Chapter 1025: Chapter 1025: Listen and Obey
Qi Er also exerted himself upward, and although the lake seemed shallow, they felt as if it took forever to finally surface.
Both gasped for air while You Er struggled to swim forward with Qi Er.
Swimming while carrying someone is incredibly exhausting.
You Er was only eight years old; Qi Er had grown fast over the past two years, towering over him and weighing much more.
Soon, You Er felt his strength leaving him.
Not just the usual fatigue, but a complete limpness throughout his body.
He gritted his teeth tightly, gazing at the distant shore, mechanically paddling forward.
The lakeshore seemed as distant as the horizon; You Er realized that continuing like this was not an option. He was out of energy, and soon he and his brother would sink.
Qi Er noticed something was amiss.
"We’re not gonna make it. If this keeps up, we’re both going to die." Saying this, he freed himself from You Er’s grip, only to be grabbed tightly again.
You Er shouted loudly towards the shore: "Help! Someone!"
Qi Er chuckled bitterly, "Stop shouting, it won’t help." The patrolling Forbidden Army would take about a quarter of an hour to arrive.
When they arrived, they had just seen the patrolling Forbidden Army moving away.
Though the traveling palace was divided into zones, it took roughly half an hour to traverse.
After saying this, Qi Er firmly broke free from You Er’s hold, took a deep breath, and paddled with all his might using his free limbs.
However, an immobile leg disrupted his balance, and despite his efforts, his body kept sinking.
As the lake water submerged his chin, he shouted, "You Er, forget about me, go ashore and call for help!"
Just as the water covered his head, You Er’s small hand once again grabbed his shoulder, pulling him up.
Qi Er didn’t struggle, knowing it would only drain more of You Er’s energy.
You Er’s face was pale.
He gritted his teeth hard, realizing he couldn’t give up. If he let go of his brother’s hand, Qi Er would be doomed.
This area was secluded, unlikely for anyone to come by. If he sought help ashore, Qi Er would surely be...
But he’d also run out of strength.
His limbs were numb, seemingly beyond his control.
He and Qi Er sank down together.
Neither panicked, as they understood that panicking would worsen the situation.
Suddenly, Qi Er’s face lit up with joy.
He split his lips open, releasing a stream of bubbles in the water.
Then he quickly kicked his feet, and in an instant, they both surfaced together.
"My leg is healed!" Qi Er laughed joyfully.
You Er also laughed.
He was completely exhausted, letting his brother drag him towards the shore.
They reached the shore, collapsing onto the grass.
You Er lay with his eyes closed, "Brother, I just realized something."
Qi Er turned his head to look at him, "What is it?"
"We should always listen to Mother; never do what she says not to."
Qi Er burst into laughter, startling the birds from the nearby trees.
The two brothers lay there.
Soon, the Forbidden Army patrol passed by, spotting the two naked boys lying on the grass, basking in the sun.
Almost all the soldiers recognized the two kids.
Unaware that the little boys had just survived a life-or-death ordeal, the Imperial Guard Captain joked: "What’s this? You two sunbathing your little peckers?"
You Er and Qi Er simultaneously rolled over, lying face down as the troops laughed and walked away.
Once they regained their strength and dried off, they got up, dressed, and headed back.
