Ren Yaoqi had no time to react at that moment, as the boat suddenly tilted to one side. The waves of screams were nearly deafening, and she felt the world spin around her. Xiao Jingxi pulled her aside, rolling them both away from the low table and other heavy objects sliding toward them as the boat tilted.
A vase that had originally been placed in the corner shattered, its fragments flying toward the two of them. Ren Yaoqi buried her head against the chest of the person shielding her, and the faint scent of medicinal herbs suddenly grew stronger. She was momentarily dazed until she heard a soft groan, and a drop of warm liquid splashed onto her cheek, startling her.
She immediately looked up, her gaze landing on the side of the neck of the person in front of her. A bloody gash marred the skin—not too deep but still shocking to see. Blood was oozing from the wound, likely caused by a flying shard of porcelain.
"Are you hurt?" Xiao Jingxi asked, looking down at her as he examined her.
Although the boat was still unsteady, they had moved to an open area with no clutter around them.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "I’m fine, but you’re bleeding…"
Xiao Jingxi helped her sit up, offering a gentle, reassuring smile. "It’s nothing."
"What happened?" Xiao Jinglin’s cold voice came from nearby as she stood gripping the window frame.
Xiao Jinglin was highly skilled; at the same time Xiao Jingxi pulled Ren Yaoqi aside, she had also steadied herself and avoided danger. The maids serving on the boat had taken shelter in the corners, and aside from two or three who had been struck by falling objects, no one was seriously injured.
The boat’s rocking gradually subsided. Xiao Jingxi stood up and looked out over the water, his brow slightly furrowed. "Someone used explosives."
Ren Yaoqi also climbed to her feet. As the boat was still somewhat unsteady, Xiao Jingxi instinctively reached out to steady her, only realizing the impropriety after his hand had already made contact. Still, he waited until she was steady before letting go.
Ren Yaoqi pretended nothing had happened and also looked out at the river, unable to help frowning.
Their large boat was anchored not far from the finish line, so it was close to the dragon boats. The dragon boats had mostly been overturned by the explosion, and two or three near the finish line had even been blown apart or broken in half. The water was filled with floating debris and people thrashing and shouting. The faint red tint in the river suggested some had been injured by the blast, and it was unclear whether anyone had been killed.
Although their large boat had been affected, they had fortunately escaped serious danger. However, they could still hear the panicked screams and cries for help from the young masters and ladies on the lower deck.
The people on the viewing platform were also in chaos, the scene utterly disordered.
Their large boat was not far from the shore, and planks had already been lowered below. The frightened young masters and ladies, eager to escape, hurriedly tried to get ashore, accompanied by occasional splashes as some fell into the water.
Xiao Jingxi and Xiao Jinglin, however, remained remarkably calm. They showed no urgency to disembark, merely watching the chaotic scene outside, lost in thought.
Ren Yaoqi had only been startled momentarily. Now that she had calmed down, she couldn’t help but ponder what exactly had happened today.
In her previous life, she had never attended a dragon boat race, nor did she recall any year when such an incident had occurred.
Looking at the overturned dragon boats on the river, Ren Yaoqi felt deeply astonished.With such a big commotion and the use of gunpowder, it was only the dragon boats that suffered.
Ren Yaoqi knew that although the dragon boats nominally belonged to each family, the people rowing vigorously on them were either guards sent by the families or hired laborers.
These masters from prestigious families might whimsically participate in something like an ice-skating competition for elegance, but no one would personally take part in a dragon boat race.
If today's incident was part of some conspiracy, then the explosives should have been placed on the high platform on the shore or on the large boat they were on. What benefit could be gained from blowing up the dragon boats?
As Ren Yaoqi was pondering this with her head lowered, a figure slipped in from outside. She looked up and saw it was an attendant she had seen before by Xiao Jingxi's side.
Upon seeing the mess on the boat, the man showed no signs of anxiety or worry. With an unchanged expression, he swiftly moved to Xiao Jingxi's side and whispered a few words into his ear.
Though Ren Yaoqi was close to Xiao Jingxi, she only caught words like "Prince" and "arrangements."
Xiao Jinglin also looked over but did not ask any questions.
After listening to the attendant's report, Xiao Jingxi nodded slightly. After a moment of thought, he said to Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin, "I need to go ashore to handle some matters. You two should come with me."
Xiao Jinglin nodded, and Ren Yaoqi naturally had no objections.
Dongsheng was also waiting outside. Seeing the masters come out, he hurriedly walked ahead with the other attendant to clear the way. Although the boat was still rocking slightly, it was no longer an obstacle for them to walk.
They did not take the two gangplanks crowded with others going ashore. Instead, they boarded a painted boat that had somehow docked beside their ship on the side facing the river.
The painted boat took a slightly longer route to avoid the chaotic crowd along the riverbank before finally docking.
While sitting on the painted boat, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but glance toward the river surface. Boats had already rowed over to help rescue those who had fallen into the water and were injured. However, Ren Yaoqi's gaze lingered on the colorful dragon heads that had detached from the boats, floating and sinking on the river. Suddenly, a thought struck her.
But she didn't voice it. Instead, she casually turned her head away. Just as she shifted her gaze, she caught Xiao Jingxi's thoughtful look. Meeting her eyes, Xiao Jingxi smiled slightly and turned away, speaking softly to Xiao Jinglin.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at him a few times before finally lowering her head.
Once ashore, people from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion were already waiting. Seeing Xiao Jingxi and Xiao Jinglin, they hurried over to greet them.
Xiao Jingxi glanced at Xiao Jinglin and then looked at Ren Yaoqi, smiling as he said, "It's a bit chaotic here. Why don't you two return to the mansion first? I'll have someone escort you back."
Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment but shook her head. "I'll go with you to see Father." Then, turning to Ren Yaoqi, she said, "Yaoqi, we'll have someone take you home."
Ren Yaoqi smiled and replied, "You both have matters to attend to. My grandmother is still on the shore over there. I need to let her know so she won't worry. The Ren Family also has a carriage here today. I'll return with my family, so there's no need to worry about me."
Watching Xiao Jingxi and Xiao Jinglin walk away, Ren Yaoqi nodded to Dongsheng, who had stayed behind to escort her. "Let's go see my grandmother."Rong Shi was indeed very worried about Ren Yaoqi. Accompanied by a maid, she personally waited by the shore. When she saw Ren Yaoqi appear, she couldn't help but sigh in relief. Holding her hand, she examined her and asked, "You didn't board the boat, did you? I sent Chuchu to look for you on the ship." Chuchu was the maid who had come with Rong Shi. She was no longer young and knew some martial arts.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "I'm fine." She turned around and noticed that Dongsheng, who had escorted her over, had quietly slipped away, likely feeling too ashamed to face his former mistress.
Rong Shi had only brought two maids with her today. Seeing that Ren Yaoqi was unharmed, she intended to leave once Chuchu returned. However, Ren Yaoqi glanced toward the nearby high platform. Although some people had already left, a few heads of households remained, assisting the Prince Li's residence and the Su family in managing the scene.
Just then, Xiangqin, the maid from Ren Yaohua's side, came looking for her. "Fifth Miss, it's good that you're safe. Third Miss has been searching everywhere for you. The Ren Family's carriage is about to return."
Rong Shi said, "In that case, you should return with your grandmother and the others."
Preoccupied with her thoughts, Ren Yaoqi pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Grandmother, you should return as well. I'll be staying in Yunyang City for a few more days. When I have time, I'll visit you and Grandfather with my sister." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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