Chapter 41: Cultivating Good Karma

Yue Yuying was startled by the sharp reprimand. The word "death" steeled her heart; they were siblings, and even if people gossiped, it wouldn't be too severe—after all, she was saving a life.

With this thought, she followed Yu Yuanzheng’s instructions, took a deep breath, leaned down, and pressed her mouth against her brother’s. She pinched his nose with her left hand and blew hard.

Her actions left everyone present stunned.

Yu Yuanzheng watched as the Fourth Young Master's chest rose to a certain height.

"Good, just like that. Two more times." Yue Yuying blew twice more.

Yu Yuanzheng immediately knelt on both knees, placed her hands on top of each other, and began to compress the Fourth Young Master's chest, counting as she pressed. After thirty compressions, she stopped.

"Blow again!"

Yue Yuying complied, and they repeated the process.

Just then, the Marchioness, having received the news, came running over, stumbling in her haste, followed by several others.

"Zhengxing! Zhengxing!" she cried as she ran.

When she reached them, she saw her third daughter and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Prince’s residence doing something to her son.

"What are you doing?" the Marchioness asked in alarm. She had already been drained of all color by the news of her son falling into the water.

"Madam, we are saving him. Please do not disturb us," Yu Yuanzheng replied while continuing her compressions, her tone filled with unquestionable authority.

"Blow!"

Yue Yuying continued to blow, working tirelessly.

The physician, who had rushed over from the front courtyard, arrived panting. He was just about to ask them to step aside so he could take over, when suddenly, the Fourth Young Master let out a cough.

Yu Yuanzheng immediately helped him turn onto his side.

"Wuaah!" A large mouthful of water was expelled, followed by several more. Then, he began to gasp for air.

Once he caught his breath, he looked up and saw his mother.

"Wuaah, wuaah... Mother..." The Fourth Young Master, having escaped death, wept as he called for her.

The Marchioness immediately stepped forward and pulled him into her arms. "My child, oh, my child..." Mother and son hugged each other, weeping uncontrollably.

Yu Yuanzheng signaled for a servant to take off his outer robe and drape it over the Fourth Young Master. "Marchioness, this is not the time for tears. Quickly take the Fourth Young Master to change into dry clothes, give him a hot bath, and feed him a bowl of ginger soup. Otherwise, he will catch a chill. We have worked so hard to pull him back from the gates of hell."

"Yes, yes, of course." The Marchioness pushed her son away from her shoulder. "Zhengxing, hurry, go change your clothes."

A servant stepped forward, hoisted him onto his back, and ran toward the inner courtyard.

Just then, the Old Marchioness arrived, only to see the back of her grandson being carried away. The Princess Consort followed behind her. The Marchioness, unable to attend to her guests, followed to make arrangements. The estate physician also followed to provide treatment.

"Eldest Daughter-in-law, thank you," Yue Yuying finally stepped forward to thank Yu Yuanzheng. Her heart was still pounding violently.

"No need for thanks. You were the one who saved the Fourth Young Master. You are his savior," Yu Yuanzheng said with a smile, trying to ease the panic that had gripped everyone just moments before.

Yue Yuying took Yu Yuanzheng’s hand, wanting to smile back, but the emotional upheaval had been too great; she couldn't manage it just yet. Yu Yuanzheng patted her hand gently in comfort.

"What exactly happened?" The Old Marchioness had just been informed of the danger, and a wave of lingering fear washed over her. Fortunately, he had been saved; otherwise, she wouldn't have known how to face her husband. This was their estate's only legitimate grandson.

At this moment, an elderly woman stepped forward. "Reporting to the Old Marchioness, I was pruning flowers in the garden when I heard a splash. I thought it was the Fourth Young Master skipping stones again. But after waiting a while and hearing no sound, I went to the edge of the pond. I saw clothes floating on the water, so I called for help."

