LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 50: Continue Your Punishment
Chapter 50: Continue Your Punishment
Given Xiao Heng’s protection, Lin Yuan appeared even more aggrieved, completely hiding behind him without showing her face.
Qiao Nian couldn’t help but silently curse her bad luck.
Feeling increasingly annoyed, she spoke coldly, “Grandmother wouldn’t want to see you. You should leave.”
Perhaps emboldened by Xiao Heng’s support, Lin Yuan’s tone toward Qiao Nian grew bolder. She peeked out, challenging Qiao Nian, “Sister isn’t Grandmother, how do you know she doesn’t want to see me?”
Qiao Nian’s expression darkened instantly, and she instinctively stepped toward Lin Yuan, her tone icy, “Have you truly forgotten what you did?”
Seeing Qiao Nian approach, Lin Yuan instantly recalled yesterday’s terror of being pinned down and beaten. She quickly hid behind Xiao Heng, clutching his clothes tightly, her body seemingly trembling, “I… I came today to apologize to Grandmother.”
Feeling the fear of the person behind him, Xiao Heng’s brows furrowed as he looked at Qiao Nian, “Yuan’er knows her mistake. I came specially today to accompany her to apologize to Old Madam.”
Glancing at Qiao Nian’s clenched fists, he added gravely, “You should control your temper and stop resorting to violence. Yuan’er isn’t like you…”
“Enough.”
Qiao Nian’s sharp cry cut off Xiao Heng’s lecture.
Taking a deep breath, she gave a mocking smile and looked at Xiao Heng, “General Xiao isn’t yet a son-in-law of the Marquis’s household, but at least I am nominally the First Young Miss of this household. Therefore, it’s not your place to interfere in household matters, nor to lecture me!”
Hearing this, Xiao Heng’s expression darkened dramatically.
They had known each other since childhood – when in these many years had Qiao Nian ever spoken to him like this?
Not his place to lecture?
Was it because she was soon to marry another?
He stared at her intently, a gloom spreading in his eyes.
Perhaps due to his years on the battlefield, Qiao Nian felt Xiao Heng’s overwhelming presence bearing down on her, making her heart flutter with unease.
But she knew that with so many eyes watching, he wouldn’t dare do anything to her.
So, suppressing that small hint of fear and anxiety, she lifted her chin and spoke deliberately, “I see Young Lady Lin has recovered well, so you should continue serving your unfinished punishment! Whether Grandmother will see you can be discussed after you complete your punishment!”
Implying Lin Yuan should return to kneel in the ancestral hall!
Hearing this, Lin Yuan panicked and tugged at Xiao Heng’s clothes, “Brother Heng, my knees still hurt…”
“Have you forgotten what I just said? This surname Xiao has no right to interfere in the Marquis household’s affairs,” Qiao Nian interrupted Lin Yuan’s pleading.
Xiao Heng’s voice turned cold, filled with venom, “Qiao Nian, don’t go too far!”
His protective stance over Lin Yuan suggested he could devour Qiao Nian at any moment.
Qiao Nian laughed coldly inside but ignored Xiao Heng, instead addressing Lin Yuan mockingly, “Your brother is still kneeling in the ancestral hall. Aren’t you always protective of your brother? What’s this? Can you siblings only share joy but not hardship?”
“That’s not true!” Lin Yuan couldn’t bear hearing Qiao Nian describe her relationship with Lin Ye this way.
He was her brother, her most loving brother, and she should protect him, always standing by his side.
Even knowing Qiao Nian was deliberately provoking her, she couldn’t remain silent.
Even though her brother had suggested she pretend to faint today, if he heard these words, he would be hurt!
She didn’t want her brother to misunderstand!
Taking a deep breath, she said, “Sister needn’t try to sow discord, I’ll go kneel in the ancestral hall! But I truly know my mistake. Even if Grandmother doesn’t want to see me, I must still apologize to her!”
As she spoke, she knelt facing Old Madam’s courtyard, her tears flowing with her delicate voice, “Grandmother, Yuan’er knows her wrong. Yuan’er will never dare anger Grandmother again. Please forgive Yuan’er!”
She kowtowed three times to Old Madam’s courtyard.
Her performance was extremely pitiful, eyes brimming with tears.
Qiao Nian wondered if Lin Yuan actually thought she was being filial, loyal, and moving?
But it was merely laughable!
They didn’t even know if Grandmother was awake, and even if she was, she probably couldn’t hear Lin Yuan’s weak voice.
So who was this performance for?
Her, or Xiao Heng?
After kowtowing, Lin Yuan stood with Xiao Cui’s help. She sniffled, glanced at Qiao Nian as if wanting to say something.
But Qiao Nian’s contemptuous and disdainful gaze made her swallow her words.
Then she turned to Xiao Heng.
With teary, pitiful eyes, she said, “Brother Heng, I’m sorry you came here for nothing…”
Actually apologizing to Xiao Heng!
Qiao Nian stood aside, quite surprised.
She felt she could never learn Lin Yuan’s ways in this lifetime.
Of course, she wouldn’t deign to learn them either.
Just as she took a few steps, her vision darkened and dizziness overwhelmed her, making her whole body sway.
Seeing this, Xiao Heng rushed forward in one swift motion, catching her in his arms…
Earlier:
Indeed… it was quite disgusting.
When Xiao Heng heard Lin Yuan’s words, his tone softened, “How could it be? I came today specifically to see you.”
Just this one sentence made Lin Yuan’s heart leap.
Though tears still stained her cheeks, her face visibly reddened.
She glanced furtively at Qiao Nian, looking like she wanted to show off but didn’t quite dare.
Qiao Nian naturally wouldn’t take such petty thoughts to heart, just frowning impatiently, “Does Young Lady Lin know the way to the ancestral hall? Do you need me to send someone to escort you?”
Hearing this, Lin Yuan pouted pitifully again, finally bowing to Xiao Heng before turning toward the ancestral hall.
The way she kept looking back suggested she was either waiting for Xiao Heng to call her back or for Qiao Nian to retract her words.
But Qiao Nian couldn’t be bothered to look at her or Xiao Heng again, simply saying, “Then I won’t disturb General Xiao anymore.”
With that, she turned toward Old Madam’s courtyard.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Heng followed.
Qiao Nian immediately became displeased, “What are you doing?”
Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow, his tone heavy, “Naturally, I’m visiting Old Madam. What, will Young Lady Qiao make me kneel in the ancestral hall too?”
Was he mocking her on Lin Yuan’s behalf?
Qiao Nian snorted coldly, refusing to engage further as she walked ahead.