Chapter Twenty-Two: The Hero Saves the Maiden

"Princess!"

The princess can't swim!

Jasmine's face turned deathly pale with fright. Her first instinct was to jump into the lake and save her, but remembering that she herself couldn't swim either, she realized such an attempt would only lead to both their deaths. Helpless, she could only shout anxiously, "Help! Someone, please! The princess has fallen into the water!"

But in this pitch darkness, in the middle of the lake, no one could hear her cries.

Despair filled Jasmine's heart, and as she stood there, utterly at a loss, she saw a figure swiftly sweep across the surface of the lake. With a few light steps upon the water, he reached out and lifted the struggling princess from the depths.

"Princess!"

Jasmine was overjoyed and hurried over.

Gu Li had truly believed her life would end here. The moment she fell in, icy water flooded her nose and mouth, and even when she tried to call for help, her body trembled uncontrollably, robbed of all strength.

Despair and terror twisted around her like vines, but just then, the same man descended like a celestial being and saved her once more.

"Princess, are you all right?" Jasmine asked with trembling concern, her voice thick with tears from fright.

Gu Li shook her head weakly and looked up at the man who was holding her. He was gazing down at her, worry flickering in his dark eyes. "Princess, are you unharmed?"

Gu Li shook her head. "I'm fine. Thank you again, General."

Lie Chang'an set her down and stepped back, restoring the proper distance between them. His tone was calm and courteous. "I happened to be patrolling nearby. It's late—why is Your Highness here with only your maid?"

Gu Li bit her lip and offered no answer.

Only then did Lie Chang'an notice that she was drenched from her fall in the lake. The night wind was cool, making her shiver. Her wet dress clung tightly to her graceful figure, revealing delicate curves; her face was pale, and her eyes red, looking for all the world like a timid, vulnerable rabbit.

Lie Chang'an quickly averted his gaze, suppressing the frantic beat of his heart and spoke in a low, restrained voice, "Perhaps Your Highness would like to go inside the pavilion and see if there are any clothes to change into. I will repair the boat."

Though he had used his lightness skill to reach her, it was impossible to carry the princess back to shore the same way, especially with her maid present. He could only repair the boat and escort them back properly.

Jasmine, relieved, nodded eagerly before the princess could reply. Her admiration for General Chang'an, who had saved the princess time and again, was now boundless, flowing like an endless river.

Gu Li, recognizing her own predicament, nodded and followed Jasmine into the pavilion.

Though she silently cursed her father as "a lecher," she was grateful for his indulgent nature, which ensured this place was fully equipped for every need.

Jasmine lit a lamp and stoked the charcoal to heat water, allowing the princess a proper hot bath.

However, the clothes available for the imperial concubines were difficult to even mention—all were revealing styles, embarrassing to hold, let alone wear.

Jasmine, face burning crimson as she sorted through the garments, murmured, "Princess, these clothes are impossible to wear. What are we to do?"

They were intended by her father for the amusement of his concubines; it would be surprising if any were decent. Yet there was little else to be done at this moment.

"Just pick a few that look passable and wear them for now," Gu Li instructed.

Her own clothes were soaked through and utterly unwearable. Even if she tried to dry them by the charcoal fire, they wouldn't be ready until morning. By then, the matter would be impossible to conceal. Though her father doted on her, if he learned that an unmarried girl had come here, Gu Li was certain he would be furious.