Chapter 1468: Her Highness the Princess (14)

Host, that kick just now was truly legendary!

“System, have you learned how to flatter people now?”

Lu Qing had long been prepared. Seeing someone fall into the water, he did not hesitate for a second. Recognizing Juanzhu’s clothing, he mistakenly assumed that the person who had fallen in with her was Tang Guo.

Without another thought, he leapt into the lake and swam toward the two women.

In the urgency of saving lives, he had no time to inspect the other person’s appearance. His only concern was bringing them safely ashore.

Tang Guo had intentionally not brought her guards with her, merely planning to turn the scheme against its creator.

As for Tang Xi, she had left her attendants behind because she wanted to encounter Lu Qing alone. She feared that too much commotion would frighten him.

Before long, Lu Qing had brought both Tang Xi and Juanzhu to shore.

Juanzhu was fine. Unlike the delicate Princess Tang Xi, she had not fainted. With a little assistance from Lu Qing, she managed to swim to the shore by herself.

Tang Xi, however, had struggled in the water and swallowed some water. She was now half-conscious.

Lu Qing held her carefully in his arms and did not let go even after reaching the shore.

By then, many people had gathered around.

Among them were the attendants of Tang Guo and Tang Xi, the young masters and ladies of the imperial capital, and Crown Prince Tang Zhi himself.

All of them were stunned by the scene.

The three of them were soaked from head to toe, and Lu Qing was still holding Tang Xi in his arms. Even in a kingdom with relatively open customs, such intimate contact between an unmarried man and woman was considered improper.

Especially since Tang Xi was a princess.

Ignoring the gazes around him, Lu Qing intended to wake the woman in his arms. Just as he raised his hand to pat Tang Xi’s cheek, his body froze, and he stood rooted to the spot.

Subconsciously, he looked up and saw Tang Guo standing to one side, calmly watching.

At that moment, Tang Guo asked, “How is Second Imperial Sister?”

Lu Qing’s body remained stiff, but he ultimately chose to revive Tang Xi. Gently patting her back, he helped her cough up several mouthfuls of water, and she slowly regained consciousness.

Her maid immediately wrapped a cloak around her.

“What happened?” Tang Xi asked.

Tang Guo replied calmly, “Just now, some people rushed over from who knows where and knocked Second Imperial Sister and my personal maid Juanzhu into the lake. Coincidentally, no one nearby knew how to swim, and fortunately Scholar Lu arrived in time and rescued Second Imperial Sister.”

The delight in Tang Xi’s eyes was impossible to conceal.

In the end, she pressed her lips tightly together to keep others from noticing.

Lu Qing, however, looked anything but pleased.

He had painstakingly arranged this entire affair for the sake of the Eldest Princess.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that the person who fell into the water would turn out to be the Second Princess.

“Second Imperial Sister,” Tang Guo asked, “how do you intend to deal with today’s matter? You and Scholar Lu were soaked through and embracing each other. Such a scene is improper. Although Scholar Lu acted out of good intentions, you are still a Princess of Northern Xia. Your reputation cannot be tarnished.”

The system was full of admiration. Host, your acting is incredible. You’ve fooled everyone around you.

“To preserve the dignity of the imperial family, there are only three options. First—”

As she spoke, Tang Guo swept a cold glance over Lu Qing. Her voice was icy and devoid of emotion.

“Kill him.”

The moment those words fell, everyone present turned pale.

Such incidents had happened before.

If a princess disliked the man who had saved her, killing him was indeed an option.

After all, this was a dynasty where imperial authority stood above all else.

Tang Zhi no longer thought much of Lu Qing and saw nothing wrong with such a course of action.

Hearing Tang Guo’s words, Lu Qing felt a chill spread through his entire body. He trembled uncontrollably, though fortunately his soaked clothes concealed it, preventing others from growing suspicious.