The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

"The young master can swim too, right? Should I call him?" Qingzhi suddenly asked amidst the group of young ladies.

"Absolutely not. If the young master saves her, wouldn't he have to marry her? What about your young lady then?"

The speaker was Miss Chen Yiru, who had interacted with Qin Yao several times and also knew Qingzhi.

Qin Yao specifically chose her to be a witness because her father was the Prefect of the Capital, who was known for his impartiality and incorruptibility.

The ladies around her echoed and agreed with Miss Chen's words.

But the next moment, everyone's attention was drawn by a roar.

"Stop! Stop! What are you doing! It's my young lady who fell into the water! You're not allowed to save her!"

Everyone looked at the maid who was speaking; she was one of the people Xia Qiutang had brought.

How could the people below possibly hear her voice? They all swam desperately toward the person who had fallen into the water.

The maidservant panicked, and remembering something, she pushed through the crowd and shouted towards the shore.

"Young Master, Young Master Jiang, my young lady has fallen into the water! Please, Young Master, save my young lady!"

Everyone looked at the maid who had asked for help with surprise.

How could we possibly ask the Crown Prince for help?

Everyone knows the news of the marriage alliance between Prince Jiang and the Qin family.

Just when everyone thought that this maid was grasping at straws in desperation.

Jiang Su, on the other side, jumped into the water without thinking.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at each other, confused as to what had happened.

Even those who didn't know Jiang Shizi, after being reminded by Qingzhi and Chen Yiru, all understood.

So why did this Prince Jiang go to save people?

Isn't he afraid of ruining his own marriage and being clung to by Xia Qiutang?

"Your Highness!" Qin Yao leaned on the railing, watching Jiang Su go into the water, her face showing worry and despair.

Everyone looked at Qin Yao with pity.

Fearing that someone might not hear her, Qin Yao screamed a few more times, her voice filled with anguish. Jiang Xiaoxiao, who was in the crowd, finally realized what was happening and struggled over to tell Qin Yao to shut up.

But how could she possibly get through at this moment? Qingzhi was also pushing and shoving, and accidentally pushed Jiang Xiaoxiao into the water.

"Ah! Miss Jiang has also fallen into the water!" someone in the crowd shouted.

At this point, everyone forgot about the excitement and moved away from the side of the boat, getting off with the help of the maids.

Jiang Su, who was in the water, had already pulled Xia Qiutang into his arms. When he heard that Miss Jiang had also fallen into the water, he was angry for a moment, but the person in his arms had already fainted.

Just as he was getting angry, he saw a girl had already rescued his sister, and only then did he feel relieved and swim ashore with Xia Qiutang.

Qin Yao was not surprised by this result.

With Qin Liu around, the only one who can save Xia Qiutang is Jiang Su!

He was merely one of the witnesses who proved that Jiang Su deliberately did not save Qin Yao.

Qin Yao had already disembarked from the boat with Qingzhi's help.

However, when she arrived, Jiang Su had already taken Xia Qiutang into the carriage, and Qiu Liu had also helped Jiang Xiaoxiao, who had choked on water, into the carriage.

The moment Qiu Liu turned to look for Qin Yao, the carriage was driven away.

Qiu Liu's expression changed; that was the Qin family's carriage!

"Qingzhi, take Qiuliu to Miss Chen's place," Qin Yao said expressionlessly.

Seeing that her mistress was not surprised, Qiu Liu followed Qingzhi to Miss Chen's carriage.

She was soaking wet, so it was really not a good time for her to run around.

The hosts had all left, and the invited guests were also frightened and all left.

Before leaving, they saw Qin Yao standing alone to one side.

The only one who hasn't left yet is Chen Yiru.

When Qiu Liu came downstairs after changing her clothes, she saw her young mistress wiping away tears with a handkerchief.

"I have to find out! What...what does he mean by this!"

Seeing Qin Yao heartbroken, Chen Yiru didn't know how to comfort her.

She could see it clearly: that Prince Jiang did it on purpose, hearing that Xia Qiutang had fallen into the water and still wanting to save her.

"I'll take you there!" Chen Yiru said, holding Qin Yao's hand.

That's all she can do to help. She hopes Qin Yao will find out the truth, recognize the person, and not make a foolish mistake.

Throughout the journey, Chen Yiru seemed hesitant to speak.

Qin Yao knew what she wanted to say, but since she didn't speak, Qin Yao pretended not to know.

Upon arriving at the Marquis's residence, Chen Yiru pulled her along, saying, "Sister Qin, I'm being presumptuous by calling you 'sister,' but you must be decisive and not let yourself fall into a passive situation."

