"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA—"
With a loud splash, the icy lake water instantly submerged Qin Guan's head. Caught off guard, she choked on several mouthfuls of water while piercing laughter rang in her ears from the shore.
Fortunately, the water near the bank wasn't deep. Struggling, Qin Guan managed to stand up.
Soaked from head to toe, she stood waist-deep in the lake, coughing as she wiped her face. When she steadied herself, she saw the assailant standing on the shore—a face that could be considered delicate, with narrow eyes full of mockery and triumph, though dressed in servant's attire. Meeting Qin Guan's gaze, the girl tilted her chin up with a disdainful snort, showing not a shred of guilt.
Qin Guan then turned her attention to the distant Black Tortoise Stone, where the laughter had originated.
At that moment, seven or eight people stood atop the stone, the most conspicuous being two young ladies at the forefront. Dressed in elaborate, luxurious attire, one of them held a round fan, covering her lips as she laughed uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, Fuling knelt on the ground, restrained from behind by two servants, her mouth muffled.
Having completed their ambush, the two servants demonstratively released their grip on Fuling's mouth.
Tears rolled down Fuling's cheeks as she sobbed, "Miss—"
Qin Guan pressed her lips together. It was her own carelessness—she had been too absorbed earlier to notice anyone approaching.
"How utterly pitiful! She's fallen into the lake again!" The speaker, clad in an apricot-pink floral-patterned jacket and skirt, had a round face, large eyes, and a plump, petite frame. She was the one who had laughed the loudest. After a brief pause, she added, "Sister, shall we go take a look? She looks absolutely ridiculous."
With that, the two gracefully made their way over, each followed by two servants, while Fuling remained restrained.
"Miss, Sixth Miss, Ninth Miss must have been rejected by Young Master Huo again and tried to drown herself!"
Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss? Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. Fuling had mentioned them in recent days—Qin Xiang, Fifth Miss, and Qin Shuang, Sixth Miss—the two in the household who most enjoyed bullying Ninth Miss.
Though the water near the shore was still shallow, just a few steps forward would submerge Qin Guan completely.
These sisters clearly cared nothing for her life or death.
A cold glint flashed in Qin Guan's eyes as she slowly clenched her fists by her sides.
The one who had spoken was Qin Xiang's personal maid, Wan He. Hearing this, Qin Shuang sneered, "I've never seen anyone so stupid. Doesn't she realize? Young Master Huo is the Prefect's son—how could he ever fancy someone like her?"
The servants chimed in with sycophantic agreement as Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang approached.
Qin Shuang's voice was shrill and domineering, while Qin Xiang merely smiled without speaking. Dressed in a purple high-waisted pleated Ru skirt, she had a slender face with thin eyebrows and long eyes. Her gaze at Qin Guan was filled with lofty superiority, as if they belonged to entirely different worlds.
Neither sister was the least bit likable.
As Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang approached, the servant who had ambushed Qin Guan earlier stepped aside.
Seeing Qin Guan standing motionless in the water, Qin Shuang boldly strode to the shore, her face twisted in disgust. "Wan Qing, why didn't you push harder? Doesn't she want to die? Let her die then! What Buddha Possession? Look at her now—a drowned rat! How could she possibly deserve such a thing?!"
Qin Shuang hurled her venomous words, but she hadn't expected Qin Guan to meet her gaze directly. Not only that, but Qin Guan's dark, fathomless eyes sent an inexplicable chill down her spine.Qin Shuang puffed out her chest. "What are you staring at? It's you—you're nothing but a Death Star clinging to our family, shamelessly pining after Brother Huo! You even threatened to jump into the lake—did you think that would make him spare you a glance? In Brother Huo's eyes, you're nothing but mud beneath his feet! Weren't you going to die? Why don't you go ahead and die already, you Death Star, you Broom Star—"
Qin Shuang leaned forward, practically spitting in Qin Guan's face. The morning breeze lifted the silk ribbons at her waist, making them flutter wildly, nearly brushing against Qin Guan's cheeks. Qin Guan watched the spittle fly from Qin Shuang's mouth—then yanked hard on the ribbons.
"Ah—!"
A scream tore through the air as Qin Shuang's plump body tumbled uncontrollably into the lake!
She plunged headfirst, flailing like a fat fish before finally managing to stand. Coughing violently, her eyes red from the water, her entire body soaked, and her hair plastered messily across her face, Qin Shuang gaped at Qin Guan in disbelief.
How—how dare she?!
Trembling with rage and indignation, Qin Shuang pointed a shaking finger at Qin Guan.
The servants of Qin Manor on the shore stared dumbfounded at Qin Guan. Even Qin Xiang was stunned.
All of them had bullied Qin Guan together before. Not once had Qin Guan ever fought back, always enduring their abuse silently, covered in bruises. But this time—this time, she had actually pulled Qin Shuang into the lake!
"I wanted to die, but the King of Hell wouldn't take me."
"Guess—will he take you?"
Qin Guan's icy, sinister gaze locked onto Qin Shuang. The thought that Qin Guan had already returned from death sent a chill down Qin Shuang's spine. She hastily withdrew her pointing finger, not daring to utter another word.
Seeing this, Qin Guan lifted the hem of her skirt and walked calmly toward the shore.
At her movement, the crowd on the shore instinctively stepped back.
She had already come back from the dead—an eerie, unnatural thing. And now, she had dared to drag Qin Shuang into the lake right in front of everyone. An inexplicable, terrifying aura seemed to radiate from her, freezing them in place.
If they truly angered her... would she lose control and kill them?
Even Qin Xiang retreated two steps, her expression conflicted as she studied Qin Guan warily.
Qin Guan didn't spare her a glance, walking straight to Fuling instead. Fuling was also stunned—her young mistress had actually fought back?!
The two servants restraining Fuling hastily released her and backed away as Qin Guan approached.
"Let's go back," Qin Guan said softly.
Tearstains still fresh on her face, Fuling snapped out of her daze and hurried to support Qin Guan. Together, they turned and headed toward the western rear courtyard. The crowd could only watch in silence as the two walked away, no one daring to stop them.
Qin Shuang stood frozen in the lake, then suddenly burst into loud, wailing sobs.
Back in the western rear courtyard, Fuling's hands trembled more and more the longer she thought about what had happened. Once the gate was closed, she whispered anxiously, "Young Mistress... Sixth Young Mistress may not be the legitimate daughter, but Madam dotes on her dearly. What if she punishes us for this?"
"Whose maid is Wan Qing?" Qin Guan asked instead of answering.
Fuling blinked, then realization dawned. "Ah—Wan Qing is Sixth Young Mistress's maid! The Old Madam already intended to downplay the incident with you, but they dared to push you into the lake again! They're the ones in the wrong!"
Fuling stared at Qin Guan's back in awe, too moved to speak.
Her young mistress—she was no longer the timid, helpless girl who could only endure abuse!
"Fetch me a clean change of clothes."At Qin Guan's instruction, Fuling hurried to search. The lake was too cold—her young mistress had already fallen into the water once before and was naturally frail; this time she was highly likely to fall ill!
Fuling entered the inner chamber, while Qin Guan walked to the Warm Chamber. She released the hand that had been clutching her skirt all along. With a plop, a section of branch fell from the crumpled hem.
It was a three-inch-long fresh bamboo shoot. Having soaked in water for too long, its deep green had faded to pale green.
Before long, Fuling emerged carrying dry clothes.
Just as she stood still, she heard Qin Guan ask, "Is there a Purple Bamboo Forest in the estate?"
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