Xiao Heng lowered his eyes, gazing at the gift box filled with medicinal herbs in his hand, remaining silent.
Lin Ye, however, grew increasingly restless. "You weren't summoned today at all. Did you specifically go to the palace gate to pick her up?"
Xiao Heng still didn't utter a word.
Having grown up with him, how could Lin Ye not recognize this as a tacit admission?
Lin Ye immediately lowered his voice. "Xiao Heng, are you out of your mind? When Nian Nian used to pester you, you were indifferent. Now that you're Yuan'er's fiancé, you start to show concern for her? I'm warning you. These are my only two younger sisters. Don't push me to the point where we can't even be friends!"
At these words, Xiao Heng scoffed. He raised his eyes to look at Lin Ye, his gaze filled with mockery. "Brother Lin, with such words, it seems like you care so much about Nian Nian."
Yet, it was he who had been stabbing Nian Nian's heart with every word.
These words left all of Lin Ye's anger stuck in his throat.
He stared intently at Xiao Heng, racking his brains but only managing to utter, "How much better are you? Don't forget, you were there three years ago too. She resents me, and she surely resents you just as much!"
"I know," Xiao Heng said in his cold voice, his slightly lowered eyes veiled in obscurity. "She didn't touch the pastries in the carriage."
Not only the pastries, but the hand warmer was also left untouched in its original place.
She hadn't even laid a finger on them.
If he hadn't brought up the Dowager Lady today, she probably wouldn't have even gotten into his carriage.
What was the first thing she said to him today?
This humble servant greets General Xiao.
Yet, in the past, what she loved to say the most in front of him was: Nian Nian likes Brother Heng.
At the thought of this, the atmosphere around Xiao Heng grew even gloomier.
Lin Ye clearly hadn't expected this.
He could guess that Qiao Nian harbored resentment towards both him and Xiao Heng. But back then, no matter how angry she was, as long as Xiao Heng showed the slightest bit of friendliness, she would eagerly rush towards him.
Unexpectedly, now that Xiao Heng had made such an obvious gesture of goodwill, she chose to ignore it.
Thinking of the wounds on her arms, a sudden burst of anger filled Lin Ye's eyes.
Those wretches in the laundry bureau! How dare they treat his sister so brutally?
Even if it was under the princess's orders, Nian Nian was still a young lady of his Marquis' Mansion. Didn't they have even the slightest bit of scruple?
His heart ached dully.
Lin Ye cast an annoyed glance at Xiao Heng. "Did you bring the wound medicine from the army?"
The wound medicine in Xiao Heng's army was obtained from the Medicine King Valley and was particularly effective.
"No," Xiao Heng replied indifferently, but still took out a medicine bottle from his bosom. "But she sprained her ankle. This bottle of medicinal wine should be useful."
Lin Ye snatched it away. "Thanks." With that, he turned and left.
But before he had taken two steps, Lin Ye turned back. He grabbed Xiao Heng's collar and warned in a low voice, "Stop having inappropriate thoughts!"
Xiao Heng looked at him with narrowed eyes, a faint curve forming at the corner of his mouth, a smile that was more mocking than sincere.
That disdainful look seemed to say: It's none of your business.
Lin Ye was furious.
Indeed, he couldn't control Xiao Heng. However, he could control Qiao Nian!
With a cold snort, he flicked his sleeves and left.
Xiao Heng adjusted his collar with one hand, then beckoned a maid in the distance and handed her the gift box in his hand. "Give this to the Dowager Lady."
With that, he too turned and left.
Outside the Marquis' Mansion, Jing Yan, Xiao Heng's deputy, was waiting.
Seeing Xiao Heng come out, he couldn't help but be surprised. "General, why are you out so soon?"
Xiao Heng didn't answer him. Instead, he took out a bottle of wound medicine from his bosom. "Take this to Miss Lin."
Jing Yan nodded and replied affirmatively. Then, he blurted out, "Is Miss Lin Yuan injured? Why don't you deliver it yourself, General?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he received a sharp and icy gaze from Xiao Heng.
