Chapter 5: Helping You All Act Elegant

“What’s the big deal? Boating on the lake, graceful as a celestial being—isn't that exactly how Sister looks? What are you all worrying about for nothing?” Tang Xin pouted and leaned toward Tang Yue, speaking in a pleasing tone, “Third Sister, I think once the Crown Prince sees such a beautiful sight of you, he’ll definitely be intoxicated. I heard people say the Crown Prince also wants to form a marriage alliance with our Tang Clan; I bet it’s most likely Sister.”

Tang Yue froze, her cheeks flushing red. She made a gesture as if to strike Tang Xin. “Stop talking nonsense. No matter what, if the Crown Prince were to take an interest in someone, it would undoubtedly be Eldest Sister. Alright, alright, stop talking, let’s go pick lotuses.”

The two chattered for a while and insisted on getting onto a small wooden boat. Tang Yue even had someone bring an oil-paper umbrella to hold.

Watching from behind the pavilion, Tang Wan rolled her eyes in disdain. These two idiots—they think holding an oil-paper umbrella makes them noble? They’re just trying to act elegant. Tsk tsk, let me give you a hand.

After dismissing all the servants, Tang Yue and Tang Xin were alone on the small wooden boat. As daughters of high-ranking families, when had they ever done something like this? They were simply thinking of putting on an act since they heard the Crown Prince was arriving soon.

Tang Yue thought for a moment and gave Tang Xin a shove. “Hurry up and row, I want to pick lotuses.”

Tang Xin’s face darkened slightly, but she had no choice. She could only take the oar and row with a clumsy, dog-paddle style stroke. However, her strength and direction were both wrong, causing the small wooden boat to spin in circles in place.

Just as Tang Yue was about to scold her, a hearty laugh drifted from around the bend ahead. The two froze and looked up. Indeed, a man in a deep blue robe was walking in front, followed by Tang Motian, who had only recently returned from a long journey, and a large group of high-ranking Tang Clan patriarchs.

“Ah, it’s the Crown Prince! Sister, the Crown Prince is here!” Tang Xin pointed excitedly.

“Idiot, I see him!” Tang Yue hurriedly tidied her hair and clothes, popped open the oil-paper umbrella, and sat in her most perfect posture. “Hurry and row! Get to the part of the lotus pond with the most flowers, quick!”

Tang Wan raised her head, revealing a strange smile. Her movements were incredibly fast—so fast that one could barely see how she moved—and suddenly, she held a homemade small slingshot in her hand. Holding it, she aimed from a distance at the small wooden boat ahead.

*Snap!*

It was a very small sound, but Tang Wan smiled, because once she took aim, there was no way she would miss.

Tang Yue was too busy maintaining her pose to notice anything else. She only felt the small wooden boat suddenly tilt and lean to one side. The oil-paper umbrella she was holding went *thud* into the lake, making a moderate splash.

Tang Xin, who was leaning on the oar to row, nearly fell into the water. She instinctively reached out to grab Tang Yue, and just as she was about of to steady herself, her wrist suddenly felt a sharp pain, as if it had been struck by a stone. Without warning, she pushed along the force of the impact. *Thud!* Caught off guard, Tang Yue fell into the lake. With a *rip* sound, Tang Xin tried to grab her, but she failed to catch her. *Cough, cough!* The momentum tore a large hole in Tang Yue's skirt, exposing the fair skin of her lower thighs.

“You wench! How dare you push me!”

Tang Yue spat out several mouthfuls of lake water in a fit of rage before surfacing. She had two lotus leaves perched on her head and plenty of water weeds clinging to her body. A toad hopped off her shoulder with a *croak* and jumped into the water.

Tang Xin froze and hurriedly waved her hands. “I didn't! I... I...”

She wanted to say that someone had hit her hand, but looking around, there was no one there. Tang Xin swallowed hard, not knowing how to explain herself.

Meanwhile, Tang Wan had safely retreated behind the pavilion again. She leaned against a stone pillar, a blade of grass in her mouth, swinging her legs and humming a tune while waiting for the show to begin.

She pinched her fingers to calculate. Based on their pace, that Crown Prince fellow and her father should arrive here within two minutes. In that case, wouldn't it be better if she caused a little more trouble?