The Marquis of Lin was choked by the question, unable to respond immediately.
It was Lady Lin, rushing over upon hearing the commotion, who first supported Qiao Nian while soothing her in a low voice, "Nian, don't worry, your father is, after all, a Marquis, and besides, Consort De and I are close friends. Considering this connection, Prince Ming wouldn't dare do anything to you..."
But before she could finish her sentence, she felt the warm wetness in her palms.
Looking down, she saw her hands covered in blood, her eyes widened in horror, instinctively stepping back.
Everyone else was struck speechless by the sight.
Only Qiao Nian, her gaze sweeping across each of their faces, etching their expressions into her memory, her lips curling into a self-mocking, cold smile, "So, Lady Lin knew as well..."
"So, you all knew, but kept it from me..."
So they all knew that Prince Ming was a maniac who enjoyed abusing women, yet they concealed this from her, even eagerly handing her over to him!
By the end of her words, a tear slipped down Qiao Nian's cheek.
She had wanted to hold it back.
But...
She couldn't!
It hurt too much!
Really, it hurt too much!
How could they do this to her?
Lady Lin was the first to react, stepping forward again, her voice trembling with panic, "You're injured, let me help you back, quickly, summon the physician!"
But Qiao Nian stepped back, avoiding Lady Lin's blood-stained hands, letting out a low, bitter laugh.
"Ha ha, ha ha ha..."
She took a deep breath, looking at them with confusion, "You all said that the three years in the laundry bureau had paid off the previous fifteen years, didn't you?"
"If it's already paid off, why treat me like this? What deep-seated grudge do we have?"
She genuinely didn't understand.
Why could they blame her for not treating them like family, while simultaneously pushing her into the fire?
They had seen the scars on her body, knew how she lived those three years in the laundry bureau!
They knew what Prince Ming did in the West City!
They knew that after marrying Prince Ming, she would live days akin to her time in the laundry bureau!
They...
Weren't they once her family?
Didn't they all say they loved her, would protect her?
Why then?
What was the reason?
Qiao Nian couldn't fathom it.
Truly couldn't fathom it...
Faced with Qiao Nian's interrogation, both the Marquis and Lady Lin were speechless.
Seeing Lady Lin crying uncontrollably, Lin Yuan hurried forward to protect her mother, "Sister, what's wrong with you? Why are you so angry with our parents? You're injured; just see the physician. Why blame our parents? After raising you for so many years, have they not earned anything but resentment from you?"
Her tone was timid, as if she dared not criticize Qiao Nian.
Yet, each word pierced Qiao Nian like a sharp blade.
Yes, they had raised her for many years.
But she paid them back!
Wasn't it agreed that the three years in the laundry bureau settled the debt?
Qiao Nian stared intently at Lin Yuan, wanting to retort, but was shocked to find herself utterly drained of the strength to speak.
Meanwhile, Lin Ye, seeing Qiao Nian in such a state, thought she might say something harsh to Lin Yuan and coldly snapped, "Enough, Qiao Nian! You climbed up to Prince Ming yourself! Didn't you think you could lord it over Mother once you were with Prince Ming?"
"Silence!" the Marquis suddenly shouted, his chest heaving, but his eyes fixed on the ground, not daring to meet Qiao Nian's gaze.
Even in his drunken state, Lin Ye recognized the Marquis's genuine anger and dared not speak further.
Yet, his eyes remained vigilant, watching Qiao Nian as if he would tear her mouth if she dared speak ill of Lin Yuan.
At that moment, Qiao Nian could barely stand, her body swaying.
She longed for Ning Shuang!
At least, if Ning Shuang were here, she would surely stand up for her, wouldn't she?
A wave of dizziness hit her, and Qiao Nian's legs gave way, nearly collapsing to the ground again.
Fortunately, the matron next to Lady Lin quickly supported her.
But upon feeling the warmth of the blood on Qiao Nian's body, the matron's eyes reddened, her voice trembling with a hint of tears, "Master, Mistress, the young miss is covered in wounds!"
Covered in wounds?
These four simple words struck Lin Ye like a dagger through his brain.
He suddenly remembered how Ning Shuang had said something similar not long after Qiao Nian returned.
Though he had seen the blood on Lady Lin's hands and guessed that Qiao Nian must have suffered at Prince Ming's hands, he hadn't imagined it would be this severe.
Even the matron's clothes seemed to be stained with blood...
Qiao Nian leaned entirely on the matron, sensing Lin Ye's shock and confusion, she looked up at him.
Their eyes met, and Qiao Nian's lips twisted into a cold, mocking smile, her voice weak and hoarse, "I've been to the West City, young Marquis, are you satisfied?"
Boom!
As if struck by lightning, Lin Ye stood frozen.
The Marquis decisively ordered, "Send her back immediately! Call the physician! Hurry!"
In an instant, everyone rushed to escort Qiao Nian back to Fragrant Lotus Garden.
By the time Lin Ye regained his senses, only Lin Yuan remained beside him.
"Brother..." Lin Yuan's voice was soft, even tinged with fear.
She felt somewhat guilty for not telling Lin Ye about the coachman's words earlier, yet she also felt she was innocent, not knowing what horrors lay in the West City.
She moved closer to Lin Ye, her eyes brimming with tears, hoping he would comfort her as before.
But...
Lin Ye's eyes were fixed on the spot where Qiao Nian had stood, where the paving stones were dotted with blood...
She had gone to the West City?
Prince Ming took her to the West City?
How dare that beast take her there!
A surge of unprecedented anger filled Lin Ye's heart, his eyes bloodshot. Without thinking, he stormed out of the mansion.
Lin Yuan was shocked, calling out in panic, "Brother! Where are you going!"
But Lin Ye ignored her, disappearing from her sight in moments.
Lin Yuan was terrified; she had never seen Lin Ye so furious.
She wanted to chase after him, but Lin Ye's stride was too swift for her to catch up.
More importantly, she didn't know where he was headed!
Terrified, Lin Yuan bit her lip, then called out to Xiaocui behind her, "Quick, prepare the carriage, to the Xiao residence!"
She thought perhaps only Xiao Heng could stop Lin Ye!