At this moment, Ren Yaoqi had no time to react at all because the boat suddenly tilted to one side. The successive screams were almost deafening. She only felt the world spinning around her as Xiao Jingxi pulled her and rolled to one side, avoiding the low table and other heavy objects sliding over with the tilting of the ship.

A vase that had originally been placed in the corner was smashed, and fragments flew toward where the two of them were. Ren Yaoqi’s head was buried against the chest of the person above her. The originally faint medicinal fragrance suddenly became intense. Ren Yaoqi was somewhat dazed until she heard a soft grunt, and a drop of warm liquid splashed onto her cheek, burning her.

She immediately looked up, her gaze falling precisely on the side of the neck of the person in front of her. A streak of blood appeared there, not too deep but quite shocking to see. The wound was bleeding droplets, apparently scratched by flying porcelain fragments.

“Are you hurt?” Xiao Jingxi asked in a low voice while examining her.

Although the ship was still unsteady, they had moved to an open area with no debris around them.

Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “I’m fine. You’re bleeding.”

Xiao Jingxi reached out to help her sit up, smiling gently with what seemed like some reassurance: “It’s nothing.”

“What happened?” Xiao Jinglin asked coldly, holding onto a window frame while standing not far away.

Xiao Jinglin was very skilled. When Xiao Jingxi pulled Ren Yaoqi away, she had also steadily avoided danger. The maids serving on the boat had all taken cover in corners. Except for two or three who were hit by objects, no one was seriously injured.

The amplitude of the ship’s rocking had gradually decreased. Xiao Jingxi stood up and looked outside the boat, his brow slightly furrowed: “Someone used explosives.”

Ren Yaoqi also got up. Because the boat was still somewhat unstable, Xiao Jingxi instinctively supported her. Only when his hand touched her did he realize it was inappropriate, but he still waited until she was steady before letting go.

Ren Yaoqi pretended nothing had happened and also looked toward the river surface outside, but couldn’t help frowning.

Their large boat was anchored not far from the finish line, so it was also close to the dragon boats. Those dragon boats had basically all been overturned by the explosion. Two or three near the finish line had even been blown apart or broken. The water was full of floating wood, and people were splashing and calling for help. From the faint red in the river water, one could guess that people had been injured in the explosion. It was unknown whether anyone had been killed.

Although their large boat had been affected, fortunately, there was no real danger. However, they could still hear the high-pitched screams and cries for help from the young masters and misses on the lower deck.

The people on the high platform had also fallen into chaos, with the scene in complete disorder.

The large boat they were on wasn’t far from the shore. Below, people had already lowered gangplanks, and the frightened young masters and misses were all rushing to get ashore in their fear. Occasionally, there were sounds of people falling into the water with a “splash.”

The Xiao siblings, Xiao Jingxi and Xiao Jinglin, remained very calm, not rushing to disembark. They just watched the chaotic scene outside, no one knowing what they were thinking.

Ren Yaoqi had only been startled initially. Now that she had calmed down, she couldn’t help but carefully consider what exactly was happening today.

In her previous life, she had never come to watch dragon boat races, nor did she have any impression of such sudden incidents occurring at any year’s dragon boat races.

Looking at the overturned dragon boats on the river surface, Ren Yaoqi was quite astonished.

Such a big commotion using gunpowder, yet only the dragon boats had suffered.

Ren Yaoqi knew that although the dragon boats nominally belonged to various families, the people sitting on the boats, working hard at rowing, were all attendants sent by each family or simply hired able-bodied laborers.

These masters from prestigious families might, on a whim, personally participate in ice skating competitions – that would be elegant – but when it came to dragon boat racing, it was impossible for anyone to personally take part.

If today’s incident was some kind of conspiracy, then those explosives should have been placed on the high platform or on the large boat where they were. What benefit could be gained from exploding dragon boats?

