Shao Mingyuan gently patted Qiao Zhao’s arm: “Don’t worry, I’m here for everything.”

“Mm.” Qiao Zhao nodded and walked forward a few steps, asking Chen Guang, “Who pulled my eldest sister up?”

Chi Can, Zhu Yàn…

She hoped the matter had nothing to do with them, or it would truly be awkward.

At this point, Qiao Zhao had to admit that, regardless of how things were between her and Li Jiǎo behind closed doors, to the outside world, they were sisters from the same household. If something happened to Li Jiǎo, the first person others would think to find was her.

“Young Master Chi and the others immediately called for this subordinate to invite you and the General as soon as they saw me. As for who pulled Miss Li up, that’s still unclear at the moment.”

Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but quicken her pace.

The shores of Jade Wave Lake were brightly lit, and the entire lake was illuminated by lotus lanterns, resembling a fairyland on earth. The exquisite pavilions standing by the lakeside were like the dwellings of immortals.

Qiao Zhao climbed the steps and heard faint crying sounds. She paused for a moment, then walked straight over and entered the hall.

Inside the hall, Zhu Yàn stood with his hands clasped behind his back, while Chi Can lounged lazily in a wide chair.

Seeing Qiao Zhao and Shao Mingyuan enter together, Chi Can raised the corners of his lips and said lazily: “You’ve finally arrived.”

Qiao Zhao looked toward Zhu Yàn.

Zhu Yàn said gently, “Seventh Sister and my cousin are in the adjacent room, caring for Miss Li. Third Miss Li, please don’t worry. When Miss Li was promptly pulled up, she was brought here immediately. Not many people saw her fall into the water, and we’ve spoken to those who know about it—they won’t spread rumors.”

Qiao Zhao curtsied: “Thank you very much, Elder Brother Zhu.”

She had always said that Elder Brother Zhu was truly a good person.

Hearing this, Chi Can snorted coldly: “Are you only thanking Zhu Zi Zhe?”

Zhu Yàn shook his head helplessly: “Shixi, you should properly explain to Third Miss Li about how you kicked Miss Li into the water.”

As an outsider, he wasn’t clear about the relationship between Third Miss and Miss Li, but they were sisters from the same household after all. If Miss Li mentioned this incident when they returned home, it would be unnecessary to cause Third Miss to misunderstand.

Qiao Zhao narrowed her eyes: “Elder Brother Chi kicked my eldest sister into the water?”

Chi Can was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He sneered and suddenly stood up: “Who told her to deserve a kick?”

“Shixi, explain properly.” Shao Mingyuan placed his hand on Chi Can’s shoulder.

Chi Can dodged backward, feeling quite uncomfortable.

This guy was out enjoying a date with Li Third Miss without a care in the world, while he had inexplicably gotten into trouble and now had to explain to others.

“It’s nothing much. I don’t know if Miss Li did it intentionally or accidentally, but she slipped and fell toward me.” At this point, Young Master Chi lazily raised his eyebrows. “You know me—I’ve never liked women getting close, so I instinctively kicked, and then Miss Li fell into the water.”

“Who pulled my eldest sister up?” Qiao Zhao’s gaze naturally fell on Zhu Yàn.

Given Chi Can’s temperament, it would be good enough if he didn’t throw stones into the lake after Li Jiǎo fell in. Expecting him to pull someone up would be like expecting the impossible.

“It was my seventh sister and cousin who pulled Miss Li up together,” Zhu Yàn said.

Qiao Zhao’s heart relaxed slightly.

Since it was Zhu Yán and Du Feixue who pulled Li Jiǎo up, aside from making grandmother and the others worry when they returned home, there wouldn’t be any other trouble.

Noticing Zhu Yàn’s slightly furrowed brow, Qiao Zhao’s heart stirred, and she asked: “Elder Brother Zhu, is there something else?”

