One sentence turned Lin Yuan's face instantly pale.
She could see that Xiao Heng had feelings for Qiao Nian, so what she witnessed that day, was it Xiao Heng who initiated the embrace?
As she pondered this, a mocking voice came from the side, "Who doesn't know that Miss Qiao once chased after General Xiao so relentlessly? How can you speak such words now?"
It was Song Boxuan, who had long been displeased.
As her words fell, the young nobles burst into laughter.
Indeed, Qiao Nian once pursued Xiao Heng with all her heart, her eyes only for him.
Her love was fervent, intense, unhidden, and righteous!
Thus, everyone in the capital knew she loved Xiao Heng.
But three years later, her love had become a laughingstock.
Was it pitiful?
Qiao Nian didn't think so; she loved openly and without deceit, so if anyone should feel pity, it would be someone else.
She just smiled faintly, "So, Miss Song also knows to use the word 'once'. I recall when your father was not yet the Minister of War, the gifts you sent to the Marquis's residence were almost thrown out by the servants."
Having her past embarrassment pointed out publicly, Song Boxuan lacked Qiao Nian's composure; her cheeks flushed red with anger.
Qiao Nian gave her a cold glance, then turned to Lin Yuan, "Moreover, what are your intentions in slandering me and General Xiao in front of Prince Ming?"
Without evidence, it was slander.
Especially now, with Lin Yuan suspecting that it was Xiao Heng who initiated the embrace that day, Qiao Nian's public questioning made her heart race with guilt.
The panic in her eyes was so evident that Lin Ye finally couldn't bear it and stepped forward, "Saying it's slander is too harsh. It must be a misunderstanding. Please, Prince Ming, do not take offense."
He understood why Prince Ming had invited him out today; even if he was displeased with this 'brother-in-law', he had to keep up appearances in public.
Moreover, previously, Prince Ming had intended to strike even Lin Yuan; if he angered this eccentric man today, what would happen to her?
Prince Ming clearly did not wish for the women to escalate matters further and spoke gently, "Nian is right; those are matters of the past. If I cared about Nian's past with General Xiao, I wouldn't have sought the Emperor's decree for our marriage."
This statement was also a way to back Qiao Nian up, signaling to everyone that he chose to marry Qiao Nian and warning them not to bring up the past again.
The young nobles understood the message and dared not mock further.
Then someone shouted, "Look! The pleasure boat is here!"
Everyone turned their attention to Ming Lake.
Ming Lake was vast, with the opposite shore invisible, hence the frequent presence of pleasure boats.
Although it wasn't the best season for boating, with no wind and warm sunlight, a boat ride would surely be delightful.
The young nobles were eager but mindful of etiquette and hierarchy.
When the first boat docked, they all invited Prince Ming to board first.
A pleasure boat could accommodate eight people including the boatman.
However, due to Prince Ming's status, the young nobles dared not share the same boat with him.
Thus, the first boat held only Qiao Nian, Prince Ming, and the siblings from the Lin and Xiao families.
Once on board, Qiao Nian admired the scenery, ignoring the others.
But Xiao Qingnuan, who hadn't gained an advantage on shore, couldn't help but stir trouble, "Oh, Yuan, your hairpins are so beautiful! Were they gifts from my brother?"
Lin Yuan had specifically chosen to wear two hairpins today; one was carved by Lin Ye, the other given by Xiao Heng on her birthday last year.
These were her most cherished items, so even though they didn't match perfectly, she wore both.
Unsure of what Lin Yuan was thinking, she instinctively glanced at Qiao Nian upon hearing Xiao Qingnuan's words, but Qiao Nian was gazing outwards, seemingly oblivious to their conversation.
Lin Yuan felt a touch of disappointment.
Then Xiao Qingnuan continued, "Speaking of which, Yuan, your birthday is coming up soon! I wonder what my brother will give you this year!"
As soon as she finished, Prince Ming spoke up, "I remember Nian and Miss Lin share the same birthday. In that case, Nian's birthday is approaching too. Do you have any wishes?"
Prince Ming's tone was too gentle for Qiao Nian to ignore, so she turned and gave him a slight smile, "I don't enjoy celebrating my birthday, nor do I have any particular desires. Thank you for your concern, Prince."
She spoke the truth.
In her first year at the laundry bureau, she waited all day on her birthday.
What was she waiting for?
Perhaps for Lin Ye to take her home, or for Xiao Heng to come.
Or maybe, just a small gift from the Marquis's residence.
At least that would prove she hadn't been forgotten.
But she waited from dawn until the moonlight of midnight touched her, with no birthday wishes.
She then realized that all her past birthdays were her own wishful thinking, and those birthday greetings were all false.
The people she waited for now had new daughters, new sisters, new fiancées...
She had long been forgotten by them.
From that day on, she no longer liked celebrating her birthday.
However, both Lin Ye and Xiao Heng's expressions changed.
They remembered how Qiao Nian used to love her birthday, reminding them almost half a month in advance.
Yet, they didn't need to prepare anything special; just their presence at her celebration would make her as happy as a blossoming flower.
How could she say she didn't like it now?
Lin Ye's hand subconsciously moved to his sleeve, where he hid a hairpin.
He had carved it just a few days ago, even more beautifully than the one in Lin Yuan's hair, intending to give it to her today to mend their relationship, but now...
He tightened his grip but didn't take it out.
Prince Ming was surprised by Qiao Nian's response but then laughed, "Nonsense, which woman doesn't like celebrating her birthday? But since Nian doesn't mention it, I'll prepare something at my discretion. You mustn't say you don't like it then!"
Such words from a prince seemed overly ingratiating.
Qiao Nian felt somewhat flattered, unsure how to respond.
Unexpectedly, the boatman suddenly approached, "I think I know what the lady might like."
This sudden intervention surprised everyone.
Even Xiao Qingnuan was puzzled, "Do you know her?"
The boatman nodded with a smile and fetched a wooden box from a drawer on the boat, presenting it respectfully to Qiao Nian, "This is something you left behind four years ago. I've kept it well, and today I finally meet you again!"
Something she left behind four years ago?
Qiao Nian couldn't remember, her face full of doubt as she took the box and opened it in front of everyone.
It was an earring.
Qiao Nian's face turned deathly pale, and Xiao Qingnuan's exclamation followed, "This is the earring my brother gave!"