Chapter 488 It was Xiao Qingxi who pushed her.
On the opposite bank of the river, under the willow trees.
In the crowd, Shen Wantang and Lin Rouxin stood side by side, watching the commotion over there.
Across the river, Xiao Qingyuan's roars echoed back one after another.
Shen Wantang remained expressionless, while Lin Rouxin looked on with deep sorrow: "He's drowning, how pitiful! The man clinging to him and begging for help is also so pitiful, crying so miserably and helplessly. The woman in his arms must be his most beloved woman!"
Everyone around looked puzzled: "Who did he call out to? Shen Wantang? Who is this person?"
"I don't know, but since you're asking me to save someone, you must be a doctor!"
"Oh dear, drowning people are the hardest to save. Ordinary doctors won't do it; only highly experienced old doctors can do it."
"Maybe that Shen Wantang is an old, legendary doctor? Otherwise, why would someone call on her to save their life in such a critical moment?"
"That makes sense! Could it be that the old miracle doctor has come too? Where is he? Quickly, help us find him!"
"Yes, yes, the old man might be hard of hearing and can't hear. Let's all look for him together!"
...
Lin Rouxin glanced strangely at Shen Wantang beside her. Who said that a divine doctor has to be old? He can be very young too!
Unfortunately, no one expected the miracle doctor to be a young man, much less a woman.
Therefore, no one paid attention to Shen Wantang, because there were far too many young women like her watching the spectacle.
Shen Wantang didn't care about the gossip. Her expression was indifferent, and her tone was devoid of any emotion: "Miss Lin, how was it? Didn't you come for nothing today?"
Lin Rouxin nodded: "It was definitely worth the trip. Young Master Xiao probably doesn't know yet that the woman he cherishes was pushed into the river by his dear sister. When he finds out, his expression will be priceless! However, I think the excitement isn't big enough. It would be better if it were bigger, for example, if Xiao Qingxi were the one who fell into the water."
Shen Wantang's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Lin Rouxin to hear: "But I remember Miss Lin specifically instructed that Xiao Qingxi's life be spared, so that you can take it from her in the future."
"Yes, I did say that, so I was just thinking about it casually, I didn't really want you to kill Xiao Qingxi."
"I didn't intend to kill Xiao Qingxi; she's still useful."
"What's the use?"
"Don't worry, you'll see. Today is just the beginning; the excitement will be even greater than you imagine."
"Now that you say that, I'm really looking forward to it! Princess Consort, why didn't I meet you sooner? I suddenly feel like we've known each other for ages, like kindred spirits. What do you think?"
"I don't think so."
Shen Wantang said something indifferently and left with her maid.
Lin Rouxin watched her retreating figure, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Granny, look, she's really amazing and interesting. Others would at least give me a few perfunctory words and go along with my polite remarks, but she wouldn't even bother with politeness. She's frighteningly real, yet she gives me a strange sense of security. It's really strange!"
"Miss, perhaps it's because she doesn't play the fake game with you that you like her."
"Huh? Did I tell you I like her?"
"Miss didn't say it, but this old servant can tell that when you're with the Crown Princess, you seem much more relaxed, and your smiles are much more genuine."
Lin Rouxin sighed softly: "It's not necessarily because I like her. It could be because I'm always facing my enemies, and I'm very tense. Shen Wantang and I have no grudges, and she has even helped me, so I feel better when I'm around her."
The old woman glanced at the opposite bank and saw that Xiao Qingyuan was still holding Liu Nanshi, completely motionless. She couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Miss, is that Miss Liu still alive?"
Lin Rouxin laughed: "What nonsense are you talking about, Granny? Shen Wantang invited me to watch the play. If Liu Nanshi is alive, what's the point of watching? Do you expect me to see her get soaked and then put on a sweet lovey-dovey show with Xiao Qingyuan? Wouldn't Shen Wantang be making trouble for herself?"
The old woman was taken aback: "She's so ruthless? She took a life with the flick of her wrist?"
"I think she's quite patient, enduring until she was almost dead before she made her move. Didn't the old lady know that those three on the other side all wanted Shen Wantang dead? If Shen Wantang didn't fight back, she would die herself."
Lin Rouxin said with an icy expression, "The only ones to blame are those high-and-mighty nobles and young ladies. They went too far and deserve to die!"
"Alas, this old servant has heard that the Crown Prince's wife has not yet consummated her marriage with him. She is so beautiful, and she is also very capable in dealing with people and managing the household. Even the picky Princess Ning speaks highly of her. What is it about her that the Crown Prince does not like?"
“Xiao Qingyuan may not look down on her, but he always wants to go against his mother. No matter how good the princess consort Ning chooses for him, he will not touch her. He insists on finding those whom the princess consort Ning dislikes, in order to prove that his previous choices were not wrong. If he accepts Shen Wantang, wouldn’t that be like slapping himself in the face?”
"Then... does Prince Xiao like his princess?"
Lin Rouxin immediately sneered: "I don't think he likes anyone, he just likes himself!"
——
Shen Wantang rode in a carriage and slowly returned to the Prince's Mansion.
Not long after she returned, Xiao Qingyuan also returned, looking distraught, along with Xiao Qingxi.
By evening, news of Liu Nanshi's death had spread throughout the capital.
Grand Secretary Liu, along with his wife and three sons, stormed the Ning Prince's residence, demanding that the Ning Prince and Princess hand over Xiao Qingyuan and his sister Xiao Qingxi.
Shen Wantang stood beside her mother-in-law, listening to the accusations and scoldings of the Liu family, without any emotional fluctuation.
"Your Prince Ning's Mansion is simply going too far!"
Grand Secretary Liu was furious. He pointed at Prince Ning's nose and cursed, "It is the father's fault for not teaching his son. You have raised a pair of vicious and lewd children. Aren't you ashamed of your ancestors? Hand over those two poisonous creatures immediately, or I will risk losing my official position to file a complaint against you before the Emperor and seek justice for my daughter who died unjustly!"
Madam Liu cried out in anguish, her voice filled with boundless hatred: "Why do you people of the Ning Prince's Mansion treat my daughter like this? First, Xiao Qingyuan forcibly took my daughter at the Spring Banquet, ruining her reputation and her chastity. Then today, Xiao Qingxi pushed my daughter into the river, drowning her! If there is any grudge between our two families, come at me! Why do you have to bully my daughter again and again?"
Prince Ning and Princess Ning only knew that Liu Nanshi was dead, but they did not know that her death was related to their daughter!
Princess Ning immediately said, "Impossible! How could Qingxi push Nanshi into the river? There must be some misunderstanding!"
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