Jiang Xiu Yi was curled up entirely, buried in the mud, making it impossible to see anything of her. However, a slight tremor could be felt from her body.
Xue Xing Yue knew Jiang Xiu Yi was alright. Meng Lie, seeing the rope severed by Xue Xing Yue, flew into a rage. "You actually cut it! How will you get across? Don't expect me to take you."
Xue Xing Yue shot Meng Lie a cold glance. Her serene expression was laced with frost, making her appear like a high-ranking official condescendingly looking down at him, a mere subordinate. For some reason, the people from Xiao Luo made Meng Lie feel a sense of fear.
Yes, it was fear. He had only ever felt this sensation from one person: the former Princess Xing Yue.
At that time, he wasn't an elite guard of the Ning Guo Gong's estate. He was just an unknown soldier in the army. Once, Princess Xing Yue visited the military camp, and he was the one who welcomed her. The aura of fear that emanated from Princess Xing Yue made him unable to look directly at her after a single glance.
It was then that he realized the difference between himself and Princess Xing Yue. The fear she exuded was something ordinary people could not compare to.
"I don't need you," Xue Xing Yue stated coldly.
Meng Lie pointed at Jiang Xiu Yi, who was enveloped in mud. "A man and a woman should not touch. What about Miss Jiang?"
Xue Xing Yue glanced at Jiang Xiu Yi. To be honest, although she hadn't liked Jiang Xiu Yi before, seeing the desperate will to live in her eyes when she fell into the swamp had moved her. She couldn't stand by and watch someone's hope of survival be extinguished before her eyes.
Just as Xue Xing Yue was about to speak, Meng Jiang Ming, who was already in a safe area, also saw the situation. He said coldly, "What's happening?"
Meng Lie spoke first, "Master, Miss Jiang fell into the swamp. Xiao Yue cut the rope to save her."
Meng Lie stated it without any concealment.
Meng Jiang Ming's gaze paused for a moment, then shifted to Xue Xing Yue. Xue Xing Yue did not meet Meng Jiang Ming's gaze, but instead bowed her head. "Fuma, I could not stand by and watch someone perish before my eyes."
As a human being, she could not be so cold-blooded.
Meng Jiang Ming seemed lost in thought. After a long pause, he said, "Meng Lie, take Miss Jiang across."
Meng Lie was taken aback and quickly said, "Master, this might not be appropriate." Not to mention the impropriety of a man and woman touching, but Jiang Xiu Yi was also the Master's esteemed concubine. Although she had not yet formally entered the household, Meng Lie felt he didn't want to stir up this trouble.
Meng Jiang Ming's gaze turned cold. Just as Meng Lie was considering how to refuse his master's suggestion, someone had already stepped forward to Jiang Xiu Yi, tied her to the middle of the rope, and then tied one end of the rope to himself. He handed the other end to Meng Lie, saying, "We'll go across together. I'll be in front, and you'll be behind. We should be able to get Miss Jiang across."
Honestly, Meng Lie was reluctant to do this, but given Xue Xing Yue had already made arrangements, he had no choice but to nod. "Alright."
However, it was already a struggle for him to cross alone. Having to carry someone else, even if it was only half the weight, still felt strenuous.
Xue Xing Yue didn't even glance at Meng Lie. She couldn't help but compare this situation to Feng Wu and the others. She wondered how Feng Wu and the others were doing, whether Xue Tian Yue was making things difficult for them, or if they had already escaped. She had no way of knowing, she only hoped they were safe, and that was enough.
"Lift," Xue Xing Yue commanded. She then leaped up, and Meng Lie also leaped up. The weight of one person was indeed different from the weight of one and a half people.
In reality, Xue Xing Yue could have brought Jiang Xiu Yi across by herself, but she couldn't do that. Doing so would only reveal her prowess and make Meng Jiang Ming suspicious of her. What she was currently displaying was merely her strength from Ye City, and she didn't want to show more.
If it weren't for the unexpected situation with Jiang Xiu Yi, she would have calmly walked across the rope.
Finally arriving on the other side, the rope was untied. Yu Yan, who was standing nearby, came forward to help Jiang Xiu Yi get cleaned up, as Jiang Xiu Yi was in no state to be seen, her entire body covered in mud.
Jiang Xiu Yi did not move. Yu Yan couldn't help her up. Suddenly, Jiang Xiu Yi broke free from Yu Yan and ran towards Xue Xing Yue. Xue Xing Yue was prepared to dodge Jiang Xiu Yi.
However, Jiang Xiu Yi stopped in front of her and, with a thud, knelt on the ground, kowtowing to her three times.
The sounds were loud, indicating she was not holding back. Xue Xing Yue was stunned.
Everyone was astonished.
Jiang Xiu Yi only sobbed, and Xue Xing Yue saw the gratitude in her eyes, unmarred by any sense of mere survival.
At this moment, Xue Xing Yue's previous dislike for her vanished.
She stepped forward and said, "Miss Jiang, there's no need for this."
Jiang Xiu Yi covered her face and sobbed. For some reason, Xue Xing Yue felt an indescribable pang of discomfort.
Yu Yan quickly stepped forward, helped Jiang Xiu Yi up, and said, "Miss, your servant will take you to wash."
This time, Jiang Xiu Yi did not refuse and obediently followed Yu Yan away. However, as she left, Jiang Xiu Yi kept glancing back at Xue Xing Yue.
Xue Xing Yue watched in the direction Jiang Xiu Yi had gone and sighed softly in her heart.
So, not everyone is born evil.
"Xiao Yue, the Fuma wishes to see you," Meng Lie said coldly as he approached.
Xue Xing Yue looked at Meng Lie and asked, "The Fuma wishes to see me?"
Meng Lie snorted, "Yes."
Xue Xing Yue ignored Meng Lie's attitude because she was preoccupied. She was wondering why Meng Jiang Ming wanted to see her.
She arrived at Meng Jiang Ming's temporary tent and entered. Meng Jiang Ming was sitting there. She quickly stepped forward to pay her respects. "Fuma, you sent for me."
Meng Jiang Ming nodded and said, "Thank you for today."
Xue Xing Yue was slightly taken aback, then replied, "Fuma, you praise me too much. I merely did what I ought to have done."
Meng Jiang Ming heard this and said, "Even so, not everyone possesses your courage."
She went to rescue someone when her own safety was not yet assured.
"Thank you for your praise, Fuma," Xue Xing Yue said.
"When we return to the capital, I will reward you," Meng Jiang Ming stated.
"Thank you, Fuma." This time, Xue Xing Yue did not refuse, but rather said it ingratiatingly.
A hint of impatience flickered in Meng Jiang Ming's eyes. "You may go."
Xue Xing Yue retreated.
Meng Jiang Ming watched her retreating figure, let out a long sigh, leaned back, and covered his eyes with his hand. He started with a bitter smile, which then turned into laughter. However, the laughter sounded so ironic.
He must be going mad. How could Princess Xing Yue be like this? It couldn't be. He must have mistaken her. No, it couldn't be.