c40 (2/2)

The eunuch has went down about half a stick of incense (modern timing: 15 mins) but did not reply back. The lush lotus leaves are a natural barrier, the people on the sh.o.r.e were unable to see what was going on in the water. Lou Xi Qu was anxiously shouting, “Have she been found?!”

Lotus were shaking but only the eunuch loud reply was heard, “There are too many lotus leaves and simply could not find anyone!”

With her hand tightly pulled back, the female officials’s nails were digging into her skin. No matter how much she struggled, she was unable to go nearer to the pond. Qing Feng did not any other alternatives as she turned around and knelt down crying, “Empress Dowager, please send more people down to rescue, my Elder Sister really do not know how to swim. If she cannot be found, she will…” Qing Feng choked and could not continue to speak that word.

“All right, quickly get up. You need not worry about it, those servants will do their best to rescue her.” Yang Zhi Lan sat at a higher level and her voice was still that gentle. Qing Feng’s heart was like it is soaked in the ice cold water in the middle of the winter, so cold that her entire body trembled.

Yang Zhi Lan will not save her Elder Sister, she ought to wish that her Elder Sister would die. At this time, the only person that can save Elder sister is Lou Xi Yan but she cannot mention about him as once he is mentioned, it would provoke the Empress Dowager. Qing Feng was helpless in the face of such a crisis. There were people surrounded her and everyone was looking at her. Those laughter, indifference and pitiful looks was like arrows piercing her heart but at this moment, she did not care. She did not want self-esteem and pride. As long as they were willing to rescue, she is willing to do anything. Biting down her bottom lips, she quickly tasted blood, Qing Feng turned towards Lou Su Xin and heavily knocked her forehead onto the ground and said only one sentence, “Empress Dowager, I begged of you, please save my Eldest Sister!”

Xin Yue Ning coldly watched that desperate female who kept knocking her head harshly onto the ground and secretly mocked her overestimating herself. Even if she were to kill herself in the Imperial Garden, she will still not be able to save her sister. To fight for the same man as the Princess, Qing Ling is seeking death and this will be the only ending.

Seeing the female who was kowtowing heavily on the floor and begging with a hoa.r.s.e voice, she was just as aloof and arrogant a moment ago but now she was that desperate and there were traces of blood on her forehead. Lou Su Xi heart soften and just as she wanted to order a few more guards to enter the water to rescue, a furry of footsteps sounded which made everyone turn back and see that it was Lou Xi Yan. Once seeing that it was Lou Xi Yan, all the female quickly greeted and Lou Su Xi was shocked as she asked, “Xi Yan, why are you here?” This is the Imperial Gardens, the Inner Place of the Emperor. He as an official cannot be appearing alone here.

Panting quietly, Lou Xi Yan did not answer her question but impatiently asked, “Where is she?”

Lou Su Xin was surprised, she rarely saw Xi Yan face this unsightly. Not to mention his tone of voice was so that offensive. After recovering herself, with an unhappy mind, Lou Su Xin coldly replied, “Still in the water, had sent people down to rescue her.”

She have yet to finished talking when Lou Xi Yan actually disregarded the looks that the onlookers gave and ran all the way to the lotus pond. Lou Xi Wu who was already panicking saw him and started crying, “Elder Brother! What to do, Qing Ling had fallen in to the water for almost half a stick of incense (modern timing: 15 mins) but she is still nowhere to be found!”

Not found in half a stick of incense, this bodes ill for Ling-er. His heart started to frantically beat till it has reached the extreme. Lou Xi Yan eyes darken and he pull away Lou Xi Wu who was crying in his arms and directly rushed into the lotus pond.

Lou Xi Wu saw that Lou Xi Yan actually jumped from the almost collapsed wooden stage without hesitation into the pool, all her shock and panic was transformed into a scream, “Elder Brother!”

At the same time, another dark figure also followed Lou Xi Yan and jumped into the pond. It was Lou Xi Yan personal bodyguard – Mo Bai.

“Xi Yan!” Lou Su Xi, who was firmly sitting in the host seat, also jumped out of her seat in shock and frantically pointed to the guards at the side while shouting, “Some one come. Quickly, quickly, quickly enter the water to rescue! Must protect Prime Minister Lou well!”

