CFB Chapter 100

Translator – Xiao He Lian

This is a translation hosted on KnoxT, copies found elsewhere are either stolen or plagiarized. Please support the translator by reading it at KnoxT.

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Chapter 100

 

The afterglow of the setting sun reflected on the surface of the river while the autumn wind caused ripples.

There was only heard two consecutive “thumps” –

The quiet and pleasant scenery seemed to make a shattering sound.

Meng Suxi, who was holding her stomach, stared in shock with her mouth ipen but couldn’t utter a word for a long time…

He actually pulled someone down and jumped in himself?

How, how could he do this!

As soon as Shen Zhen entered the water ,she felt a bone chilling chill coming from all directions. She couldn’t hear or see, and could only rely on her instincts to hold her breath tightly.

The girl, who couldn’t swim, waved her hands around wildly. With the water surging above her head, she felt a spang of fear.

Then, a pair of strong hands grasped her waist and lifted her up.

The pressure around suddenly disappeared, Shen Zhen’s chest rose and fell, as she coughed and breathed.

She didn’t know who was the first to start shouting on the shore: “Someone fell into the water!”

Followed by a sharp female voice: “Don’t shout!”

Soon, there was another louder voice: “Help! Someone fell into the water! Someone fell into the water!”

Even though Lu Yan was a pretty good swimmer, it was not easy to move forward while holding someone, especially when this person was holding his neck tightly and wouldn’t let go.

“Tsk, loosen a bit.” Lu Yan tilted his head and frowned.

However, the little girl didn’t listen at all and wouldn’t even open her eyes.

Seeing this, Lu Yan could only swim faster.

When he touched the ground, he closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath.

Both of them were dripping with water all over their bodies, and they looked extremely miserable. Lu Yan looked down at the person in his arms, and suddenly a fire flashed in his eyes.

He finally understood why there was an unwritten rule in this world that a girl who fell into the water had to be held responsible by someone.

Shen Zhen’s clothes were soaked through. The majestic and magnificent sight was truly a sight to see.

If other people encounter such a situation, even if they were not true gentlemen, they should at least pretend to be gentlemen. Either put the person down quickly, or clench their fists and try not to touch the person’s body.

But Lu Yan was too lazy to even pretend, and he just held the girl’s body with both hands.

Shen Zhen shivered when the wind blew.

“Are you cold?” Lu Yan asked her with his head down.

Shen Zhen slowly opened her eyes and hummed inaudibly.

Water had entered her eyes, making them feel a little dry. She raised her hand to rub them, but Lu Yan quickly stopped her, “Don’t rub them. The more you rub, the more itchy it will become.”

Shen Zhen’s hand froze in mid-air.

“Did you inhale water just now?”

“It’s getting better… cough cough…”

Seeing this, Lu Yan placed his hand on her back and patted her gently.

While he was doing this, quite a few people had already appeared around. Seeing this scene, both men and women had their mouths open wide in speechlessness . To exaggerate a little, it was easy to stuff an egg into their mouths.

Sensing the gazes around him, Shen Zhen’s body stiffened, and the small hand that was clutching his collar suddenly loosened.

With a layer of panic in her wet eyes, she whispered, “My Lord, please put me down. Someone is coming…”

Hearing this, Lu Yan’s mouth suddenly curled up, and he looked at her with burning eyes and said: “How can I let you go when you are like this?”

Shen Zhen looked down at her wet skirt.

And took a breath in resignation.

Her reputation…

Lu Yan seemed to have heard what she was thinking, and he spoke with a heart-piercing tone: “It’s better to let go of the little reputation left of Third Young Lady.”

Speaking of which, the three words “little reputation left” was quite appropriate.

The reason was simple. In the two months since Shen Zhen “returned to the capital”, first there was Su Heng, then there was Xu Wei, and now even Chu Xun was rumored to have become her lover.

In addition, there was also her being the mistress of a certain official and the dozenth concubine of a wealthy businessman in Yangzhou.

The rumors of her “love affairs” were flying everywhere, and even the storybook dare not write them like that.

Shen Zhen’s face felt like it was burning at his mocking gaze, and she secretly pushed him away with her little hand.

“Did you just push me? Who was the one who held me tightly just now?” The man raised his eyebrows and looked at her.

Shen Zhen’s beautiful eyes suddenly widened.

After a while, Lu Yan saw Yang Zong’s figure, so he stopped and put the person down.

Yang Zong handed over a dark purple cloak, Lu Yan took it and put it on her.

As soon as this action was taken, the discussions around him became louder.

“What’s wrong with the girls of the Shen family? Why do they all like to fall into the water?”

“Cannot compare with the person who jumped into the water to save her.”

“The one who saved her was the heir of the Zhenguo Duke?”

“No wonder then.”

“Isn’t she and Changping Marquis ……”

Lu Yan glanced at Shen Zhen’s red ears, turned his head and said to Yang Zong: “I will take her to the warm room of Ziyun Pavilion first, you go to the Grand Princess’s place and ask for two maids.”

