Qiao Nian was filled with great reluctance. Standing in the courtyard of Noble Consort De's living quarters, her heart was in a constant state of unease.
In fact, during the three years she spent in the laundry bureau, she had never been here. Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that the atmosphere here was somewhat similar to that of the laundry bureau, suffused with an oppressive sense of suffocation that made her deeply uneasy.
She was terrified that, just like three years ago, once she entered, she might never be able to leave.
She wasn't sure how long she had been standing there. Her toes had gone numb from the cold when finally, someone came to summon her to meet the consort.
Pushing open the door, a wave of warmth rushed towards her, causing her nose to tingle.
She sniffed. Before she could enter the room, the voice of Noble Consort De reached her ears. "I've seen the clothes. They're indeed washed very well."
Only then did Qiao Nian spot the consort. She quickly knelt down to pay her respects. "This servant greets Your Highness, Noble Consort."
Having grown accustomed to being a servant in the laundry bureau, even though she had now been brought back to the Marquis' Mansion, the word "servant" still slipped out instinctively whenever she saw these noble figures.
Noble Consort De was taken aback for a moment. Then, as if remembering something, she couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head. "You're exactly as your mother said."
Qiao Nian thought that the "mother" the consort mentioned must be Lady Lin.
She remained silent, looking down at her knees. However, she could sense that Noble Consort De had dismissed the other people in the room.
The door was closed behind them, and the warmth of the room seemed to enclose her.
Instead of feeling comfortable, she felt even more on edge.
Then, a pair of slender, jade - like hands appeared in front of her. "Come."
The consort's voice was so tender that it seemed almost unreal.
Qiao Nian felt a bit uncertain, but she still reached out her hand.
Noble Consort De helped her up and her gaze fell on Qiao Nian's hands, covered with chilblains. She couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. "Did you feel wronged when I asked you to wash the clothes yesterday?"
The concern in her words was so evident. Qiao Nian furrowed her brows slightly and then shook her head.
Compared to the suffering of those three years, this bit of grievance was simply negligible.
Noble Consort De led Qiao Nian to a seat nearby and then continued, "Don't blame me, my dear. You must be aware of who ordered those palace maids to bully you before. Your elder brother was too impulsive. If I didn't do something, the Empress would surely not let the Marquis' Mansion off the hook."
Qiao Nian understood this only too well.
The status of the Marquis' Mansion was no longer what it used to be. Its very survival depended on the whims of the nobles.
Otherwise, how could the eldest young lady of the Marquis' Mansion have been sent to the laundry bureau as a servant for three years just because of a glazed bowl?
All of this was merely the Emperor's way of admonishing the Marquis' Mansion.
And she, a mere insignificant being, what power did she have to resist?
"I know you've endured much," Noble Consort De said softly, as if trying to thaw Qiao Nian's frozen heart with her gentle words.
Yet, Qiao Nian kept her eyes downcast throughout, remaining silent. She appeared quiet and gentle, but was completely unmoved.
If she had really broken the glazed bowl three years ago, then being a servant for the rest of her life would have been her just deserts.
But she clearly hadn't.
So, what was the use of knowing she was wronged?
Finally, Noble Consort De let out a sigh. "Well, consider the matter of the clothes I asked you to wash yesterday as a debt of gratitude from me. If you ever want anything in the future, don't hesitate to tell me."
Only at this moment did Qiao Nian show some reaction.
She knew that, in fact, Noble Consort De had no obligation to say such things to her.
Presumably, having watched her grow up, the consort still harbored a glimmer of pity in her heart.
Qiao Nian thought for a moment before speaking. "There's a palace maid named Liuniang in the laundry bureau. Could Your Highness transfer her to serve you? She can be a cleaning maid."
Noble Consort De hadn't expected that the favor she deliberately offered Qiao Nian would be used on someone else, and a mere low - ranking palace maid at that.
She furrowed her brows. "Is this maid on good terms with you?"
Qiao Nian shook her head. "No one in the laundry bureau dared to have any connection with me. It's just that Liuniang has a gentle nature. During the three years I was in the laundry bureau, she never bullied me. I'm afraid that once I leave, the others will pick on her."
She thought that what she had endured should be enough. She didn't want others to suffer the same.
Seeing Qiao Nian's quiet yet unyielding demeanor, Noble Consort De was deeply touched. She nodded. "Alright. I'll have someone transfer Liuniang here later."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Qiao Nian said as she stood up and bowed gracefully.
Noble Consort De suddenly felt a pang of pity. She also stood up and looked at Qiao Nian tenderly. "What about you? Don't you want anything for yourself?"
After those three years of unjust suffering, didn't she want to fight for something to make up for it?
Qiao Nian was grateful for the consort's pity. A faint smile curved her lips.
It was one of the few smiles she had shown in the past three years.
"This servant only wishes to stay by Grandmother's side in the future. I don't desire anything else."
These words seemed to block all the consort's intended words in her throat.
Even after watching Qiao Nian leave, Noble Consort De still felt a tightness in her chest.
The chief palace maid beside her draped a cloak over her. Looking at Qiao Nian's receding figure, she couldn't help but say, "Miss Lin seems much quieter and more composed than she was in the past."
"Yes..." Noble Consort De finally let out a sigh, a faint ache in her heart.
What kind of hell on earth had she endured to transform from the bright and vivacious girl she once was into this?
After leaving Noble Consort De's living quarters, Qiao Nian followed the guiding palace maid towards the palace gates.
She walked quickly, almost pushing the palace maid ahead.
But it was no wonder she was in such a hurry. She was deathly afraid of this place surrounded by high walls.
She was afraid that if she walked too slowly, she might be detained for another three years on various pretexts.
However, the more flustered she became, the clumsier she got.
Suddenly, Qiao Nian stumbled and fell towards the side.
But the expected pain didn't come. Instead, a familiar yet strange scent filled her nostrils.
"This servant greets General Xiao!"
The guiding palace maid had already knelt down to pay her respects. Qiao Nian then realized what had happened. She quickly withdrew from Xiao Heng's arms and bowed. "Greetings, General Xiao."
Xiao Heng's expression was cold. The sudden emptiness of his arms seemed to make him a bit uncomfortable. He clasped his hands behind his back and glanced at Qiao Nian's ankle. "Miss Qiao, your foot injury still hasn't healed?"
Today was the third day. The medicine from the Medicine King Valley was always of the highest quality.
Thinking of this, Xiao Heng furrowed his brows. It seemed she hadn't used the medicinal wine he sent.
What about the wound medicine he had given her?
His gaze involuntarily shifted to Qiao Nian's arm. Her long sleeves covered even the back of her hand, let alone the injuries on her arm.
Qiao Nian hadn't expected to meet Xiao Heng here, nor had she anticipated that he would ask her these questions.
He had never shown any concern for her before.
Therefore, she didn't answer him.
In fact, she felt that given their current status, she shouldn't say a single word more to him.
But clearly, Xiao Heng didn't know what Qiao Nian was thinking at the moment. He glanced coldly at the kneeling palace maid and said, "You may go. I will escort Miss Qiao back to the mansion."