LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 51: Will You Come Here, or Shall I Go There?
Chapter 51: Will You Come Here, or Shall I Go There?
This scene was witnessed by Lin Yuan, who was still looking back every few steps.
She immediately widened her eyes, not understanding why Xiao Heng and Qiao Nian were suddenly embracing!
Xiao Qingnu’s words suddenly echoed in her mind.
She had said that Qiao Nian was deliberately trying to seduce Xiao Heng…
So, when Qiao Nian had just sent her to kneel in the ancestral hall, was it to get rid of her in order to seduce Brother Heng?
Her heart was in utter turmoil. She wanted to rush over and confront them, but…
She was also very afraid.
Xiao Heng’s words from Spring Mountain Street still echoed in her ears. She somewhat knew what Brother Heng’s thoughts were, and she feared that her confrontation would make her seem like those unloved original wives in novels.
She was afraid that Xiao Heng would stand by Qiao Nian’s side, protecting her just as he had protected herself earlier.
If that were the case, wouldn’t her position in Xiao Heng’s heart compared to Qiao Nian’s have completely flipped?
No, she didn’t want that!
She would allow Qiao Nian to have a place in Xiao Heng’s heart, but she wanted to occupy the largest and most significant portion!
So, she immediately withdrew her gaze, allowing hot tears to blur everything.
Xiao Cui, standing beside her, couldn’t help but worry, “Miss, why don’t we go find the master and mistress? If they knew how shamelessly the eldest miss threw herself into General Xiao’s arms, they would surely punish her!”
But unexpectedly, Lin Yuan softly rebuked, “Do you think my relationship with my sister is too good? She already resents me so much…”
“But…” Xiao Cui wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Lin Yuan, “Enough, accompany me to the ancestral hall!”
With that, she strode away, not daring to look back even once.
But if she had turned back, even for just a glance, she would have seen how Qiao Nian pushed Xiao Heng away and retreated several steps backward.
She looked as if she regarded Xiao Heng as a dangerous beast.
So much so that Xiao Heng’s arms, which had been embracing Qiao Nian, hadn’t even had time to withdraw, and he stood there staring at her in astonishment.
In the past, she had always liked to cling to him, and if there was a chance to get close, she would never miss it.
But now…
Was it really because she was already betrothed to someone else that she was keeping her distance from him?
Thinking of this, a hint of displeasure showed in Xiao Heng’s eyes!
Qiao Nian understood Xiao Heng best, and she was most familiar with this expression of his.
But wasn’t he the one who had told her to stay away in the past?
She took a deep breath, looking at Xiao Heng’s eyes tinged with anger, and unconsciously took another step back.
But this step seemed to stimulate Xiao Heng’s last nerve.
He slightly raised the tail of his eyebrow, and then walked towards Qiao Nian.
His pace wasn’t fast, but each step carried a frightening danger.
Qiao Nian instinctively retreated, but saw a smile curl at the corner of Xiao Heng’s mouth.
Qiao Nian knew too well what this expression of Xiao Heng’s meant.
She knew even better that this great general, who had conquered the northern barbarians and had illustrious military achievements, was far from being the gentleman he appeared to be.
She had personally witnessed Xiao Heng drive his mother’s concubine, who had bullied his mother, to jump into a well.
At that time, Xiao Heng had worn this very expression.
Although that concubine was later rescued, she never dared to appear before Xiao Heng’s mother again for the rest of her life.
And now, Xiao Heng was looking at her with that same expression.
Fear welled up in Qiao Nian’s heart, and even her retreating steps became somewhat chaotic.
Ning Shuang seemed to sense the danger and stepped in front of her, “General Xiao, my young lady was seriously injured yesterday. She’s still weak and can’t handle any shock.”
Xiao Heng’s gaze was drawn to Ning Shuang, finally moving away from Qiao Nian’s face.
“Who do you think you are?” he asked coldly, his light voice like a boulder, easily knocking Ning Shuang back.
Ning Shuang didn’t dare to say another word.
She was afraid that if she said one more word, Xiao Heng would cut out her tongue.
She could only think that, after all, this was the Marquis’s mansion. No matter how angry General Xiao was, he wouldn’t lay hands on her young lady, right?
Xiao Heng turned his gaze back to Qiao Nian, the image of her face once filled with uncontrollable joy at seeing him gradually merging with the fearful face before him now.
A strange feeling rose unbidden in his heart, growing stronger and stronger.
He furrowed his brow and asked in a low voice, “Will you come here, or shall I go there?”
He seemed to want to use this threatening question to regain his initiative with her.
But unexpectedly, Qiao Nian stood her ground, not moving.
She didn’t understand what Xiao Heng meant by asking this now, but she knew the answer.
“General Xiao need not come over, and I won’t go over either. The current distance is the best distance between us from now on.”
Even though she knew Xiao Heng was angry, even though she was aware that Xiao Heng was very dangerous right now, even though she felt some fear towards him in her heart.
But these words, she still had to say.
This distance, separated by two or three steps, was neither too close nor too far. It was a distance that allowed them to maintain surface politeness without crossing boundaries.
She would absolutely not cross that boundary.
And neither could he!
Xiao Heng naturally heard the implication in Qiao Nian’s words, and immediately let out a deep laugh, “What does Miss Qiao think I want to do?”
This laughter carried a hint of mockery, as if ridiculing Qiao Nian for her presumption.
Qiao Nian felt somewhat embarrassed for a moment.
Yes, what could he do to her?
Even when she loved him so much and chased after him, he never spared her a glance. How could he possibly do anything to her now?
An inexplicable ache spread in her chest. Qiao Nian bit her lip, and finally said nothing.
She only bowed slightly to Xiao Heng before turning to walk towards the Old Madam’s courtyard.
However, his voice came again, “Nian Nian.”
The familiar voice, the familiar tone, for a moment, Qiao Nian thought she had returned to three years ago.
But was three years ago good?
No, not at all.
Three years ago, she would always put Xiao Heng first. For just one look from him, she couldn’t even speak up to defend herself.
She hated her past self!
But Qiao Nian was still forced to stop by this call. She stood in place, facing away from him, not having the courage to turn around.
She only heard his voice behind her, low and slightly hoarse, “Prince Ming is not a good match. You cannot marry him.”
Even now, with the imperial decree of betrothal issued, he still couldn’t help but try to dissuade her.
Perhaps, it was for the sake of their past relationship!
But Qiao Nian found it laughable as she listened.
She knew that Xiao Heng must have seen through the oddity of this marriage arrangement, and must also know that none of this was up to her to decide.
So what use were these words?
She still didn’t turn to face Xiao Heng, only responding faintly, “Alright, if General Xiao can break off his engagement and not marry, then I won’t marry either.”
After saying this, she strode away, no longer lingering.
Because she knew that Xiao Heng could not break off his engagement, and she could not avoid marriage.
She and he would ultimately become strangers…
Because she didn’t look back, Qiao Nian naturally didn’t see the surging, indescribable desire in Xiao Heng’s eyes as he watched her leave…