It was unclear how much time had passed. Chu Qing felt as if her stomach was filled with water. She almost thought she was on the verge of dying again when she was finally rescued.
When Chu Qing woke up, a group of people were standing around her, looking panicked.
Chu Qing recalled that in the past, a monkey riding an elephant worshipped in the Southern Kingdom was also surrounded like this.
Was she being gawked at now?
Frowning, Chu Qing suddenly sat up and coldly scolded, "What are you all standing there for! Why aren't you getting towels and dry clothes?"
Everyone was initially at a loss as they watched the two princesses fall into the water and pass out. And the prince didn't say a word, which left these servants even more flustered.
The princess's scolding suddenly woke them up. They realized they had been so thoughtless!
Seeing the crowd scrambling around in a mess to look for things, Chu Qing helplessly rubbed the space between her eyebrows. This action had become a habit for her.
The rules of the Prince of Ning's Mansion were really too lax!
Little did she know that although Chu Qing was the principal princess at first, she had never been taught how to manage the household.
As for the side princess, Xu Xin, she was solely focused on winning the heart of the Prince of Ning and getting rid of the principal princess.
As for the Prince of Ning, he never bothered with the affairs of the mansion.
"Cough, cough!" A delicate cough suddenly sounded. Xu Xin had also woken up.
She gently stroked her forehead with her slender fingers and sat up shakily. With a helpless look on her face, she stared at the Prince of Ning, who was standing not far away, sizing up the two of them.
Only then did the Prince of Ning slowly turn his gaze towards Xu Xin.
Those who didn't know better might think the two lovers were looking at each other affectionately.
Only Chu Qing clearly saw the undisguised indifference in the Prince of Ning's eyes.
"Are you okay, sister?"
Hearing Chu Qing's voice, Xu Xin came to her senses and took a few steps back fearfully:
"Sister, why did you..."
"Stop, sister. You don't need to thank me. I know you're extremely grateful to me for saving your life. When you fell into the water, I initially thought you might be trying to frame me for pushing you. But then I thought about it. First, sister, you're not stupid enough to come up with such a crude scheme. Second, how could the daughter of a grand secretary be such a person! It was my petty - mindedness that made me hesitate for a moment. Otherwise, neither of us would have fallen into the water."
Chu Qing spoke at a steady pace, leaving no room for anyone to interrupt.
Watching Xu Xin stand there stunned, her face flushed, Chu Qing felt quite pleased.
It was a bit embarrassing to admit, but she actually felt a sense of satisfaction after winning against a little girl?
It really shouldn't be!
Just as the Prince of Ning was about to say something, Chu Qing immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said,
"Your servant and sister have behaved so disgracefully. We've really embarrassed Your Highness. Please punish us."
The Prince of Ning was stunned. He originally thought that when Chu Qing stepped forward, she would cry and whine like before.
He never expected her to plead for punishment instead?
Then the Prince of Ning recalled what Chu Qing had said just now. It had left Xu Xin speechless.
She was nothing like the timid and submissive Chu Qing who had once been afraid to face him directly.
People really changed a lot after getting sick.
The Prince of Ning looked at Chu Qing as if he wanted to see through her.
Feeling the Prince of Ning's scrutinizing gaze, although Chu Qing straightened her back, she felt a bit unsure inside.
Alas, competing with a junior over a man was really beneath her dignity.
Looking at the unflinching Chu Qing, the Prince of Ning couldn't help but admire her in his heart. This Chu Qing had some backbone. Under his intense gaze, he couldn't detect any inappropriate emotions from her.
Who would have known that in fact, Chu Qing was already panicking like a stampede of horses in her heart!
But after decades of cultivation, she couldn't just abandon her composure.
Just as Chu Qing forced a smile, suddenly, with a thud, someone's vision went black, and she fainted.
Before fainting, Chu Qing wanted to cover her face and sigh.
This weak and delicate body of hers!
Seeing Chu Qing faint, Xu Xin couldn't help but stamp her foot and curse. Why hadn't she thought of such a clever trick!
This damned, strong body of hers!
