An Eye for an Eye

Before coming to the ancestral hall, Qiao Nian knew what she was about to face.

So, when confronted with Lady Lin's accusations and the Marquis's scowl, she chose to ignore them.

She only walked slowly to the entrance of the hall, her eyes sweeping over the assembled servants, finally resting on Xiao Heng.

Meeting his deep gaze, Qiao Nian felt her heart sink, a pain like her heart being torn spreading silently.

She thought, if possible, she would hope someone would stand up for her here, facing the Lin family's censure, seeking justice on her behalf!

But clearly, Xiao Heng would never be that person.

Xiao Heng felt a pang of pain in his heart under Qiao Nian's gaze.

He was waiting, waiting for her to ask for his help. If she did, he would speak up for her, and the Marquis would surely give him face.

However, she only took a deep breath, then shifted her gaze to the crowd of servants, "Today, who among you saw Ning Shuang bite someone, step forward."

At her words, several servants stepped out from the crowd.

Seeing this, Lin Yuan looked even more aggrieved.

Lin Ye, however, seemed somewhat smug as he approached Qiao Nian, coldly saying, "Well? I didn't wrong your maid, did I?"

Qiao Nian ignored him, continuing, "Then, who can tell me what happened before Ning Shuang bit Miss Lin?"

The servants looked at each other, none daring to speak.

Lin Ye frowned, recalling the events.

Before Ning Shuang bit Yuan... Yuan had grabbed Qiao Nian's arm.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, he glanced at his right hand.

There was still a faint trace of blood on it.

Could it be...

Silence enveloped the area.

Qiao Nian's heart sank to the bottom.

These servants were probably afraid of Lin Ye, not a single one dared to speak.

Was she truly alone in this today?

But then, a servant boy spoke up, "Before Ning Shuang bit the Second Miss, the Second Miss grabbed the Eldest Miss's arm, not letting her leave."

Qiao Nian looked at the boy; he was familiar.

He was one of those who had carried rewards into her yard and received a few silver taels from her.

Once one person spoke, another followed.

A maid then said, "This servant saw that Ning Shuang was very agitated, telling the Second Miss to let go, but the Second Miss wouldn't release the Eldest Miss, so Ning Shuang bit her."

That was exactly what happened.

Qiao Nian gratefully looked at the two of them, then turned to face the Marquis and Lady Lin.

"I believe you've heard clearly, Lin Yuan injured me first, and my maid, in a panic to protect her mistress, acted out of desperation."

Qiao Nian spoke coldly, but then Xiaocui jumped out, "The Eldest Miss shouldn't speak falsely. We all heard clearly; my Miss only held you, she didn't hurt you."

Qiao Nian knew they would question this; before Xiaocui finished speaking, she lifted her sleeve.

A collective gasp sounded around.

Her arm was wrapped in thick bandages, clean except for where blood had seeped through at the spot where Lin Yuan had tightly gripped her.

Lin Yuan was also shocked, tears falling freely, "I... I didn't know Sister was still injured, I..."

"Yes! How could my Miss know the Eldest Miss was so badly hurt? Ning Shuang only said to let go, not that the Eldest Miss was injured!"

Xiaocui still spoke defiantly.

But Qiao Nian suddenly let out a cold laugh, turning to Lady Lin, "Oh? Miss Lin didn't know about my injury? What does Lady Lin think?"

She had heard from Ning Shuang that during the days she was unconscious, Lin Yuan had visited her with Lady Lin, even changed her dressings.

How could Lin Yuan not know about her gruesome injuries!

Lady Lin was taken aback, quickly stepping forward, "This injury needs to be treated by the physician again! Quickly, help the Eldest Miss back, summon the physician!"

At this moment, Qiao Nian felt only despair.

With a mocking smile, she stared coldly at Lady Lin, "In front of the Lin ancestors, will your family still use their power to bully others like this?"

"Qiao Nian!" The Marquis growled, "Stop this nonsense!"

He would not allow Qiao Nian to disrespect the Lin ancestors!

But Qiao Nian just gave him a cold look, her eyes then settling on Lin Ye, "Young Marquis, I'll ask again, should someone be punished for injuring another, or only if a servant injures their master?"

At this moment, Lin Ye could not say it was just about injuring someone.

Because he knew Qiao Nian held grudges, and if he said those words, Yuan would certainly be punished today!

So, he coldly replied, "As a servant of the Marquisate, daring to harm her master, she naturally should be punished!"

"Good!"

Qiao Nian was waiting for this very response.

She knew Lin Yuan was the apple of the Lin family's eye, while she was just an abandoned adopted daughter, brought back from the laundry bureau only because she held some small utility.

How could she harm Lin Yuan?

Thus, her aim today wasn't Lin Yuan but Xiaocui!

She looked at Xiaocui, the cold smile on her lips making Xiaocui panic.

"Wh-why does the Eldest Miss look at me like that? This servant... this servant only fought back after being hit by Ning Shuang!" Xiaocui said, moving to hide behind Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan quickly shielded Xiaocui, her eyes teary, "If Sister has any grievances, take it out on me, Xiaocui is just a maid, she knows nothing..."

"Knows nothing, yet could falsely accuse me three years ago?" Qiao Nian cut her off with a low growl.

It wasn't that she wanted to shout, but the pain in her back was too severe, making her unable to speak loudly.

Lin Yuan was surprised; she hadn't expected Qiao Nian to bring up the past.

Not just Lin Yuan, everyone in the Lin family was shocked.

There were still many servants outside!

If this spread, it could be considered a crime against the sovereign!

The Marquis immediately barked, "Qiao Nian, what exactly do you want!"

Qiao Nian glanced at the Marquis with scorn in her eyes, "I want justice! My maid bites an arm and gets thirty lashes, how many should Xiaocui receive?"

But Lin Ye frowned deeply, growling, "That was three years ago, what are you settling now!"

"Fine, then let's not talk about three years ago." Qiao Nian responded crisply, which made Lin Ye and Lin Yuan even more uneasy.

She continued, "Let's talk about the recent incident when I risked my life to save Lin Yuan, only to be bitten back by this wretch, falsely accusing me of harm, shall we?"

Seeing the chill in Qiao Nian's eyes, Lin Ye's heart sank.

He knew, today, Xiaocui was doomed!