Because of the struggle, Qing Feng’s body was filled with bruises and her tears have already ran dry. Qing Feng looked coldly at the entire chaos, Lou Su Xin was screaming and each and every one of the guards panicky jumped into the pond.

Her hands tightly pulled into fists. She is indeed hateful! Just now when she cried and begged them to save her Elder Sister, they were so cold and turn a blind eye to it!

Could it be that Lou Xi Yan’s life is a life but her Elder Sister’s life is not a life?

Is the value of life define by these powerful people?

At this moment in the lotus pond, a group of guards jumped into it. The pond was filled with people and it caused a confusion. All of them were swimming towards Lou Xi Yan and not one were serious about the rescue.

Yan Hong Tian also walked to the lotus pond and saw Lou Xi Yan jumping into the lake from afar thus he was not surprised. He has already expected that Xi Yan would panic and jump into the water to rescue Qing Ling but he did not expect that from the beginning Xi Yan actually value Qing Ling that much.

“Long live the Emperor.” Everyone who saw Yan Hong Tian quickly recovered and paid their greetings except for Lou Su Xin and Yang Zhi Lan who were still staring at the lake, Qing Feng with a look of grief on her face and Lou Xi Yan who was waving his hands and feet in panic.

Not in the mood to deal with them, Yan Hong Tian waved his hands and replied, “Dispense the ceremony and withdraw.” Except for the Empress Dowager and a few concubines, the rest of the young mistresses from aristocratic families and furens were brought out of the Imperial Garden.

“Gao Jing, summon the Imperial Physicians!” There were no news of the rescue for a long time from the lotus pond. If Qing Ling does not know how to swim, at this time she should have drowned. Xi Yan cared for her that much, if he were to found the body, afraid that he…

“Yes.” Gao Jing receive the order and quickly rushed to the Imperial Physician Courtyard. Seeing the Emperor and Prime Minister Lou att.i.tude to Miss Qing, if she does not survive, don’t know how many people will be implicated.

Qing Feng’s face was full of tears and her beautiful eyes was filled with undisguised despair and hatred. It was this pair of eyes filled with hatred that apparently made him think of her. Even though he did not find her all this time, he still constantly remember her pair of eyes. He likes to tame such an unyielding little pet.

Seeing her struggling to get out of the grip at the sleeves, her wrists are filled with green and purple bruises and the forehead injury from knocking her head on the ground was bleeding a bit, Yan Hong Tian’s brow wrinkled up unconsciously. He waved his hands at the palace maids that were holding her and coldly said, “Let go of her.”

The palace maids dare not disobey and quickly let go of her.

Once they let go, Qing Feng wanted to rush to that wobbly wooden stage. When she started to raise her leg, a big strong hand stopped her by grabbing onto her waist and an overbearing voice sounded by her ears, “So many people cannot save Qing Ling, even if you go down, it would be useless. Just wait here obediently.”

Qing Feng stared angrily at that this vile man and she stepped on his foot viciously. Unfortunately Yan Hong Tian seems not to have any feelings at all and only tighten the hold on her waist that she almost could not breath.

After Lou Xi Yan entered the water for one quarter of an hour, the leaves near the sh.o.r.e shook and there was a hand that held Zhou Qing body up to the sh.o.r.e. Lou Xi Wu who was standing by the sh.o.r.e quickly ran forward and pulling Zhou Qing hands up.

Seeing that Lou Xi Yan has found her, Qing Feng frantically struggled again and this time, Yan Hong Tian did not make things difficult for her and quickly let his hand go.

When Qing Feng and Lou Xi Wu rushed to the sh.o.r.e, Zhou Qing was pulled up onto the sh.o.r.e but her lips were purple and her face was blue. Lou Xi Wu was so scared that she fell to the side but Qing Feng held her Elder Sister’s cold body tightly and kept calling, “Elder Sister! Elder Sister, you must wake up!”

She had already lost her parents, she cannot afford to lose her Elder Sister.

At this time, Lou Xi Yan also come up to sh.o.r.e. Lou Su Xin, who was waiting anxiously by the sh.o.r.e quickly walk up and took two thick blankets from the mama’s hands to drape over his shoulders aguishly as she spoke, “Xi Yan, quickly put it on, do not catch a cold!”

