Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

Fifteen minutes later, the passengers dragged the unconscious boatman aboard.

Yuan Zhi went down into the water and called out Xiao Zong's name, but there was no response.

At this moment, the helmsman announced that the ship had reached the shore, and everyone rushed aboard. Yuan Zhi grabbed someone and begged him to go down and take a look, but the other person shook off his hand.

Having no other choice, she tied a rope to the railing and slowly made her way inside.

Suddenly, she stepped on something, slipped, and fell backward into the water. She flailed her arms and legs, struggling desperately, but sank deeper and deeper.

The icy river water filled her mouth and nose, making it hard to breathe. Her chest felt swollen and painful, as if it were about to explode. Water also got into her eyes. She closed her bloodshot eyes, grabbed the rope, and tried to get back to the stairs.

However, she had run out of strength, her consciousness was gradually fading, and she slowly sank to the bottom of the cabin.

Overwhelmed by fear, she fell into a deep sleep, and in her dream, she returned to the day she died in her previous life.

The lake water was just as cold, and it felt like I was being weighed down by a huge rock, constantly sinking, sinking...

She couldn't cry or scream. No one came to save her, and no one cared whether she lived or died. She was filled with resentment, unable to understand what she had done wrong to deserve such a fate!

She cried out in her heart: Although I, Yuanzhi, am not a kind person, I have never intentionally harmed anyone. Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life, so why can it tolerate evil people but not me?

Gods and Buddhas, if you have even a shred of compassion, please let me live!

Perhaps it was divine intervention, for in her dazed state, she felt someone cover her lips and breathe into her. Then, that person lifted her out of the water and placed her in a soft, warm place.

She slowly opened her eyes, saw Xiao Zong, and hot tears streamed down her face, soaking into her wet hair.

"Great, you're still alive."

Xiao Zong pulled her into his arms. "Shouldn't I be the one saying that? Do you know how scared I was? You can't even swim, why did you try to show off by coming to me?"

Yuan Zhi hugged his waist tightly, and little pearls fell in a pattering sound.

"I...I'm afraid you'll die."

He risked his own safety to save a boatload of people, so resolutely, as if he had no intention of returning.

Every breath she spent waiting outside was filled with anxiety. The last time she experienced such fear and torment was when her mother passed away.

In that instant, she suddenly realized that he was a very important person to her!

Xiao Zong patted her back, "A scourge lives on for a thousand years, but I'm not going to die so easily!"

After a while, the two helped each other and went into the woods to meet up with the others.

Dou Zhao and the others lit a small campfire and sat around Liu Fei.

Judging from their posture and demeanor, the crowd guessed that they were government officials and did not wish to associate with them. They lit another fire next to them, huddled together, and kept warm.

Yuan Zhi subconsciously walked towards Dou Zhao, but Xiao Zong pulled her back and made her sit on the side with more people.

She stuck out her tongue, thinking to herself that she had almost given herself away.

The group discussed their next move. Dou Zhao brought over a map and said there was a town about five miles away where they could rent a horse-drawn carriage.

Someone complained, "We paid before boarding, and this has happened so quickly. Boatman, you have to refund half of the money!"

The boatman's suicidal thoughts were written all over his face.

"The cause of the hole in the ship is still undetermined. Even if we want a refund, we need to investigate the matter thoroughly first. Besides, I just saved your lives, how can you be so ungrateful?"

One woman retorted, "You weren't the only one who saved people, and I didn't see them trying to take advantage of our kindness. You unscrupulous merchant, I think you're just trying to rip us off!"

"You're talking nonsense!" the boatman cursed. "You should speak with a conscience. I'm upright and honest, how dare you slander me!"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Xiao Zong gave Dou Zhao a look, and the other party immediately understood.

"Gentlemen, we are from the Leopard Guard, and we are here on imperial orders to escort the corrupt official Liu Fei to the capital. The damage to our ship today is very likely the work of his accomplices."

I have paper and pen here. Write down your names and household registration information. Once the case is investigated and cleared up, we will deliver the compensation from the imperial court to your respective residences.

Liu Fei was so angry that his face turned blue, but his mouth was stuffed with a rag, so he couldn't curse loudly.

Some people doubted their identities, but Dou Zhao showed them his token, saying, "Please look, everyone, there is absolutely no fakery!"

The group lowered their guard and did as he instructed, registering everything on the paper.

As dawn broke, the group packed their belongings and set off for the town.

Last night it was quite dark, and the Leopard Guards saw the lord sitting next to a woman, but they couldn't make out her face. This morning, when they searched again, they found several people wearing veils, making it difficult to identify them.

Yuan Zhi choked on water yesterday and has not fully recovered. After walking for a while, he started sweating.

There were two people between Xiao Zong and her. Seeing this, he came over and wiped her clean.

"Come up, I'll carry you."

"What nonsense are you spouting? Aren't you afraid your subordinates will see this?"

Yuan Zhi looked ahead warily, and when he didn't see any of the Leopard Guards turn around, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Zong scoffed, "You're wearing a mask. Even if they see it, they'll just think I've fallen for someone else!"

The two walked at the back of the group. Yuan Zhi, no longer concerned about appearances, asked, "You've been avoiding suspicion the whole way. Why have you changed your mind now?"

“Previously, I was afraid that the *** would send someone to assassinate you, which would implicate you. Last night, Dou Zhao revealed his identity, and everyone knows about the attack on the Leopard Guard. Once this news spreads, the *** will not dare to take any further action. That's why I dared to approach you.”

"But when I cried in your arms last night, you didn't push me away!"

Xiao Zong gently patted her head, his voice as warm as a spring breeze.

“They don’t know who I am, they’ll just assume we’re a couple, so they’ll see. Besides, you cried so hard last night, how could I bear to push you away?”

"Slick!"

Xiao Zong bent down, easily picked her up, spun around, and caught up with the group.

Yuan Zhi wrapped her arms around his neck, chattering about how to expand the business after returning to the capital. Xiao Zong bounced her up and said that they shouldn't just think about the restaurant, but also about where they should go from here.

She smiled and said what he wanted to hear.

"Xiao Congyun, I think... I really do like you."

Xiao Zong nearly dropped his hand. "Really?"

Yuan Zhi clung tightly to his neck, "If you dare to throw me off, I'll make sure this statement is false!"

"Hahahaha, that won't do!"

Xiao Zong happily spun around twice, which startled Yuan Zhi so much that she kept punching his shoulder.

"Look at you, so easily pleased! You better walk properly, or I'll reward you handsomely if you can get me safely to Shengjing!"

"Since the reward is for me, it must be something I need, don't you think?"

Yuan Zhi grabbed his ear, "You don't mean to ask me to marry you again, do you?"

Xiao Zong asked, "Is that alright?"

“No!” Yuan Zhi refused resolutely: “Now is not the time.”

Xiao Zong said sadly, "How heartless! How about I settle for second best and go to the bridal chamber first?"

"Alright! I knew you had ulterior motives; so that's what you were planning!"

Yuan Zhi pretended to hit him, but Xiao Zong knew when to stop and quickly begged for mercy.

"I won't do it again, I won't do it again, I was just kidding!"