Flop! Flop!
The girl's struggling strength gradually weakened, her movements diminishing, and her body sank bit by bit into the depths of the water.
The thin air in her chest made the girl's consciousness blur. Her body felt so heavy, so tired…
In a daze, Xing Ru seemed to see the light above her head instantly obscured by a dark shadow.
Someone was coming towards her, moving with such speed.
…
Someone was speaking.
"Xiao Ru'er! Xiao Ru'er!"
Who was it?
The dark shadow gradually disappeared, but the suffocating feeling remained. Xing Ru, drawing on some unknown strength, suddenly struggled more violently.
On the bed, the person lying down was convulsing, as if unable to breathe.
"Xiao Ru'er!"
The girl sitting beside the bed, seeing the suffering of the girl on the bed, quickly stood up, leaned closer, and called out something by her ear.
So, it was her name.
The dark shadow completely vanished.
The person on the bed suddenly opened their eyes.
Waking from the dream, Xing Ru gasped for air.
"Xiao Ru'er, you're finally awake!"
It was Yue Nansang's voice.
She was safe…
Yes, she remembered that Yue Beiyang had pulled her up from the water. He was the one who saved her!
"Sang Sang…"
Because she had been unconscious for too long without drinking water, her throat was extremely dry, like a ball of fire burning her throat.
Yue Nansang instructed Ah Tang beside her, "Go fetch some warm water."
Winter had just passed, and it was early spring.
Anzhou was a place that rarely saw snow, and the temperature changes throughout the year were not significant.
It had not snowed last year.
However, the lake water was still very cold.
This was why Xing Ru had been in a high fever and slept for so many days.
Only after a cup of water did Xing Ru's throat recover somewhat.
"Sang Sang, who saved me?"
As soon as the girl spoke, she asked about this matter.
She didn't ask why she was kidnapped, nor where her father had gone. She asked about the person who had rushed towards her in the water without hesitation.
"Was it… was it your second brother?"
She vividly remembered that one glance after reaching the shore.
The young man's face was etched in her mind, never to fade.
At that time, she was only ten years old.
And Yue Beiyang was fifteen.
Five years ago, Yue Beiyang was brought back from Anzhou's Dark Realm by Xing Zhan.
In five years, a prince considered an ill omen had become the adopted son of the Empress, and the power in the young man's hands grew increasingly substantial.
However, most of the royal authority in Anzhou was held by the Great General Xing Zhan.
This kidnapping was orchestrated by the Imperial Tutor Su Ming in collusion with Xing Zhan's deputy.
"It was second brother who brought you back…"
Yue Nansang didn't know the rest, but since it was second brother who brought her back, he must have been the one who saved her, right?
Yue Nansang thought so, and Xing Ru naturally thought so too.
Upon hearing this, a light flashed in the eyes of the girl on the bed.
Somewhere in her heart, a strange joy sprang up.
It was unclear whether this emotion arose from the current situation or if she had always harbored it deep within.
Xing Ru herself couldn't explain the truth of the matter.
"Sang Sang, I want to go to the palace to see…"
Glancing at the woman on the bed, Yue Nansang did not agree.
"You're not fully recovered yet. It's best to rest well at home!"
Hearing this, Xing Ru pouted, her small face wrinkling.
She looked unhappy.
"Alright, Ru'er, when you're better, Sister Sang Sang will take you to the palace, and you can even stay in the palace, okay?"
Yue Nansang stroked Xing Ru's face, coaxing her patiently.
Xing Ru could only nod, suppressing the excitement in her heart.
After all, there was still plenty of time. She would definitely meet that young man…
Yue Nansang couldn't help but pat Xing Ru's fluffy head and praise, "Little Ru'er is so obedient~"
Although only two years older than Xing Ru, Yue Nansang had a decisive nature and seemed several years older.
After Yue Nansang left, Ah Dai entered.
Although Ah Dai was not old, she always had a mature demeanor and often nagged Xing Ru.
Everything was specific, down to which piece of clothing…
This time, she came in leading a young man.
She said the young man was named Ling Ye, an orphan, and a dark guard bought by the general to protect her.
Xing Ru pouted, "Ah Dai! I don't need any dark guards!"
The young man was dressed in black and, for some reason, wore a half-mask, making him look mysterious and dangerous.
For some reason, Xing Ru felt inexplicably repulsed by him.
Therefore, she was unwilling to accept such a person, who would hide in the shadows and watch her every day.
But Ah Dai said earnestly, "Miss, the general is doing this for your own good. Although Ling Ye is young, his martial arts are profound. If… if you encounter such a situation again, he will surely be able to protect your safety!"
Hearing this, although Xing Ru was still reluctant, she eventually accepted Ling Ye.
From then on, this man exuding an aura of danger was always by her side.
…
A few days later, Yue Nansang came as promised to invite Xing Ru to the palace.
By then, she had recovered greatly, with two sweet pink blushes on her fair cheeks.
"Miss, this dress is too flashy in color, not suitable for wearing to the palace!"
Xing Ru was wearing a red dress. As the weather was still cool, she also wore a white cloak over it.
But as soon as Ah Dai entered and saw her clothes, she started to nag again.
Her usual clothes were mostly in soft pink tones; never such a garish red. In fact, she only had this one red dress in her wardrobe, made for festive occasions during the New Year.
She had not liked it before, but now she had chosen to wear the flashy red.
No one knew why.
"No! Ah Dai! I want to wear this!"
Xing Ru usually had a delicate and soft disposition, appearing gentle and easily bullied.
But in reality, she simply didn't like to compete for things. Once she made up her mind, she would be stubbornly persistent.
Just like now.
Ah Dai was helpless and could not persuade Xing Ru to change her clothes.
Not only that, but the girl also had her hair styled into a very exquisite bun, making her look cute and charming, beautiful and captivating.
Although only ten years old, the girl's face was already exquisitely beautiful.
Anzhou Royal Palace.
Lan Hall.
Xing Ru alighted from the carriage at the palace gate and walked all the way to Lan Hall.
Ah Dai followed behind, and Ling Ye hid in the shadows.
The young man, concealed in the shadows, watched the girl's figure. Something flashed in his exposed eyes, but no one noticed.
"Sang Sang!"
Xing Ru had been to Lan Hall countless times, so her journey was unobstructed, and no one stopped her.
Upon entering Lan Hall, she saw a girl in white standing inside, holding a sword.
The sword light flashed, falling upon Xing Ru's face.