While Zhou Qing who was at that moment lying on the ground was only wearing a simple thin dress which was soaked to the skin. Her clothes attached onto her body and her ice cold body temperature stung Qing Feng’s heart. Secretly clenching her teeth, Qing Feng took off her belt and was about to take off her own clothes to cover her Elder Sister when a similarly ice cold hand grabbed her wrist. Qing Feng looked up and saw that Lou Xi Yan had already gently carried Zhou Qing and covered her with one of the blanket while the other one landed on the floor.

“Imperial Physician.” Lou Xi Yan coldly called out.

The four Imperial Physicians that ran over quickly came forward and took her pulse or press her abdomen. At this time, they did not bother about the rules between male and female. When they were coming over, Gao Gonggong particularly highlighted that the person who drowned is the furen of Prime Minister Lou. If there is any little error made, their little lives would most likely be gone.

Standing at a side guarding Qing Ling, Qing Feng looked gratefully at that always gentle and elegant male but this time his face was so cold and scary. He save her Elder Sister. This debt she will pay him back, for all those who owe them, she will one day get it back one at a time.

Lou Su Xin’s face stiffen but she did not say anything. The mama behind her quickly brought another blanket out. This time Lou Su Xin did not personally place it on Lou Xi Yan but she gave the mama a look and the mama respectfully handed the blanket to Lou Xi Yan.

With a deadpan look, Lou Xi Yan took the blanket over to dry his face and his body before returning the blanket back to the mama. Seeing that Lou Su Xin face became even uglier.

At this moment, Mo Bai also face two eunuch up to the sh.o.r.e. Lou Xi Yan walked to the sh.o.r.e and said a few words to Mo Bai. Mo Bai nodded his head in clear understanding and entered the water again. No one understood what he was doing except for Yang Zhi Lan, whose colour slightly changed.

Everyone was nervously waiting for the results of the Imperial Physicians’ diagnosis as Zhou Qing’s face was deadly scary. Lou Xi Yan cold voice that could freeze ice suddenly sounded, “Some one come. Cart these two person into prison.”

The Imperial Troops were all surprised for a moment, in the Palace, only the Emperor can order them to arrest. If others order, they do not need to bother but today the one who gave the order was Prime Minister Lou. This put them in a difficult position. Looking carefully at the Emperor, his face did not change but only slightly nodded his head. The Imperial Troops immediately understood. Four of them rush forward and seized the two eunuchs.

Yang Zhi Lan’s heart jumped, could it be that Lou Xi Yan saw any flaws?! Calmly stepping forward, Yang Zhi Lan pretended to be puzzled and asked, “Xi Yan, what are you doing this for? Even though the rescue was not done at their best, their offense cannot be that serious to be thrown into jail.”

“The rescue was not done at their best?” Squinting his eyes which made them look colder, Lou Xi Yan frostily said, “What this official saw was attempted murder!”

Qing Feng look straight at Lou Xi Yan. What does attempted murder mean? Can it be… Eldest Sister falling into the water was not an accident?

Having never seen Lou Xi Yan being chilly, Yang Zhi Lan took a deep breath and gave a force laugh, “This… Cannot be!

Turning back to look at the two eunuchs, Yang Zhi Lan purposely berated, “You useless servants, what exactly happened?”

Two of them quickly knelt down and one of them call out his unjust, “These servants are accused wrongly. There are too many lotus leaves in the water, we have been finding for so long and did not found Miss Qing. When we finally found her with great difficulty, Miss Qing was already unconscious due to the drowning. Just as this servant was about to help the Miss, Prime Minister Lou rush over and mistaken these servants was about to do something harmful to Miss Qing. These servants absolutely meant no harm to the Miss Qing.”

Yang Zhi Lan secretly sighed in relief. These two persons were indeed her carefully cultivated servants, the words that they say were filled with propriety. Turning back and tenderly looking at the Imperial Physician still desperately treating Zhou Qing, Yang Zhi Lan sighed, “So it turns out like this. Xi Yan’s heart was so eager to rescue which Aijia understands. The accident happened too suddenly, no one hope to see that. It’s good that Ling-er is now saved.”

Lou Xi Yan uncharacteristically did not take the advantage of the silence and immediately look towards Yang Zhi Lan, coldly replying, “Does the Empress Dowager meant that this official has seen wrongly? This official is not as slow-witted to the point as to unable to differentiate between rescuing and murdering a person!”

