Chapter 3

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, could it be that this girl knows kung fu and is about to perform a graceful step? She’s still a beauty, even her fall is so stylish.

As the red-clad girl saw the lake below, she let out a scream that could have shattered the eardrums of many on the scene. Then, with a backward somersault, she plunged into Cuiyun Lake. The splash was quite large, clearly indicating that she hit the water with her buttocks first, causing a large splash of white water. Two ducks nearby, innocently searching for food, were drenched with lake water, and they pitifully looked at the rippling surface, waddling away quickly.

The scene suddenly fell silent. Surrounding tourists gathered, and one by one, the noble young masters and literati pointed and shook their heads, but no one jumped in to save her.

Hu Xiaotian, of course, also squeezed in, with four servants helping him push through the crowd to the front, securing a prime viewing spot.

The splash was really big. It was hard to believe that the red-clad girl’s fall could cause such a commotion. Hitting the water with her buttocks first was clearly a major mistake, and if she were to participate in the Olympics, the judges would undoubtedly give her a zero.

Splash, splash... The sound of water rose, and the red-clad girl emerged from the lake, her hair disheveled, her hands flailing wildly, her head shaking like she had taken a pill: "Help... gurgle..." The girl wasn’t named Gurgle; she was trying to call for help, but before she could finish, she swallowed a mouthful of lake water. Distance creates beauty, and Cuiyun Lake is best appreciated from a distance. If you get too close, it’s not only unattractive but also dangerous, especially for a genuine landlubber like the red-clad girl.

Liang Dazhuang chuckled beside Hu Xiaotian, "Young Master... this girl can’t swim!"

Hu Fozhou frowned, deep in thought, "Strange, why would she suddenly fall into the lake?" He knew the reason, but in matters of life and death, no one wanted to admit any involvement.

The other two servants also laughed foolishly, their laughter tinged with schadenfreude. It wasn’t that the Hu family lacked compassion; who would dare to provoke the Hu family without recognizing their status? Do you know who our master is? A third-rank official, the Minister of Revenue, Hu Daren. Even when beating a dog, one must consider its owner. To dare to hit our young master, she deserves it! A strong master has strong servants, and a corrupt official has many wicked servants.

There were quite a few people watching the commotion, and some shouted, "A beauty has fallen into the river, quick, save her!"

The loudest voice came from Hu Xiaotian’s right. This person, while urging others to jump in and save her, was looking at Hu Xiaotian, who was also looking back. Damn, you’re shouting so loudly, why don’t you jump in yourself? His anger was intense, and he couldn’t help but exclaim, "People are cold and the world is harsh!"

The red-clad girl’s head emerged from the lake again, her hair disheveled, and she no longer looked beautiful. She looked like a ghost from a midnight horror movie, and this time, she couldn’t even call for help, only gurgling.

Hu Xiaotian looked around, "Save her!"

Liang Dazhuang swallowed, "Gurgle!" Hu Fozhou and the other two servants also swallowed, making three more gurgles. These four servants were all landlubbers.

Hu Xiaotian was frustrated, "Damn, they’re all useless! Idiots!" So, Hu Xiaotian had to take off his blue robe and thin-soled boots.

Liang Dazhuang quickly grabbed his arm, "Young Master, the water is deep and dangerous. You are of noble status; it’s not worth risking your life for a spoiled girl!" Hu Fozhou and the three servants nodded.

"Get lost!" Hu Xiaotian said irritably. He quickly stripped down to his shorts and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, jumped into the clear lake. Liang Dazhuang only pretended to hold him back; he knew the young master’s swimming skills well. The young master almost swam for an hour every day in the newly dug pond, and when he was in a good mood, he would float on his back. His swimming skills were definitely at the level of an old duck.

The lake was much shallower than Hu Xiaotian had expected. Swimming to the red-clad girl, he saw her still struggling in the water, but clearly weak. The water was only about seven feet deep, and the girl, who was at least 1.65 meters tall, was just submerged up to her nose. How could she be drowning like this? Hu Xiaotian lifted the red-clad girl out of the water and carried her in his arms, stepping toward the shore, his feet touching the lake bottom. The girl was now still, lying motionless in Hu Xiaotian’s arms, one arm dangling, looking like a corpse.

The crowd on the lakeside began to whisper, wondering if the girl was dead.

