This sudden proposal stirred something in Xiao Heng's heart.
But before he could say anything, Lin Ye's fist came flying towards him.
Fortunately, Xiao Heng reacted quickly and sidestepped the punch.
Lin Ye missed and crashed onto the table. The exquisite dishes scattered all over the floor.
He then grabbed a handful of food and threw it at Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng quickly stepped back and narrowly avoided it. A hint of annoyance clouded his brows. "What on earth are you doing?"
He deliberately didn't mention the word "drunk" because in the past, even when drunk, Lin Ye would never act like this.
Today, it was obvious that Lin Ye had something weighing on his mind.
Lin Ye finally stood up. His luxurious clothes were stained with a lot of dirt.
But he didn't seem to notice at all. He just pointed at Xiao Heng. "I'm warning you. If you dare to treat Yuan'er badly, don't blame me for turning my back on you!"
Xiao Heng's eyes were cold and calm. He flicked the front of his robe and let out a scornful laugh. "Lin, you seem to have said similar words before."
But back then, the person he was referring to wasn't Yuan'er, but Nian Nian.
Lin Ye felt a pang in his heart, but quickly regained his composure. "But now it's Yuan'er who has a betrothal agreement with you, Xiao Heng. One shouldn't be too greedy."
"You're the one doing all the talking, Lin. I've never said a word," Xiao Heng said indifferently as he sat down aside.
Lin Ye sneered. "We've been friends for so many years. Even if you don't say it, I know what's on your mind. You specially gave the pastries that Nian Nian didn't take the other day to her again today. Heh, but you know what? After she returned to the mansion, she had someone send those pastries to Yuan'er's courtyard. Xiao Heng, Nian Nian has no feelings for you anymore. Don't be delusional and keep pestering her!"
Pestering her?
Xiao Heng thought that it was she who had been pestering him back then.
What, could she just stop pestering him like this?
He didn't say anything. Instead, he picked up a cup of wine and took a sip.
Lin Ye sat down beside Xiao Heng, grabbed the wine pot, and took two big gulps. But the image of the scars and rashes on Qiao Nian's arm lingered in his mind.
Laughter and chatter came from the adjacent private rooms from time to time, but this largest private room was eerily quiet.
After an unknown amount of time, there was a sudden explosion outside. Immediately, the whole Zui Xiang Lou erupted into chaos.
Everyone was cheering and looking up at the sky, where one magnificent firework after another blossomed.
Xiao Heng and Lin Ye both raised their eyes and looked outside. For a moment, it seemed as if they saw a charming figure leaning against a window, waving at them continuously. That bright smile and unrestrained personality were on a par with the resplendent fireworks...
This year's fireworks banquet at Zui Xiang Lou seemed particularly grand.
The successive explosions disturbed half of the capital city.
Qiao Nian was sitting by the bed, soaking her feet, holding a hand warmer that Ningshuang had stuffed into her arms.
The exclamations of the maids outside and the booming sounds of the fireworks alternated.
But her eyes remained fixed on her toes.
Ningshuang entered the room, carrying a bowl of ginger soup. There was a hint of festivity on her face. "Miss, the fireworks outside are so beautiful. Drink this bowl of ginger soup, and let's go and watch them together!"
Qiao Nian took the ginger soup and drank it in one go, then shook her head. "No, I don't like watching fireworks."
Don't like?
Ningshuang was taken aback.
But she clearly remembered that in previous years, the thing Miss liked most was going to watch the fireworks with the Young Marquis.
Thinking about Miss's experiences in the mansion these past few days, Ningshuang finally couldn't help but ask, "Is it because the Young Marquis broke your heart, Miss? Don't be like this. The Young Marquis actually..."
"It has nothing to do with the Young Marquis," Qiao Nian interrupted Ningshuang in a timely manner. She looked up at Ningshuang and gave a faint smile. "I just simply don't like it."
Of course, she had once loved it deeply.
Who wouldn't like such a beautiful sight?
But on the New Year's Eve of her first year in the laundry bureau, when she was soaked to the bone and locked outside by those palace maids, the fireworks exploding in the sky were anything but beautiful.
They just clearly illuminated all her embarrassment and humiliation.
Fifteen years of embarrassment and humiliation.
Since then, Qiao Nian had no longer liked fireworks.
Ningshuang didn't say anything more. She just stood quietly beside Qiao Nian.
The fireworks outside were still magnificent, and the maids' cheers were still loud.
But this New Year was still a lonely one.
The next day, the first day of the first lunar month.
Qiao Nian got up early to pay her New Year's respects to the Dowager Lady. But as soon as she reached the entrance of the Dowager Lady's courtyard, she saw several maids running out in a hurry.
Each of them looked extremely anxious.
Qiao Nian's heart skipped a beat. A sense of foreboding washed over her, making her steps unsteady.
She rushed to the door of the Dowager Lady's room and saw Nanny Su standing outside.
Seeing Qiao Nian, Nanny Su quickly curtsied. Before Qiao Nian could speak, she said, "The Dowager Lady has fallen ill. She probably won't be able to see you today, Miss."
In an instant, Qiao Nian felt tears welling up in her eyes. Her lips trembled as she asked, "How is she?"
"We've already sent someone to fetch the mansion doctor," Nanny Su replied truthfully.
As for the actual situation, they had to wait for the mansion doctor to arrive.
Not long after, the mansion doctor rushed over. Soon after, Marquis Lin, Lady Lin, and even the still - ill Lin Yuan arrived one after another.
It was not until half an hour later that the mansion doctor came out of the Dowager Lady's room.
"How is she?" Marquis Lin stepped forward first, his expression anxious.
The mansion doctor bowed to Marquis Lin before speaking. "Marquis, I told you about the Dowager Lady's condition some time ago."
The words were not explicit, but Marquis Lin's face instantly turned pale.
Lady Lin ordered someone to see the mansion doctor out. Qiao Nian couldn't help but ask, "Is Grandmother's condition very bad?"
Hearing this, Marquis Lin slumped down on a chair and remained silent. Lady Lin let out a sigh before saying, "The mansion doctor said that your grandmother is getting old, and her health will decline day by day. I'm afraid..."
Lady Lin didn't finish the rest of the sentence.
But Qiao Nian could guess what it was without her saying it.
Beside them, Marquis Lin also said in a subdued voice, "It's because of your grandmother's condition that the Empress finally relented and let you come back."
Even though his voice was suppressed, a hint of sobbing could be heard.
Qiao Nian's eyes instantly turned red.
Lin Yuan was the first to shed tears. "Father, Mother, why don't we invite an imperial doctor from the palace to take a look?"
Hearing this, Marquis Lin and Lady Lin didn't say anything.
But Qiao Nian knew that this mansion doctor of the Marquis' Mansion had come from the Medicine King Valley. He was saved by the Marquis by chance back then and had since become the mansion doctor.
His medical skills were even better than those of the imperial doctors in the palace.
The Dowager Lady was still in a coma, so the New Year's greetings couldn't be paid.
Qiao Nian originally wanted to stay outside the Dowager Lady's room to keep watch, but Marquis Lin insisted on staying. So, Qiao Nian had to take her leave.
Not long after she returned to Fanghe Courtyard, Ningshuang came to report. "Miss, Lady Lin is here to see you."