On the other hand, Qiao Nian paid no heed to what Lin Ye and Lady Lin were talking about.
She was eager to see the Dowager Lady.
The Dowager Lady was in much better condition than yesterday. When Qiao Nian arrived, the Dowager Lady was sipping medicine, attended by Nanny Su.
The medicine must have been extremely bitter, for the Dowager Lady's features were all wrinkled as she drank it. But the moment she saw Qiao Nian, she deliberately put on a warm smile. "Nian Nian is here!"
"Grandmother," Qiao Nian greeted and stepped forward, sitting down by the Dowager Lady's bedside. "How are you feeling today, Grandmother?"
"Much better," the Dowager Lady replied with a gentle smile, reaching out to tenderly caress Qiao Nian's cheek. "Were you terribly frightened?"
Qiao Nian shook her head repeatedly. "As long as you're all right, Grandmother."
Seeing the redness around her eyes, the Dowager Lady's heart ached. Then, thinking of what Lady Lin had told her last night, she asked, "Did you just return from the palace?"
Qiao Nian was taken aback that the Dowager Lady knew about this. She was momentarily stunned, then nodded silently.
The Dowager Lady said, "You needn't worry about anything else. If you're not willing, not even the Prince of Ming himself, or even if Noble Consort De comes in person, Grandmother will stand up for you and turn them away."
Grandmother had always been on her side.
A warm feeling welled up in Qiao Nian's heart. She looked at the Dowager Lady and gently shook her head. "Given my current situation, it's a great blessing to be able to marry the Prince of Ming. Don't worry, Grandmother. I'm willing."
"I hope you're truly willing!" the Dowager Lady let out a long sigh. "Grandmother is just afraid that you're rushing into marriage to make me happy. Nian Nian, this is a matter of great importance in your life. You can't be hasty about it!"
In the entire Marquis' Mansion, only the Dowager Lady truly regarded her marriage as a significant event.
Qiao Nian couldn't help but throw herself into the Dowager Lady's arms, holding her tightly. "Don't worry, Grandmother. I'm truly willing."
As long as it could make Grandmother happy and free from worries about her, she was willing to do anything!
In the following days, Qiao Nian accompanied the Dowager Lady every day.
With her company, the Dowager Lady was cheerful throughout the day, and her spirits improved significantly.
And Lin Ye really didn't come to bother Qiao Nian anymore.
Qiao Nian thought that if every day could be like this from now on, it would be wonderful.
But unfortunately, things didn't go as she wished.
Early on the eighth day of the first lunar month, before Qiao Nian had even finished her breakfast, Ningshuang came to report reluctantly. "Miss, the Second Miss is here again."
The word "again" clearly showed how much Ningshuang disliked Lin Yuan now.
Qiao Nian furrowed her brows. Before she could speak, Ningshuang continued, "I've already told the Second Miss that the lotus pond outside our Fanghe Courtyard is deep and dangerous. I told her to let me know if she has anything to say, but she insists on seeing you."
The words "deep and dangerous" were surely Ningshuang's deliberate sarcasm towards Lin Yuan.
Qiao Nian couldn't help but sigh softly. "She is the legitimate young miss of this Marquis' Mansion. You saw my status in this mansion last time. If you really anger her, I won't be able to protect you."
But upon hearing Qiao Nian's words, Ningshuang looked delighted instead. "Miss wants to protect me? Does that mean you've truly accepted me, Miss?"
This girl!
Qiao Nian didn't know how to respond.
In fact, ever since Ningshuang stood up for her and scolded Xiaocui last time, Qiao Nian had already accepted her.
She thought that even if Ningshuang was Lin Ye's person, it was extremely rare for her to protect herself in a crucial moment.
She would return the sincerity of those who protected her.
Seeing Ningshuang's lack of understanding at the moment, Qiao Nian relented. "Let her in!"
"All right! Don't worry, Miss. I'll stick close to the Second Miss to prevent her from accidentally falling into the water again! Hehe!" Ningshuang giggled and then left the room, seemingly not taking Qiao Nian's words to heart at all.
Qiao Nian sighed helplessly and then tidied herself up to meet Lin Yuan.
Not long after, Ningshuang accompanied Lin Yuan in.
Seeing that Ningshuang was indeed following Lin Yuan closely, Qiao Nian almost burst out laughing.
Lin Yuan entered the room and curtsied to Qiao Nian. Seeing the faint smile on Qiao Nian's lips, Lin Yuan thought Qiao Nian was in a good mood today. The unease she had felt before coming was immediately alleviated.
She smiled brightly at Qiao Nian. "I came early. I hope I'm not disturbing you, Sister?"
Qiao Nian was taken aback. She really didn't understand what Lin Yuan was up to. She let out a soft sigh and asked, "What's the matter?"
"I'm here to invite Sister to go to Fahua Temple with me."
Lin Yuan seemed very excited. Qiao Nian then suddenly remembered that today was the sacred festival of Fahua Temple.
It was said that on the day of the sacred festival, as long as one sincerely made a wish in front of the Buddha, whatever one asked for would come true.
Qiao Nian thought that perhaps she could go. She could pray to the Buddha to bless the Dowager Lady with good health. She didn't ask for a long life of a hundred years, but at least for the Dowager Lady to live a few more happy years.
However, the sacred festival only occurred once a year, so there would be many high - ranking officials and noblemen going to Fahua Temple today. Naturally, she would also meet the various young ladies from noble families whom she used to know.
Her current status was not what it used to be. Going there might invite a lot of gossip.
But compared to the Dowager Lady's health, a bit of gossip was nothing.
Without much hesitation, Qiao Nian agreed. "All right. I'll go and get ready."
Since she was going to the temple to pray to the gods, she naturally couldn't go empty - handed.
Unexpectedly, Lin Yuan said, "Sister, you don't need to prepare anything. I've already got everything ready."
As she spoke, Lin Yuan actually stepped forward and affectionately took Qiao Nian's arm.
In her opinion, Qiao Nian's agreement to accompany her to Fahua Temple today proved that their relationship had thawed. Moreover, since Qiao Nian was about to become a princess consort, she no longer needed to worry that Xiao Heng still had feelings for Qiao Nian. She was naturally in a better mood and thus got close to Qiao Nian quite naturally.
However, Qiao Nian froze.
She was unaccustomed to Lin Yuan's overly affectionate attitude. She immediately furrowed her brows and then rather forcefully withdrew her hand. "I can walk on my own."
The word "disgust" was almost written all over her face.
Lin Yuan was stunned. She didn't expect Qiao Nian's attitude to change so quickly. Her eyes instantly filled with tears. "Sister..."
She looked so aggrieved, as if she had been bullied by someone.
Qiao Nian was very helpless. Afraid of getting into trouble, she had to speak again. "I'm not used to people getting too close to me."
Lin Yuan nodded. "I understand. Your current situation is all my fault. It's only natural that you have some resentment towards me. But..."
Lin Yuan bit her lip, as if making a firm decision, before speaking again. "But Mother really feels sorry for you. Please don't make Mother angry anymore. Mother has been losing her appetite and getting thinner day by day because of your affairs. Sister, if you have any anger, direct it all at me."Can you translate the text more accurately?How can I improve my English translation skills?Do you have any tips for understanding and translating complex Chinese texts?