Only then did Jing Yan realize that this wound medicine was for the other Miss Lin.
He immediately fell silent and turned to enter the Marquis' Mansion.
At this moment, Ningshuang was carefully applying the wound medicine obtained from the mansion's doctor to Qiao Nian.
The young girl was easily moved to tears. Ever since she saw the wounds on Qiao Nian's arms, her tears had been flowing continuously.
Seeing her applying the medicine while wiping away tears, Qiao Nian finally felt a twinge of pity and persuaded, "If you keep crying like this and someone sees you, they might think I'm bullying you."
Ningshuang quickly wiped away her tears, but her voice still carried a sobbing tone. "Miss, you've suffered so much."
She was supposed to be Lin Ye's person, yet she felt so much pity for her.
Qiao Nian felt a strange unease in her heart. With a silent sigh, she didn't say anything more.
Once Ningshuang started talking, she couldn't seem to stop. She sobbed as she said, "The Young Marquis is such a despicable person. It's you who have endured so much suffering and are covered in wounds, yet he keeps taking Miss Lin Yuan's side! Miss, you've been so wronged! Wuwuwu..."
Ningshuang's tears flowed even more profusely.
Qiao Nian was a bit helpless at her crying. She forced a smile and said, "Aren't you afraid that he'll come back and punish you for speaking like this about him?"
"The Young Marquis can't control me anymore! I've been assigned to Fanghe Courtyard. From now on, I'm Miss's person!" Ningshuang wiped away her tears resentfully, sniffed, and said, "I used to think the Young Marquis was a good person. What a joke!"
Looking at Ningshuang's angry face, Qiao Nian was a bit confused. She couldn't tell if Ningshuang really felt sorry for her or if this was just an act to win her trust.
After all, those who were once the closest and dearest to her had all abandoned her one by one. She really couldn't be sure that someone who had no real connection with her and had spoken to her no more than ten times would be truly sincere towards her.
The concept of true sincerity seemed so distant to her.
In this world, apart from the Dowager Lady, was there really anyone who would be genuinely good to her?
Looking at Ningshuang's small face, Qiao Nian couldn't figure it out, so she turned her eyes away.
But as her gaze fell on the half - open window, her brows furrowed involuntarily.
She saw two people walking across the stone bridge over the lotus pond. One was a servant from Lin Ye's courtyard, and the other was tall and sturdy, taking large, rapid steps.
He looked somewhat familiar.
But she couldn't remember who he was.
Noticing Qiao Nian's gaze, Ningshuang also looked outside. She exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that Deputy Jing?"
Deputy Jing?
"Jing Yan?" Qiao Nian remembered. They had met before. Jing Yan had been Xiao Heng's most capable subordinate since five years ago.
But why was he here?
An image of a proud and cold face involuntarily emerged in Qiao Nian's mind. Her heart skipped a beat. "Go and see what they're here for."
"Yes," Ningshuang replied and left the room. Qiao Nian watched through the window as Jing Yan said a few words to Ningshuang and then handed her something. Then, he raised his eyes and looked in her direction.
Through the half - open window, their eyes met. Jing Yan calmly cupped his hands and saluted her, then turned and left.
Moments later, Ningshuang returned, holding two medicine bottles. "Miss, this is the wound medicine sent by General Xiao. And this is the medicinal wine sent by the Young Marquis. But looking at it, this also seems to be from the army."
Indeed, it was from the army.
Lin Ye had always had a very good relationship with Xiao Heng, so it wasn't strange for him to have army medicinal wine.
However, she didn't understand why they were sending her these things.
Was it for her injuries or to ease the cheap sense of guilt in their hearts?
Especially Lin Ye.
Was it fun to give a slap and then offer a sweet date?
"These are for you," she said in a deep voice, having no intention of accepting the two items.
Ningshuang wanted to persuade her, but looking at Qiao Nian's slightly cold expression, she finally remained silent.