Ren Yaoqi was pondering with her head down when a figure flashed in from outside. Looking up, she saw it was one of Xiao Jingxi’s attendants she had seen before.

Seeing the mess in the boat, the man showed no signs of anxiety or worry on his face. Expressionlessly, he moved to Xiao Jingxi’s side and whispered a few words in his ear.

Ren Yaoqi was very close to Xiao Jingxi, but could only catch words like “Prince” and “arrangements.”

Xiao Jinglin also looked over but didn’t ask questions aloud.

After hearing the attendant’s report, Xiao Jingxi only nodded. After pondering for a moment, he said to Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin, “I need to go down and handle some matters. You should come down from the boat with me.”

Xiao Jinglin nodded, and Ren Yaoqi naturally had no objections.

Dongsheng was also waiting outside. Seeing his master come out, he hurried forward with the other attendant to clear the way. Although the boat still had some movement, it no longer hindered their walking.

The group didn’t take the two gangplanks where others were crowding to get ashore, but instead boarded a painted pleasure boat that had somehow appeared alongside their ship from the side facing the river.

The pleasure boat made a slight detour to avoid the chaotic crowd by the riverbank before beginning to approach shore.

While sitting on the pleasure boat, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help looking toward the river surface again. Boats had already rowed over to help rescue those who had fallen into the water and been injured. However, Ren Yaoqi’s gaze stopped on several colorful dragon heads floating and bobbing on the river surface, separated from their boat bodies. Suddenly her heart stirred.

However, she didn’t speak, just casually turned her head away. But just as she shifted her gaze, she saw Xiao Jingxi’s thoughtful look. When Xiao Jingxi met her gaze, he smiled slightly and looked away, speaking quietly with Xiao Jinglin.

Ren Yaoqi looked at him several times before finally lowering her head.

Upon reaching shore, people from Prince Yanbei’s mansion were already waiting. Seeing Xiao Jingxi and Xiao Jinglin, they hurried over.

Xiao Jingxi glanced at Xiao Jinglin, then looked toward Ren Yaoqi, smiling: “It’s rather chaotic here. Why don’t you return to the mansion first? I’ll have someone escort you back.”

Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment, then shook her head: “I’ll go with you to see father.” Then, looking toward Ren Yaoqi: “Yaoqi, we’ll have someone escort you home.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “If you have business to attend to, go ahead. My grandmother is still at the pavilion over there. I should go greet her so the old lady won’t worry. The Ren family also brought carriages today, so I can return with my family. Don’t worry about me.”

Watching the Xiao siblings walk away, Ren Yaoqi nodded to Dongsheng, who had stayed to escort her: “Let’s go see grandmother.”

Rong Shi was indeed very worried about Ren Yaoqi. She was waiting personally at the shore with a maid. Seeing Ren Yaoqi appear, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, grasping her hand and examining her: “You didn’t board the boat, did you? I sent Chuchu to look for you on the boat.” Chuchu was the maid who had come with Rong Shi – she was no longer young and knew some martial arts.

Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “I’m fine.” Turning around, she found that Dongsheng, who had escorted her over, had quietly withdrawn, probably feeling too ashamed to face his former master.

Rong Shi had only brought two maids today. Seeing that Ren Yaoqi was unharmed, she wanted to wait for Chuchu to return before leaving. However, Ren Yaoqi looked toward the not-too-distant high platform. Although some people had left, some family heads remained, helping Prince Li’s mansion and the Su family arrange the scene.

At this time, Xiangqin, the maid beside Ren Yaohua, came looking: “Fifth Miss, it’s good that you’re safe. The third Miss has been searching everywhere for you. The Ren family carriage is about to leave.”

Rong Shi said, “In that case, you should return with your grandmother and the others.”

Having matters on her mind, Ren Yaoqi pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement: “Grandmother should also return. I’ll stay in Yunyang City for a few more days. When I have time, I’ll visit you and your grandfather with your sister.”