Li Rui's mouth was still parted as she shouted Princess Wenling's name seeing her falling inside the pond.
Her maids had already noticed her absence and they were starting to search for her. When the second Princess found Li Rui missing, she and the other girls also started to look for Li Rui. Hence, when they heard the screams from the other side of the Imperial garden they immediately went there.
But everyone was shocked by the scene in front of them. No one could see the nanny's hand as she pushed Princess inside the pond because Li Rui was standing in front of the nanny.
They only saw that Li Rui was holding Princess Wenling hand one moment and the next moment Princess Wenling fell inside the pond.
The shocked Li Rui couldn't see anyone. She couldn't think of anything at this moment except saving the Princess who was now inside the pond.
"Save Wenwen"
She muttered when she couldn't see Princess Wenling figure inside the pond.
The nanny had already jumped inside the pond. She searched here and there and after a few moments she brought out the unconscious princess outside the pond.
"Wenwen"
Li Rui ran to the edge of the pond and helped the nanny who slapped her hand away. Her eyes went red because of the pain in her hand but she didn't care.
When the nanny laid the Princess on the ground, she still went towards the Princess.
However, at this moment the Empress came running inside the Imperial garden. When she saw her unconscious daughter on the ground, her face went pale at this sight.
The nanny saw the Empress and pushed Li Rui away. Then she started shouting
"Such a young girl yet have so vicious mind."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Young Miss"
Li Rui's maids were already behind their Young Miss, so they held her before she could fall down.
The nanny continued
"Just because Princess didn't want to talk to you, you pushed her inside the pond. How cruel and wicked your heart is."
After that, she kneeled down beside the Princess and cried
"Princess, this servant has always tried to stop you from being so soft-hearted. This servant couldn't save you."
The nanny said many things but Li Rui's mind was not on the accusations that were put on her. Instead she was looking at the unconscious Princess.
"Press down her chest"
She said and then even kneeled down to do it but the nanny didn't let her do it.
"What are you doing? Still trying to stop Princess's breathing."
Li Rui instantly shook her head and said
"No, Rui read in a book that one should…"
Slap…
A heavy slap landed. The target was Li Rui but it fell on Li Mei's cheek who covered her Young Miss immediately.
"Li Mei"
Li Rui cried out when she saw the bleeding lips of her Li Mei.
The Empress glared down at the girl whom she couldn't hit.
"You are indeed very courageous, Li Rui. Just as His Majesty had told this Empress. However, you are not wise. Daring to do such a thing with an Imperial Princess, you are the most stupid girl this Empress has ever seen."
"Call the Imperial Physician. Take the Princess inside her chambers."
The Empress ordered the maids. The nanny herself picked up the Princess and everyone followed her to the Princess Wenling courtyard.
.
.
.
Half an hour later, Li Rui was standing at the entrance of the Princess Wenling's courtyard. The Imperial guards didn't allow her inside the courtyard. Li Rui silently waited with her maids outside.
The girls from other noble families looked at her as if she was a devil. So many whispers fell in Li Rui's ears. So many cruel words.
Even Li Mei and Li Hua couldn't hold their tears. Li Zhan silently stood with Li Rui who was staring down at the ground.
Li Rui knew that everyone only saw her holding Princess' hand andd that's why they believed that it was she who pushed Princess inside the pond.
But she didn't care what others were saying. What she cared about was whether Princess Wenling, her best friend, Wenwen would believe or not.
The Imperial Physician came outside and Li Rui blocked his way.
"Physician Uncle, How is Wenwen…Rui means Princess?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe Imperial Physician couldn't find any reason to hide it from the little girl so he said
"Princess is alright now. Little girl, she is conscious. If you want to meet her then you can go inside."
Li Rui nodded her head with a small smile and let the Physician go.
After the Imperial Physician left, Li Zhan urged Li Rui to go back to Li Manor. Today, she had decided that she would tell everything to General Li.
Such a behavior towards her Young Miss was intolerable. Today, the Empress tried to slap her young miss but Li Mei covered her at the right time.
If something else would have happened, then how would she have answered General Li?
But Li Rui didn't agree with Li Zhan. She insisted that she would not leave until she didn't see Wenwen.
At some moment, she turned to look at her maids and asked
"You three…are you not scared of me?"
The three maids smiled.
Li Zhan kneeled down in front of Li Rui and stroked her hair gently.
"We believe Young Miss. Young Miss can never harm Princess because for Young Miss, Princess is her best friend."
Li Rui smiled and her heart felt warm.
One by one everyone started to leave. The girls who had always been envious of Li Rui rolled their eyes seeing her still standing there.
They taunted her a few times but when they saw Li Rui's face didn't change at all by their words, they could only leave.
The sun was about to set when the nanny came outside.
Li Rui looked at the nanny with no expression. She saw the nanny smirk as he told her.
"Young Miss Li, Princess wants to see you. Please step inside the courtyard."