Chapter Thirty: Chaos, The Dispute by the Lotus Pond

Qin Wanru did indeed go to the garden, heading toward the lotus pond. The lotus pond in the General’s Mansion was considered one of the estate’s finest sights. Unless it was winter, anyone visiting the mansion would certainly call on the pond. Although it did not stretch for ten miles, its expanse was considerable. Autumn had already arrived, and the leaves were withering, yet the pond still retained a picturesque scene of broad lotus leaves. A few scattered lotus blossoms lingered at the edges of the green leaves; the withered lotuses held their own unique charm.

Qin Wanru was making her way to the waterside pavilion at the heart of the pond. The pavilion’s winding walkway curved over the water, and at the farthest end stood several rooms, with a small, octagonal gazebo just outside. One could sit in the gazebo to admire the pond’s beauty, or invite a few friends for tea and conversation. The rooms offered places to rest; the leftmost room housed a collection of books. Even if one did not sit in the gazebo, simply opening a window would allow a view of the scenery while reading.

Qin Wanru’s destination was precisely that octagonal gazebo. Seated within, she could see the shore in the distance, and those on shore could glimpse the figures inside, though the distance blurred the details.

Arriving at the pavilion, Qin Wanru stepped onto the walkway, advanced a few paces, then paused. She pressed down slightly with her foot; beneath her, a board had loosened with age. Just days prior, a maid had fallen into the water from this very spot, and the board had become even more unstable. Qin Wanru happened to witness the incident, immediately instructing Qingyue to cry out for help, which brought people rushing to rescue the maid. Afterwards, everyone’s attention focused on the fallen girl, leaving Qin Wanru to inspect the scene. That was when she discovered the loose board. She had intended to inform Lady Di upon returning, but unexpectedly, her rebirth delayed the matter.

She stepped onto the board—it was indeed loose. Standing behind it, holding Qingyue’s hand for support, Qin Wanru pressed down several more times. The board was not merely loose; it only required a light touch for one end to sink while the other rose. Satisfied with the position, she steadied herself and carefully moved into the pavilion. Qingyue followed cautiously. Together, they entered the gazebo, glanced outside, and then Qin Wanru instructed Qingyue to open the window of the room adjacent to the pavilion.

“Miss, do you mean to read here? The wind is quite strong,” Qingyue said as she opened the window. The breeze coming off the lake was sharp and cool.

“No, I just want to take a look. Let's go,” Qin Wanru replied with a slight smile, turning to leave once everything was arranged.

Qingyue, uncertain of Qin Wanru’s intentions, obediently followed. The two retraced their steps onto the walkway, pausing briefly at the loose board, then tiptoed back to shore.

Once on land, Qin Wanru strolled back at a leisurely pace. After only a few steps, she encountered an old maid who, upon seeing Qin Wanru and Qingyue, stopped and bowed. “Second Miss, where are you headed? Madam has been looking for you.”

“I had business at the pavilion. Inform Mother; I’ll be along shortly,” Qin Wanru replied with a gentle smile.

“Yes, I shall report to Madam at once,” the maid answered. She had come expressly to find out where Qin Wanru was going, so she turned and went to inform Lady Di.

Halfway down the path, they came upon Qi Rongzhi, whose intentions were anything but noble.

Qi Rongzhi had been searching for Qin Wanru in vain. Spotting the maid, she gestured for her to come over. “Have you seen your Second Miss?”

“Yes, Second Miss said she had business at the waterside pavilion—she’s just ahead,” the maid replied, recognizing Qi Rongzhi and gesturing with her hand.

“She’s already gone?” Qi Rongzhi’s delight was palpable. She had been pondering how to lure Qin Wanru to the pavilion, never imagining Qin Wanru would go on her own. How fortunate! She would create an accident, push Qin Wanru into the water. Even if something truly happened, given the General’s Mansion had broken off her brother’s engagement first, no one would dare criticize.

Filled with smug anticipation, she quickened her pace, hurrying to the lotus pond, afraid Qin Wanru might leave before she arrived.

Upon reaching the pond, she rounded a bend and saw the innermost room’s window wide open; surely Qin Wanru was there now.

Without slowing, Qi Rongzhi rushed toward the pavilion. The pond’s edge was deserted, leaving no one to rescue her. Qi Rongzhi advanced, her intentions ill, even outpacing her own maid. She stepped onto the pavilion, moving swiftly—but her foot landed on a loose board. Instantly, she lost her balance, tried to grab something for support, but it was too late. With a loud splash, the board tipped, and Qi Rongzhi plunged into the water.

She flailed desperately in the lake.

“Help! Someone save our Miss, please help!” her maid, startled, cried out in alarm at Qi Rongzhi’s fall.

Two nearby maids heard the commotion and rushed over. One, knowing how to swim, immediately jumped into the lake to save her.

Fortunately, the loose board was near the shore, and the maid reached her quickly. Qi Rongzhi was rescued, but even so, she was unconscious when pulled from the water.

