Consort Zheng's palace were terrified, their faces turning ashen. "Miss!"
She was standing behind a group of palace maids, her view blocked, and she didn't see what happened at all.
The palace maids and servants reached out to pull Zheng Yao, but they couldn't reach her.
Zheng Yao couldn't swim, and the more she struggled, the deeper she sank to the bottom of the lake.
On the surface, Consort Mei appeared panicked, but her eyes betrayed an undisguised smugness.
The palace maids around her only seemed anxious; none of them actually intended to save her.
Zheng Yao panicked.
Did Consort Mei want her dead?
The more panicked you are, the deeper you sink.
Just then, a patrol of soldiers came by, shouting, "Help... me..."
Consort Mei immediately cried out in alarm, "Quickly, save them!"
The palace maids and servants now all looked anxious, a stark contrast to their earlier gloating.
A figure quickly stepped across the water and pulled Zheng Yao out of the water.
A hint of a smile flashed in Consort Mei's eyes.
But her face was full of self-reproach. "Miss Zheng, are you alright?"
Zheng Yao's face was pale, and her whole body was soaked.
Overwhelmed with shame and anger, she fainted.
The maid exclaimed, "Miss!"
The guards laid her flat on the ground and took off their cloaks to cover Zheng Yao's body.
People flocked to the scene from all directions upon hearing the commotion.
The women in the palace loved to join in this kind of fun.
Who wouldn't want to hear such juicy gossip—that a noble lady fell into the water and was rescued by guards?
Seeing that her wicked scheme had succeeded, Consort Mei deliberately shouted loudly, "Miss Zheng, wake up! How could you be so careless as to fall down like that!"
Consort Mei turned around and scolded Zheng Yao's personal maid, "Where have you been slacking off? Aren't you going to help your young mistress change her clothes? Her body is practically exposed to everyone."
Her words drew even closer attention to Zheng Yao.
There were men present!
The man who just pulled Miss Zheng out of the lotus pond was this man.
Everyone looked at Zheng Yao with pity.
A woman who loses her reputation will live like this for the rest of her life.
Consort Mei is far too vicious.
Zheng Yao's maid was already crying with tears streaming down her face.
Consort Mei only asked her to pour a cup of hot tea for her mistress, how did this happen!
The maid looked at Consort Mei, and only then did she realize that something was wrong.
The young lady didn't say she was cold; it was Consort Mei who insisted on drinking something hot to warm herself up.
They even sent her to pour tea.
There must be something fishy going on here.
Did Consort Mei push the young lady into the water?
But without any evidence, the maid could only sob softly.
Jiang He asked, "Which household does your young lady belong to?"
"My young lady is the daughter of the Duke of Zheng," the maidservant said, already terrified.
Jiang He looked at the person on the ground suspiciously, 'Zheng Yao?'
"Yes." The maid suddenly realized, "How did you know my young lady's given name?"
Jiang He's expression turned cold, and he immediately pulled the woman on the ground into his arms.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
The person has already been rescued, yet he still dares to hold on tightly. This guard is incredibly audacious.
Jiang He simply carried the person away, saying, "Take your young lady's clothes and follow me."
Consort Mei was also shocked.
What is the current situation?
Who is this guard?
They just carried the person away in front of everyone.
Wasn't he afraid that the Duke of Zheng would take his life?
Seeing that there was no more excitement to be had, the concubines gradually dispersed.
However, the gossip can last for days.
These past few days have been spent waiting to see if the General's Mansion will come to the Emperor to ask for the annulment of the engagement.
They had all considered the fate of that guard.
Even if it was a life-saving favor, the Duke of Zheng would not let him off the hook if he took Zheng Yao away in full view of everyone.
Consort Mei achieved her goal, "Let's return to the palace!"
Jiang He carried Zheng Yao to the side hall.
The maidservant said warily, "Sir, please leave!"
The maid had recovered her senses.
Her mistress's reputation is ruined; she can only atone with her death.
However, before she died, she wanted to take good care of her mistress one last time.
Jiang He had no idea how he, disguised as a guard, had managed to save his future wife by sheer coincidence while patrolling the palace.
How could she be so stupid!
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