LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 55: Wishing You Dead
Chapter 55: Wishing You Dead
Yes, this was the earring given by Xiao Heng.
Four years ago, she had accidentally dropped it into the lake while boating with this pair of earrings. In her haste, she jumped in after it and nearly drowned.
She never expected that the earring, which should have sunk to the bottom of the lake, had actually been retrieved by this boatman!
Everyone on the boat looked displeased, but the boatman was completely unaware of the change in atmosphere. He just said ingratiatingly, “That day, this lowly one saw how much the young lady cared about this earring and thought it must be very meaningful. So I searched the lake bottom for several days and was fortunate to find it. But I never saw the young lady again after that. It’s good that today I can finally return it to its rightful owner!”
Qiao Nian felt deeply moved.
Firstly, she hadn’t expected the boatman to be so attentive. Secondly, she never thought she would see this earring again one day.
In the past, she naturally loved it very much, because it was the first proper gift Xiao Heng had given her as a young woman.
She thought it was proof that Xiao Heng had finally accepted her, so she cherished it especially.
But now, seeing it again…
Qiao Nian felt a mix of emotions. She thanked the boatman and took out a silver ingot to give him, “This is indeed mine. Thank you.”
That silver ingot was worth a year’s salary for the boatman. He happily accepted it and left with the silver.
However, before he could exit the cabin, there was a splash behind him.
When he turned to look, he saw ripples spreading on the lake’s surface, and Qiao Nian’s hand was empty.
Where were the earring and wooden box?
Xiao Qingnu was the first to exclaim, “Qiao Nian, are you crazy? That was…”
It was something her brother had gone to great lengths to obtain!
But Xiao Qingnu didn’t finish her sentence, because Xiao Heng’s face had turned extremely gloomy.
Qiao Nian ignored Xiao Qingnu and sat down on her own.
Prince Ming’s gaze fell on Xiao Heng, seeing him surrounded by a sinister aura as he stared intently at Qiao Nian.
He felt inexplicably pleased, but his face remained impassive. He only asked with feigned concern, “Why did you throw it away? Wasn’t that given by General Xiao?”
Qiao Nian finally responded, “Indeed, it was given by General Xiao. But since it was given to me, I have the right to dispose of it. I am about to marry Your Highness, it would be inappropriate to keep things given by other men.”
Prince Ming nodded repeatedly, “Nian Nian is right.”
His gaze glanced at Xiao Heng’s ashen face, and a smile involuntarily curved his lips.
But perhaps Xiao Heng’s gaze was too intense.
It caused Lin Yuan beside him to redden her eyes, and she couldn’t help but gently tug at Xiao Heng’s sleeve, softly calling, “Brother Heng…”
Xiao Heng’s gaze finally left Qiao Nian, but he didn’t look at Lin Yuan either. Instead, he gazed at the lake surface.
The atmosphere in the boat became even more awkward because of this pair of earrings.
Lin Ye silently hid his left hand, which held the hairpin, behind his back.
He thought that since Qiao Nian had even thrown away what Xiao Heng had given her, his hairpin would probably meet the same fate.
It was good he hadn’t given it to her yet, otherwise wouldn’t he have just humiliated himself?
Forget it, Qiao Nian didn’t deserve it anyway!
Without realizing it, the boat had reached the center of the lake.
Looking around, golden sunlight sparkled on the water everywhere. A gentle breeze brought the fresh scent of water.
Qiao Nian felt her mood involuntarily improve.
“Yuan’er, come look, there are fish!” Xiao Qingnu called out as she walked out of the cabin.
However, Lin Yuan seemed to be seasick and remained listlessly in her seat without moving.
Xiao Qingnu seemed to find this disappointing. Suddenly, she thought of something and called out to Qiao Nian, “Miss Qiao, come look, there’s such a big fish!”
Qiao Nian was surprised, not expecting Xiao Qingnu to call her at this moment.
But since she had called…
Qiao Nian stood up and walked over to Xiao Qingnu.
“Look quickly, there’s such a big fish!” Xiao Qingnu enthusiastically beckoned.
Qiao Nian stood beside Xiao Qingnu and leaned over to look at the lake surface. “Where’s the fish?”
“Right there!” Xiao Qingnu pointed at the water, but stepped back behind Qiao Nian.
Then, lowering her voice, she said, “How dare you throw away what my brother gave you. I’ll teach you a lesson!” With that, she reached out to push Qiao Nian.
But unexpectedly, Qiao Nian slightly shifted her body, easily dodging it.
Instead, Xiao Qingnu lost her balance and fell towards the lake.
Before falling into the water, she clearly saw the triumphant and arrogant smile on Qiao Nian’s face!
Watching Xiao Qingnu thrashing in the water, Qiao Nian couldn’t help but sneer.
With just this little bit of intelligence, she still wanted to harm others?
Hah!
Hearing the splash, the men in the cabin rushed out.
Seeing Xiao Qingnu in the water, both Lin Ye and Xiao Heng were shocked and were about to jump in to save her. But unexpectedly, Lin Yuan suddenly shouted from inside the cabin, “No! You’ll ruin Nuannuan’s reputation!”
She staggered out of the cabin, “You can’t go in, or Nuannuan’s life will be ruined!”
Just like when Lin Ye and Xiao Heng had jumped in to save Qiao Nian years ago, Qiao Nian had been attacked by rumors for quite some time afterward.
But Xiao Qingnu clearly couldn’t swim either. If not rescued soon, she would die.
Lin Yuan obviously knew this too, so she turned her gaze to Qiao Nian.
She even kneel before Qiao Nian, begging her to save Xiao Qingnu.
Qiao Nian found her behavior utterly disgusting and jumped into the water before her.
The lake water was cold, but better than when she had rescued Lin Yuan.
In front of everyone, Qiao Nian swam towards Xiao Qingnu, and then, still in front of everyone, she embraced Xiao Qingnu and sank into the lake with her.
The icy lake water instantly flooded Xiao Qingnu’s nose and mouth, causing her to struggle even more violently. Her eyes were wide open, staring at Qiao Nian, only to see Qiao Nian smiling at her.
That extremely eerie and terrifying smile!
It was as if…
Qiao Nian was intentionally trying to drown her!
This realization rushed into Xiao Qingnu’s mind, filling her with terror. Her hands and feet thrashed wildly, but it wasn’t long before she lost consciousness.
When Xiao Qingnu woke up, Qiao Nian was sitting by her bedside.
Seeing Qiao Nian, Xiao Qingnu remembered that face with the eerie smile in the water.
It was like a vengeful ghost, terrifying.
She instinctively sat up abruptly, clutching her blanket tightly, “You, what do you want to do!”
Qiao Nian smiled faintly, “What are you afraid of, Miss Xiao? I’m your lifesaver.”
“You’re talking nonsense!” Xiao Qingnu looked around, “Where is this place?”
“The Marquis’s mansion, Fanghe Courtyard,” Qiao Nian answered calmly.
Because both of them were unconscious when they were brought back, for the convenience of the court physician’s treatment, they were both sent to Fanghe Courtyard.
But in fact, Qiao Nian was pretending.
Fortunately, the court physician didn’t expose her and still prescribed medicine for her.
But now knowing where she was, Xiao Qingnu called out loudly, “Where’s Yuan’er? I want to see Yuan’er!”
Qiao Nian laughed coldly, “What do you want to see her for? Miss Xiao, have you forgotten? Lin Yuan can’t wait for you to die!”