Prince Ming's expression and words shocked Lin Ye.
Kindred spirits?
Him, with Prince Ming?
Impossible!
He threw another punch, "What nonsense are you talking! How could I be like you, a bastard! Don't you know how much innocent blood is on your hands?! Let me tell you, you'd better pray Nian is okay today, or I swear I'll take you down with me, even if it costs me my life!"
Prince Ming tilted his head, wiping the blood from his mouth.
The smile on his face finally faded.
His expression darkened as he looked at Lin Ye, an eyebrow arching, "The Young Marquis is truly righteous, the best brother one could ask for! Why not tell me how this best brother personally sent Qiao Nian to the laundry bureau three years ago?"
At this, Lin Ye seemed to freeze, standing still as if struck by a spell.
Prince Ming continued, "If not for the Young Marquis's actions three years ago, Qiao Nian wouldn't have this enduring character, wouldn't have caught my eye..."
He scoffed, casting a disdainful glance at Lin Ye, "Today's events are of your own making. Die with me? Hah, you're not worthy."
Lin Ye couldn't utter a single word in response.
He stared intently at Prince Ming, wanting to beat him senseless, yet he felt utterly drained of strength.
He couldn't move until Xiao Heng stepped forward, pulling him back.
"The Young Marquis is drunk and has seen his sister gravely injured, which has led to this impulsive behavior. Please forgive him, Your Highness."
Xiao Heng spoke with a voice that betrayed no emotion.
Prince Ming began to scrutinize Xiao Heng.
He knew Xiao Heng's desire to beat him was no less than Lin Ye's, but Xiao Heng could control himself, hiding it well.
A worthy young general who subdued the Xiongnu, indeed!
Prince Ming gave a cold laugh, glancing at the wine cup beside him, then said, "I understand, the Young Marquis was simply drunk and acted out of madness."
After all, this matter must not escalate.
Whether it was him beating Qiao Nian or Lin Ye hitting him.
If word got to the Emperor, all the long-standing arrangements between the two families could be ruined.
He knew he needed the Marquisate, but they needed him just as much.
So, the Marquis would surely keep Qiao Nian's matter under wraps.
But this young Marquis...
Prince Ming gave Lin Ye a cold look, "I hope the Young Marquis won't lose his mind."
Lin Ye merely stared at Prince Ming, unable to speak.
Xiao Heng responded on his behalf, "Rest assured, Your Highness, the Young Marquis understands. It's late; we won't disturb your rest further. We'll take our leave."
With that, he forcibly dragged Lin Ye away.
But before they could walk far, Prince Ming's voice came from behind, "General Xiao."
Xiao Heng stopped but did not turn around.
Prince Ming's voice, dripping with mockery, echoed, "I truly admire General Xiao."
Xiao Heng didn't reply, but his eyes darkened, subtly revealing a bloodthirsty cruelty...
Qiao Nian remained unconscious for three full days before she awoke.
Her eyelids were heavy, and she struggled to open them.
The first thing she saw was Ning Shuang, dozing by her bedside.
Qiao Nian's lips curved slightly, reaching out to touch Ning Shuang's cheek but wincing as the movement pulled at the wounds on her back.
The sharp pain made her draw a sharp breath.
Ning Shuang woke with a start, her eyes wide with disbelief, then welling with tears.
"Miss is awake?"
Her voice was thick with emotion.
She sniffed, hastily standing, "I'll fetch the physician, no, there's medicine, I'll bring the medicine! No, I should get the physician first..."
For a moment, Ning Shuang was at a loss for what to do.
Seeing her so flustered, Qiao Nian felt a twinge of sadness.
Ignoring the pain, she reached out to hold Ning Shuang's hand, "Don't do anything just yet, just stay here with me."
She desperately needed someone to be with her...
Her voice was dry and hoarse.
It made Ning Shuang's tears fall uncontrollably.
She knelt by the bed, gripping Qiao Nian's hand tightly, "Alright, I'll stay with Miss! I'll always be with Miss from now on, never leaving her alone!"
Ning Shuang was consumed by guilt.
She thought if she had insisted on accompanying Miss to the palace, this wouldn't have happened!
Sensing her guilt, Qiao Nian quickly reassured her, "Silly girl, this has nothing to do with you."
She knew that if Ning Shuang had come, she would have just been another person to be beaten!
Moreover, the one who should feel guilty certainly wasn't Ning Shuang.
Ning Shuang sniffled, unsure of what to say.
Qiao Nian wiped her tears away, then asked, "How is Grandmother?"
Ning Shuang nodded, "We told the old lady that Miss caught a slight chill, fearing it might affect her if she visited. We said you'd see her in a few days."
Qiao Nian felt relieved; it was good her grandmother didn't know.
Seeing this, Ning Shuang took a deep breath and asked, "Doesn't Miss have any other questions?"
Qiao Nian understood her meaning but had lost all interest in the others in the household.
She sighed softly, "What do you want to say?"
Ning Shuang bit her lip, then recounted what had happened while Qiao Nian was unconscious.
She told her that the night Qiao Nian was brought back, the Young Marquis didn't return until dawn, covered in injuries, but instead of seeking medical attention, he confronted the Marquis and Lady Lin.
She said there was a huge argument, seemingly about annulling Qiao Nian's engagement.
Here, Ning Shuang frowned, "Miss, what should we do? It seems the Marquis and Lady Lin don't want to annul the engagement."
Qiao Nian wasn't surprised.
After all, knowing Prince Ming's nature yet sending her to him, they wouldn't cancel the marriage unless he killed her.
Moreover, there was the Emperor's decree.
Seeing Qiao Nian silent, Ning Shuang grew more anxious, "What if Prince Ming does this again? Miss, I'm scared..."
Scared that Prince Ming would beat Qiao Nian into such a bloody mess again.
Scared that next time, Miss might not wake up.
And this was what Qiao Nian feared as well.
Even now, she could vividly recall Prince Ming's face, filled with excitement and satisfaction while abusing her.
He was addicted to it!
Otherwise, he wouldn't have beaten so many innocent women to death before!
She hadn't known about this before, but now that she did, she couldn't just sit and wait for death!
Fortunately, she wasn't entirely powerless; she still had a chance to fight back!
As she was thinking, the door was suddenly pushed open.
It was the physician.
And with him, Lady Lin and Lin Yuan...