This scene was just caught by Lin Yuan, who was still glancing back every few steps.
Her eyes widened instantly, baffled as to why Xiao Heng and Qiao Nian were suddenly embracing!
A voice, that of Xiao Qingnuan, suddenly echoed in her mind.
She had said that Qiao Nian had thrown herself into Xiao Heng's arms on purpose, that she was deliberately trying to seduce Xiao Heng...
So, was it because her sister sent her to kneel in the ancestral hall to distract her, to seduce Brother Heng?
Her heart was in turmoil; she wanted to rush over and confront them both, but...
She was also very afraid.
She had some understanding of Brother Heng's feelings, fearing that her confrontation might mirror the rejected first wives in the tales.
She feared Xiao Heng would stand by Qiao Nian, would protect her.
Thus, she quickly averted her gaze, letting hot tears blur everything.
Beside her, Xiao Cui couldn't help but worry, "Miss, shall we go to the master and madam? If they knew how shamelessly the eldest miss has thrown herself into General Xiao's embrace, they would surely punish her!"
But Lin Yuan softly chided, "Do you wish to worsen my relationship with my sister? She already harbors such resentment towards me..."
"But..." Xiao Cui wanted to say more, but was cut off by Lin Yuan, "Enough, accompany me to the ancestral hall!"
With that, she strode away, not daring to look back.
Had she looked back, even just once, she would have seen how Qiao Nian pushed Xiao Heng away, stepping back several paces.
She treated him as if he were a beast or a plague.
So much so that Xiao Heng, whose arms were still embracing her, stood stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief, "What foul spirit clings to me, that Miss Qiao would avoid me so?"
Even from such a distance, Qiao Nian could feel the chill in his words.
She knew her instinctive reaction had angered him.
But...
Qiao Nian bowed slightly to Xiao Heng, "Thank you, General Xiao, but with your engagement to Miss Lin, I feared being seen would tarnish your reputation."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Heng stepped towards her.
Slowly, each step he took was laden with a daunting danger, "Are you worried about tarnishing my reputation, or your own?"
Qiao Nian instinctively stepped back, only to see Xiao Heng raise an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips.
She knew all too well what that look meant.
She also knew that this celebrated general, who had earned his title through countless battles, was far from the upright gentleman he appeared to be.
She had seen him drive an aunt who insulted his mother to jump into a well with that very expression.
Though that aunt was later rescued, she never dared appear before his mother again.
Now, Xiao Heng was looking at her with that same expression.
Fear surged within Qiao Nian, and she forgot to retreat further.
Ning Shuang, sensing the danger, stepped in, "General Xiao, my lady only yesterday suffered severe injuries and is still weak; she cannot handle any more shocks."
Xiao Heng's gaze shifted to Ning Shuang, finally moving away from Qiao Nian.
"What are you?" he asked coldly, his light voice like a boulder, easily pushing Ning Shuang back.
Ning Shuang dared not say another word, fearing that one more might cost her her tongue.
She only hoped that this being the Marquis's residence, even in anger, General Xiao wouldn't lay hands on her mistress.
Xiao Heng's gaze returned to Qiao Nian, the face that once lit up with joy upon seeing him now masked with fear.
His heart felt as if it were being twisted by a knife, the pain profound.
He frowned, his voice low, "Will you come here, or shall I come to you?"
He thought, he was not used to this distance between them.
Qiao Nian stood her ground, unmoving.
She didn't understand what Xiao Heng meant by this question, but she knew the answer.
"There's no need for you to come over, General Xiao, nor will I move. This distance is best for us from now on."
Even knowing Xiao Heng was angry, even recognizing the danger he posed, even with some fear in her heart towards him.
Yet, she had to say these words.
This distance, neither too close nor too far, was perfect for maintaining a polite facade without crossing boundaries.
She would never cross that line.
Neither would he!
Xiao Heng understood the implication in Qiao Nian's words; she was rational now, more so than he.
But his heart felt clogged, painful beyond the wounds he had suffered in battle!
Narrowing his eyes, he spoke slowly, his voice unexpectedly hoarse, "Can you truly bear to part?"
Those few words, like a dagger, pierced through Qiao Nian's supposedly well-guarded heart.
Could she bear it?
This man was the one she had loved so fiercely for over a decade!
The one whose image filled her eyes from childhood!
She had given him all her love without reservation, like a blazing fire, willing to throw herself at him even if she turned to ashes, towards this man who was like an iceberg, never responding to her.
But what happened later?
Later, a pitiful woman appeared by his side, and with just one tear, she could unsettle the usually cold and distant him...
Then she realized, even as ashes, he wouldn't spare her a glance.
Actually, regarding the incident three years ago, Qiao Nian never blamed Xiao Heng because she understood then that he didn't love her.
His heart had no place for her, so her tears were to him just a drop of water from a tree or a cup of tea spilled on the road.
She could understand why he protected Lin Yuan back then.
She just didn't understand why, after she decided to distance herself three years later, he would suddenly approach her?
He knew she loved him.
He also knew they could never be!
The silence from before, and today's sudden anger, could only lead her to mistakenly think he had feelings for her. What else could they achieve?
Fortunately, she recognized it as a misunderstanding.
So even if her heart might still flutter, she would suppress it with reason until it shattered!
She looked at him, the fear from earlier completely gone.
"If I said I couldn't bear it, would the General reconsider his engagement?" Her voice was cold, not at all like someone who couldn't bear to part.
She was merely using this hypothetical to warn Xiao Heng not to toy with her emotions.
As expected, Xiao Heng didn't respond.
Qiao Nian gave a cold, mocking laugh, "I hope the General will refrain from such meaningless words in the future; they only add to the ridicule and serve no purpose."
With that, she turned and left without looking back.
She missed seeing the look of intense desire in Xiao Heng's eyes as he watched her walk away.