It was late.
Qiao Nian awoke groggily, lying on the ground, noting the nearly extinguished candles on the walls, indicating it was no longer early.
But exactly how much time had passed, she didn't know.
She only knew that Prince Ming's whip had struck her back repeatedly until he was too exhausted to continue.
She could still recall the unrestrained, exultant laughter of Prince Ming as he left...
Like a demon from the underworld, laughing maniacally after committing the utmost cruelty...
Her back was burning with pain.
She dared not move.
Blood and fabric clung together, and even the slightest movement brought an agony that felt like her heart was being torn apart.
So painful...
Truly, so painful!
More painful than the beatings from the matrons at the laundry bureau!
Yet, his technique was precise; her hands and face were unscathed.
He even made her remove her outer garment before the whipping.
Thank goodness she had removed it.
Otherwise, returning home in such a state, her grandmother would surely find out.
With this thought, Qiao Nian slightly moved her fingers and then, despite the excruciating pain, forced herself to stand.
She couldn't stay here any longer; it was late, and she needed to return.
Otherwise, her grandmother would worry about her prolonged absence!
Perhaps it was the noise from inside that alerted someone.
The door opened, revealing the coachman from before, standing outside.
Seeing Qiao Nian standing, covered in blood, the coachman's face showed a fleeting horror before he quickly lowered his head, saying, "The Prince has instructed me to take Miss Qiao back home."
Qiao Nian gave the coachman a faint glance, said nothing, and staggered to the side to pick up her outer garment, struggling to put it on.
She straightened her back with effort, fearful that the blood might stain her outer clothes.
After finally fastening the last button, she stepped outside.
The coachman followed at a distance, seemingly worried she might collapse and touch him.
However, Qiao Nian, though unsteady on her feet, managed to reach the carriage.
Just before getting in, she turned back to the coachman and asked in a low voice, "How many people have been brought to this estate, including me?"
Her throat was parched from the beating, making her voice hoarse and weak.
Yet, even in this weakened state, her voice carried a chilling authority.
The coachman, after a brief moment of shock, answered honestly, "Miss, you are the fifteenth."
Fifteen?
What an inauspicious number.
She was sent to the laundry bureau after living in the Marquis's residence for fifteen years.
She thought for a moment, then asked, "Did any of those girls walk out from here?"
She actually meant if any had survived.
But she feared asking too directly, in case the coachman wouldn't answer.
Even now, the coachman slightly bowed his head, not daring to meet Qiao Nian's gaze.
He gently shook his head.
Qiao Nian understood and, with all her remaining strength, climbed into the carriage.
Outside, the sky was indeed darkening.
The dusk had risen, and by the time the carriage stopped outside the Marquis's residence, it was quite dark.
As Qiao Nian alighted, Lin Ye's voice came from behind, mocking, "I wondered who would visit the Marquis's residence at such a late hour, didn't expect it to be Miss Qiao!"
Qiao Nian's brow furrowed slightly.
She had no energy for a confrontation today.
Her back was in too much pain; she wanted to return to Fragrant Lotus Garden, to see Ning Shuang...
So, she pretended not to hear, stepping into the mansion.
But Lin Ye rushed forward, grabbing her arm, "I'm speaking to you, and this is how you respond!"
The strong smell of alcohol nearly made Qiao Nian faint, but the sharp pain in her back kept her conscious.
Lin Yuan came running from behind Lin Ye, gently dissuading, "Brother, don't be angry. Sister was out with Prince Ming, that's why she's late. Even for Prince Ming's sake, don't make things hard for her."
"Prince Ming's sake?" Lin Ye scoffed, "Yes, I should give some face to Prince Ming. Look at how well he treats you, even taking you boating! In my opinion, you should be taken straight to the West City!"
Qiao Nian, who had been expressionless, showed a flash of shock at Lin Ye's words.
"You... know about the West City?" She finally spoke, her voice so hoarse it startled Lin Ye, sobering him slightly from his drunken state.
He stared at Qiao Nian, his gaze appraising, eventually settling on her earlobe where dried blood was visible, indicating she was injured.
No wonder he had faintly smelled blood since earlier.
But could just this small injury produce such a scent?
Lin Ye was momentarily stunned, speechless.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Nian raised her voice, "Do you know about the West City!"
Her emotions flared, causing the wounds on her back to pull, the pain like salt being poured on her back, making sweat bead on her forehead.
Lin Ye was first taken aback, then angrily shoved Qiao Nian, "How dare you yell at me!"
Qiao Nian was already at her limit, only standing from fear of her grandmother's worry. Pushed by Lin Ye, she fell to the ground, unable to get up for a long while.
She heard Lin Ye's angry shout from behind, "So what if I know about the West City, so what if I don't? I've told you that Prince Ming is no good, but you insisted on clinging to him, thinking you've found support, a backing? Hah! Ridiculous! I'm telling you, it's a pit of fire you've jumped into; you'll be burned to ashes!"
Qiao Nian's back was now almost numb with pain.
Whether it was the pain that numbed her or the ache in her heart that overshadowed it, she couldn't tell.
She still couldn't rise, nor had the strength to look at Lin Ye, but stubbornly asked again, "So, you knew about the West City?"
Seeing her in such a pitiful state, Lin Ye felt it hard to breathe, his frustration growing.
He suddenly realized he was somewhat reluctant to voice the truth.
But what was there to fear?
What was there to fear in front of Qiao Nian?
He then shouted fiercely, "Yes, I knew about the West City, knew he's not just a cripple but a maniac! What's it to you!"
"Ye'er!"
A sharp rebuke came from not far away; it was the Marquis.
He approached quickly, his face flushed with anger, "Who permitted you to speak of Prince Ming like that!" Even within the mansion, such disrespectful words were not to be uttered carelessly!
But Lin Ye, intoxicated and furious, resisted his father's scolding, retorting, "This is no longer a secret, what's there to hide!"
No longer a secret?
Qiao Nian caught the implication, slowly lifting her head to look at the Marquis, now standing not far in front of her, "So, you all knew?"