Li Tu Beach—nine rapids, eighteen bends, and a sky that changes every ten miles. This saying describes how Li Tu Beach is composed of nine rapids, with eighteen sharp turns packed into just ten miles, where the weather can shift dramatically in an instant.
With days of continuous rain, the rapids narrowed and the water surged, with treacherous undercurrents swirling beneath the surface. As the boat rounded the second bend, the stern was dragged against the jagged rocks of the cliffs, tearing off a large chunk. Despite the skill of the helmsman and oarsmen, even they couldn’t help but feel a cold sweat forming on their palms.
Mei Lin sat calmly on her bed in her cabin, clutching her bundle tightly, listening intently to the sounds coming from the ship's hull. It was a habit of hers; when faced with potential danger, she preferred to prepare thoroughly rather than relying on luck.
The others, however, continued with their usual activities, not treating the situation as anything particularly serious. Yue Qin even ran up to the deck to watch the thrilling spectacle of the large ship battling the raging rapids.
It was afternoon, and as usual, Qing Yan remained by Murong Jing He’s side. Murong Jing He was discussing border defenses with Luo Mei. Luo Mei’s female bodyguards were also present, ready to answer any of the seemingly ordinary but actually tricky questions that the two of them might suddenly throw at them.
Corpse Ghost, unable to enter the room, squatted outside their door.
The disaster struck suddenly, catching everyone off guard. The undercurrents below the water intertwined, and as the ship's keel was shattered against the cliff, the boat broke into several pieces, which were then pulled under the water.
The moment Mei Lin sensed something was wrong, she instinctively rushed towards the cabin door. However, before she could move, a violent whirl spun her around, sending her tumbling towards the door. Without wasting time, she grabbed onto the bedpost, slung her bundle over her shoulder, and leaped out of the window. The fierce wind and rain slammed into her, knocking her off balance. As she tried to land, she realized that the ship had already disappeared beneath her feet, leaving only the muddy torrent below. In the distance, she could see a section of the ship bobbing up and down, but she had no strength to reach it. With a splash, she plunged into the icy water. At the same time, cries of alarm echoed around her as others, too, were swept into the water—none of them could escape.
The turbulent currents surged over her, and it felt as if countless hands were dragging her down into the depths. Although Mei Lin was a strong swimmer, the unexpected situation almost caught her off guard. After struggling to break free from the undercurrents, she finally managed to grab onto the nearby cliff, utterly exhausted.
She looked back to find the others. Since it was still afternoon, and despite the heavy rain, there was enough light for her to use her sharp eyes to spot the familiar faces among the many who were fighting against the current.
The first person she saw was Murong Jing He, holding a tense-faced Luo Mei with one arm while using the other to cling to a partially submerged section of the ship, trying to swim towards the opposite bank. Qing Yan’s head surfaced in the middle of the river before disappearing again, and for a long time, he didn’t reappear. Just as Mei Lin’s heart skipped a beat and she was about to dive back in, Qing Yan suddenly burst through the water’s surface, with Corpse Ghost’s massive body on his back. Yue Qin, meanwhile, was being held between two sailors, thrashing towards the shore. The two female bodyguards clung desperately to a piece of floating debris, their faces pale as they spun in circles with the current. A few sailors were swimming towards them.
A bundle floated past Mei Lin, and she instinctively grabbed it. Knowing that while the situation was dangerous, everyone was likely safe, she felt a faint sense of relief—though a subtle, lonely sadness also crept into her heart.
No one to worry about her, and no one for her to worry about. Despite everything, she was still alone.
With a bitter smile, she hooked the two bundles onto a slanting tree branch beside her and leaped back into the water. Though she heard someone shout in alarm, she ignored it, focusing all her energy on swimming towards the center of the river to retrieve the bundles drifting on the surface.
When the others finally regained their composure after reaching the opposite bank, they realized someone was missing.
“Where’s A-Jie (sister)?” Yue Qin cried out in alarm.
His shout brought everyone’s attention to the fact that Mei Lin was no longer with them. Since she was always so quiet and reserved, it was easy to overlook her presence, so it took a moment for anyone to notice her absence.
Almost everyone turned their gaze towards the turbulent waters, now devoid of any sign of life. They all reached the same conclusion. Yue Qin, eyes red with panic, prepared to throw himself back into the water.
“Don’t be reckless!” Qing Yan shouted, leaping forward to grab Yue Qin’s arm and pulling him back.
Yue Qin burst into tears, struggling desperately to free himself from Qing Yan’s iron grip. The others were stunned by the scene, especially the boatman, who realized that a life had likely been lost and that things could get very complicated.
Qing Yan, torn between sadness and amusement at Yue Qin’s childish reaction, smacked him on the head and said coldly, “Ah Mei is fine. No need for you to mourn her yet.”
The crying stopped abruptly, the sudden shift in emotion leaving everyone astonished. Yue Qin wiped his eyes with his soaked sleeve, about to ask Qing Yan how he could be so sure, when he saw Murong Jing He walking towards a white stone near the edge of the shore. On top of the stone were several bundles, two of which were tightly bound together with an apricot-colored sachet. Hanging from the sachet’s tassel was a slightly crooked knot.
Though others might not recognize them, Qing Yan instantly knew those two bundles belonged to him and Corpse Ghost. Mei Lin had tied them together like this, and the meaning was clear.
Murong Jing He opened each bundle to confirm their ownership, noting that Mei Lin’s bundle was the only one missing. His face darkened as he gazed across the rain-soaked landscape towards the steep cliffs on the opposite side. With a sudden flick of his toe, he kicked a piece of debris into the river and prepared to leap across.
Qing Yan, having watched Murong Jing He closely, pushed Yue Qin towards the newly recovered Corpse Ghost, then stepped forward to block Murong Jing He’s path.
“Your Highness, let her go,” Qing Yan said, meeting Murong Jing He’s cold, furious gaze with a calm expression, though his lips were pale from the cold.
Murong Jing He’s lips tightened. “So, even though she just married you, you’re really going to let her leave without a word?” As he spoke, the stones beneath his feet crumbled to dust.
Qing Yan smiled faintly, glancing at the two bundles tied together on the white stone, and slowly nodded. There was no need for more words. Although he hadn’t expected Mei Lin to leave so suddenly, if this was what she wanted, why should he stop her? In truth, he knew that if he ever had to choose between his loyalty to Murong Jing He and Mei Lin, he would undoubtedly choose Murong Jing He. And between Corpse Ghost and Mei Lin, it was clear he had chosen Corpse Ghost. Knowing this, how could he bear to keep her trapped in the dangerous environment of the palace?
Murong Jing He, unaccustomed to being defied by his subordinates, stood silent for a long time. It wasn’t until someone behind them sneezed twice from the cold that he finally turned away. “As you wish.”
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