The cold river water swiftly subrged her.
Sequential arrows followed closely, shooting into the river without even causing a ripple.
Su Pan’er was an excellent swimr, and despite neglecting training over the years, her speed was still top-notch.
Once in the water, she transford into a little fish, swimming directly toward the spot where those four had fallen in.
The pearls she had struck with Inner Strength, if hit, were sure to create a big hole in the victim’s skull—rarely could anyone survive instant death. Still, just in case, she checked each one.
Unfortunately, she only found three corpses; the fourth person was nowhere to be found.
Just as Su Pan’er surfaced to breathe, a pair of hands suddenly entangled her.
"Save, save ... cough, cough, cough..."
Clearly, this person was one of those who had fallen into the water, and now clung to Su Pan’er as though grasping at the last straw, entwining her with arms and legs.
If it weren’t for Su Pan’er’s quick reaction to let go, the other might already be dead by now.
Even so, Su Pan’er forcefully yanked away her hands and pushed her off.
Only now did Su Pan’er recognize her—this drowning victim was no other than Zhang the big fellow’s younger sister, who had previously co to her aid!
How did she end up here?
Watching her struggle in the water, Su Pan’er eventually couldn’t bear it, reached out to grab her, twisting hold of her collar, and started dragging her toward the shore.
Worried about archers on the bank, Su Pan’er dove underwater periodically as she swam. anwhile, Zhang i, held by the neck, also kept diving, coughing desperately.
But as she swam, Su Pan’er noticed the frenzy of arrows from the bank gradually ceased, eventually disappearing.
Then, she heard a noisy uproar.
The imperial soldiers maintaining order had arrived!
"Empress, the perpetrators have been dealt with, you can co ashore now! Empress..."
The people on the bank repeated their calls, and Su Pan’er, feeling reassured upon spotting the bound criminals, finally swam confidently toward the shore.
Before she even reached the bank, there were people who ca to et her, guarding Su Pan’er as they continued to swim back. The Zhang Family’s younger sister, who had passed out, was taken away by soone.
By the ti Su Pan’er got back to shore, many people had already dived into the water to rescue those who had fallen in.
Su Pan’er shook off the water and wrapped herself in a cloak handed to her by soone nearby.
County Magistrate Liu was awaiting her, and beside him stood a young man in flowing white garnts, with an extraordinary deanor that made Su Pan’er glance at him several tis.
"Wei Chen pays his respects to the Empress, long live the Empress."
County Magistrate Liu imdiately knelt down to bow, and the man behind him also knelt promptly.
"Rise."
Su Pan’er stepped forward, not minding her current disheveled state, looked at the man in white: "You are one of the Ning’s people?"
The man in white kneeled on one knee, cupping his hands in salute: "Reporting to the Empress, Wei Chen Ning Zhuoyue, ranked sixteen, is here under orders to et the Empress. Wei Chen arrived late to rescue you, and begs for the Empress’s forgiveness!"
Ning Zhuoyue was ranked the sixteenth in the Ning family.
"Ha, Ning Sixteen has been used to fight enemies and even saved my life, what talk of forgiving cris? Such a great kindness, when I return to the Imperial Palace, I will certainly plead with His Majesty to bestow high rewards upon both of you."
Upon hearing that the Empress herself ntioned he would also be rewarded, County Magistrate Liu’s face blood with joy, and he quickly thanked her over and over.
Ning Zhuoyue also gave thanks with a fist and palm salute. From his unfathomably calm deanor, Su Pan’er discerned much. It was said that the Ning family’s wealth was vast, but in Su Pan’er’s view, those indifferent to the Emperor’s rewards were either fools or simply looked down on such rewards.
Only soone indifferent to rewards could cultivate such a character, a quality that only great clans like the Ning family could foster. This was what it ant to have profound heritage; truly, those from such deep-rooted backgrounds were different from the rest.
Su Pan’er nodded slightly, did not say much, and then turned to instruct County Magistrate Liu, "Hasten to save the people in the water. Also, fish out the bodies of the victims. Send doctors to tend to the injured, and make arrangents for the deceased. All expenses shall be covered by ."
"Your Highness jests! It is because we failed in our duties that such an incident occurred. Whether it is for dical treatnt or funeral expenses, I, Ning family, shall take care of all costs."
Ning Zhuoyue imdiately took on this heavy responsibility.
"That’s also good."
There was nothing better than the Ning family willingly offering money and resources, "There are also maidservants who were accompanying on that boat, please have soone bring the boat over."
"Yes, Your Highness."
County Magistrate Liu quickly gave the orders and followed the Empress, side by side with Ning Zhuoyue.
Suddenly, Su Pan’er stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at Ning Zhuoyue, "Ning Sixteen, are you the only one from the Ning family within the bounds of Changze County?"
Her question was peculiar, yet it caused Ning Zhuoyue’s eyelids to twitch uncontrollably.
Indeed!
She had called for Ning Sixteen just monts before the attack occurred, and then it was he, accompanied by County Magistrate Liu, who happened to arrive precisely when she needed rescue. Such coincidences were really too nurous.
Ning Zhuoyue quickly halted and saluted with his hands, "You jest, Your Highness. The Ning family’s people are spread along the riverbanks. Wherever there is a waterway, you can find the shadow of the Ning family. Having the honor to be summoned by the Empress today is indeed a fortune for , for the Ning family, and for the elders and fellow villagers of Changze County!"
"Is it so?"
Su Pan’er remained noncommittal and followed County Magistrate Liu to change into fresh clothes.
The clothes were clearly hastily found, not only were they loose, but they were also made of silk, an outdated male dress, and exceptionally baggy. Su Pan’er cinched it with a belt, yet still felt the garnt hanging loosely on her shoulders.
"Your Highness."
A knocking sound ca from the door, it was Attendant Xiren and Mother Zhou arriving.
"Co in."
As Attendant Xiren and Mother Zhou entered, Su Pan’er surveyed them briefly before nodding. Fortunately, apart from looking a bit flustered, they were alright.
"Your Highness, are you alright? How despicable of the assassins to choose such timing, to strike in the middle of the river, it’s utterly odious!"
Xiren ca in with a face full of concern and couldn’t stop complaining.
Behind her, Mother Zhou looked at Su Pan’er with astonished eyes, clearly still not recovered from witnessing Su Pan’er’s act of killing.
Su Pan’er glanced at her and then smiled, shaking her head at Xiren, "I’m alright. Have all those who fell into the water been rescued?"
As her wet hair would not dry anyti soon, Su Pan’er did her best to wring it out with a cloth, then wrapped it up, dealing with the urgent situation.
Xiren was taken aback, then after thinking, said, "The deceased have been put aside, everyone who fell has been rescued. But there is one person who says she wants to see you."
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