Qiao Nian hadn't expected the Dowager Lady to ask such a question suddenly. Looking at the anticipation in the old lady's eyes, Qiao Nian suddenly understood that the Dowager Lady was trying to matchmake her and Xiao Heng.
Even though she had made it quite clear yesterday that she had no feelings for Xiao Heng, in the Dowager Lady's eyes, the two of them had grown up together, and Xiao Heng was currently in high favor with the Emperor. He was the best choice for Qiao Nian to entrust her life to.
However, in the past, her feelings for Xiao Heng had been unrequited. Now, he and Lin Yuan were deeply in love. She had neither the position nor the inclination to get involved.
She shook her head immediately. "Grandmother, General Xiao asked me to bring some pastries to Lin Yuan today. They are the perfect couple. Please don't think about this anymore."
The Dowager Lady was not a stubborn person. She let out a sigh. "Alas! Grandmother just thought that you and that Xiao boy were so close in the past. It's such a pity that it's all over now."
Qiao Nian smiled slightly, resting her head on the Dowager Lady's shoulder. "Granddaughter just wants to accompany you now, truly."
She knew that the relationship between her and Xiao Heng, from childhood friends to what it was now, was indeed a pity in the eyes of the older generation. But the past was past. There was no need for her to get stuck in a quagmire for the sake of Xiao Heng.
She just wanted to accompany her grandmother and lead a simple life.
As the twilight deepened, Qiao Nian accompanied the Dowager Lady to the front hall.
The servants had already prepared a sumptuous feast. Marquis Lin, Lady Lin, and the others had arrived early. Seeing the Dowager Lady, they both stepped forward and escorted her to the head seat at the round table.
They then took their seats on either side of the Dowager Lady.
"Take your seats too," the Dowager Lady said cheerfully. In previous reunion dinners, she had always been a bit down because Qiao Nian was absent.
But this year, anyone could tell that the Dowager Lady was truly delighted.
Marquis Lin and Lady Lin were naturally happy to see the Dowager Lady in such high spirits. They both looked at Qiao Nian. "Nian Nian, come and sit."
Qiao Nian nodded slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
Her former seat was beside Lady Lin, but now, that seat was occupied by Lin Yuan.
Lin Ye's forehead was still wrapped in gauze. Because of what happened yesterday, he didn't greet Qiao Nian. Instead, he sat down beside Marquis Lin on his own.
There was only one empty seat left for Qiao Nian at the large round table.
Lin Ye was on her left, and Lin Yuan was on her right.
If she could, Qiao Nian would have turned around and left.
But she didn't want to spoil the Dowager Lady's mood, so she reluctantly took her seat.
During the meal, Marquis Lin and the Dowager Lady shared some interesting stories from recent days. Lin Yuan coughed from time to time, drawing the concern of several people.
Lin Ye, like Qiao Nian, remained silent throughout the meal.
Seemingly noticing the unusual atmosphere between the two, Marquis Lin furrowed his brows imperceptibly. Then he gently nudged Lin Ye. "Pick some dishes for your sister."
This was clearly an opportunity for Lin Ye to smooth things over. Lin Ye understood, as he was indeed at fault for what happened yesterday.
So, he picked up his chopsticks and put a bit of fish into the bowl in front of Qiao Nian.
"I remember you love fish," he added at the end.
It was a deliberate attempt to please her.
Marquis Lin, Lady Lin, and even the Dowager Lady showed signs of approval.
However, Qiao Nian looked at the bit of fish with a hint of distress.
But with everyone so happy at this family reunion, she didn't want to cause any trouble. So, she softly expressed her gratitude and then started eating other dishes.
At first, Lin Ye thought Qiao Nian was accepting the olive branch. But soon, he noticed that the fish he had picked for her was still lying untouched in the bowl, and she hadn't even touched the rice grains beside it.
Instantly, his mood soured.
But out of deference to the Dowager Lady, he didn't explode immediately.
After some time, the Dowager Lady said she was tired and asked a servant to help her back to her quarters to rest.
Qiao Nian instinctively wanted to get up and accompany the Dowager Lady, but the old lady refused. "You stay and continue eating. Grandmother is old and can't eat much. You eat more on my behalf."
Helplessly, Qiao Nian had to stay.
The Dowager Lady's intention was for Qiao Nian to spend more time with Marquis Lin and Lady Lin.
After all, she was the daughter they had raised since childhood. How could there be no affection at all?
Spending more time together would surely help foster more feelings!
But shortly after the Dowager Lady left, Lin Ye snatched the bowl in front of Qiao Nian.
Lady Lin immediately furrowed her brows. "Ye'er! What are you doing, acting so recklessly again!" she scolded in a low voice, while also observing Marquis Lin's expression, afraid that he might get angry again.
However, Marquis Lin didn't say anything about it. Instead, he looked at Qiao Nian. "Your biological mother left you in the Marquis' Mansion for fifteen years. During these fifteen years, the Marquis' Mansion provided you with the best food and care. Your mother and I treated you like a precious jewel, and your elder brother always protected you. Whatever you wanted, he would get it for you."
As these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed.
Lady Lin looked at Qiao Nian with a hint of worry, then nudged Marquis Lin's back. "Why are you saying this?"
Lin Yuan beside them even lowered the volume of her coughing, fearing to upset Marquis Lin.
But Marquis Lin didn't answer Lady Lin. He just continued looking at Qiao Nian. "What happened three years ago was indeed the fault of our Marquis' Mansion. But that day, something had to happen to either you or Yuan'er. I know you've had a tough and bitter three years, but can't you consider it as repayment for those fifteen years?"
Lin Ye had said something similar before.
It was evident that Marquis Lin and the others had long believed that the three years she spent suffering in the laundry bureau were not an injustice to her.
She was merely paying back for the previous fifteen years.
A pang of pain shot through Qiao Nian's heart. She lowered her eyes and remained silent.
Seeing her so silent, Marquis Lin grew angry. He stood up from his seat and looked at Qiao Nian, his eyes filled with disappointment. "Since you came back, your grandmother has doted on you, your mother has shed many tears for your sake, Yuan'er went to your courtyard to apologize, and your elder brother, though impulsive, entered the palace to avenge you!"
"Our whole family has been trying so hard to please you. But in the end, the Marquis' Mansion doesn't owe the Qiao family anything. Why do you have to put on such an arrogant air? If you really don't want to stay in the Marquis' Mansion, you can leave right now. I won't stop you!"
"Marquis!" Lady Lin exclaimed, looking at Qiao Nian with great anxiety. Then she lowered her voice. "How much have you drunk to say all these drunken words!"
"Father isn't drunk," Lin Ye chimed in. He placed Qiao Nian's bowl in the center of the table, making sure everyone could see the untouched bit of fish still lying there.
For a moment, Lady Lin's gaze towards Qiao Nian was tinged with disappointment.
Why was she so stubborn?
It was just a bit of fish. What was the harm in eating it?
Lin Ye stared coldly at Qiao Nian. "Father is right. If you don't want to stay in the Marquis' Mansion, just leave. No one will stop you. You don't need to show us a cold face all day long! After all, the root cause of all this is your mother. The Lin family doesn't owe you anything!"Can you translate the text into a more natural English sentence?How can I improve my English writing skills?Do you have any tips for learning English grammar?