Was it too late to faint now?
Hey? What was the Prince of Ning doing...?
He actually picked up that old woman Chu Qing?
Xu Xin stared angrily at their backs. Just as she was about to faint too, she felt a strong arm support her from behind.
She turned around awkwardly and saw that it was her personal maid, Qiangwei.
Qiangwei was looking at her with a worried expression.
Xu Xin gritted her teeth and was about to scold when her vision went black, and she too fainted.
Only the Prince of Ning and Chu Qing, who had already walked away, and a group of maids who finally rushed over were left in a flurry of activity.
Of course, the unconscious Chu Qing had no idea what had happened after she fainted.
...
...
When Chu Qing woke up, what she saw was somewhat familiar.
"This is..."
Was it the room where she had been reborn for the first time?
Wasn't she going to turn into a painting again?
Thinking of this, Chu Qing sat up straight.
Thank goodness. Her body could still move.
It wasn't a painting. It was Chu Qing.
Chu Qing let out a long sigh of relief.
The Prince of Ning, who was sitting quietly beside her, was slightly stunned for a moment when he saw Chu Qing suddenly bounce up as if she had been shot up by something.
His princess seemed to be getting more and more interesting?
It was just that she seemed a bit muddle - headed.
When Chu Qing finally came to her senses, she realized that the Prince of Ning was beside her. From the corner of her eye, he seemed to have a strange expression on his face.
Chu Qing's body stiffened. She was really getting more and more confused!
Normally, people got more muddled as they got older, but she was getting more confused as she got younger!
Watching Chu Qing's face change several times, the Prince of Ning raised his eyebrows, smiled softly, and said, "What were you thinking about?"
Chu Qing looked up at the Prince of Ning with an expression as if she had just noticed him. She said in a panic, "So Your Highness is here. I've embarrassed myself in front of Your Highness again..." As she spoke, Chu Qing lowered her head shyly.
The Prince of Ning raised his eyebrows again. This woman was still pretending she had just seen him. Her acting skills were really too clumsy. Thinking of this, the Prince of Ning had the idea of teasing Chu Qing. So he suddenly leaned closer and said in a low voice,
"Qingqing, we don't need to be so formal. Just call me Zizhan."
Only then did Chu Qing remember that the Prince of Ning's name was Wei Ying, and his courtesy name was Zizhan.
"Your Highness..." Chu Qing's tone was stiff.
"Hmm? What did you call me?"
"Um... Zi - Zizhan..." Chu Qing blushed and felt like crying.
What dignity, what pride of the grand empress dowager, was probably long gone!
She still remembered the scene when the little boy had shyly thanked the imperial aunt back then.
The voice of the little chubby boy rang out again, "Don't get too excited. The target of your mission doesn't have any strong feelings for you yet."
Chu Qing frowned. So she had been being self - indulgent?
Thinking that this stinky boy in front of her was teasing her, Chu Qing snorted. In an instant, her expression changed.
Just now, she had looked so embarrassed that she wanted to die. Now, her eyes were smiling, and her hands were already on the chest of the Prince of Ning, Wei Ying.
With her originally charming features, she now looked like a fox spirit. Every frown and smile could captivate people's souls.
Her cherry - like lips parted slightly:
"Zizhan, why haven't you come to see Qingqing for so long~"
The Prince of Ning's breath caught in his throat, and he was a bit dazed. The once - passive Chu Qing had now taken the initiative. The heart that hadn't had any ripples for a long time suddenly stirred with a few ripples.
But in just a moment, the Prince of Ning came back to his senses, and his eyes were clear.
He leaned back slightly, squinted his eyes, and smiled, "Is Qingqing blaming me?"
Chu Qing pursed her lips and replied, "Your servant wouldn't dare. Your servant will go back now." As she spoke, she was about to get up.
Just as she was getting up, out of the corner of her eye, Chu Qing caught sight of the painting that had been covered by the curtain...
It wasn't her, Shangguan Wanyu, nor was it her, Chu Qing.
It was...
A majestic white tiger with pure fur lying on the grass!!!