During the past three years, it was always Qiao Nian who knelt before others. Even during the fifteen years when she was doted on as the apple of the eye in the Marquis' Mansion, she had never experienced the feeling of everyone around her kneeling to her.
At this moment, standing beside the Prince of Ming, she looked down at the young masters and ladies from various noble families, dressed in luxurious attire. There was no sense of elation or vindication within her.
Instead, she felt an overwhelming sense of unreality.
This surreal feeling made her heart race with unease.
She tried to pull her hand back, but the Prince of Ming held it tightly. She tugged gently a couple of times, but to no avail.
Yet, she didn't dare to struggle too much. After all, the Prince of Ming was standing up for her at this moment. How could she publicly embarrass him?
So, she silently lowered her eyes.
This demeanor, to outsiders, seemed like she was being demure and dependent.
Xiao Qingnuan looked at Qiao Nian and the Prince of Ming standing together, and for some inexplicable reason, a wave of displeasure welled up in her heart. Forgetting all about propriety, she blurted out to the Prince of Ming, "Your Highness, why do you favor her? She is nothing but a person of lowly birth, born to a servant. How can she stand beside someone as noble as you?"
By now, everyone in the capital knew that Qiao Nian's mother was once the midwife of the Marquis' Mansion. She betrayed the kindness of her master's family by swapping the master's child. She was truly despicable!
How could a child born of such a person stand beside a prince of such exalted status?
Xiao Qingnuan was truly enraged.
At this, the Prince of Ming's eyes darkened slightly. A faint glimmer of 杀意 flickered in his usually gentle eyes. "It seems Miss Xiao didn't hear what this king said clearly just now. Someone, help Miss Xiao clean her ears."
Upon the Prince of Ming's command, two attendants immediately stepped forward and grabbed Xiao Qingnuan.
Xiao Qingnuan was terrified, and Song Baixuan was also frightened out of her wits. She quickly interjected, "Your Highness, Miss Xiao was just being outspoken for a moment. She didn't mean anything malicious. Please show mercy, Your Highness!"
If she was really taken away to have her ears 'cleaned', she might very well come back deaf!
Qiao Nian never expected that the seemingly gentle Prince of Ming had such methods. Seeing that Xiao Qingnuan was really about to be dragged away, she finally reached out and tugged at the corner of the Prince of Ming's robe.
The Prince of Ming was startled. He turned his head and saw the small hand gripping the corner of his robe.
The five fingers showed signs of being taken care of, yet the marks of chilblains were still quite evident.
Following the small hand, he saw Qiao Nian with furrowed brows, looking troubled. "Your Highness, today is the sacred festival. It's better not to cause trouble in front of the Buddha."
She wasn't pleading for Xiao Qingnuan. She was simply saying that it was inappropriate to stir up trouble in a Buddhist place.
This sounded much more agreeable than Song Baixuan's excuse of "being outspoken".
For some reason, the Prince of Ming was in an excellent mood. He curved his lips. "Niannian is so thoughtful. In that case, let's let it go today."
As soon as the words fell, the two attendants holding Xiao Qingnuan released their grip.
Xiao Qingnuan was so scared that she burst into tears and collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
The Prince of Ming swept his gaze over the crowd and then added, "This king doesn't like to repeat himself. All of you better listen carefully and keep this in mind. Otherwise... without the Buddha's blessing next time, you'll have to fend for yourselves."
With that, the Prince of Ming turned to Qiao Nian. "Let's go in."
Just like that, the Prince of Ming openly led Qiao Nian by the hand into the temple.
Qiao Nian was filled with regret.
She shouldn't have come today.
The former Qiao Nian was as dazzling as a bright pearl, enjoying the admiration of everyone.
But the current Qiao Nian just wanted to stay quietly in a corner, hoping not to be noticed by anyone.
This was way too high - profile.
Moreover, although she had agreed to this marriage, it hadn't received the Emperor's approval yet. It was still very much in the preliminary stage.
She really shouldn't have been holding hands with the Prince of Ming in full view of everyone.
