Page 14 of The Scholar's Improper Wife

She stared at the boat. Then at the lake. Then at him.

“We’re going further out?”

“Not far.” He gestured toward the water. Yun-si followed his hand and noticed, for the first time, the little islands dotting the lake’s surface overgrown with wild grasses and trees.

“Those islands,” Ting-zhi continued, helping her step into the boat, “should offer complete privacy.” He pushed off from shore and took up the oars with smooth, practiced strokes.

Yun-si settled onto the wooden seat, gripping the edge as the boat rocked gently. The shoreline receded behind them. Ahead, the nearest island grew closer—a wild tangle of trees and overgrown shrubs, completely isolated in the middle of the water.

She watched him row. The steady pull and release, the flex of his shoulders beneath his robes, the focused expression on his face.

The swordsman guided the small boat across the moonlit water, toward the secret isle. Mist curled at the water’s edge like dragon’s breath. His blade lay wrapped beside him, and his jaw was set with quiet determination. This was the fated duel from which only one man would return—

The boat bumped against shore. She blinked. Ting-zhi secured it to a tree, stepped out and held out his hand for her.

Wild grasses grew waist-high here, and the trees provided cover from prying eyes. It was completely overgrown, utterly abandoned, and—she had to admit—perfectly private.

“Here,” Ting-zhi said, gesturing to the small stretch of clear shoreline on the island’s far side. “The water’s shallow enough to stand. Deep enough to be convincing for your scene.”

She walked to the edge and peered in. The waterweeds in the sand danced merrily in the water, waving their fronds around. She gulped. the water was notdeep, but it wasn’t as shallow as she had hoped.

Behind her, she heard him sigh.

She turned. “What?”

“Nothing.” But he was looking at the boat, the island, the elaborate lengths he’d gone to. His expression was resigned. Almost rueful. “Just thinking about everything I do for your research.”

“You say that like it’s a burden.”

“I must have owed you a debt in my previous life.” he muttered, “Now, shall we attempt this terrible idea?”

“It’s not terrible—”

“You’re going to fall into a lake on purpose to test whether what being rescued underwater feels like. That’s not exactly a smart idea.”

“For accuracy!”

“Mm.” His mouth twitched. “Of course. For accuracy.”

“So,” she said, trying to sound professional. “The heroine falls in. The hero dives after her in a heroic rescue.”

“Theoretically.”

“You sound skeptical.”

“I am skeptical.” He finally looked at her, one eyebrow raised. “The huabens make it sound romantic. The reality is likely to involve a great deal of choking and panic.”

“That’s why we’re testing it,” she said, with more confidence than she felt. Yun-si stepped closer to the water’s edge, her toes reached the very rim where water met sand. But that was as far as she got.

She stood there. Staring. Not moving.

“Problem?” Ting-zhi asked in a dry tone.

“No.”

“You’re not going in.”

“I am. I’m just... preparing.”