Xu Suqing had rescued Fu Le Li.
With San Nian's help, Xu Suqing brought Fu Le Li ashore.
Noble ladies, led by Lady Jingguo Gong, approached.
Lady Jingguo Gong looked at Fu Le Li and Xu Suqing, her brows furrowed slightly. She glanced at Zhao Sulan, her eyes filled with disgust.
Zhao Sulan recovered and, feeling the gaze, stiffened. She retorted, "It wasn't me, it was Second Sister."
Lady Jingguo Gong's gaze became even more disgusted.
Zhao Sulan's heart turned cold.
It was over.
First impressions were set. Zhao Yuanqing had a head start, so anything Zhao Sulan said would sound like a defense.
"First, send Le Li back, be careful not to catch a cold."
Lady Jingguo Gong spoke, then looked at Xu Suqing, "Young Master Xu should also go change his clothes."
Xu Suqing had many questions, but could only leave for now. The quarrel among young ladies would be decided by their families later. Lady Jingguo Gong did not intend to interfere further. She left a maid to help and then left with everyone.
"Also, please ask Second Miss Zhao to lead the way." The maid carried Fu Le Li and respectfully said to Zhao Yuanqing.
Zhao Yuanqing nodded, then beckoned San Nian over, "San Nian, you go back with Le Li first."
San Nian nodded.
The group left, leaving only Zhao Sulan, her maidservant, and Zhao Yuanqing.
"Second Sister is truly skilled," Zhao Sulan said.
Zhao Yuanqing "heh" chuckled.
Zhao Sulan felt that today's Zhao Yuanqing was strangely different. The plan failed, her reputation was ruined, but she felt no anger, only an inexplicable fear.
Reason told her she couldn't stay there any longer.
Zhao Sulan left in disarray with Xi Hong.
Zhao Yuanqing merely glanced at her and then withdrew her gaze.
The cool breeze from the riverside brushed by, and as her anger subsided, reason returned, and the resentment faded.
Only then did Zhao Yuanqing realize that all of this was real; for some reason, she had returned to the past.
Starting over?
Zhao Yuanqing's gaze fell on the riverbank not far away. Without a second thought, she walked forward.
Zhao Yuanqing squatted down, traced the pebbles, and after confirming the one that had been tampered with, she took out a handkerchief, dipped it in the river water, and slowly wiped away the slippery substance.
There were many pilgrims in the back mountain of Guonen Temple. If someone accidentally fell victim, and she knew but didn't deal with it, that would become her sin.
After doing all this, Zhao Yuanqing stood up, breathing a sigh of relief.
Zhao Yuanqing tidied herself up and met a pair of eyes.
Two people were standing behind the peach blossom forest. Zhao Yuanqing didn't know how long they had been there.
The identity of the other party gave Zhao Yuanqing a bit of a headache.
Zhao Yuanqing stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Master Zhuang."
Zhuang Li had a capricious personality and was the all-powerful East Factory Director.
Emperor Ming'an ascended the throne by leveraging Zhuang Li's influence.
"Second Miss Zhao?" Zhuang Li suddenly smiled, "Interesting."
Zhao Yuanqing concealed all emotions and said with a pursed-lip smile, "The peach blossom forest of Guonen Temple has exceptional scenery. I won't disturb Master Zhuang's leisure."
Zhuang Li seemed a bit surprised, but quickly regained his composure, "Go on."
Zhao Yuanqing immediately left.
Zhuang Li watched Zhao Yuanqing's departing figure for a while longer.
"Is Master interested in Second Miss Zhao?" Chen Mo, Zhuang Li's hidden guard, asked.
Zhuang Li withdrew his gaze and didn't deny it, "A little."
Chen Mo didn't understand, "Second Miss Zhao pushed someone into the water, then framed her illegitimate sister. Her character is so despicable, I don't understand."
Zhuang Li said, "Trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice, understand?"
Chen Mo shook his head.
"Returning evil for evil?" Zhuang Li offered another hint.
Chen Mo still looked confused.
Zhuang Li glanced at Chen Mo and uttered a sentence, "Brains are a good thing."
Zhuang Li shook his head and his gaze fell on the spot where Zhao Yuanqing had just squatted, and he suddenly smiled.
"Is she the one Qi Ze Li wants to choose for the palace?" Zhuang Li asked.
Qi Ze Li was Emperor Ming'an's given name.
"Yes. Master, if the Zhao family is truly pulled in, and it's unfavorable to us, should we disrupt this matter?" Chen Mo asked.