Fortunately, upon entering the temple, the Prince of Ming met the abbot of Fahua Temple. When performing the Buddhist rites, he naturally let go of Qiao Nian's hand.
Qiao Nian quickly withdrew her hand and secretly let out a sigh of relief.
The abbot had come especially to welcome the Prince of Ming and was going to expound on the Buddhist teachings for him.
The Prince of Ming turned to Qiao Nian. "Wait for me outside. It'll only be an hour. Later, I'll take you somewhere."
Qiao Nian hadn't planned to be out for long today. She just wanted to get a peace amulet and then go back. So, she was taken aback when she heard the Prince of Ming's words. But the Prince of Ming left right after speaking, without even looking at Qiao Nian's reaction.
It wasn't until the Prince of Ming's figure disappeared from sight that Ningshuang couldn't help but step forward and whisper, "Miss, how did His Highness the Prince of Ming know we'd be here today?"
He even had a place in mind and was going to take Miss there later!
Qiao Nian shook her head. "Perhaps it's because of the sacred festival today. Most of the people in the capital will come here."
Qiao Nian thought it couldn't possibly be Lin Yuan who told the Prince of Ming.
Not dwelling on it any further, Qiao Nian said to Ningshuang, "Let's go and pray to the Buddha for a peace amulet." With that, she led Ningshuang inside.
Kneeling in front of the largest Guanyin statue in Fahua Temple, Qiao Nian clasped her hands together and bowed with all her sincerity.
She silently repeated in her heart her wish for her grandmother to be safe and healthy. She was willing to sacrifice ten years of her own lifespan to let her grandmother live two more years.
Just as she was praying wholeheartedly, a voice that made her heart feel heavy came from behind. "Sister, why are you here alone?"
It was Lin Yuan!
Qiao Nian was forced to open her eyes and saw that Lin Yuan had already knelt down beside her.
However, she wasn't praying to the Bodhisattva. Her eyes were fixed straight on Qiao Nian. "Didn't we agree to come together? I waited for you at the mansion for a long time."
Qiao Nian was extremely weary. Just as she was about to speak, Xiao Qingnuan's voice came from behind again. "If she had come with you, how could she play the pitiful role in front of the Prince of Ming?"
Qiao Nian turned around and saw that Xiao Qingnuan wasn't alone.
Besides Song Baixuan, there were two tall figures beside her.
One was Lin Ye, and the other was Xiao Heng.
Qiao Nian regretted her decision once again.
If she had known so many people would be here today, she should have stayed in the mansion. Even if she was just idling around, it would be better than facing this group of people!
Lin Ye didn't know what had happened. Hearing Xiao Qingnuan's words, he couldn't help but ask, "Playing the pitiful role?"
"Exactly!" Xiao Qingnuan glared at Qiao Nian venomously. "The Prince of Ming said that from now on, he'll be Qiao Nian's backing and no one is allowed to disrespect her. Hmph! I never thought Miss Qiao was so good at flirting! She can even attract a prince!"
After Xiao Qingnuan's words, a deathly silence fell over the surroundings.
Everyone looked at Qiao Nian.
Even though Lin Ye and Lin Yuan knew the truth about the relationship between Qiao Nian and the Prince of Ming, at this moment, when Qiao Nian was being slandered and insulted by Xiao Qingnuan, they remained silent.
Fortunately, Qiao Nian was already used to their silence at crucial moments.
Ningshuang, however, was a bit angry and wanted to speak up, but Qiao Nian stopped her with a stern command. "Ningshuang, step back."
Ningshuang had no choice but to hold back her anger and take two steps back.
Then, Qiao Nian clasped her hands together, bowed to the Bodhisattva, and then stood up and walked up to Xiao Qingnuan.
Relying on the presence of her brother today, Xiao Qingnuan wasn't the least bit afraid, even though she had been rebuked by the Prince of Ming. She raised her noble chin and arched her brow at Qiao Nian. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
"Slap!"
A resounding slap echoed through the air.