Volume One, Chapter Six: Rescuing Shi Zilu

The young girl’s expression fell with disappointment. “Brother Qianzhi, I know you don’t wish this, but I have no other choice. If fate allows, we shall meet again.”

Cheng Cai felt as if struck by a thunderbolt. What he wanted was not just a carriage to the capital; what he sought was the power and influence that came with this luxurious coach!

He absolutely could not let this opportunity slip away!

With a swift motion, Cheng Cai lifted his robe and knelt down. “I, Cheng Cai, humbly vow to serve the lady for life, willing to face mountains of blades and seas of fire without hesitation! I shall never betray!”

Under Wang Xian’s curious and teasing gaze, he signed the slave contract.

Meng Tingfeng’s expression showed a hint of embarrassment. “Brother Qianzhi…”

But Cheng Cai changed his tone quickly and said at once:

“From now on, I shall be the lady’s attendant. No more breaking rules. Lady, please just call me Cheng Cai.”

Having spoken, he obediently climbed into the carriage, sitting outside the curtain, not minding the bloodstains and mud on his clothes at all.

The old nanny observed his demeanor and felt somewhat relieved.

Wang Xian found it odd and couldn’t help but glance at him again.

Scholars were supposed to value literary integrity above all else, yet this man so readily bent the knee?

He clicked his tongue in amazement, which irritated Cheng Cai, who snatched the reins away.

“If you won’t drive, I’ll do it!”

Wang Xian laughed and cheerfully gave up the seat. “Alright, alright, you take over.”

It was surprising that someone would volunteer for such a tiring task.

With no reason to linger further, he bowed to Meng Tingfeng and said:

“Miss Meng, it’s not far to the city gate. We’ll part ways here.”

After expressing her thanks, Wang Xian swiftly mounted his horse and rode off.

The carriage moved silently all the way to the capital’s bustling city gates.

“Miss Shi is hosting a spring banquet by Yun Lake today. That pleasure boat is quite extravagant.”

“Yes, I heard she kindly arranged some seats for commoners. If we go early, maybe we can find a place!”

“Let’s go! Maybe we’ll see Young Master Liu this time. He’s been betrothed to Miss Shi for years, and they might set the wedding date this year. We should join the fun!”

Shi Zilu was the prime minister Shi Jing’s younger sister; Liu Xiayang was the heir to the Marquis of Changning.

Meng Tingfeng remembered that on this very day in her previous life, not long after she returned home, news came that Miss Shi had tragically drowned.

Liu Xiayang mourned deeply, composing several love poems in her memory and earning praise for his devotion. Yet less than a month after Miss Shi’s burial, he received an imperial decree to marry another wife.

Everyone said Miss Shi had accidentally fallen into the lake, and her servants, having been scolded by her earlier, had scattered, leaving no one to rescue her.

But Meng Tingfeng did not believe in such coincidences.

She recalled that in her last life, when she finally returned to the Shangshu residence, her brother blocked her entrance with a fierce mastiff, and no one came to help. She was so frightened she lost control, and Meng Lan heard of this and disdainfully ordered servants to let her in through the side gate.

From that day on, except for the personal attendants of Meng Xueyi and Meng Yuhong, no one in the household knew the legitimate daughter had come back.

This time, she intended to enter the Shangshu residence boldly through the main gate, and the Shi family would be her path and support.

The old nanny said she would find someone to deal with Li Fang’s matter. Meng Tingfeng’s eyes glimmered as she smiled and said:

“Nanny, please go. It’s just… I want some silver to buy gifts for my family.”

Hearing this, the nanny hesitated briefly before placing a purse in her hands.

“Very well, miss. Go then.”

Since her lady’s death, she rarely interacted with the Meng family and could offer no advice on selecting gifts, so she said no more.

Meng Tingfeng alighted from the carriage and wandered as she shopped.

She headed toward Yun Lake, with Cheng Cai trailing her closely, carrying her items without leaving her side.

He stared intently at the slender figure ahead, weighing his thoughts before speaking:

“Dog slave—no, your name now is Tingfeng. We’ve known each other long. You know my ambitions and surely the impact of my slave status on my prospects. Do you wish for your brother to lose his official path?”

Meng Tingfeng was both surprised and troubled. She said in grievance:

“Brother Qianzhi, I do not mean harm. I never intended to ruin my sworn brother’s future. I clearly said that if you were unwilling, no one would force you.

“You swore and signed the contract in front of Deputy General Wang and the nanny. If it was your willing choice, why blame me?”

Cheng Cai looked into her innocent eyes and was rendered speechless.

After a long silence, the girl’s gaze was caught by a brightly colored fabric hanging at a nearby cloth shop. “Brother Qianzhi, that cloth is beautiful. Come with me to have a look.”

Cheng Cai’s face darkened. He stood still, watching her happily approach the stall before deciding to return to the carriage to search.

Perhaps the slave contract was in that old servant’s bundle.

Angrily, Cheng Cai left, unaware that the girl had quietly slipped into the crowd.

Meng Tingfeng glanced back to confirm Cheng Cai was not following, then relaxed and walked to the lakeside.

Leaning by the shore was the luxurious pleasure boat where Shi Zilu held her spring banquet. At the foremost point stood a man and a woman side by side—surely Shi Zilu and Liu Xiayang.

Her eyes followed the delicate young lady in splendid attire as she quietly trailed her to a less crowded part of the boat, until the two disappeared into the most secluded corner.

From the shore, Meng Tingfeng could no longer see them.

She strained her ears, listening intently to the faint sounds.

The weight of saving a life pressed heavily on her heart, rendering her breathless.

Suddenly, a splash—a swath of pale yellow fabric plunged straight into the lake.

Meng Tingfeng cast a deep glance at Liu Xiayang, who turned calmly and walked away.

Without hesitation, she leapt into the water, swimming fiercely to the girl who had fallen in and lifting her up.

She did not know how long she had been swimming. The scars on her body seemed to split open bit by bit, and her strength nearly gave out, but she finally hauled the girl ashore.

However, the girl had fainted from the immersion.

“There! Young Master, Miss Shi is over there!”

“Miss Shi has been rescued!”

A crowd hurried over with Liu Xiayang, who immediately furrowed his brow.

“What are you standing there for? Doctor Xu, quickly attend to Miss Shi!”

The doctor named Xu nodded repeatedly and approached to examine Shi Zilu.

As the doctor treated her, Meng Tingfeng stepped aside, nervously watching the pale girl’s face.

She fervently hoped for her survival—not for the status of Miss Shi, but for this living, breathing life.

When rescuing her, she had almost run out of strength and nearly let go. She thought, if she had released her then, this bright-eyed girl would truly have slipped away forever.

At that moment, she truly grasped the unbearable weight of life.

Taking the risk of drowning herself, she had summoned all her strength to save Shi Zilu.

A cool spring breeze blew. The drenched girl coughed softly, her pale face gradually flushing with color.

At that moment, the old nanny arrived in a flurry, pushing through the crowd to Meng Tingfeng’s side.

“Miss, where did you run off to? What happened?”

She touched Meng Tingfeng’s cold face and hands, filled with worry.

Then a gentle voice suddenly sounded:

“Nanny Li, why have you delayed here?”