Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 213 - 211: Broken Bridge

Xiao’er paused her eating, watching Shangguan Xuanyi tuck into his food.

Shangguan Xuanyi was silent when he ate, but noticing Xiao’er watching him while her food lay half-eaten, he swallowed his mouthful of fish and asked, "What’s the matter? Is it not tasty?"

He thought it tasted quite nice!

"I think you look good when you’re eating." This was the truth, but not the entire reason... Xiao’er shook her head, wondering if it would be ungrateful to express her preference for dissecting the fish completely before eating it, thereby betraying his considerate efforts.

"Too spicy?" Shangguan Xuanyi found it hard to believe. It wasn’t the first time she had watched him eat.

If she was going to be entranced, it would have happened the first time she saw him.

People were always astonished by his appearance, but he distinctly remembered the first time she laid eyes on him, her gaze unmoved, akin to spotting a plain stranger on the street, easily forgotten in the blink of an eye.

"I just think you make the fish seem delicious," Xiao’er clarified.

Shangguan Xuanyi glanced at the fish in his hand, then at Xiao’er’s bowl, and grasped her intent.

"I’ll switch with you."

"No, no need!" Xiao’er hurriedly protested.

Shangguan Xuanyi had only eaten a small portion of his fish; he took Xiao’er’s bowl and chopsticks, picked out the portion he had bitten into, and handed it to Xiao’er. "Careful of the bones."

Xiao’er felt a little embarrassed, feeling as if she was regressing in age the longer she lived.

"Eat quickly, it won’t taste good when it cools down." With that, Shangguan Xuanyi began eating the fish meat Xiao’er had previously picked at.

Xiao’er wanted to point out that she had already nibbled at her portion but decided against it. If he truly minded, he wouldn’t eat it. Since he ate it, he didn’t mind.

There was nothing to worry about.

Xiao’er lowered her head and began to eat slowly.

After they were full, at Xiao’er’s insistence, Shangguan Xuanyi let the horse run freely.

The exhilaration of speed exhilarated Xiao’er, and she started singing a song:

We stay unfettered despite the world’s distractions

With horses galloping, sharing the hustle and bustle of life

Towards wine, we sing out our joy

Vibrant and vigorous, seizing our youthful days

...

Xiao’er’s voice was melodious and sweet, surpassing the songbirds in the valley,

endlessly repeating verses, but her singing still stirred up an emotional tide within Shangguan Xuanyi.

He had always hoped for Xiao’er to grow up quickly, even wishing she was already of marriageable age so he could marry her and spend every day together.

But now, he was grateful for meeting her at such a young age, having a place in her life journey from the very beginning, and getting to share most of her life journey.

Being able to watch her grow up, to grow up with her, was wonderful!

As the sun began to set, Shangguan Xuanyi urged the horse back home at a fast pace.

Xiao’er was in a cheerful mood and continued to sing song after song, without pause.

Shangguan Xuanyi listened quietly, as though the rest of the world went silent, with only Xiao’er’s melodious voice echoing around them.

Unfortunately, their joy was short-lived and tragedy struck.

As the horse crossed a wooden bridge, the bridge suddenly broke, sending both of them and the horse into the river below.

Shangguan Xuanyi held Xiao’er tightly, using the horse as a stepping stone, he leapt up to the remnant of the bridge, landing safely.

The shattered section of the bridge still held others, who fell into the water, calling for help.

A woman holding an infant had also fallen, as well as a young lady and her maid. Fortunately, the river stream wasn’t strong, and they struggled in the water instead of being swept away.

There were a few people on the shore, but none were willing or perhaps able to swim to rescue them.

Seeing this, Shangguan Xuanyi told Xiao’er to stay on the shore, while he dived in to rescue them.

Shangguan Xuanyi first rescued the woman holding a baby.

All the other hidden guards had been dispatched, and there was only one remaining to protect Shangguan Xuanyi. He snapped his fingers, instructing the guard to go save the other two women.

Xiao’er noticed the struggling horse in the river, unable to stand, presumably due to a leg injury.

Xiao’er was worried that Shangguan Xuanyi would not be able to reach the horse in time.

Luckily, their fall landed them not far from the center of the river, the water was not too deep, likely up to the horse’s neck. Helping it stand up should do the trick.

Shangguan Xuanyi was quite fond of this horse. If it drowned, he would also be upset.

With this thought, Xiao’er dived in, swimming towards the horse.

Shangguan Xuanyi, about to pull the woman ashore, heard the commotion and looked over, his heart skipping a beat from shock.

"Hold onto your child tight!"

As soon as he spoke, Shangguan Xuanyi grabbed the back of her dress, lifting and throwing her onto the shore.

Then, he quickly swam over to rescue Xiao’er.

At that moment, Xiao’er had just reached the horse,

"I’m going to push you a bit, try to stand up on your own!"

Xiao’er’s height wasn’t enough to let her stand in the water; she could only float, using her strength to help Heilei stand.

Exerting strength in water was not easy, but most modern city girls, including Xiao’er, had been learning to swim since a young age. Hence, her swimming ability was good, making this task not as difficult.

Xiao’er’s first attempt to get the horse up was unsuccessful.

At this point, Shangguan Xuanyi had reached Xiao’er’s side and with strength he helped the horse stand up.

Heilei’s hind leg was injured preventing it from standing, but now on its feet, it could walk on its own.

With a stern face, Shangguan Xuanyi hoisted Xiao’er onto his shoulder, leading the horse in silence to the shore.

This was the first time Xiao’er had felt the anger Shangguan Xuanyi was emitting towards her.

She didn’t dare to make a sound for a while.

Not until they reached the shore did Shangguan Xuanyi let her down, bringing her back to reality.

"Brother Shangguan, I want to get down."

Shangguan Xuanyi ignored her.

The horse’s leg was injured and couldn’t be ridden. Shangguan Xuanyi handed the horse to the hidden guard, giving a cold order,

"Treat Heilei’s injury." freēwēbnovel.com

"Yes."

Just as Shangguan Xuanyi was going carry Xiao’er away using his Qinggong technique, someone grabbed the hem of his clothes.

"Let go!"

Shangguan Xuanyi looked down impatiently, speaking coldly.

Right now, he only wanted to hurry to the nearest town and buy a set of clothes for this infuriating maid to change into!

If she fell ill, the only person who would end up worrying and feeling heartache would be himself!

This reckless girl didn’t cherish herself at all! She simply didn’t value her life!

"The young master risked his life to save us, I just wanted to thank the young master, I didn’t mean to offend." The woman quickly let go of his clothes, fearing his cold expression.

Seeing her let go, Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t say a word and walked away.

"Young Master, this girl..." the young woman once again grabbed Shangguan Xuanyi’s clothes.

"Impudent!" Enraged, Shangguan Xuanyi kicked the woman away.

This person dared to block his way!

Xiao’er shook her head. This woman was really oblivious. Shangguan Xuanyi was clearly furious at this moment, and even she didn’t dare to provoke him, yet this woman persisted - a clear invitation for trouble!