Disgusting

Upon entering, they immediately noticed Qiao Nian was awake.

Lady Lin's eyes reddened at once; she rushed to the bedside, tears welling up as she looked at Qiao Nian, "You're awake? Finally, you're awake, that's good..."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her cheeks.

Lin Yuan, with equally red eyes, stood beside Lady Lin, her voice choked with emotion, "Sister has finally woken up, not in vain has Mother prayed day and night. If you hadn't woken, I would have worried Mother's eyes would go blind from crying..."

Hearing this, Lady Lin's tears flowed even more profusely.

Qiao Nian's brows furrowed, remaining silent.

Within her, waves of nausea rose.

She couldn't fathom how people could be so hypocritical.

They sent her to her death, and now they come to mourn!

If an outsider saw this, wouldn't they sing praises of their kindness?

Disgusting!

Qiao Nian turned her head away.

Seeing this, Lady Lin sobbed, sitting down gently by the bed, "Nian, I know you're angry, but there's an explanation for this. Don't ignore your mother, please?"

"Yes, Sister, Mother..."

Lin Yuan's voice only made Qiao Nian more irritated.

Just as she was about to order them out, Ning Shuang suddenly stood up, pushing Lady Lin and Lin Yuan aside, "Madam, Miss has just woken from severe injuries; she can't be upset. Please, go outside to cry!"

This maid even dared to push out the lady of the Marquisate!

Yet, she did well!

The physician, standing nearby, chimed in, "Madam, let me examine Miss's pulse."

Hearing this, Lady Lin nodded repeatedly, making way.

But she didn't leave, instead standing at a distance, watching with concern, occasionally wiping her tears.

The physician, after checking Qiao Nian's pulse, stated that her injuries were severe, requiring ample time to recuperate.

Upon hearing this, Ning Shuang grew more assertive, "Madam heard it too; the physician says Miss needs to rest. Please leave quickly! Otherwise, if Miss gets agitated and something happens due to your presence... you surely wouldn't want to push Miss to death, would you?"

Her words were harsh, not something a maid should say.

But Miss's injuries were too grave!

When they helped Miss undress that day, the sight of her flesh, torn and bloody, had left them all stunned!

Even now, the maids would still tear up with indignation when discussing it.

People's hearts are made of flesh.

Ning Shuang couldn't understand how Lady Lin could be so cruel, and thus, her emotions got the better of her until she finished speaking and began to feel fear.

Lady Lin never expected a mere maid to strike at her heart; she stared at Ning Shuang in shock, too choked up to speak.

Seeing Lady Lin being bullied, Lin Yuan stepped forward to shield her, angrily rebuking Ning Shuang, "You insolent maid! I thought you were no good last time! You can bully me, but now you dare to bully the mistress of the Marquisate? Don't think my mother's kindness makes her powerless. If Sister won't discipline her maid, then I will!"

As she spoke, Lin Yuan moved to slap Ning Shuang.

But then, a pillow suddenly flew, hitting her squarely in the face.

"My maid isn't for you to discipline, get out!" Qiao Nian, lying on the bed, shouted fiercely, the movement causing her back to ache terribly.

Her hoarse voice conveyed her anger vividly.

Lin Yuan's eyes immediately teared up, "Sister, it's your maid who was too rude, I... I was only looking out for you..."

"Get out!" Qiao Nian growled again, seeing they still hadn't moved, her gaze fixed coldly on Lady Lin behind Lin Yuan, "Lady Lin, do you truly want to drive me to death?"

Lady Lin's face turned pale with panic, shaking her head, "No, no, I'm your mother, how could I want to drive you to death..."

Qiao Nian was now thoroughly irritated, her breathing quickening.

Seeing this, the physician quickly approached, bowing to Lady Lin, "Madam, Miss's injuries are too severe; she needs rest. If you have something to say, please come back in a few days... Please..."

He made a gesture of invitation, his attitude firm.

Given the physician's special status, everyone in the Marquisate respected him; even if the Marquis were present, they would have to leave after such a statement.

Thus, Lady Lin could only look at Qiao Nian through her tears, then led the aggrieved Lin Yuan out.

When the door closed, Qiao Nian felt as if the world had quieted down.

She couldn't understand how Lady Lin could cry so naturally, with such heartfelt pain.

As if she wasn't the root of all this trouble!

And Lin Yuan was even more absurd!

How could they cry so righteously, as if the whole world had wronged them!

Truly, mother and daughter!

At this thought, Qiao Nian began to feel grateful.

Grateful that she shared no blood with anyone in this Marquisate!

She wouldn't be as heartless, as hypocritical, as nauseating as they were!

That was good.

Qiao Nian spent two more days lying in bed.

On the sixth day, she ignored Ning Shuang's protests and got up.

"Miss, your back is still bleeding, perhaps you should rest a couple more days?" Ning Shuang asked softly while helping Qiao Nian with her makeup.

Qiao Nian looked at her gaunt reflection in the mirror and shook her head slightly, "I must pay my respects to Grandmother, or she'll worry if too much time passes."

She hadn't visited her grandmother for five full days; any longer, her grandmother might see through their well-meaning lies.

Ning Shuang knew that only the old lady in this mansion truly cared for her Miss, so it was natural for her Miss to care for her grandmother.

But...

"But your injuries..."

"It's fine." Qiao Nian gave Ning Shuang a gentle smile, "I'll just say hello and come back. Apply more rouge on my face; I don't want Grandmother to see me looking so haggard."

Ning Shuang was reluctant in a thousand ways, yet she did her best with Qiao Nian's makeup, dressing her in the finest clothes before they left Fragrant Lotus Garden.

Qiao Nian walked slowly.

She felt that even a slightly faster pace would cause the flesh on her back to tear apart.

By the time she reached the courtyard of the old lady, a thin layer of sweat covered her forehead.

She took a deep breath, composed herself, then stepped into the yard.

But before she could see her grandmother, she heard laughter from the drawing room.

It seemed... Xiao Heng was there too!