Hearing Qiao Nian speak ill of Lin Yuan, Xiao Qingnuan instinctively retorted, "You're lying! Yuan isn't like that!"
Qiao Nian raised an eyebrow slightly, "Oh, really? It seems Miss Xiao remembers nothing."
This statement provoked Xiao Qingnuan, who began to recall what happened after she fell into the water.
She remembered struggling in the water and clearly saw her brother and Lin Ye rushing out, both ready to jump in and save her.
But why did they stop?
Xiao Qingnuan thought of the figure who staggered out and her heart skipped a beat.
Was it Lin Yuan who stopped them?
Seeing Xiao Qingnuan's expression change, Qiao Nian gave a faint smile, "Miss Lin was worried about your reputation, so she stopped General Xiao and the young Marquis. But I believe that one's life is more important than reputation."
She spoke as she handed the still-warm herbal soup to Xiao Qingnuan, "Moreover, General Xiao is your own brother; who would gossip if he risked his life to save you? As for the young Marquis... he's not betrothed yet. If any rumors arise, he could just marry you. We couldn't let you drown, could we?"
Qiao Nian smiled slightly after finishing.
She and Xiao Qingnuan had been rivals since childhood.
She knew Xiao Qingnuan's temperament well and was certain her words had struck a chord.
Xiao Qingnuan took the medicine, drank it down in one gulp, wiped her mouth, then looked at Qiao Nian, "You're no saint either, nearly killing me in the water!"
"You wrong me, Miss Xiao." Qiao Nian stood up and walked to the table, "Your flailing was too vigorous; I had to make you pass out to save us both, given how obediently General Xiao and the young Marquis follow Miss Lin's orders."
She placed the bowl on the table and acted as if she suddenly remembered something, looking at Xiao Qingnuan, "Oh, right. You're General Xiao's sister. If this incident tarnishes your reputation and you're forced to marry the young Marquis first, then Miss Lin's engagement with your brother might be called off!"
After all, Xiao Qingnuan was Xiao Heng's sister. If she married Lin Ye, would Lin Yuan call her sister or sister-in-law?
Xiao Qingnuan's face turned ashen.
She looked coldly at Qiao Nian, "Don't think I don't know you're sowing discord!"
"I am indeed sowing discord." Qiao Nian admitted openly, as her actions were too obvious for Xiao Qingnuan not to notice.
She sat down by the table, leaning half her body against it, smiling lightly at Xiao Qingnuan, "We've been rivals since childhood, with victories on both sides, equally matched. But since Miss Lin entered the Marquisate, I've lost. I can't beat her, do you think you can? You rush to defend her whenever she cries, but what did she do when your life was at stake?"
At these words, Xiao Qingnuan's gaze was fixed intensely on her fingertips, but in her mind's eye, she saw Lin Yuan's pitiful face.
Qiao Nian continued, "I don't want you to be played for a fool, not for your sake, but for mine. Xiao Qingnuan, I'm about to marry Prince Ming, and in less than three months, I'll be leaving for Gu City. During this time, I don't want any trouble."
Dealing with Lin Yuan, who only knew how to shed tears, was troublesome enough; adding Xiao Qingnuan to the mix would truly give her a headache.
So, she was indeed sowing discord, intending to divide them.
Only then could she find some peace.
But after hearing Qiao Nian's words, Xiao Qingnuan no longer cared about Lin Yuan.
She frowned at Qiao Nian, her voice cold, "You're really going to marry Prince Ming?"
Qiao Nian wasn't expecting such a question from Xiao Qingnuan, pausing slightly before sitting up straight, "The imperial edict has been issued; I can't defy it."
"But my brother advised you against it." Xiao Qingnuan pouted and got out of bed, "He said you were set on marrying Prince Ming. Don't think you've snagged a good match; he's not a good man! He only pretends to protect you in front of others; everyone secretly laughs at you, pities you!"
As she spoke, Xiao Qingnuan headed for the door, pausing slightly as she passed Qiao Nian, "I don't want you to be fooled either. Qiao Nian, if he ever takes you to the west of the city one day, remember, don't go."
The west of the city?
Qiao Nian was puzzled, but Xiao Qingnuan didn't elaborate and walked out.
Unexpectedly, Lin Yuan and the others arrived just then.
Seeing Xiao Qingnuan, Lin Yuan rushed over, "Nuan! Why are you up?"
Her face was full of concern as she grabbed Xiao Qingnuan's hand, "You've just woken up from unconsciousness, you should rest more!"
Saying this, Lin Yuan looked worriedly past Xiao Qingnuan at Qiao Nian, still sitting in the room, then continued, "If you don't want to stay here, you can come to my place for a couple of days..."
"Yes!" Lin Ye chimed in, "Miss Xiao should rest more."
But to everyone's surprise, Xiao Qingnuan pulled her hand away from Lin Yuan's grasp, stepping back with a cold expression, "Thank you, Miss Lin, but Fragrant Lotus Garden is quite nice. I feel fine and can go back home to recuperate."
Miss Lin?
Not Yuan?
Lin Yuan was stunned; she didn't expect Xiao Qingnuan to be so cold towards her.
Her eyes instantly reddened, the familiar look of grievance and tears forming on her face.
She glanced at Qiao Nian before asking softly, "Nuan, did you... did you hear something from someone, misunderstand me?"
"Miss Lin might as well name names." Qiao Nian finally stepped out of the room, smiling at Lin Yuan, "No need for this passive-aggressive tone."
Lin Yuan quickly shook her head, looking innocent, "No, no, I'm just surprised by Nuan's attitude..."
"There's nothing to be surprised about." Qiao Nian's face still bore that faint smile, "Miss Xiao isn't deaf; she clearly heard you stop General Xiao and the young Marquis from saving her. Who else needs to say anything?"
Hearing this, Lin Yuan panicked and tried to explain to Xiao Qingnuan, "It's not like that, Nuan, listen to me, I was truly worried about your reputation..."
Before she could finish, Xiao Qingnuan cut her off, "Miss Lin thinks reputation is important, but I value life more. It seems we're not on the same path."
"It's not like that, Nuan, I asked Sister to save you because I know she can swim!" Lin Yuan was completely flustered.
Xiao Qingnuan was Xiao Heng's only sister; what if she got upset and Xiao Heng turned against her too?
But Qiao Nian gave a low, mocking laugh.
"Shifting the blame to me when trouble arises, claiming credit for my good deeds, Miss Lin, you're quite something!"
Xiao Qingnuan added, "I never heard you ask Qiao Nian to save me. Did I miss it while I was unconscious?"