The two servants who had jumped into the water also approached the Old Marchioness. "Reporting to the Old Marchioness, we were the ones who jumped in after hearing Mother Wu call for help," one of them said. They were not the Fourth Young Master's personal attendants, but garden laborers.

"Where is the servant assigned to serve Zhengxing?" the Old Marchioness demanded. So much time had passed, and she still hadn't seen the personal attendant assigned to him. No one could answer her question. The Old Marchioness had to wait for her eldest daughter-in-law to handle the matter before reporting back.

"Princess Consort, I am truly sorry. Such a thing happening in our home—I hope you will forgive us," the Old Marchioness said apologetically.

"It is of no consequence. Fortunately, the Fourth Young Master was saved. To survive such a disaster means great fortune will follow. It shows that the Fourth Young Master is a blessed person," the Princess Consort said, casting a glance at Yu Yuanzheng. She had seen from afar that it was her own daughter-in-law and the Yue family’s third daughter who had performed the rescue.

"Grandmother, the Third Brother was saved by the Eldest Daughter-in-law." Yue Yuying then stepped forward to explain how the two of them had worked together to save him.

The Princess Consort was stunned, not expecting Yuanzheng to know such things.

"Eldest Daughter-in-law, thank you. You are the great benefactor of our entire estate. Come, let us go to my courtyard and sit for a while, and tell me more." The Old Marchioness took Yu Yuanzheng’s hand and led the way.

Yu Zhaoyang’s mood at this moment was like eating three-day-old leftovers. When did her second sister learn to save lives? She had tried to stop her earlier, only for her to actually save the boy. Not only had she failed to help, but she had also made a fool of herself by trying to intervene. She watched Yu Yuanzheng, who was walking ahead while supporting the Old Marchioness, with a gloomy look in her eyes. How had her swap of marriage arrangements led to so many things changing?

Everyone arrived at the Old Marchioness’s courtyard, where the Old Marchioness sat Yu Yuanzheng down beside her. She looked at her with the same affection one would show a younger family member.

"Eldest Daughter-in-law, today was truly thanks to you."

"Old Marchioness, it was merely a chance encounter. Anyone would have reached out to help," Yu Yuanzheng said, not claiming credit.

"Ling'er, go and bring me that 'Magpie Perched on a Branch' piece from my trunk," the Old Marchioness instructed a maid behind her.

"Yes."

A moment later, the young maid returned with a small box.

"Eldest Daughter-in-law, please accept this. It is just a small token of gratitude."

"Old Marchioness, there is no need. It was only a small effort on my part," Yu Yuanzheng declined.

"Accept it, or I shall be offended."

Yu Yuanzheng looked at the Princess Consort, and upon seeing her nod, she accepted it. "Thank you, Old Marchioness," Yu Yuanzheng said respectfully.

"Princess Consort, you brought your daughter-in-law here today, and she has truly brought a star of fortune to our Yue family." The Old Marchioness still held Yu Yuanzheng’s hand.

"Old Marchioness, you are too kind. It was just luck," the Princess Consort said modestly, looking at Yu Yuanzheng with affection. She hadn't expected Yuanzheng to forge such a bond at the Yue estate today. This child was truly a blessing. Perhaps, with her, Ziqi might actually have a day where he wakes up.

At this moment, the Princess Consort felt immensely gratified by Yu Yuanzheng’s performance, and her heart was filled with hope.

Yu Zhaoyang watched as Yu Yuanzheng received both praise and a gift from the Old Marchioness. She was consumed by jealousy, but there was nothing she could do. The handkerchief in her hand was twisted into a knot. She had come today hoping to befriend the Third Miss Yue in advance, so that once she herself was married into the family, they could support each other as sisters-in-law. Since she was the Crown Princess, the Third Miss Yue would surely gravitate toward her and follow her lead. Instead, Yu Yuanzheng had stolen the spotlight.

"Second Sister, how did you know to use that method to save him? Back in our own residence, I never once heard you mention it," Yu Zhaoyang suddenly interjected, interrupting their interaction.