Chapter 78: Apologize

The Pavilion at the Heart of the Lake truly stood atop the waters, surrounded on all sides by shimmering waves, so that even ordinary voices would not carry to distant ears. Yet the lake was not so vast, and from the nearby garden, servants could always be seen tending to the grounds, with others passing to and fro.

Tan Qingjiu’s startled scream was so loud that nearly everyone in the garden turned to look. They all watched, eyes wide, as Tan Qingjiu fell into the water.

On the shore, Qingdai and Zisu exchanged a glance, then hurriedly shouted, “Help! Help! Second Miss has been pushed into the lake by the Lady of the Heir Apparent!”

“Someone come quickly to save her!”

“Our Second Miss cannot swim!”

When their cries subsided, Qingdai turned to Zisu and said, “Go fetch Tan Yun.”

“Alright.” Zisu dashed away, while Qingdai rushed into the water, swimming toward Tan Qingjiu.

On the bank, Tan Yunge was utterly stunned. She had indeed considered jumping into the lake, then framing Tan Qingjiu for her fall, utterly ruining Tan Qingjiu’s reputation by saddling her with a charge of attempted murder.

But never had she imagined that Tan Qingjiu would—unexpectedly—fall into the water before she herself could act.

What should she do now?

Sweat soaked Tan Yunge’s back as she clenched her teeth, her face dark with worry. If she jumped in now, claiming that she and Tan Qingjiu had quarreled and both ended up in the water—would anyone believe her?

Tan Yunge knew in her heart that no one would believe it now. Even if she jumped in, it would be useless.

Two more servants leapt into the water, swimming toward Tan Qingjiu. Even with three rescuers, it took some time before they managed to bring Tan Qingjiu out of the lake.

Tan Yun arrived hurriedly just as three people were helping Tan Qingjiu onto the shore.

Tan Qingjiu was soaked through, her face ghastly pale, eyes tightly shut, as if she had fainted.

The three carried her to the pavilion by the lake, seating her gently. Qingdai urgently called for Zisu’s help, bending Tan Qingjiu forward and pounding her back heavily. Tan Qingjiu suddenly spewed out a mouthful of water, coughed several times, and finally opened her eyes.

Tan Qingjiu lifted her head to see Tan Yun’s brows tightly furrowed. At once, she began to sob, “Father! I almost didn’t get to see you again!”

“I don’t even know what I did to anger my elder sister, that she would treat me so…”

She wept, but behind her tears flashed a hint of mockery. She remembered well that Tan Yun was particularly susceptible to such displays.

Indeed, upon hearing her cry, Tan Yun drew a deep breath. “Where is the Lady of the Heir Apparent?”

Tan Yunge strode forward, her face growing darker as she overheard Tan Qingjiu’s words. “Father, don’t believe the nonsense of this wretched girl. I never laid a hand on her.”

“You didn’t touch me? So you’re saying I jumped in myself?”

No sooner had Tan Qingjiu finished questioning than Qingdai spoke up, “Impossible. The mistress, because of an earlier incident—being drowned in a pond—has ever since been terrified of water. She never approaches lakes or rivers, not even for bathing, and her tub can never be filled to the brim.”

“All of us who serve closely know this. Sir, you can ask anyone and they will tell you the same.”

“If not for the Lady of the Heir Apparent suggesting a chat in the lake pavilion about Young Lord Zijiao today, our mistress would never have gone near the lake. Tell me, if she fears water so much, how could she have jumped in herself?”

Qingdai glanced at Tan Yunge. “If you want to lie, Lady, at least learn more about whom you’re lying about.”

Tan Yunge seethed. What nonsense about fearing water?

This maid was speaking utter rubbish!

“Did I permit you to interrupt?”

“Someone, come!”

Tan Qingjiu raised her tearful eyes to look at Tan Yunge. “Sister, surely you’re not planning to beat my maid again?”

“Is it because my maid exposed your misdeeds, revealing the truth, that you’re angry and embarrassed?”

Tan Yunge’s retort caught in her throat. This wretched girl!

She had anticipated exactly what Tan Yunge intended and laid a trap for her in advance.

If she now called for someone to slap the maid’s mouth, wouldn’t that be an admission?

Tan Yunge glared fiercely at Tan Qingjiu, biting her lip. Her mother had warned her that Tan Qingjiu had changed greatly, no longer the same person as six years ago, difficult to deal with—even she herself had suffered at Tan Qingjiu’s hands. Then, she had scoffed.

A timid, foolish simpleton—how much could she change in six years?

It was only medical skill, after all. The times she had suffered at Tan Qingjiu’s hands were due to her poisons, but this time, she had prepared an antidote in advance. Without resorting to poison, Tan Qingjiu posed no threat.

After so many years in the rear courtyard of the Heir Apparent’s manor, her own scheming was far more sophisticated.

In the art of intrigue, Tan Qingjiu could not be her match.

But she hadn’t expected that Tan Qingjiu would outmaneuver her again and again.

How could this be?

Tan Yunge was incredulous. Beside her, Tan Yun frowned and turned to Tan Yunge. “Is what Qingjiu says true?”

“Father!” Tan Yunge was anxious. “How can you suspect me? Do you really believe I did something to Tan Qingjiu?”

“Father, I am your daughter. Why won’t you believe me?”

“I truly didn’t touch her, didn’t push her. She jumped in herself…”

Tan Yunge looked at Tan Qingjiu, gritting her teeth. Tan Qingjiu’s pregnancy before marriage had damaged the family’s reputation, and after six years of absence, in their father’s eyes, the Lady of the Heir Apparent was naturally more important.

She would like to see what else Tan Qingjiu could do.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Tan Qingjiu gave a bitter smile. “Yes, Sister, you are Father’s daughter. But I am as well.”

“Indeed, I have never been as cherished as you. Father always favors you. Even when the evidence is laid before him, when all have seen and heard, Father will still believe you.”

Tan Qingjiu forced herself to stand. “Let’s go. I am soaked through, and my heart is chilled as well. I’ll return and change my clothes.”

Tan Yun furrowed his brows, looking at the two before him—one bedraggled and red-eyed, suffering injustice; the other proud, face flushed, head held high.

He recalled Tan Qingjiu’s words, her connection with Prince Duan, and all that the Grand Preceptor had said.

“Wait.”

Tan Yun pressed his lips together. “Qingjiu is right. I am the Lady of the Heir Apparent’s father, but I am also Qingjiu’s father. I will not take sides; I stand only with the truth.”

“Since all have seen and heard, and the evidence is clear, then if the Lady of the Heir Apparent is wrong, she is wrong. Lady, apologize to your sister.”