Yang Zhi Lan hesitated. She did not think that Lou Xi Yan would actually dare to verbally contradict her and did not know what to say for a moment. Lou Xi Yan did not intend to give up like this. When he saw those useless servants pus.h.i.+ng Ling-er down into the water, at that moment his heart almost stop beating. And now he dare not look at the her lying on the ground with no breath and did not wish to just wait for the Imperial Physician to treat her else it will drive him crazy.

Feeling such fear and heartache, with practically no outbreak of anger, he did not want to endure any more. His sight swept over the wooden stage and Lou Xi Yan furious eyes landed on the highly seating East and West Empress Dowager, “For the Palace to hold such banquet, their safety should be ensured. The wooden stage collapse and someone fell into the pond. With an entire courtyard filled with guards and servants, only four people went down to the water to rescue! In this big pond, why did you all not deploy more manpower? This official believe that this case can be cla.s.sified as someone deliberately planned a murder!”

“Impudent!” Lou Su Xin look worsen, the well-maintained face was so angry that all her features were knitted together as she loudly snapped back, “Lou Xi Yan, this is a matter within the Palace. You as an official dare to intervene. This event is simply an accident, even if there is any ulterior motives, Aijia will investigate it throughly. You need not be this disrespectful and self-a.s.sertive. What a scandal this is!”

He simply have rebelled. Because of a female, he lost his elegant demeanour. He has truly disappointed her.

Lou Xi Yan directly pa.s.sed her and look at the unfathomable Yan Hong Tian, who was silently standing at one side and question intensely, “Daring to ask the Emperor, the life and death matter that occurred on this official’s wife, does this official have the rights to find who was responsible for it?”

Yan Hong Tian nodded his head solemnly and seriously replied, “You have.” It is rare that Xi Yan showed his anger, he must fully support it.

Lou Su Xin was so angry that her face was totally white. Good! They gang up and rebel against her! She wants to see today how her beloved good nephew will lay it out for her. Proudly lifting her head, Lou Su Xi coldly scoffed, “Fine, if you want to pursue whose responsibility it was, is it Aijia’s responsibility? Or who push your wife into the pool?”

Yang Zhi Lan laughed lowly and quickly smooth the situation with smiles, “Xi Yan, this is only but an accident. No one deliberately wanted to harm Ling-er, you mustn’t make your paternal aunt angry.”

Lou Xi Yan cold eyes raised and looked into the loving face of Yang Zhi Lan as he coldly questioned, “What if this is not an accident?”

Yang Zhi Lan’s heart tighten, the Lou Xi Yan today was like a different person. She felt that Lou Xi Yan seem to know something but how is this possible? He only rushed over just now. Just as she was in tenterhooks, Mo Bai who was in the water for a long time finally surfaced and he was holding on to a bunch of rope. He threw the ropes onto the sh.o.r.e and clipped up. His pale skin and blue eyes made everyone focus on him and occasionally there were m.u.f.fled whispers were heard.

Mo Bai face did not show any emotion and walked straight to Lou Xi Yan and said with clarity, “Master, there are twelve stakes in the water for the wooden stage. Every single stake was deliberately almost fully cut off and with each incision, there was a rope tying to it. The location where furen fell off had two stakes broken. The rope that was pulled and broke the stakes were taken away but the rest of the ropes were still there. No matter where furen stands, the stage under her feet will collapse.”

The voice was not loud but once it was finished, the entire sh.o.r.e was silent, after which it started to buzz with discussions.

“Now is there still anyone who says that this was an accident?” Lou Xi Yan picked up the rope on the floor and his ruthless eyes swept the crowd. No one knows what he was thinking and dare not continue.

After Qing Feng listened to Mo Bai explanation and Lou Xi Yan interrogation, her eyes stared at the rope. She finally understood, everything that happened today was a long premeditated murder. Qing Feng curled her body up as both of her hand held her Elder Sister’s ice cold hands. Without saying a word, her bright eyes slightly lowered making one unable to see clearly.

