Qiao Nian understood Prince Ming's intentions well.
Their marriage was built on the alliance with the Marquis's residence.
Lin Ye was the future heir of the Marquisate, and if she and Lin Ye were at odds, it would not bode well for Prince Ming either.
But facing them, Qiao Nian found it impossible to muster a pleasant expression, so she turned her back to them, focusing once more on the lake.
In addition to the siblings from the Lin and Xiao families, other young nobles were present today, including Song Boxuan, the second daughter of the Minister of War, who was close to Xiao Qingnuan.
These young nobles had come today out of respect for Prince Ming.
In a polite term, it was a spring outing.
But in truth, it was Prince Ming's attempt to ease the tension between Qiao Nian and Lin Ye with a festive atmosphere.
Yet, hadn't Prince Ming once injured Lin Ye for her sake?
Gazing at the rippling lake, Qiao Nian felt a chill in her heart.
The young lords and ladies approached to pay their respects to Prince Ming, but since today was meant for leisure, the etiquette was not strictly observed.
After Xiao Qingnuan greeted Prince Ming, she turned her gaze directly to Qiao Nian, scrutinizing her profile. Seeing no response, she couldn't help but speak coldly, "Why doesn't Miss Qiao turn around? Could it be she's already assuming the airs of the Prince's consort before the wedding?"
Her intent was to mock Qiao Nian.
However, Qiao Nian didn't even glance at her, "If you wish to pay respects to me as the Prince's consort now, I am willing to accept."
"You!" Xiao Qingnuan instinctively wanted to lash out but caught Prince Ming's eye and restrained herself.
Before coming, both her father and brother had advised her to avoid causing trouble.
It was Song Boxuan who, with a smile, tugged at Xiao Qingnuan's sleeve, saying, "Miss Qiao must still be upset with Miss Lin. Let's not add to the commotion here; let's go for a walk over there!"
With that, she tried to pull Xiao Qingnuan away.
After paying their respects, the other young nobles had already dispersed, though their eyes occasionally darted back here, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Xiao Qingnuan initially had no intention of stirring up trouble, but Song Boxuan's words irked her, "What does she have to be upset about? She beat someone until their face was red and swollen for nearly half a month, and it still hasn't gone down! What right does she have to be upset?"
"That's enough, Nuan Nuan..." Lin Yuan finally spoke, her voice soft, "Don't say any more..."
"Yuan!" Xiao Qingnuan seemed frustrated by her timidity, but then, as if remembering something, she glanced at Qiao Nian before continuing to Lin Yuan, "Sister-in-law! You're too easy to bully!"
The term "sister-in-law" made Lin Yuan's cheeks flush bright red.
Xiao Heng, standing nearby, furrowed his brows slightly, his gaze instinctively checking Qiao Nian's expression.
But Qiao Nian's eyes remained fixed on the lake, not sparing them a glance.
She didn't care?
Xiao Heng's frown deepened, recalling Qiao Nian's words from that day, his irritation resurfaced.
His hands behind his back clenched into fists.
Lin Yuan, who had been momentarily delighted by the title, sobered up when she noticed Xiao Heng's attention was still on Qiao Nian.
She shook her head at Xiao Qingnuan, "Don't say any more."
But the more Lin Yuan tried to silence her, the more indignant Xiao Qingnuan became.
She took a deep breath and looked at Qiao Nian, "Alright, I don't want to cause trouble today, but since everyone's here, I have one question for Miss Qiao."
Qiao Nian sighed inwardly.
The beautiful scenery was now marred by this noisy interruption.
Seeing Qiao Nian still ignoring her, Xiao Qingnuan grew angrier, feeling like her punches were landing on cotton, amplifying her frustration.
She raised her voice in challenge, "May I ask, Miss Qiao, what intentions do you have towards my brother? Why, despite your engagement with Prince Ming and knowing my brother is betrothed to Yuan, do you cling to him repeatedly?"
As soon as she finished, everyone was stunned.
Even the young nobles waiting for drama at a distance looked shocked.
Qiao Nian sharply turned her head to Xiao Qingnuan, only to see Xiao Heng pulling her aside, "Shut up!"
Usually, when Xiao Heng was angry, he would only mildly warn Xiao Qingnuan.
But now, his voice carried a stern anger.
Xiao Qingnuan had never been treated this harshly by Xiao Heng before; she felt wronged, "I wasn't lying! Yuan saw it with her own eyes! She deliberately sent Yuan away, then threw herself into your arms! And that day on Spring Mountain Street, she also..."
"Watch out!"
A sudden shout interrupted her, followed by a large pot of water being splashed directly onto Xiao Qingnuan's face.
"Ah!" she screamed, pointing at Ning Shuang and cursing, "You wretched maid, how dare you splash me!"
Ning Shuang looked innocent, quickly hiding behind Qiao Nian, "No, no, I just tripped and accidentally spilled it!"
But Qiao Nian saw the sly grin on Ning Shuang's face.
She did it on purpose!
Qiao Nian chuckled inside but kept her face impassive, coldly staring at Xiao Qingnuan, "My maid accidentally splashed you, and you claim it was intentional, just like when I accidentally tripped and was saved by General Xiao, you insisted I threw myself at him. Miss Xiao, you are a noble lady. Spreading such baseless rumors and stirring up trouble, I wonder which family will have the fortune to marry you in the future!"
At these words, Xiao Qingnuan's face turned crimson, her eyes darting towards Lin Ye.
With that one look, Qiao Nian understood everything.
She hadn't noticed before that Xiao Qingnuan actually had feelings for Lin Ye.
But these two, one mad man and one mad woman, were indeed a match made in heaven!
Qiao Nian laughed inwardly, her face showing a hint of mockery.
Seeing Xiao Qingnuan embarrassed, Lin Yuan couldn't hold back, "Sister, don't insult Nuan like that, she was just standing up for me!"
Lin Yuan approached Xiao Qingnuan, using a handkerchief to wipe her face.
Perhaps thinking of what she saw that day, Lin Yuan spoke up again, with some indignation, "Even if Nuan wronged you on Spring Mountain Street that day, what about a few days ago? I saw with my own eyes that you..."
She didn't finish her sentence, as if holding back.
But it didn't matter; the implication was clear.
Even Lin Ye spoke up, "When Yuan came that day, her eyes were red from crying; she was clearly wronged."
The implication was that Lin Yuan's grievance was Qiao Nian's doing.
Qiao Nian took a deep breath, suppressing her rising hatred, but a sarcastic smile played on her lips.
"With your own eyes? Then why doesn't Miss Lin directly ask General Xiao what really happened? Was it me who threw myself at him, or does he harbor feelings he shouldn't have towards me?"