In the Jing Kingdom, on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the world was firmly held in the icy grip of winter.
Qiao Nian had just finished washing the last piece of clothing for the morning. Before she could even dry her hands, which had already turned purple and numb from the cold, the matron of the laundry bureau called out to her, "Qiao Nian, hurry! Someone from the Marquis' Mansion has come to fetch you!"
She stood there, stunned, rooted to the spot. The Marquis' Mansion – those two words were both so familiar and yet so foreign.
Previously, she had spent fifteen years as the pampered young lady of the Marquis' Mansion. However, three years ago, she was informed that she was a fake. It was the midwife who, driven by greed, had swapped her own child with the real daughter of the Marquis' Mansion. And on her deathbed, consumed by guilt, she finally revealed the truth.
Qiao Nian vividly remembered the day when the Marquis and his wife recognized the real young lady, Lin Yuan. They embraced, weeping and laughing with joy. Meanwhile, Qiao Nian stood by, completely at a loss, watching in bewilderment. She just couldn't fathom how the parents she had called her own for fifteen years could suddenly no longer be hers.
Perhaps sensing her desolation, Marquis Lin had assured her that she would still be regarded as a young lady of the Marquis' Mansion. He even made Lin Yuan address her as "elder sister", and Lady Lin had also promised that they would still dote on her as if she were their own flesh and blood.
Yet, on that crucial day, they witnessed Lin Yuan shatter the princess's glazed bowl. Then, they watched as Lin Yuan's maid shifted the blame onto Qiao Nian. They saw her being berated by the princess and witnessed her being banished to this laundry bureau to serve as a slave. All the while, they merely stood by, protecting Lin Yuan and remaining silent throughout the whole process.
At that very moment, Qiao Nian knew for sure that she could never be their daughter again.
"Qiao Nian, what are you still standing there for? Don't keep the young marquis waiting!" The matron's urging voice jolted Qiao Nian back to reality.
She raised her eyes and looked towards the entrance of the laundry bureau. There, a tall and imposing figure stood. The wintry sun, with a hint of pallor, cast an otherworldly glow over his form.
Gazing at that familiar yet unfamiliar face, Qiao Nian's heart, which had long been numb, suddenly twitched with a sharp pang of pain. It was Lin Ye.
He was the elder brother she had called her own for fifteen years. He had once traveled thousands of miles to the Jiangnan region to seek a rare and precious night pearl for her. However, he had also pushed her off a two-story building for Lin Yuan.
After three long years of separation, the sense of grievance that had lain dormant for so long suddenly welled up within her.
Qiao Nian took a deep breath, forcing the overwhelming feeling of injustice down, and maintaining an unperturbed expression on her face.
She walked towards Lin Ye. When she was close enough, she knelt down and performed a formal salute, her voice calm and distant, "This humble servant greets the young marquis."
Before coming here, Lin Ye had also imagined the scene of their reunion. He thought that, according to her former nature, she would either throw herself into his arms, tearfully pouring out her grievances of the past few years while acting spoiled. Or she would be filled with hatred, refusing to even meet him.
However, what he least expected was that she would approach him so calmly and kneel down.
This was the sister he had doted on for fifteen years! Her petulance and haughtiness had been nurtured by him. But now, how could she...
Lin Ye felt as if an invisible hand was ruthlessly tearing at his heart. His hands, clasped tightly behind his back, had their knuckles turning white. It was as if a hand was squeezing his throat. He took a deep breath before finally speaking, "Grandmother misses you deeply. Out of consideration for her advanced age, Her Majesty the Empress has graciously permitted you to leave this place."
After saying this, feeling that his tone was too harsh, Lin Ye furrowed his brows. Then, he leaned forward and gently helped Qiao Nian up, deliberately speaking in a tender voice, "Come home with elder brother!"
Qiao Nian's lowered eyes quivered violently twice.
"Come home with elder brother!" Heavens knew how long she had yearned to hear those six simple words.
During the early days in the laundry bureau, she had longed day and night for Lin Ye to come and take her back. But as time passed, day after day, week after week, and month after month, hope gradually faded into disappointment. By now, she had long given up any illusion of returning to the Marquis' Mansion.
Unexpectedly, here he was.
She took a step back with a subtle movement, deftly slipping her hand out of Lin Ye's grasp. Then, she gracefully inclined her body in a bow and said, her voice carrying a tone of utmost sincerity, "This humble servant is profoundly grateful for the benevolence of Her Majesty the Empress and the kindness of the Dowager Lady."
