"Sister Zhou!"
Han Cairen quickly ran to the railing, clenched her teeth, and leaped into the lotus pond.
"Beauty Zhou, Han Cairen!" Shui Yun held onto the railing and cried out toward the lotus pond.
Noble Lady Ying shivered and came to her senses, stumbling back a few steps. With Yin Cheng’s support, she slowly knelt on the ground, muttering, "It’s over, it’s over..."
At this moment, Yin Cheng also knelt on the ground weakly, her face completely pale. If Noble Lady Ying were in trouble, as her personal palace maid, she would be the first to suffer.
Li Yuyu quickly walked a few steps towards the brown-red railing and saw Han Cairen struggling in the pond, dragging Beauty Zhou towards the shore. Her eyes immediately lit up: "Mingzhen, go help. Shui Yun, go fetch the Imperial Physician. Hua Yin, quickly return to Luaxin Pavilion to get some cloaks."
"Yes!" Mingzhen, Shui Yun, and Hua Yin responded in unison.
"Beauty Zhou, Han Cairen." Mingzhen wiped the tears from her cheeks, wading into the pond and finally reaching Beauty Zhou.
"I’m almost out of strength, Mingzhen, hold Sister Zhou tightly." Han Cairen panted urgently in the water.
"Yes." Mingzhen, with reddened eyes, supported Beauty Zhou towards the shore.
Li Yuyu also came to help, holding Han Cairen’s hand.
"Thank you, Sister Li." Han Cairen gently expressed gratitude, shivering from head to toe as she emerged from the water.
Hua Yin and Feng Yin arrived just in time, draping cloaks over Beauty Zhou and Han Cairen.
Beauty Zhou’s face was deathly pale, shivering as she nestled into Mingzhen’s arms. If Han Cairen hadn’t jumped in right after she fell into the water, she would likely be a corpse by now.
"Sister, thank you." Beauty Zhou tightly grasped Han Cairen’s hand.
"It’s my fault for not protecting you, Sister. Luckily, I can swim; otherwise..." Han Cairen smiled apologetically, "Sister, let’s head back to the Purple Cloud Pavilion first. In this state, being seen by more people would be too improper."
Beauty Zhou nodded repeatedly, not wanting to stay anymore.
At Purple Cloud Pavilion, the Imperial Physician arrived with Princess Consort De.
On the bed, Beauty Zhou weakly leaned to one side, her wrist extended for the Imperial Physician to check her pulse.
Han Cairen, having changed into a dry set of clothes, waited on the side with Shui Yun’s support.
"Why doesn’t Han Cairen rest? Shui Yun, quickly get a stool for your master to sit on," Princess Consort De said with concern in her voice.
"Thank you, Princess Consort De." Han Cairen slowly sat down.
"Today’s incident was extremely perilous. Thanks to the Emperor’s protection for Beauty Zhou and Han Cairen, at that critical moment, Han Cairen disregarded her own safety, jumping into the lotus pond to rescue Beauty Zhou in time, thus preventing disaster."
"Indeed, we are very fortunate." Princess Consort De expressed with lingering fear.
Beauty Zhou spoke feebly, "Your Highness is right. Thanks to the Emperor’s protection for both me and Han Cairen."
"Princess Consort De, please seek justice for our Beauty," Mingzhen suddenly cried as she knelt to the ground.
"Mingzhen!" Beauty Zhou tried hard to sit up, scolding, "How dare you act insolently in front of Princess Consort De? Quickly, step back!"
"Princess Consort De, it was my failure to discipline properly. Please do not be angry with me."
"Sister, what are you saying? Lie back down." Princess Consort De gently pressed her hand on Beauty Zhou’s shoulder, and after she laid back down, looked at Mingzhen: "You’re called Mingzhen, right? Don’t be afraid, speak freely if you have something to say."
Mingzhen said tearfully, "Princess Consort De, my mistress was pushed into the water by someone."