Love at First Sight Chapter 1 Saving Lives Comes First

In the fifteenth year of the Tianshun reign, on a clear autumn day, the Third Prince, having just returned from a successful hunt, leisurely rode his horse accompanied by a retinue of guards. He was in high spirits, enjoying the scenery along the road, with his trusted bodyguard Kang Qi and his personal eunuch Liu Yi riding close at his side. These two were the prince’s most loyal confidants.

The group entered the city gates in good humor, chatting and laughing. Suddenly, a commotion erupted by the moat. In the distance, they saw a woman in red standing on the bridge spanning the river. The Third Prince spurred his horse forward, calling out to his companions, “Come, let’s go have a look.”

Kang Qi and Liu Yi exchanged glances and shook their heads, thinking, Since the prince has spoken, we’d best hurry. “You four come with us. The rest can follow with the game,” Kang Qi instructed the guards, then hastened after the prince, who had already ridden ahead.

Arriving at the bridge, they saw a crowd gathered around a middle-aged woman, exquisitely dressed in a pale blue gown embroidered with silver flowers—a clear sign of wealth. Her face, however, betrayed a certain harshness. With handkerchief in hand, she pointed at the woman on the bridge and declared, “Third Miss, I’ve reasoned with you enough. Today, you must return to the Zhang family with me. Let me make it clear: alive, you are one of ours; dead, you are still a ghost of the Zhangs.”

“Bah!” The woman in red on the bridge frowned, her eyes full of defiance. “Even if you drive me to my death today, I will never let you off! See this red dress? I’ll come back as a vengeful spirit to haunt the Zhang family for generations. Let’s see what you’ll do about me then.” With those words, she turned and leapt into the river.

Chaos erupted among the crowd. The middle-aged woman turned pale and nearly collapsed, only to be supported by her maids. At that moment, a young girl of about twelve, tears streaming down her face, clung to the edge of the bridge, crying out, “Miss! Miss!”

Behind her, a young scholar, drenched in cold sweat, anxiously shouted toward the river, “Third Sister! Third Sister, what are you doing… what are you—” Wen Xiuzhou could hardly believe it. His usually gentle and timid sister, who barely dared to raise her voice, had found the courage to throw herself into the river.

The woman in red made no attempt to struggle in the water. She simply sank, drifting downstream with the current, utterly intent on ending her life.

On the bank, the Third Prince raised his hand, commanding his guards, “Quickly! Save her!”

“Yes, sir!” Two guards immediately dove into the river and swam toward the drowning woman.

Only then did the crowd notice the distinguished group of horsemen. Upon closer inspection, it was evident that the young nobleman on horseback, though clad in ordinary attire, carried himself with an air that set him apart from common officials.

He held the reins in one hand, his gaze fixed on the rescue unfolding in the river, brow slightly furrowed, as if deep in thought.

Once the guards pulled the woman in red from the water, the townsfolk on the riverbank finally relaxed.

Conversation broke out at once: some were curious and eager for gossip, some whispered rumors with their neighbors, some timidly clasped their hands in prayer, some glared indignantly, and others, frightened, sobbed quietly.

The Third Prince felt a wave of irritation. He looked around, then leaned down to ask, “How are you? Are you hurt?” His voice was clear and tinged with concern.

The woman in red shook her head silently. Soaked through, she sat upright on the ground, her black hair hanging loose, one hand pressed to her chest as she struggled to catch her breath. She kept her head bowed, looking both embarrassed and uninjured.

The prince relaxed, relief evident in his posture. He straightened and asked, “Who are you? If you have been wronged, speak to me. In broad daylight, no one can act lawlessly or take another’s life.”

His tone was cold as he cast a glance at the middle-aged woman. Just one look made her shiver, but feeling she was in the right, she stepped forward and said, “Sir, this is a family matter—best not aired in public. Now that Third Miss has been rescued, please allow me to take her back to the Zhang residence and handle things privately.”

“How dare you!” Liu Yi interjected sharply. “If our master sees fit to intervene, this is no ordinary matter. Are you not going to explain yourself from start to finish?”

The Third Prince gave a soft, dismissive snort and looked back at the woman.

“This…” The woman hesitated, her face troubled. With a sigh, she relented, “Very well, let me explain to you, sir…”