Qin Yao nodded and bowed slightly, "Thank you for your guidance, sister. Qin Yao understands."

Qin Yao was truly grateful to her. She had taken advantage of such a kind person, and she could only try to make up for it in other ways.

Upon entering the Marquis's residence, Jiang Su was already kneeling in the main hall.

The old lady sat in the main seat, her chest heaving violently, clearly very angry.

Lady Liu, the wife of the Marquis, was also sitting to the side, but her eyes were only filled with worry for her son.

As soon as Qin Yao arrived, Madam Hou seemed to have found a breakthrough and hurriedly spoke up.

"Mother! Look, Qin Yao is here too. Let Su'er get up!"

But the old lady ignored her.

"Come here, Yao Yao." The old lady beckoned to Qin Yao kindly.

Qin Yao walked over and sat down next to the old lady.

Being ignored like this, Lady Liu's expression was not good, but she did not dare to make a scene.

"Don't worry, Yao Yao! I will give you an explanation!" The old lady patted her hand to comfort her.

The old lady was a rare kind person, but unfortunately, she got old.

Qin Yao lowered her head, as if accepting her comfort.

"Grandmother, I really thought it was Yao Yao who fell into the water, that's why I jumped in to save her. I didn't want things to turn out like this!"

Jiang Su seized the opportunity and quickly cried out his innocence, while also giving Qin Yao a meaningful look, asking her to speak on his behalf.

However, Qin Yao kept her head down and didn't receive his signal at all.

Jiang Su was furious, but he had no choice but to continue admitting his mistake.

"Your Highness, I did not ask you to go and save people..." Qingzhi knelt down on the ground.

"Shut up!"

"Bad maid!"

The two voices came from Jiang Su and Liu Shi respectively.

The old lady glanced at the two of them, then spoke to Qingzhi, "Continue!"

"Old Madam, I was afraid the young master would save the wrong person, so I sent a servant to help. But, but the young master actually jumped into the water without hesitation after hearing from Miss Xia's maid that she had fallen into the water and was calling for help!"

"You lowly servant! What nonsense are you spouting!" Liu picked up the teacup next to her and threw it at Qingzhi.

Qingzhi quickly dodged to protect her head. The teacup hit her arm, then fell to the ground and shattered.

Qingzhi clutched her arm and lay prostrate on the ground. "Madam, every word I said is true. I dare not conceal anything!"

Liu was angered again. Did she want the truth?

How could she not know that her son liked Xia Qiutang?

"Liu! Do you think this old woman is dead?!" The old lady slammed her hand on the table and shouted angrily.

Liu fell silent immediately. "Mother, this... I just want her to tell the truth."

"I'll ask about the truth! You don't need to interrupt! If you interrupt again, go back to your own yard!"

Liu murmured and shut up, then sat down on a chair to the side.

"Grandmother, I was just anxious. I didn't go to save Miss Xia on purpose after hearing that she had fallen into the water!" Jiang Su insisted on denying it. Who could prove what he was thinking?

"Then why did you bring Miss Xia back? And forget Yao Yao outside?!" The old lady asked casually, turning the prayer beads in her hand.

Having lived a whole life, she naturally has a keen understanding of things.

We won't let things slide so easily.

"Grandmother, I thought I was saving Yao Yao, so I didn't try to avoid suspicion, which is why...Grandmother, please believe me!"

Jiang Su looked completely sincere, as if this were the truth.

However, this is also a very good excuse.

It seemed truly flawless. Seeing the gleam in the old lady's eyes, Qin Yao knew she was moved.

Ultimately, she didn't really want to stand up for Qin Yao; she just needed a plausible reason.

As for what happens later, she can make it up to Qin Yao.

"Grandma," Qin Yao said, hugging the old lady affectionately.

He then said, feeling wronged:

"The young master probably didn't go into the water at first because he was frightened. Later, he might not have heard me clearly, so he hurriedly went into the water. I was worried on the boat and called him for a long time, but I guess he didn't hear me..."

When Liu heard this, her eyes lit up, and Jiang Su also looked hopeful.

Only the old lady remained expressionless.

"But there were too many people there at the time. Whether it was what the Xia family maid said, or what I said when I called for the young master, or what he did when he left me there alone... they all saw it..."

"Especially Miss Chen from Governor Chen's family, she was the one who just brought me here..."

You could say Jiang Su was too nervous to hear clearly, or you could say he didn't see the face of the person he was rescuing clearly.

She can say whatever she wants behind closed doors, but what people outside say is beyond her control.

They need to consider whether they can keep it a secret.