Yang Zhi Lan cursed secretly, d.a.m.n it! Originally the entire wooden stage will collapse and then recover the rope but now it was not like it was a accident due disrepair. She actually wanted Qing Ling to drown and after which the eunuchs who went down to rescue will take away the pile of tied ropes. That way, there will be no evidence left and none will be the wiser. But no matter how she plotted, she did not think that Lou Xi Yan will come over and jump into the water. And she also did not think that he was that alert to immediately get someone to check the wooden stake. It seems that this time she has to find a scapegoat!

Taking the advantage of everyone who were still in shock, Yang Zhi Lan angrily said, “This is outrageous. For such a thing to happen in the Palace, older sister, this time we must get to the bottom of this matter.”

Lou Su Xin’s brows knitted again, unexpectedly it was not an accident, even so, she still felt that her authority was challenged thus her face still showed unhappiness.

Lou Xi Yan would not let this event become a case for the Inner Palace to resolve as it would only end up using a scapegoat to finalize the issue. Facing Yan Hong Tian, Lou Xi Yan coldly said, “This official think that even though this matter happened within the Palace but it was in the presence of all these ladies from prominent aristocratic families. The purpose of the Palace banquet was to select the representatives for Qiong Yue performance. As this case involved the ceremony, it no longer falls into the Palace’s scope and should be handed over to the Investigation Bureau, thus avoiding to trouble both Empress Dowager.”

“Allowed.” Yan Hong Tian also felt that the matter was surrounded by suspicious circ.u.mstances. If this matter is not referred to the Investigation Bureau, Lou Xi Yan will not drop this subject! “Some one come and take the four person who entered the water first to the Imperial Prison. The Imperial Troop will guard the Imperial Gardens and this case will be handled by the Investigation Bureau.”

“Yes.”

“Ou…” The person lying on the floor finally have a reaction. After vomiting out a mouthful of water, Zhou Qing violently coughed. Seeing that she finally moved, the tears in Qing Feng’s eyes could not help but flow out but this time it was because of happiness, “Elder Sister!”

When Lou Xi Yan heard the light cough, he also quickly rushed over and knelt beside her. Grabbing her hand tightly, Lou Xi Yan urgently said, “Ling-er! Can you hear me speak?”

Seeing that she give a lightest of nod, Lou Xi Yan’s hanging heart could finally settled and he held her in his arms. Lou Xi Yan asked, “How is she now?”

When Qing Ling woke up, the Imperial Physicians were the most happy as they are able to save their own lives, “Miss Qing was in the water and drowned for a long time but now she has overcome the difficult part. But it might still leave an root of the illness of obstructing of the lungs by phlegm or constantly suffering from a cold. She will need a lot of care and constant conditioning of her body.”

Wrapping two blankets tightly on Zhou Qing’s body, Lou Xi Yan faced the Imperial Physician and said, “When you prescribe the medication later, send both the prescription and medical ingredients to the Prime Minister manor.”

“Yes.”

Yang Zhi Lan came forward, looked at Zhou Qing who was still unconscious in Lou Xi Yan’s arms and said in anguish, “Xi Yan, Ling-er is currently unconscious and it would not be well enough to travel back. It would be better to bring her to Xi Xia Palace to rest. Isn’t it better if you fetch her back to the manor once she wakes and when her health has gotten better?”

Carrying her up with her waist, Lou Xi Yan coldly replied, “Not needed. Xi Wu, let’s leave.”

“Orh.” Lou Xi Wu dazedly followed Lou Xi Yan and dare not turn her head back.

Until Lou Xi Yan’s figure have completely disappeared in the Imperial Garden, Qing Feng then stood up. Without caring if the Empress Dowagers or the Emperor was still there, Qing Feng did not spoke a word and slowly walked towards the direction of Qing Feng Hall. Fu Ling greeted and rush off to support her on her verge of collapse self but Qing Feng pushed her hand away and tottered off by herself.

Everything that happened today, was not something that never happened before. It is just that those people did not have the luck that Qing Ling have. This, is the Inner Palace. Fu Ling just touched that pair of ice cold hands, if Qing Feng’s heart is similar, with her temperament… Fu Ling have a bad premonition.

Yan Hong Tian squinted his black eyes, he did not expect such a reaction from Qing Feng. Then again what kind of response should she have? Yan Hong Tian found it funny, since when did he start to be concerned about a female’s reaction?

Leaving the two Empress Dowagers and the terrible mess, Yan Hong Tian also chicly strode out of the Imperial Gardens.

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