Yang Zong bowed and said, “Yes.”

This side of the riverside was in chaos, but the other end of the grandstand was still bustling with activity.

The feast was filled with clinking glasses, bright lights were on all sides, and the sound of stringed instruments. The female members, holding round fans and wearing light silk clothes, recited their husbands’ newly composed poems, laughing.

At this moment, a palace maid hurriedly walked up to Empress Xu and said in a trembling voice: “Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened!”

Empress Xu put down the fruit in her hand and frowned, “Why are you in such a hurry? Tell me what you want to say slowly.”

“Empress, the third daughter of the Shen family just fell into the water by the river!”

Empress Xu’s eyes widened in disbelief, “She was fine just now, how could she suddenly fall into the water? Has she been rescued?”

“I heard that she is fine now.”

“That’s good. It’s good that she is fine.” Empress Xu patted her chest, then stood up and said, “This happened at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. I can’t escape the blame. You guys, come with me to see the child. Yuelan, go call an imperial physician. The weather is cold now. It is right for an imperial physician to take a look.”

At this moment, Princess Jing’an suddenly asked, “Who rescued her?”

The palace maid lowered her head, her lips bitten until they were almost bloodless.

Empress Xu was slightly startled, and hurriedly said, “Why are you still standing there? Tell me.”

The maid clenched her fists, made up her mind, and said directly: “It’s the Governor of Jinzhao Prefecture, Lord Lu.”

“Who did you say?” Empress Xu’s fingers trembled slightly, and her voice involuntarily rose a bit.

The maid gritted her teeth and repeated, “It’s the Governor of Jinzhao Prefecture, Lord Lu.”

Hearing this, the teacup in Xu Yiqing’s hand fell to the ground with a clang.

Princess Kangning rubbed her ears and said, “Third brother? Why would third brother go into the water to save her? What is going on?”

It was not surprising that Princess Kangning could say such a thing. The Heir apparent of Duke Zhenguo Mansion was twenty four years old and had not yet married. He had encountered the old trick of falling into the water countless times.

But every time, he was as good as blind and deaf.

Princess Kangning still couldn’t believe it, “You must have heard it wrong.”

The little palace maid shook her head, and in front of everyone, tremblingly recounted what had happened outside.

The general meaning was: Concubine Meng and Third Lady Shen were taking a walk by the river, but unexpectedly the stones under their feet were too slippery, and Third Lady Shen accidentally fell down. Fortunately, Lord Lu, the Governor of Jingzhao, happened to pass by, dived into the water, and rescued her.

It was a close call.

It’s a pity that the faces of the women in the pavilion didn’t show any joy at all.

Wang Ru muttered to herself: “No way… this..this is impossible.”

Xu Yiqing’s face turned pale.

Even Empress Xu, who was usually calm and composed, could no longer control her expression.

Princess Jing’an knocked on the table with her hand and asked coldly, “Where are they?”

“Inside the warm room of Ziyun Pavilion.”

The Grand Princess nodded and then stood up. “Since Lu Yan saved the person, I will go with the Empress.”

Empress Xu was stunned for a moment, then quickly hid her shock and nodded, “Okay.”

The Grand Princess turned around and called two of her personal maids.

On the way to the warm room of Ziyun Pavilion, the Grand Princess happened to run into Yang Zong, who whispered to her what had just happened.

Yang Zong’s voice was not loud, but Empress Xu heard it very clearly.

Walking hurriedly outside the warm room, Princess Jing’an immediately saw Lu Yan, who was soaked all over. When their eyes met, she couldn’t help but glare at him.

He had so many options to choose from, but he chose…

He really opened her eyes….

When Empress Xu saw Lu Yan still standing at the door, her heart sank. She asked softly, “Why is Lu Yan still standing here?”

Lu Yan said calmly, “Young Lady Shen is still unmarried. With something like this happening, I dare not leave rashly.”

Princess Jing’an’s mouth twitched, she really couldn’t bear to listen any longer.

Empress Xu secretly exerted force with her fingertips. With Lu Yan’s attitude, it was difficult for her to pretend to be stupid.

“I and the princess are here, so you don’t have to worry. Go change your clothes quickly. The autumn wind is cold and you are wet. Don’t catch a cold.”

“Thank you very much, Empress, for your consideration.”

Empress Xu nodded with a forced smile.

Princess Jing’an pushed open the door.

Shen Zhen sat on the couch, her face was pale, her lips were bloodless, and she was wearing a man’s cloak.

Shen Zhen quickly stood up and said, “This commoner greets the Empress and the Grand Princess.”

“Hurry up and sit down.” Empress Xu called to the maid outside, “Go and get two clean clothes. Go quickly.”

Princess Jing’an walked up to her and said, “Chun Yao, ask someone to make a bowl of ginger soup and bring it over.”

　　…

 

Lu Yan changed his clothes and returned to the table, Sui Yu looked at him with a hint of an intriguing smile at the corner of his mouth.

“So impatient?”

Lu Yan looked at him and said, “There was no other way.”

 

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