In the rippling blue waters of the lake, a pale white figure bobbed up and down.

On the dragon boat, a dark mass of people crowded at the edge, their faces flushed red with anxiety.

“Quickly save the Crown Prince!”

“Hurry and save His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Emperor Tai’an was astounded to discover that after all this shouting, not a single person had jumped in to save anyone.

His face turned iron-blue as he spat out two words: “Disgraceful!”

Just then, someone finally removed their outer garment and jumped down.

The splashing sound of entry into the water quieted the scene momentarily.

Who had jumped in?

Emperor Tai’an glanced at the person swimming vigorously toward the Crown Prince in the water and shouted sternly: “Save the Crown Prince!”

Those who had become sluggish in their reactions, whether from shock or fear, finally awakened as if from a dream, and one after another, people began jumping in.

Of course, there weren’t many who jumped in to save him in total—after all, the capital was located in the north, where not many people knew how to swim.

The first person to jump in swam to the Crown Prince’s side and reached out to grab his arm.

The completely naked Crown Prince was like a slippery loach in the water—he couldn’t catch hold.

Damn it!

The young man spat out a mouthful of water and helplessly grabbed the Crown Prince’s hair.

This time he had a firm grip.

With one hand dragging the half-dead Crown Prince and the other paddling vigorously, he slowly approached the dragon boat.

Among the crowd craning their necks to watch, someone recognized him: “That’s Cheng Shu from the General’s Manor!”

“Which General’s Manor?”

“What other General’s Manor is there? Old General Lin’s family.”

“Then why is he called Cheng Shu?” someone wondered.

To some important ministers and nobles, Old General Lin’s death meant the Lin family had withdrawn from the center of power, so naturally they wouldn’t pay attention to an adopted son’s child.

This kind of adopted son was different from an heir adopted through formal succession—he couldn’t inherit the family estate and didn’t even need to change his surname.

Emperor Tai’an turned a deaf ear to these discussions, staring fixedly at the figures in the water drawing ever closer.

Cheng Shu took a large gulp of air, paused briefly, and continued swimming toward the boat.

Several people who had jumped into the lake converged, and one of them extended a hand.

Seeing this, Cheng Shu pushed the Crown Prince toward that person.

The person reached out to grab him but couldn’t get a firm hold—the stark naked Crown Prince sank down.

“Ah!” The people on the boat stomped their feet anxiously.

Emperor Tai’an’s lips were pressed tight, not making a sound.

Cheng Shu helplessly wiped his face, took a deep breath, and dove down.

Everyone held their breath nervously until the water surface broke and revealed two heads—only then did they breathe a sigh of relief.

Cheng Shu swam to the boat’s edge with the Crown Prince and forcefully pushed him upward.

Several hands hauled the Crown Prince up.

The Crown Prince had fallen into unconsciousness and lay stark naked on the deck like a fish that had floated belly-up.

The previous worry and tension transformed into embarrassment. Many people raised their sleeves to cover their eyes, yet couldn’t help but glance toward the Crown Prince.

They never could have imagined anyone could be so humiliated—and it was their Crown Prince!

Even Princess Lingque, who never took a loss, was stunned, unconsciously gripping Prince Yuliu’s sleeve tightly.

The Great Zhou Crown Prince could actually be so shameless?

She had lost…

Finally someone reacted and covered the Crown Prince with clothing. Several eunuchs carried the Crown Prince rushing into the rest chamber, with two imperial physicians following closely behind.

What came next was suffocating waiting.

The festive liveliness on the dragon boat had completely vanished, leaving only silent exchanges of glances.

What would they do if the Crown Prince drowned!

What would they do if the Crown Prince didn’t die!

Even Prince Yuliu and Princess Lingque, with the Crown Prince’s life hanging in the balance, wisely remained silent.

After an unknown period, a eunuch rushed before Emperor Tai’an: “Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has awakened!”

Emperor Tai’an first breathed a sigh of relief, then overwhelming rage surged up. He strode inside, and the moment he saw the Crown Prince’s face, he couldn’t control his trembling hands.