Zhu Yàn smiled bitterly: “There is indeed another episode. Though the matter isn’t serious, the other party has a special status—”

“Zi Zhe, just speak directly.” Shao Mingyuan said flatly.

Zhu Yàn looked at Shao Mingyuan, his brow relaxing.

Although that person had a special status, Tingquan’s face would surely be respected.

“Prince Rui was also present at the time.”

Prince Rui?

Qiao Zhao and Shao Mingyuan exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised.

Chi Can sat back down with a thud, casually crossing his legs, and explained unhurriedly: “Prince Rui and I were strolling by Jade Wave Lake and happened to encounter Zi Zhe’s group.”

“Since Miss Li was pulled up by Miss Zhu and the others, Prince Rui being present shouldn’t matter, right?” Shao Mingyuan said, puzzled.

When had the capital’s propriety become so strict? He had only heard of cases where a man who rescued a drowning young lady was required to take responsibility, but he’d never heard of bystanders being held responsible.

Zhu Yàn rubbed his temples and glanced sideways at Chi Can: “Originally, it had nothing to do with Prince Rui, but Shixi kicked Miss Li, and in her panic, she grabbed randomly. When she fell into the water, she happened to grab Prince Rui’s belt.”

Qiao Zhao: “…”

Shao Mingyuan: “…”

“Prince Rui’s pants fell?” Shao Mingyuan cleared his throat and asked.

Zhu Yàn coughed even louder, quickly glancing at Qiao Zhao with a slightly red face: “No, Prince Rui managed to grab his pants in time.”

Although they were all familiar with Third Miss Li, was it appropriate to discuss a prince’s pants falling in front of a young lady?

Shao Mingyuan frowned: “So what exactly is the problem?”

Even if Prince Rui’s pants had fallen, surely he wouldn’t expect the woman to take responsibility?

Zhu Yàn looked at Shao Mingyuan helplessly: “Tingquan, Miss Li did cause Prince Rui public embarrassment. We just don’t know if Prince Rui will cause trouble for the Li family because of this. Just keep this in mind.”

Shao Mingyuan nodded lightly and looked at Qiao Zhao: “Zhaozhao, do you need me to step in and resolve this matter?”

He would naturally be duty-bound to help Zhaozhao solve problems, but he first needed to confirm whether Zhaozhao needed it.

Qiao Zhao pondered for a moment and shook her head: “No need. My father is just a Hanlin Academy editor—what major trouble could there be?”

Prince Rui surely wouldn’t force her father to resign over such a small matter, would he?

The key was that her father wouldn’t be afraid of resigning either. Recently, she had heard Father complaining about his monthly salary of eight dan quite often.

Anything more serious was unlikely. After all, she was already engaged to the Marquis Guanjun. Prince Rui, if not for the monk’s sake, then for the Buddha’s sake, wouldn’t go too far. In that case, there was no need for Tingquan to actively interact with Prince Rui, especially since both their identities were quite sensitive.

Having thought through these matters, Qiao Zhao smiled: “I’ll first take eldest sister home and inform the family elders. They should handle the situation.”

Being clever didn’t mean having experience. Qiao Zhao believed that in many matters, her grandmother would handle things better than she could.

“Elder Brother Chi, I apologize to you on behalf of my eldest sister.”

Chi Can glanced at Qiao Zhao indifferently: “She is she, and you are you. Besides, I don’t need her apology. She just needs to stay as far away from me as possible.”

Qiao Zhao smiled and entered the adjacent room.

Hearing footsteps, Li Jiǎo’s crying stopped.

Zhu Yán and Du Feixue both looked up.

“Eldest sister, let’s go home.”

Du Feixue stretched out her hand to block Li Jiǎo.

“What does Miss Du mean by this?”

Du Feixue sneered: “Li Third, I know you have ill intentions. Taking my cousin home now is just so those biased elders in your family can scold her, right?”

Qiao Zhao frowned.

Could this young lady speak like a normal person or not?