The Prince of Ming directly took Qiao Nian into the palace.
When Qiao Nian woke up, she found herself in the palace of Noble Consort De.
Looking at the luxurious decorations filling the room, Qiao Nian remembered that she had fainted even before the Prince of Ming carried her into the carriage. Her heart sank, and she instinctively struggled to sit up.
Coincidentally, Noble Consort De pushed the door open and entered. Seeing that she was awake, the consort rushed over. "Lie down quickly. Your injuries haven't healed yet. It's better not to move around."
However, since Qiao Nian had already sat up, there was no reason for her to lie back down. She immediately prepared to get out of bed and pay her respects to Noble Consort De, but was stopped again. "Child, you're so severely injured. Why are you still so concerned about such formalities?"
As she spoke, Noble Consort De beckoned to the palace maid holding the medicine nearby.
The palace maid brought the medicine over. Noble Consort De took it, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it gently, and then brought it to Qiao Nian's lips. "This is the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Hospital. It's very effective for external injuries. Come, drink it while it's warm."
Qiao Nian was startled. "This humble woman can do it herself." She immediately reached out to take the spoon, but Noble Consort De moved it out of her reach.
"You're still injured. How can you do it yourself? Be good and open your mouth."
Noble Consort De's voice was extremely gentle, and her tone was like a warm spring, as if it could melt Qiao Nian's heart.
Qiao Nian didn't refuse any longer. She obediently opened her mouth.
The bitter medicine was put into her mouth. As she swallowed it, memories of her childhood suddenly flashed through her mind.
When she was a child and sick, Lady Lin had also fed her medicine spoonful by spoonful.
But now...
Perhaps those memories were too distant. They made her nose tingle, and her eyes turned slightly red.
Noble Consort De noticed this immediately. "What's wrong? Does your wound hurt, or is the medicine too bitter?"
When it came to Qiao Nian's injuries, Noble Consort De still felt a pang in her heart.
That young master of the Lin family had been way too ruthless!
Qiao Nian slightly shook her head. "This humble woman just remembered her childhood."
Noble Consort De understood instantly. She let out a long sigh and reached out to stroke Qiao Nian's head. "You've really suffered, child. From now on, this consort will be your mother - consort. If you have any grievances, just tell mother - consort."
These words almost made Qiao Nian lose her hold on her suppressed emotions.
Was it gratitude?
No, it was grievance!
Even Noble Consort De could see her grievance. Why couldn't her elder brother, who always claimed to dote on and protect her, understand?
Why, after being her family for fifteen years, didn't they understand?
How could he have beaten her like that in front of hundreds of people?
Thankfully, Qiao Nian managed to hold herself back.
She curved her lips into a faint smile, yet it was more bitter than the bowl of medicine in Noble Consort De's hand. "I haven't thanked His Highness the Prince of Ming for saving me today."
Unexpectedly, upon hearing the mention of the Prince of Ming, Noble Consort De's expression changed slightly.
Before Qiao Nian could ask in detail, Aunt Qing'er, the chief palace maid beside Noble Consort De, rushed in suddenly. "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The Emperor is going to have the prince beaten with a board!"
Hearing this, Qiao Nian was shocked.
Then, Noble Consort De let out a cold snort. "Let him be beaten. Who told him to be so reckless? Look at what he's done to the Young Marquis!"
Qiao Nian immediately understood. The Prince of Ming was being punished by the Emperor because of her.
She remembered that before she was carried away by the Prince of Ming, Lin Ye was still being beaten. His injuries were probably even more severe than hers.
Perhaps noticing that Qiao Nian didn't speak, Noble Consort De added, "Even if it was to avenge Niannian, he shouldn't have gone that far!"
Qiao Nian understood at once. She then said to Noble Consort De, "Since this matter was caused by me, I should explain it to the Emperor myself."
With that, she got out of bed.
Noble Consort De stood up as well. "Your injuries haven't healed yet. You absolutely mustn't..."