Hu Xiaotian knew the girl wasn’t dead, just unconscious from the water. The women in the crowd, seeing him walk ashore bare-chested, blushed and looked away. Hu Xiaotian’s four months of training had not been in vain; his skin was a rich brown, and his muscles were well-defined, full, and elastic.

In this feudal era, even men rarely exposed their bodies in public. The weather in April was still a bit cool, and both students and noble young masters were wrapped in various long robes, their wide sleeves fluttering to show their refined demeanor. Each era has its own aesthetic, but the appreciation of physical beauty is eternal.

Hu Xiaotian’s display of his well-built body was extremely rare. The women in the crowd, though embarrassed and feeling it was improper, still itched to see. Women have the right to appreciate beauty and the desire to do so. The more they secretly glanced, the more their hearts raced and the more exciting it was.

More than ten painted boats gathered due to the sudden event, and many wealthy young ladies and officials’ daughters, hidden in the boats, peeked through the pearl curtains and silk screens at Hu Xiaotian’s muscular back. The lake water had soaked his shorts, and his firm and full buttocks were half-exposed, causing many beautiful women to have a spring in their eyes. The bolder girls had already lifted the curtains and openly admired him, and many were quietly inquiring about Hu Xiaotian’s background.

Hu Xiaotian wasn’t intentionally showing off his fitness results; he was never a exhibitionist. He didn’t have time to put on clothes, so he carried the red-clad girl to a shady spot, had the four servants disperse the crowd, and they formed a barrier around him and the girl.

A doctor’s heart is compassionate. Although Hu Xiaotian had decided not to be a doctor after regaining his memory, he didn’t hesitate when someone needed his help.

First, Hu Xiaotian untied the red-clad girl’s waistband. In this era, it was fashionable to wear tight corsets, and the girl’s waist was already slim, but it was tightly bound with a wide, gold-embroidered tortoiseshell belt, making it difficult to untie.

Liang Dazhuang, while driving away the crowd, secretly watched the young master. Seeing Hu Xiaotian untying the girl’s waistband, he was momentarily stunned. This was broad daylight, and everyone was watching. Young Master, we must have some decency. Only a fool would do such a thing in this situation, and the next step would be...

Hu Fozhou thought the same and nodded at Liang Dazhuang, indicating he should persuade the young master, but Liang Dazhuang also nodded back. Who was the young master? A fool who had been foolish for sixteen years, who might do anything. The Minister of Revenue wouldn’t have them watch him so closely if he weren’t. But the minister only said to protect him, not to stop his actions, so it was best to let it be.

The crowd, though they had moved back, still watched from a distance. The four servants, though strong, couldn’t completely block the view of Hu Xiaotian and the red-clad girl.

As Hu Xiaotian untied the girl’s waistband, some people saw and began to mutter, "How shameless, to do such a heinous act in broad daylight." "Is there no justice, no law...?"

Some already knew Hu Xiaotian’s identity, "It’s better to mind one’s own business. He’s the son of the Minister of Revenue, Hu Buwei, and he’s said to be a fool. Even if he does something, he won’t be punished..." "What a travesty!"

There were those who cursed softly, those who pointed and criticized, those who watched, and those who waited for a good show, but no one dared to step forward to stop Hu Xiaotian and his servants. It’s better to stay out of it; even a few words of condemnation were a sign of righteousness.

Hu Xiaotian cleared some water plants from the girl’s mouth and pulled a few snails off her face. Clearing the mouth and nose of debris was necessary. Seeing the girl’s slightly swollen belly, he knew she had swallowed a lot of lake water. So, he knelt on one knee, bent the other, and placed the girl’s abdomen on his bent thigh, then supported her head, making her face down, and pressed her back with his other hand.

People watched from a distance, though they couldn’t see clearly, they could still see the young master of the Minister of Revenue placing the girl’s head between his legs. Damn, this guy is shameless, forcing the girl in broad daylight... Oh, what a disgrace! It’s too much to bear! But none of the noble young masters and literati closed their eyes; they cursed and criticized while secretly hoping for a bit of excitement.

It’s the first day of the new book, and the door is cold and empty. I can’t promote it in the old book, and my old readers don’t know I’ve started a new one. My heart is cold, so I ask my brothers and sisters who see the new book to help promote it, collect it, and vote for it. Thanks!

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