The first thing I did after waking up was to learn swimming. After all, as the malicious supporting female character, falling into the water is an overused plot.

But when I saw the young man running towards the shore, a glimmer of hope rose in my heart.

What if he's here to save me?

He pushed aside the crowd, jumped into the water without hesitation, and swam past me, saying, "Jiner, don't be afraid, I'm here to save you."

The ripples he created pushed me away, even though I was closer to him, and he could have easily reached me! Yet, he still decisively went to save Su Jinshu, who was further away.

I despised him!

I swam to the shore using my own abilities, where Xiuer, who had been waiting there, handed me a cloak to cover up, without revealing anything.

"Quick, the East Court has prepared hot water and clothes, Miss Su, go freshen up."

As I was about to take my leave, Su Jinshu, who had hurried over, stopped me, "Sister, why do you want to harm me? Are you feeling guilty? I just asked if you were framing me, and you pushed me into the water. What are your intentions? Don't you allow others to be better than you?"

"How did I harm you?" I glanced at her pretending to be innocent, feeling a pang in my stomach.

"We are family, I showed you my poetry manuscripts, didn't you steal them, put someone else's name on them, and harm me?"

Xiu'er, flushed with anger, retorted, "You're talking nonsense! My young lady doesn't even know you, when did she see your poetry manuscripts?"

Su Jinshu hid behind the Third Prince, bowing her head in submission, as if afraid to argue with me, "Sister, whatever you say is fine, after all, I'm just a concubine-born daughter. I've been used to being bullied since I was young."

She let go of the Third Prince's sleeve, looking despondent, and walked away slowly, successfully arousing the Third Prince's protective instincts.

The Third Prince, wide-eyed with disbelief, questioned me, "Ayan, is what Jinshu said true?"

Although the August lake water wasn't freezing, the damp clothes sticking to my body were uncomfortable. I just wanted to change clothes and not get entangled with them.

Seeing me silent, they might have thought I was in the wrong. The Third Prince stood up, tightly holding my hand, forcefully making me apologize to Su Jinshu, "Ayan, I always thought you were virtuous and the perfect candidate to be the empress. But I didn't expect you to be so malicious! Today you pushed someone into the water in front of so many people, will you openly harm my offspring tomorrow?"

I impatiently brushed off the Third Prince's hand, "Enough, I, Su Yan, may not be a gentleman, but I am upright and honest. I will admit to what I've done, but I won't compromise on things I haven't done."

I tied the cloak securely around me, ensuring it wouldn't reveal anything it shouldn't due to my movements.

Then, I stepped forward and slapped Su Jinshu hard, "You're wrong, you're just a concubine-born woman from a brothel, my mother hasn't even had tea with you yet, don't tarnish the reputation of the daughters of my Su family with the word 'concubine!'"

"You!"

While she was shocked, I raised my hands. With a splash, Su Jinshu, who had just been rescued, was pushed back into the water by me, "See, Su Yan also seeks revenge on the spot, not just scheming behind others' backs!"

I took off the jade pendant from my waist, "Since Your Highness thinks this humble woman can't be a proper empress, please go and request a divorce."

The jade pendant slipped from my fingers, making a crisp sound as it hit the ground. The shattered jade pieces were like the bond between me and the Third Prince.

My mother and the Empress Mother grew up together, and before we were born, they had arranged a marriage for us. This jade pendant was a gift from the Empress Mother when I was ten years old, during my stay in the palace. At that time, the twelve-year-old Third Prince already had the appearance of a young gentleman. He pretended not to care, but kept stealing glances at me, a memory I still hold dear.

Glaring at me with a fierce expression, the Third Prince held the broken pieces of the jade pendant, "Ayan, what do you mean?"

I couldn't be bothered to argue with him, "Your Highness, if you don't go and save someone, you'll drown!"