In fact, Qiao Nian had indeed been touched by Noble Consort De just now.
But at this moment, she had completely withdrawn those feelings of gratitude.
She smiled at Noble Consort De. "Your Highness, please rest assured."
Whether she meant to assure the consort about her injuries or about the Prince of Ming, that was something for Noble Consort De to figure out on her own.
During the three years Qiao Nian spent in the laundry bureau, although most of the time she was washing clothes there, there were also many occasions when she followed the nanny to deliver things to various palaces.
Therefore, she was quite familiar with the layout of the palace.
Before long, she found herself outside the Imperial Study.
After getting permission to enter, she followed an eunuch into the Imperial Study. To her surprise, besides Marquis Lin and his wife, Xiao Heng was also there.
Were they all here to lodge complaints?
Qiao Nian sneered inwardly, but didn't show it on her face. She stepped forward, knelt down, and paid her respects. "This humble woman, Qiao Nian, pays her respects to Your Majesty."
Behind the desk, the figure in bright yellow robes sized up Qiao Nian. "You're Qiao Nian?"
The deep voice carried an inherent dignity. Even though it wasn't very loud, it made people feel nervous as it echoed through the great hall.
Qiao Nian replied respectfully, "It is this humble woman."
"Heh." A cold laugh, filled with intense sarcasm. "You really are quite something. Three years ago, you caused so much trouble that both the Marquis' Mansion and I were unable to find peace. And now, you're causing trouble for my son."
Qiao Nian's heart skipped a beat. From these words, she could tell that the Emperor didn't like her.
So today, no matter what she said in front of the Emperor, he probably wouldn't believe her. Moreover, with Marquis Lin and his wife and Xiao Heng present, it was three against one. She was bound to be at a disadvantage.
Therefore, Qiao Nian kowtowed heavily. "Yes, it's all this humble woman's fault. It has nothing to do with the Prince of Ming. Please, Your Majesty, punish this humble woman and spare His Highness the Prince of Ming!"
As soon as the words fell, Qiao Nian could feel a sharp gaze as if it were about to pierce through her.
Xiao Heng never expected that Qiao Nian would go to such lengths for the Prince of Ming. His eyes were filled with an unreadable expression.
Just then, a figure rushed in from outside the Imperial Study. "Your Majesty, this concubine pays her respects."
It was Noble Consort De.
The Emperor waived the consort's formalities. After Noble Consort De stood up, she looked at Qiao Nian, her brows furrowed tightly. "Child, you just woke up from a coma. How can you run so fast? This consort couldn't even catch up with you."
Qiao Nian lowered her head and remained silent.
But Aunt Qing'er, the chief palace maid behind Noble Consort De, suddenly let out a cry of alarm. "Oh! Miss Qiao's back is bleeding!"
Hearing this, everyone was shocked. Noble Consort De looked at Qiao Nian's back and was so startled that she covered her mouth. "The wound must have split open. Your Majesty, please send an imperial physician to examine Miss Qiao!"
The Emperor was puzzled. "I was told that Lin Ye just gave her a beating. Is she injured that severely?"
It was still the cold winter. He saw that Qiao Nian was dressed fairly warmly, yet blood was seeping through.
Then, Noble Consort De said, "This concubine originally thought the injuries weren't serious, but who would have thought... Sigh! Although this girl isn't the Marquis' biological daughter, she was raised by the Marquis' Mansion for fifteen years. It was reasonable for the Young Marquis, as her elder brother, to discipline her. But to beat her like that in front of hundreds of people..."
Noble Consort De didn't continue, but the Emperor understood everything.
It was because Lin Ye had been too harsh that the Prince of Ming couldn't bear it any longer and ordered his men to severely injure Lin Ye.
In this case, Lin Ye had brought this upon himself.
The Emperor's face darkened slightly. He turned his eyes to Marquis Lin. "Marquis Lin, one is your eldest son, and the other is the daughter you've doted on for fifteen years. Tell me yourself, what should be done?"