Qiao Wanyan didn't explode as expected. Instead, she looked genuinely shocked, like she'd been slapped. She clutched her chest, her eyes wide and vulnerable.
Who wouldn't be thrown off balance getting shoved when they were trying to be charming? It was totally new territory for her. She'd always been treated like a princess, showered with affection. Her ego, used to constant praise, felt bruised. How could Xiaoying, just a maid, be so strong, so resistant to her usual charm?
"Xiaoying..." Qiao Wanyan's voice was barely a whisper, a mix of hurt and a desperate attempt to connect. "You've always been my sister's protector, her rock. I see how loyal you are, but... have you forgotten your place? You're a servant, bound by rules. If you keep acting so recklessly, so... disrespectfully... you're not just risking yourself, but also the happiness of the very person you're trying to protect!"
Xiaoying's fists clenched so hard her knuckles turned white. Her eyes burned with anger. "Don't try to sweet-talk us with your fancy words and fake concern!" she hissed, her voice shaking with barely controlled rage. "I see right through you, Second Miss! I see the snake hiding under the pretty skin, ready to strike at everything we care about!"
Qiao Wanyan tried her best to soften and advise her, her eyes pleading for Xiaoying to understand. "My sister... my sister wants to be the Crown Princess. And as her most loyal servant, it's your job to learn to control yourself, to be subtle, not impulsive. The palace is a dangerous place, Xiaoying, and your hot temper will only ruin her. I'm genuinely concerned this time, I know you won't believe me, but for my sister's sake, learn to keep yourself in check!"
Was that too much? Laying it on a bit thick, weren't we? Oh well, gotta commit! Historical dramas are my only guide here. Time for the waterworks! Yihuan, my dear sister, prepare to be swayed by my Oscar-worthy performance! Operation Win-Yihuan is a go!
Yanyan couldn't really cry, so she secretly pinched her thigh. It hurt! Tears fell from her eyes, and with her look, anyone who saw would definitely try their best to make her tears stop. Well, she guessed not all, because Xiaoying was still looking at her aggressively.
"You vicious and pretentious woman!" Xiaoying was furious. Her anger suddenly flared up, and her mind was buzzing. In a moment of impulse, she pushed Qiao Wanyan, who was standing by the bamboo liquid pool, into it.
"Ah!" Qiao Wanyan cried out in surprise. Reflexively, her hand flailed, seeking something to grab, and she seized Xiaoying's hand, the two of them tumbling into the lake together.
"Xiaoying!" Qiao Yihuan was extremely anxious, standing by the lake, not expecting things to turn out this way. "Xiaoying, Xiaoying!"
Xiaoying thrashed about by the lake, and Qiao Yihuan knelt on the bank and reached out to pull her up. Fortunately, Xiaoying wasn't far from the shore, and Qiao Yihuan managed to pull her over with all her might.
But Qiao Wanyan's figure had long since disappeared beneath the surface of the lake.
Oh, carp! This is bad! Yanyan really wanted to cry for real this time because after falling into the lake, she recalled what this plot was all about. In the second timeline, Wanyan also fell in the lake, but that's what she schemed. She really tried to piss off Xiaoying, knowing her temper, and let herself be pushed into the lake. But even though she did the opposite of what the original Wanyan did, why did she still end up being pushed into the lake? If only I'd remembered! I would have avoided any interaction with the heroine today and just stayed put and not wandered. If I hadn't wandered, I wouldn't have gotten lost, and if I hadn't asked Ziyuan to do something, I also wouldn't have gotten lost.
Ohhh...I forgot I also don't know how to swim.
A servant passing by saw what happen then shouted loudly, "Someone fell on the lake!" The maid didn't know how to swim so she keeps on shouting to call for help.
The lake water was bitterly cold in the dead of winter, and Xiaoying, soaked to the bone, shivered and hugged herself tightly.
She felt a lingering fear about nearly drowning, and she was also afraid of impulsively pushing the second young lady into the water.
If the second young lady really dies like this, the master and mistress will definitely implicate the eldest young lady.
But... but if the second young lady really dies like this, then no one will bully the eldest young lady anymore.
Xiaoying was extremely conflicted at this moment. She looked at the lake with nervousness and trembling, silently hoping that no one would come up, and at the same time hoping that she would float to the surface alive.
Qiao Yihuan knelt on the ground, holding Xiaoying, but felt a shadow envelop her. Looking up, she saw it was the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness?"