"What?"
The people around were startled by Xiao Jingwan's outburst, but she didn't care at all and continued shouting.
"I didn't push her into the water. I've been hiding in the woods over there. I just... just thought... I can't swim, so... so I went to find someone to save the princess."
This explanation only infuriated the people around even more. "So you've been hiding in the bushes and watched the princess fall into the lake. Instead of rescuing her or finding someone immediately, you only thought of calling for help after Miss Xiao rescued the princess and shouted for help?!"
Xiao Jingwan got anxious and tried hard to defend herself, hoping to prove her innocence.
"No, no. I was just too scared and my hands and feet went weak, so I didn't rescue her right away. Big sister was just too fast. I just didn't have time to react."
"Humph! I don't understand what you mean, Miss Xiao Si. Are you blaming Miss Xiao Da for acting too fast? Should the princess have stayed in the water a bit longer for you to react and then rescue her?"
After hearing Xiao Jingwan's defense, Tingfeng was itching to tie her up and give her a good beating.
The ladies were almost laughed out of anger. "Miss Xiao Si is really precious. She actually wants the princess to stay in the water longer and wait for her. Miss Xiao Si's words are a bit disrespectful!"
"No! No! I didn't mean that... I didn't..."
The more Xiao Jingwan explained, the more misunderstood she became. Overwhelmed with anger, she fainted.
Seeing her faint, Princess Sixteen pouted and coquettishly said to Xiao Bao'er, "Sister Bao'er, Cheng'er is so cold. Will you take Cheng'er back?"
At this time, the Princess of Xiangyang and Xiao Jinghui also rushed over. Seeing the pitiful look of Princess Sixteen, the Princess of Xiangyang felt a bit sad. After all, she had watched the child grow up.
So she gently said to the two wet people, "Youcheng, you've been frightened today. Your aunt will take your cousin Lin'an to the palace to apologize another day. Why don't you go to the guest room with Miss Xiao to change your clothes?"
But Princess Sixteen looked scared and kept crying to go back to the palace. She also clung to Xiao Bao'er and refused to let go. Helpless, the princess had no choice but to send Xiao Bao'er and Princess Sixteen back first.
As for Xiao Jingwan, since she had fainted and they couldn't get anything out of her, and considering that she was from the Xiao Mansion, the Princess of Xiangyang had to let Xiao Jinghui take her away.
After all, the princess only said orally that Xiao Jingwan had pushed her, and there was no real evidence. They'd better wait for the emperor's decision.
Although Xiao Jingwan wasn't convicted of pushing the princess this time, the crime of seeing someone in danger but not rescuing was undeniable.
The ladies who attended the flower - viewing banquet were all well - known in the capital city. They knew about Xiao Jinghui from their daughters, so they had crossed out the names of the two sisters from the second branch of the Xiao family from the list of candidates for daughters - in - law.
On the contrary, Xiao Bao'er, whether in terms of her performance this time or her family background, was a good candidate for a daughter - in - law.
Xiao Bao'er didn't expect that after just attending a flower - viewing banquet, she not only changed many people's fates but also indirectly became the top candidate for daughters - in - law in the eyes of the ladies in the capital city.
At the gate of the Prince of Xiangyang's Mansion, Xiao Bao'er finally managed to console the little crybaby. Under the protection of Tingzhu and Tingfeng, the little girl got into the carriage with many backward glances. When the carriage drove away, the little girl still poked out her big teary eyes and reluctantly looked at Xiao Bao'er.
After Xiao Bao'er repeatedly promised that they would definitely meet again, Princess Sixteen finally went back to the palace at ease.
When she got into the carriage, Xiao Bao'er felt a bit cold. She was worried about Princess Sixteen. She wondered if the little girl would catch a cold. A fever could be a fatal illness.
As if knowing that Xiao Bao'er was worried about her, after Xiao Bao'er returned to the mansion and drank a big bowl of ginger soup, the little gift from Princess Sixteen came along with the emperor's imperial edict.
Grandma Xiao and Mrs. Xiao knelt in the front hall to receive the edict. They looked at Xiao Bao'er with complex expressions.
This time, the emperor not only bestowed a lot of treasures but also named Xiao Bao'er the County Princess of Anyang to show the emperor's and Concubine Hui's gratitude for her saving Princess Sixteen.
Few people in history had ever been named a county princess with the status of an official's daughter. However, with this title, even Grandma Xiao didn't dare to show her displeasure in front of Xiao Bao'er. The siblings in the family had to bow and greet her when they saw her.
It was obvious how important Princess Sixteen was in the emperor's heart. No wonder she was the most favored princess in the palace.
Xiao Bao'er was also a bit surprised by the imperial edict naming her a county princess. In her previous life, Xiao Jingwan wasn't named a county princess. The emperor only gave the usual rewards and a special privilege for Xiao Jingwan to study in the imperial study.
But even these not - very - generous rewards were enough for the domineering Xiao Jingwan to bully men and women outside without any restraint.
Since Xiao Bao'er had become a county princess, although Grandma Xiao didn't have the title of a noble lady and didn't like her in her heart, she still had to pretend to be happy in front of the eunuch from the palace and bow to congratulate Xiao Bao'er.
Xiao Bao'er knew that Grandma Xiao didn't like her. She just perfunctorily replied a few words and then said she wasn't feeling well and went back to her room to rest.
After seeing off the people from the palace, Grandma Xiao stared at Xiao Bao'er's departing back with hatred.
Then, with a gloomy face, she said to Mrs. Xiao, "Eldest daughter - in - law, come to my courtyard after you've settled everything."
Mrs. Xiao nodded in agreement. She knew in her heart that Grandma Xiao's purpose of calling her over must be about Xiao Bao'er's title of county princess. But the imperial edict had been issued. Even if they didn't like it, what could they do?
Thinking of her own daughter suffering in the west of the city, Mrs. Xiao felt a bit uncomfortable about Xiao Bao'er's title. If she hadn't taken her own daughter's place, she wouldn't have had the chance to attend the flower - viewing banquet in the Prince of Xiangyang's Mansion, let alone the chance to save Princess Sixteen and become a county princess.
So after she had settled the rewards from the palace, she quickly went to Grandma Xiao's courtyard.
Seeing Mrs. Xiao coming, Grandma Xiao quickly cleared the people out of the room and showed a look of eagerness on her face.
"Eldest daughter - in - law, originally you planned to let Zhen'er come back as the second miss of the prime minister's mansion after her coming - of - age ceremony. It's already a bit unfair to Zhen'er. Now that the eldest girl has the title of county princess, I just don't think it's appropriate."
Mrs. Xiao had the same thought and echoed a few words.
Then Grandma Xiao rolled her triangular eyes and showed a greedy look. "I have an idea. After the coming - of - age ceremony, let Zhen'er take the place of Miss Xiao Bao'er. Then the title of county princess will belong to Zhen'er. Anyway, the eldest girl wears a veil, and no one knows what she looks like..."
Mrs. Xiao raised her eyebrows. After thinking for a while, she thought it was a good idea.