Chapter 1076: Chapter 1067: Falling into the Water

A sentence left Dong Chenglang in an awkward position.

Low status?

Even if he wasn’t the Prince Consort to the Daqi Princess, a son-in-law of the Emperor of Daqi and Marquis Dongxiang, just being the Heir of Prince Zhenbei was noble enough.

Yet Xie Jingchen claimed he was not of high status, and Zhao Xu nodded in agreement, indicating it wasn’t unfounded.

Two fathers-in-law above him, and elder and younger brothers-in-law, how could his status be high?

Dong Chenglang twitched his mouth, feeling sorry for Xie Jingchen.

Then—

He felt even sorrier for himself.

Once Zhao Xu overthrows the court, he will surely become the new emperor.

Miss Zhao will undoubtedly be conferred as a Princess, and marrying her would make him a Prince Consort, wouldn’t it?!

The Heir of Prince Zhenbei is a clear warning to him.

Thinking of his low status in the future, Dong Chenglang was eager to break the engagement.

Whoever he marries, it cannot be a princess!

Don’t worry, don’t worry.

The marriage is still far off, he will surely find a way to break off the engagement without hurting anyone’s feelings.

Initially, once General Shi left the camp, Xie Jingchen’s undercover mission would be considered complete.

He had been away from the camp for some time, it was about time to return.

However, worried about potential accidents on the road, he accompanied them and incidentally visited Zhao Xu and Prime Minister Zhao.

He planned to stay at the Zhao residence for only one more day before returning.

Xie Jingchen, being Zhao Xu’s cousin, meant that Miss Zhao also called Xie Jingchen cousin. Naturally, when Dong Chenglang marries Miss Zhao, he will follow her in calling him that.

In the pavilion, the three were drinking happily.

Prior to coming, Dong Chenglang thought there would be many such opportunities in the future. Knowing Xie Jingchen was the Heir of Prince Zhenbei, he realized such opportunities were rare.

He had grown accustomed to having Xie Jingchen as a sidekick.

Suddenly losing that, he felt really disappointed.

Having drunk quite a bit already, though not drunk, he was slightly tipsy. Now, pouring from the wine jar, he truly got drunk.

Dong Chenglang wanted to spar with Xie Jingchen.

Seeing his severe intoxication, Xie Jingchen ordered a servant to assist him back.

Insisting on sparring, Xie Jingchen had no choice but to indulge him.

However, in this spar—

Miss Zhao was directly knocked into the Lotus Pond.

Miss Zhao was eager to find Zhao Xu, not wanting her engagement to be so hastily decided. But Prime Minister Zhao and Madam were both busy and had no time to attend to her.

Knowing that Zhao Xu doted on her most as a sister, she couldn’t wait until tomorrow to find him. She’d toss and turn all night without sleep!

In a hurry, she came upon Dong Chenglang and Xie Jingchen sparring.

Afraid of being hit, she stepped aside.

Dong Chenglang, after receiving a kick from Xie Jingchen, retreated several steps.

Afraid of being collided into, Miss Zhao also stepped back, accidentally stepping on her skirt hem, and with a "plop," plunged into the Lotus Pond.

Upon hearing cries for help, Dong Chenglang realized someone had fallen into the water.

When Zhao Xu heard it was his sister, he quickly wanted to dive in to save her.

Just as he was about to jump, Xie Jingchen lifted his foot, directly kicking Dong Chenglang in.

Zhao Xu, "...."

Dong Chenglang, "...."

Since someone had fallen into the water, of course, you save them first.

Dong Chenglang carried Miss Zhao to the bank, and she wished she could sink into the ground.

She came intending to break the engagement, and now that she was saved after falling into the water, how could she break it?

Even if not engaged, they’d surely be engaged now.

Afraid she’d catch a cold, Zhao Xu instructed the maid, "Hurry, escort your mistress to change clothes."

The maid supported Miss Zhao and left.

Soaked from head to toe, Dong Chenglang was completely sober in the cool breeze.

He glared at Xie Jingchen, "Why did you kick me?"

"It’s your fiancée who fell into the water because of you. If not you, who would save her?" Xie Jingchen asked.

"...."

Dong Chenglang choked on his words.

For a long time, he couldn’t say anything.

Falling into the water wasn’t something you casually intervened in, after all, there would be physical contact.