Though the Crown Prince had awakened, his expression was dazed, as if his soul had been lost.

“Disgraceful wretch, what madness possessed you today!”

The Crown Prince’s eyeballs moved, but he didn’t answer.

Steady as Emperor Tai’an was, at this moment he couldn’t control himself and reached out to grab the Crown Prince’s collar.

Fortunately, the Crown Prince was already dressed—he got a firm grip!

As if recalling something, the Crown Prince was stimulated by this action and shoved Emperor Tai’an’s hand away.

Emperor Tai’an’s swelling rage was like having ice water poured over it—it suddenly froze. Looking at the Crown Prince who appeared mad and foolish, only disappointment remained.

What anger was there to feel toward a person who had gone mad?

Emperor Tai’an looked deeply at the Crown Prince once, walked to the outer chamber, and asked the imperial physicians expressionlessly: “How is the Crown Prince’s condition?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, for now it appears His Highness the Crown Prince’s body should be fine. We just need to guard against catching a chill from falling in the water…”

Another imperial physician with a head full of silver hair moved his lips, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Emperor Tai’an noticed the old physician’s unusual manner at a glance and asked: “Physician Ma, what is your opinion?”

Physician Ma glanced around and lowered his voice: “This humble subject dares not make rash conclusions.”

“I’m asking you, so speak. No need to overthink it.”

“His Highness’s behavior today—” Physician Ma paused and glanced inside. “It seems like the result of consuming the five-colored powder that was popular in the previous dynasty.”

Emperor Tai’an’s expression changed abruptly: “Five-colored powder?”

He was naturally no stranger to five-colored powder.

Even now he couldn’t forget how those who consumed five-colored powder had no dignity at all—during gatherings and entertainments, disheveled hair was nothing unusual, and those who would suddenly burst into song and tear at their clothes while drinking were not uncommon.

Because of this, he had banned the substance the moment he ascended the throne.

“Is it truly five-colored powder?”

Physician Ma lowered his head slightly: “This humble subject took His Highness’s pulse. The pulse patterns are indeed like those who experience episodes after consuming five-colored powder.”

“This disgraceful wretch!” Emperor Tai’an ground his teeth and strode out.

The dragon boat had already reached shore. Everyone stood on the boat, no one daring to move.

In the crowd, Qi Shuo pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Cheng Shu: “Are you alright?”

Cheng Shu, soaked through, casually wiped the water from his face, his strength not yet recovered: “I’m fine.”

What bad luck—the task of protecting the dragon boat’s safety had fallen to him. Watching the Crown Prince struggle in the water, he had really wanted to turn a blind eye, but his duty compelled him. If the Crown Prince had truly drowned, those high officials would be fine, but he and his subordinates would be the ones punished.

Though Cheng Shu was the hero who saved the Crown Prince, at this moment everyone was too preoccupied to pay attention to him.

The Crown Prince had run naked and jumped into the lake in broad daylight in front of everyone!

His Majesty had seen the Crown Prince run naked and jump into the lake!

Prince Yuliu and the Princess had also seen it!

What to do? What to do?

Cheng Shu wrung water from his hem and lowered his voice to ask: “Heir, does the Crown Prince… always have this hobby?”

If the imperial family members were all so uninhibited, he would have objections to A’Hao’s marriage!

“That’s unclear.” Qi Shuo heard footsteps and looked over.

Emperor Tai’an walked out expressionlessly, said nothing, and left the shore.

“Your Majesty—” Several ministers who had something to say took a couple of steps in pursuit but were blocked by Head Eunuch Liu Chuan.

“Gentlemen, please disperse for now. His Majesty is tired.”

The officials and nobles didn’t move at first, then saw Noble Consort Zhuang and Consort Jing hurrying away with the young princess.

Prince Yuliu cleared his throat and showed a polite smile to the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial: “Minister Ouyang, my sister and I will return to our guest quarters first. Oh, today’s zongzi were very delicious.”

The crowd: “…”

They had lost all face!