Qiao Nian often thought that being a person could be really challenging at times.
It was because people knew how to exercise self - restraint.
Just like now, although she really wanted to slap Lin Yuan across the face, she tightly grasped her own wrist and forcibly held back the urge.
However, Ningshuang beside her couldn't hold back. "Are you out of your mind, Second Miss?"
Her blunt insult left Lin Yuan stunned on the spot.
Qiao Nian was also taken aback. She never expected Ningshuang to be so bold!
She really didn't learn her lesson. Qiao Nian had clearly told her that she wouldn't be able to protect her!
Just as Qiao Nian was about to make an excuse for Ningshuang, the latter took a step forward and smiled at Lin Yuan. "Wasn't the Second Miss coughing a few days ago?"
Looking at the sincere expression on Ningshuang's childish face, Lin Yuan was a bit confused whether this maid was genuinely concerned about her or actually scolding her.
Her pitiful eyes blinked. "Mother brought me medicine from the palace. I... I'm already better."
"Oh, you have medicine?" Ningshuang smiled and stepped forward, as if she hadn't heard the second half of the sentence at all. She took Lin Yuan's arm and led her out. "If you have medicine, you should take it. The Second Miss probably hasn't taken the medicine today, right? It's getting late. This servant will help you back to take your medicine."
Although it was said to be "helping", Ningshuang was clearly almost forcing Lin Yuan out.
During this time, Lin Yuan kept trying to turn back and say something to Qiao Nian, but Ningshuang stopped her every time.
Until she was sent out of Fanghe Courtyard by Ningshuang, Lin Yuan still couldn't figure out whether Ningshuang had been scolding her just now.
On the other side, looking at the returning Ningshuang, Qiao Nian couldn't help but reprimand her in a low voice. "You really have a lot of nerve! Aren't you afraid that she'll go and complain to the Young Marquis and make him beat you with a board?"
"Hahaha, Miss, don't smile when you scold this servant next time," Ningshuang couldn't hold back her laughter.
Qiao Nian finally couldn't help but laugh either and shook her head repeatedly. "You!"
Ningshuang stepped forward obsequiously. "This servant knows that Miss has a special status in the mansion now. There are some things you can't say, let alone scold others. But don't worry, in the future, if there are people you can't scold conveniently, this servant will do it. Even if there are people you want to teach a lesson, just give a look, and this servant will make sure they get what's coming to them!"
It had to be said that Ningshuang was really clever. Even if Lin Yuan really reported this matter to Lin Ye today, Lin Ye didn't have solid evidence to punish anyone.
Moreover, Ningshuang used to be from Lin Ye's courtyard.
Thinking this way, Qiao Nian finally felt at ease, but said, "This must never happen again."
She didn't know if Ningshuang would be even bolder next time. If things got out of hand and she couldn't protect her, it would be a disaster.
Ningshuang nodded in agreement. As if suddenly remembering something, she asked, "Miss, are we still going to Fahua Temple?"
After what Lin Yuan had said just now, Ningshuang thought her miss wouldn't be so good - tempered as to go with Lin Yuan.
Qiao Nian thought for a moment and then nodded. "I want to get a peace amulet for Grandmother. Go and make the preparations. We'll go by ourselves!"
"All right!" Ningshuang replied and then retreated. Before long, she had everything ready, summoned the mansion's carriage, and they set off towards Fahua Temple outside the city.
Along the way, they saw quite a few carriages.
Ningshuang lowered the carriage curtain and couldn't help but turn around and say to Qiao Nian, "Miss, it seems there are even more people going to Fahua Temple this year than in previous years!"
Qiao Nian was quite delighted. "It shows that Fahua Temple is really efficacious."
Ningshuang nodded repeatedly. "It's very efficacious! I heard it's especially efficacious for praying for marriage."
There was a hint of eagerness in her tone.
Qiao Nian couldn't help but ask, "Do you have someone you like?"
Unexpectedly, Ningshuang's face turned red instantly. "N... no, I don't!"
Seeing her shy look, Qiao Nian understood at a glance. She smiled gently. "If you do, tell me. I can probably make the decision for you in this matter."
These words made Ningshuang too shy to say anything more.
Before long, the carriage stopped outside Fahua Temple.
Ningshuang got off the carriage first and then turned around to help Qiao Nian.
Unexpectedly, just as Qiao Nian's feet touched the ground, several sarcastic voices came from not far away.
"I wonder which family's maid is so bold as to ride in the same carriage as her master. Oh, it's the Lin family's miss!"
"What Lin family's miss? She's clearly from the Qiao family."
"Oh, right, right! How could I forget that!"
The voices were all too familiar. Qiao Nian didn't even need to look to know who they were.
One was Song Baixuan, the second miss of the Minister of War's family, and the other was Xiao Qingnuan, the eldest miss of the Xiao family and Xiao Heng's own sister.
Qiao Nian had had conflicts with both of them because of Xiao Heng.
Back then, as the eldest miss of the Marquis' Mansion, she was never afraid of them. The three of them even got into physical fights. Song Baixuan and Xiao Qingnuan joining forces couldn't defeat her. Moreover, her status was superior to theirs. Therefore, in their previous confrontations, Song Baixuan and Xiao Qingnuan always ended up at a disadvantage.
But now, things were different.
Xiao Qingnuan was walking towards Qiao Nian. She was not very tall, a head shorter than Qiao Nian, but extremely arrogant. She kept her chin raised. "Miss Qiao, after being a servant for three years, are you now making friends with servants?"
Seeing Qiao Nian being bullied, Ningshuang naturally wouldn't stand by.
But before she could speak and step forward, Qiao Nian pulled her behind herself.
Then, Qiao Nian slightly bowed to Xiao Qingnuan. "Greetings, Miss Xiao."
Xiao Qingnuan was stunned.
Although Qiao Nian had been back for a while, Xiao Heng had never mentioned anything to Xiao Qingnuan. Even when Xiao Qingnuan specifically asked, Xiao Heng pretended not to hear.
So, she didn't know that Qiao Nian's personality had changed drastically compared to before.
She stared at Qiao Nian in a daze. She thought that if she had taunted Qiao Nian like this before, Qiao Nian would definitely have fought with her. But now, she could still bow politely.
Bowing to her!
For some reason, Xiao Qingnuan felt a bit uncomfortable.
She thought Qiao Nian shouldn't be like this.
But Song Baixuan beside her couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Am I seeing things? The once arrogant eldest miss of the Lin family is now so humble? Oh, that's right. After all, she no longer has the Lin surname. With no backing behind her, she really should be humble!"
Song Baixuan's words were clearly meant to be sarcastic, but Qiao Nian wasn't angry at all.
Because Song Baixuan was quite right.
When a person had no backing, they should bow their heads and be humble.
Unexpectedly, a figure suddenly appeared behind Qiao Nian. "Who said she has no backing?"
Everyone was shocked. "Your Highness the Prince of Ming?"
They immediately knelt down to pay their respects. "Greetings, Your Highness the Prince of Ming."
Qiao Nian also wanted to kneel, but the Prince of Ming stopped her.
The Prince of Ming slightly narrowed his eyes and swept a glance over everyone. He didn't allow them to get up. Instead, he took Qiao Nian's hand in front of everyone. "From now on, this king will be her backing. Whoever dares to speak disrespectfully to her is showing disrespect to this king. Is that clear?"