Xie Jingchen definitely couldn’t save her, and though Zhao Xu was her brother, he wasn’t her blood brother.

When Prime Minister Zhao and General Shi arranged their engagement, he was puzzled why Miss Zhao wasn’t married to Zhao Xu to become empress one day.

"You should change clothes too," Xie Jingchen said.

Dong Chenglang was utterly depressed.

Just forgave him, and he does this.

When he was a sidekick, it was alright, even if it was a pitfall, it wasn’t this direct.

After Dong Chenglang left, Xie Jingchen and Zhao Xu returned to the pavilion.

They sat for half a day.

Even though it was late at night, news of Miss Zhao falling into the water and being rescued by Dong Chenglang spread.

Everyone who heard thought they were a match made in heaven.

Though they had met briefly in the Capital earlier, none expected Miss Zhao, who hadn’t come out to see guests today, would be saved by Dong Chenglang.

Wrapped in a quilt and seated on the bed after changing, Miss Zhao tearily said, "He saved me, how can I break off the engagement now?"

Though her own luck was unfortunate, the maid couldn’t help but chuckle, "The Heir of Marquis Changning is not bad. As soon as you fell, he dashed over to save you."

"Why doesn’t the young lady want to marry such a good man?"

"I don’t know him," Miss Zhao blushed.

"You wouldn’t know even if you married someone else," the maid replied.

"...."

Miss Zhao was at a loss for words, unable to think of a rebuttal for quite some time, only able to sulk.

That night, neither Miss Zhao nor Dong Chenglang got much sleep.

Being a martial artist, Dong Chenglang was strong and fine, but Miss Zhao caught a chill from falling into the water.

Next day, while General Shi and Prime Minister Zhao were chatting about the incident, General Shi remarked, "As an uncle, I overstepped by arranging the engagement for my nephew, but who knew the younger generation would have such a fate."

"Langlang is not that young anymore, and with Miss Zhao married, she won’t have to leave Prime Minister Zhao and Madam’s side. I think we should pick an auspicious day to finalize the engagement."

Although Marquis Changning and Marchioness Changning hadn’t come yet, they’d arrive in a few days.

General Shi’s suggestion was warmly received by Prime Minister Zhao and Madam.

Dong Chenglang, "....!!!"

Miss Zhao, "....!!!"

Dong Chenglang was furious enough to cripple the foot Xie Jingchen used to kick him.

For claiming to be brothers, was this how you treat one?

Nobody was happier about this outcome than Xie Jingchen.

Dong Chenglang and Prince Annan were similar in temperament, neither could be fully trusted.

If the engagement wasn’t solidified, who knew if there’d be disruptions upon his departure.

After breakfast, Zhao Xu led Xie Jingchen to meet Prime Minister Zhao and Madam.

Xie Jingchen was still in disguise, as there were some matters best kept private, especially from General Shi.

Upon meeting Prime Minister Zhao, Xie Jingchen respectfully saluted, and Prime Minister Zhao assisted him up swiftly, "I don’t deserve such courtesy from the Heir."

Looking at Prime Minister Zhao, Xie Jingchen said, "Had it not been for the assistance of both you and Prince Ling back then, my mother consort might never have reached Daqi. I might never have had the chance to meet her in my lifetime."

Upon mention of the Princess Consort, Prime Minister Zhao sighed, "Your mother suffered greatly in her early years, but fortunately, her hardships have ended now."

"It’s a pity that you’re the Heir of Prince Zhenbei of Daqi; if you were born in Nanliang, with your strategy, you could surely aid Xuxu greatly."

Zhao Xu smiled, "Cousin has already helped me greatly."

Prime Minister Zhao glared at Zhao Xu, "Even with all his help, you still managed to mess things up."

"Having beaten Prince Beimo twice, do you think you can win back Princess Jing Mountain?"

Zhao Xu, "...."

Recalling this matter, Zhao Xu’s inner self shuddered.

Especially knowing that Miss Zhao was to be promised to Dong Chenglang, he couldn’t see Dong Chenglang in a favorable light, worrying he’d fail the sister he had cherished from childhood.

Perhaps Prince Beimo felt the same about him.

Looking at Xie Jingchen, Prime Minister Zhao said, "This issue still requires the assistance of the Heir of Prince Zhenbei."

"My cousin mentioned this to me," Xie Jingchen said.

"I will do my best to assist him."