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Chapter 1048: Threat

He Zhiqing clenched her teeth and decided to reveal half of the truth. Since Qiao Xuan wouldn’t listen to her, she had no choice but to say something.

She couldn’t risk whether or not Qiao Xuan would seek out her cousin.

“I didn’t intend to harm her. I wanted to trip her up, but I had no intention of causing her harm. I would have jumped in to save her.”

Qiao Xuan widened her eyes and regarded her as if she were a fool, as if to say, “Do you think I’ll believe such nonsense?”

He Zhiqing felt a twinge of embarrassment.

Even if she were a bystander, she would find herself perplexed, let alone Qiao Xuan.

He Zhiqing took a deep breath and had no choice but to continue explaining.

“As you know, I am a cousin of the Xie Family, and my family is truly… Well, I have no desire to return there whatsoever. However, something happened recently, and my grandaunt intended to send me back. I was genuinely worried and scared… Since you are guests today, I thought that if a guest were to fall into the water and I were to fall ill as a result, my grandaunt and the others would surely abandon the idea of sending me back…”

“I-I really thought of it at the last moment. I admit that I intended to use Miss Shao, but I certainly didn’t mean to deliberately harm her. Moreover, there are numerous servants present in the garden today. If I were to fall into the water and call for help, someone would arrive promptly. Nothing would happen.”

“This is my fault. I shouldn’t have attempted to exploit Miss Shao for my personal concerns. I… apologize to you. I’m sorry! Please, Fifth Madam Shao, be forgiving. Considering that Miss Shao is unharmed, let this matter be and refrain from mentioning it to anyone else… Can you promise me that, Fifth Madam Shao?”

Qiao Xuan’s gaze turned serious.

She didn’t believe everything He Zhiqing said. Perhaps some of it was true, but it certainly wasn’t the whole truth.

If her relationship with Xie Jingrong were ordinary, Qiao Xuan might have chosen to turn a blind eye to the situation.

But that was not the case.

There was something amiss with He Zhiqing.

Why did Madame Lady Xie of the Xie Family want to send her back home? Why was it necessary for her to stay within the Xie Family? The moment Qiao Xuan mentioned Xie Jingrong’s name, He Zhiqing couldn’t contain herself, revealing her deep concern for him.

Could it be…

Qiao Xuan’s eyelids twitched. Could it be that Madame Lady Xie of the Xie Family wanted to send He Zhiqing away because she held an interest in Xie Jingrong?

It wasn’t an implausible notion.

Xie Jingrong was an elegant young master, and it was natural for his cousins to be fond of him.

Therefore, it seemed unlikely that He Zhiqing’s intention was to make Taotao fall into the water, save her, and feign sickness. She was likely targeting Xie Jingrong.

By saving a guest of the Xie Family from drowning, she prevented a potential disaster within the Xie Family. As the sister of the Primus, her act had safeguarded the reputation of the Xie Family and averted trouble. From this perspective, she appeared deserving of marrying Xie Jingrong.

If He Zhiqing pursued marriage with Xie Jingrong for this reason, how could the Xie Family refuse?

To refuse would be seen as ungrateful and callous.

Qiao Xuan couldn’t be certain if her speculation was accurate, but even if it wasn’t entirely accurate, it wasn’t far from the truth.

Perhaps this was only one aspect. Miss He likely had other means of support!

With these thoughts in mind, Qiao Xuan felt a compelling need to inform Xie Jingrong.

If Xie Jingrong were to be deceived by such a woman and coerced into marrying her, it would be an immense tragedy.