Her tone was earnest, and her demeanor exuded respect. Yet, the air of unfamiliarity and detachment that permeated every word she uttered made Lin Ye's heart constrict with an ache that seemed to deepen with each passing moment.
He withdrew his hand, his brows furrowing into a tight knot, a hint of vexation coloring his tone as he retorted, "Father has never revoked your status. Despite spending three years in the laundry bureau, your name remains inscribed in the household register of the Marquis' Mansion. You have never been a common servant."
How could the precious girl he had doted on since her tender childhood days be reduced to such a lowly status?
However, upon hearing these words, Qiao Nian was overcome with a profound sense of irony.
For three long years, she had risen before the break of dawn each day, her hands immersed in the arduous task of washing clothes. She toiled until the sun dipped below the western horizon, her hands bearing the brunt of the harsh labor, becoming raw and festered.
The steward matron in the laundry bureau took every opportunity to berate and even physically abuse her. In that place, her standing was even lower than that of the most lowly servant.
Status? Household registration?
What good were they?
Observing Qiao Nian's silence, Lin Ye let out a deep sigh, attempting to quell the simmering anger that threatened to boil over. He said, "The mansion is well - stocked with everything you could need. There's no need for you to gather any belongings. Let's be on our way. We mustn't keep Grandmother waiting any longer."
Having said that, he spun around and strode away with purpose.
Moments later, he cast a backward glance. There was Qiao Nian, following at a measured distance. Her gaze remained fixed on the path ahead, as if he didn't even exist. Memories of her once clinging to him, her eyes bright with affection as she playfully pleaded for his attention, flooded his mind. The anger that had been smoldering within him flared up once again, and without realizing it, his steps quickened.
Three years ago, when Lin Ye had pushed Qiao Nian off the small building, she had sustained an injury to her ankle that had left a lasting ailment. Naturally, she found it impossible to keep up with his brisk pace. By the time she reached the palace gate, Lin Ye had already settled into the carriage of the Marquis' Mansion.
The coachman, a long - serving member of the household, recognized Qiao Nian at a glance.
Upon seeing her approach, he respectfully bowed and said, "This old servant pays his respects to the young lady."
Qiao Nian returned the gesture with a polite bow and then climbed onto the carriage, choosing to seat herself beside the coachman.
The coachman was taken aback. "Young lady, why not take a seat inside the carriage?"
Qiao Nian shook her head gently. "It wouldn't be proper."
Hardly had the words left her lips when a foot shot out from within the carriage, delivering a forceful kick that sent Qiao Nian sprawling to the ground.
Lin Ye thrust aside the carriage curtain, his face contorted with fury. "From the very beginning, you've been acting so aloof. If you're so averse to returning to the Marquis' Mansion, then scurry back to the laundry bureau and resume your life as a servant!"
Qiao Nian's brows knitted tightly together in pain. Her face drained of color, and she knew that her already injured ankle had likely been sprained once more.
Then, Lin Ye's cold voice cut through the air like a blade. "Or perhaps you think you've been wronged and are deliberately trying to spite me? Qiao Nian, you lived a life of luxury for fifteen years by taking Yuan'er's place. Now, you've merely endured three years of hardship on her behalf. What could you possibly have to complain about?"
"Since you're so reluctant to ride back to the mansion, then make your way back on foot. This will give you ample time to reflect on your true identity and consider whether you have the right to adopt such a haughty demeanor in my presence. We wouldn't want you to return to the mansion and present Grandmother with that sullen, lifeless expression, bringing nothing but ill - omened vibes!"
With those scathing words, Lin Ye forcefully dropped the carriage curtain and issued a sharp command to the coachman, "Back to the mansion!"
The coachman dared not defy his master's order. He cast a worried look at Qiao Nian before whipping the reins and driving the carriage away.
Gazing at the retreating carriage, Qiao Nian felt a strange sense of calm. After all, she had already been abandoned by those she held dearest three years ago.
Taking a deep breath, she summoned the strength to rise. With a pronounced limp, she began the arduous journey towards the Marquis' Mansion.
It wasn't long before a carriage came to a halt in front of her.
A hand with well - defined knuckles parted the carriage curtain, revealing a pair of eyes that were as cold and distant as a winter's lake. "Miss Lin?"