Others, hearing the shouts, came to see what had happened, recognizing the eldest Miss from the Qi Prefecture. Someone ran off to inform Lady Di and Qin Yuru.

Lady Di, upon hearing that Qi Rongzhi had fallen into the lake, was startled and hurried over with her retinue, meeting the hastening Qin Yuru midway. Together, they rushed to the lakeside.

By the time they arrived, Qi Rongzhi was just regaining consciousness.

“Sister Qi, are you all right? How could you be so careless?” Qin Yuru, seeing Qi Rongzhi drenched, anxiously knelt beside her.

With a resounding slap, Qi Rongzhi struck Qin Yuru so hard that she toppled backward and sat stunned, clutching her face in disbelief.

“You tried to harm me, didn’t you? You ruined my brother, and that wasn’t enough—you want to hurt me too! You wretch, I’ll kill you!” Qi Rongzhi, humiliated and furious, lashed out, her words sharp as she tried to hit Qin Yuru again, but this time Qin Yuru’s attendants intervened.

Lady Di pulled Qin Yuru up, saw the swelling on her face, and, her expression dark with anger, blocked Qi Rongzhi, demanding, “Miss Qi, what is the meaning of this? Why did you strike Yuru?”

“Ask your precious daughter! She brought me to the pavilion, said it was a fine place—wasn’t that hint enough? I thought she truly wished to reconcile with my brother, but clearly she harbored malicious intent!” Qi Rongzhi was not one to accept loss.

Having inexplicably fallen into the water and made such a spectacle, Qi Rongzhi vented her rage on Qin Yuru.

She was always arrogant—Qi Tianyu indulged her, and Qin Yuru, for Qi Tianyu’s sake, obeyed her wishes, which only fueled Qi Rongzhi’s delight.

“Do you have any proof of this, Miss Qi?” Lady Di frowned, her voice cold. Seeing her daughter struck had ignited her own anger.

“Of course I do! She led me here to find Qin Wanru. If not for her, I wouldn’t have come. After nearly drowning, I feel as though the entire General’s Mansion is out to harm me,” Qi Rongzhi declared haughtily. Having suffered today, she refused to back down. The recent near-drowning convinced her everyone here was plotting against her.

“Wanru is here? Did Wanru bring you?” Lady Di softened her tone, pointing toward the pavilion with its open window. “If Wanru brought you, shouldn’t you confront her? Yuru knows nothing; how could she harm you?”

She was shifting the blame, slyly trying to redirect the trouble onto Qin Wanru.

“I brought Miss Qi here? I haven’t even seen her. How could Mother say I led her here?” A voice rang out from beyond the crowd.

Everyone turned to see Qin Wanru and Qingyue approaching at a measured pace.

“What happened here? Did Miss Qi fall into the water?” Qin Wanru asked, taking in Qi Rongzhi’s soaked appearance and instantly understanding what had transpired.

“Qin Wanru, you wretch, did you deliberately lure me here?” Qi Rongzhi, seeing Qin Wanru approach, bristled, leaning on her maid and lunging to strike Qin Wanru. She had often done so before, especially to Qin Yuru, and it came easily to her. In the past, when she struck, neither Lady Di nor Qin Yuru protested—at most, it was dismissed as childish squabbling.

But Qin Wanru, prepared, stepped back several paces, her smile cold. “Miss Qi, your accusation is laughable. I haven’t seen you—how could I lure you? Didn’t you know how you got here? Can’t you say who brought you? Just days ago, a maid fell into the water here. Didn’t the person who led you warn you to be careful?”

Her words prompted Qi Rongzhi to look around. Her gaze settled on the maid beside Lady Di, whom she pointed at, exclaiming, “She brought me here! She said Qin Wanru was inside the pavilion. Whose servant is she?”

No one expected Qi Rongzhi to actually identify someone. Even Lady Di instinctively glanced at the maid.

Seeing all eyes on her, the maid panicked, frantically waving her hands. “Miss Qi, you asked me, and I answered. I didn’t know anything. You asked, so I told you. I didn’t deliberately lead you.”

“She belongs to Mother—could it be Mother sent you to the pavilion?” Qin Wanru’s gaze fixed on the maid, waiting for Lady Di to speak, but she gently interjected.

“So it’s true—you all meant to harm me! Qin Yuru told me I’d find Qin Wanru here; Lady Di had her maid direct me. Very well! I knew you mother and daughter were up to no good, after all you did to my brother. Now you’re targeting me. I’ll return home and have my father and brother demand justice! You’re vicious!” Upon hearing that the maid truly belonged to Lady Di, Qi Rongzhi’s mind raced, connecting every thread and concluding it was all a trap against her. Her voice trembled with anger as she pointed at Qin Yuru and Lady Di.

Her earlier attack on Qin Yuru had been out of shame and fury, but now she felt entirely justified, shouting her accusations loudly.

“What happened here?” A low cough sounded from outside the crowd, followed by a stern inquiry.