Deep Sisterly Affection

In fact, Qiao Nian always thought that Lin Ye understood her quite well.

She held grudges and was vengeful.

Those three unbearable years could indeed be considered repayment for the fifteen years of upbringing by the Marquisate, so she returned not to settle scores, only wanting to spend time with her grandmother.

But those fifteen years were what she owed to the Marquisate, not to Xiaocui.

This mere maid had slandered her several times, and today even caused Ning Shuang to be punished.

If she didn't seek justice, she wouldn't be Qiao Nian!

The number of servants and maids watching grew, and even people from Fragrant Lotus Garden came.

Upon hearing Qiao Nian's words, voices from the crowd immediately rose, "Yes, yes, yes! That day, when the Second Miss accidentally fell into the water, it was the Eldest Miss who bravely saved her, only to be wrongly accused by Xiaocui the moment they reached the shore!"

"I didn't expect Xiaocui hasn't been punished yet. I thought she'd at least have her mouth beaten bloody and be expelled from the mansion!"

"Shush, she's the Second Miss's maid, with the Second Miss backing her!"

"But the Eldest Miss risked her life to save the Second Miss, isn't this a bit ungrateful?"

The whispers of the servants made their way into the ancestral hall.

The Marquis's face was already dark with anger, his eyes coldly on Xiaocui, "Is this true?"

Xiaocui knelt down with a thud, "Master, this servant knows she was wrong, she's already apologized to Madam, the Young Marquis, and the Second Miss!"

"Hah!" Qiao Nian laughed, "She apologized to everyone except me."

Xiaocui was at a loss for words.

Seeing this, Lin Yuan rushed to Qiao Nian, her hands moving to grab Qiao Nian's arm but stopping upon seeing the blood on the sleeve, lowering her voice, "Sister, Xiaocui grew up with me, she's like my sister, raised in the countryside, she knows nothing but to protect me. Please, for my sake, forgive her this once! She won't dare do it again, never again!"

At her words, Qiao Nian only raised an eyebrow, asking coldly, "Have you forgiven my maid?"

Why should Ning Shuang be punished today, while Xiaocui walks away unscathed?

Weren't they always saying she was the Eldest Miss of the Marquisate, treated as their own?

Under everyone's eyes, it wouldn't do to show such blatant favoritism, would it?

"Bring her!" The Marquis suddenly shouted, "Drag this insolent wretch away, tear her mouth, and expel her from the Marquisate!"

This was the rule of the Marquisate; any servant disrespectful to their master met this fate.

Xiaocui was terrified, crying out, "Miss, save me, please save me!"

Lin Yuan was in a panic, seeing Xiaocui about to be taken away, she actually knelt before Qiao Nian, "Sister, I was wrong, it's my fault for not teaching her better, for grabbing your hand. Punish me, but spare Xiaocui's life, please? I beg you, I beg you!"

As she spoke, she began to kowtow to Qiao Nian.

Each kowtow was heavy, and after just two, her forehead bled.

This scene shocked everyone present.

The servants who had been indignant on Qiao Nian's behalf now felt sympathy for Lin Yuan.

Which master would go to such lengths for their maid?

Lin Ye also rushed forward, holding Lin Yuan, "Silly girl, what are you doing!"

Lin Yuan was crying so hard she could barely breathe, "Brother, please help me beg Sister to let Xiaocui go. Spare her!"

But Lin Ye couldn't speak up.

Ning Shuang was already being punished; how could he plead for Xiaocui?

Unexpectedly, Qiao Nian took the initiative to relent, "Given your deep bond, I won't push it to the limit."

After all, just tearing her mouth and expelling her was too lenient for Xiaocui.

As she spoke, she even personally helped Lin Yuan to her feet.

This sight made Lady Lin's eyes light up.

She hadn't expected Qiao Nian to take the initiative to help Lin Yuan up.

For a moment, she thought the two sisters might share a deep bond in the future!

Lin Yuan, sobbing, wanted to thank Qiao Nian but felt a chill from the smile on Qiao Nian's face, and so she remained silent.

Then Qiao Nian asked, "But, my maid only bit you, yet she's to receive thirty lashes. What do you think is a fitting punishment for Xiaocui, given my injury?"

The red on the bandages was stark.

At this moment, Lin Yuan's mind was blank.

She didn't know what punishment would be appropriate for Xiaocui, only thinking that as long as Xiaocui wasn't expelled, she could always be by her side!

So, with tears, under Qiao Nian's cold smile, she said word by word, "As long as Sister spares Xiaocui's life, I'll have no complaints about any punishment you give her later!"

"Good." Qiao Nian agreed immediately, "Then as Yuan says, in the future, when I feel like punishing Xiaocui, I'll summon her to Fragrant Lotus Garden. Today... she'll receive the same punishment as Ning Shuang, thirty lashes!"

Her voice was incredibly gentle, as if discussing something trivial, making it seem unimportant to bystanders.

But Lin Yuan was stunned.

She had thought today's punishment would be postponed until Qiao Nian decided on a suitable one later.

But Qiao Nian clearly meant she could summon Xiaocui anytime she wanted!

She was shocked, only to see several servants, at Qiao Nian's gesture, taking Xiaocui away.

She wanted to stop them, but Lady Lin stepped forward, holding both their hands, "This is good! You are sisters, there's no need to fall out over two maids."

Even the Marquis added, "Today's affair should not have escalated so much, but it was Yuan's fault. How could you touch your sister with her health in this state! However, what's important is that you two can discuss matters like today, not taking things to extremes."

His words were clearly a warning to Qiao Nian.

But they left Lin Yuan speechless.

The words she wanted to say to save Xiaocui were stuck in her throat, making her head spin, even forgetting how to cry.

Qiao Nian, however, gave a soft, gentle laugh, "I am to be the Princess Consort, naturally, I must have the magnanimity to forgive."

Hearing that Qiao Nian didn't oppose marrying Prince Ming, both the Marquis and Lady Lin looked delighted, Lady Lin couldn't help asking, "Nian, do you really think this way?"

"Indeed." Qiao Nian smiled faintly, seeing the satisfaction and relief in their eyes, a layer of coldness spread within hers...

The matter was settled like this.

Seeing Lin Yuan still sobbing, Lady Lin quickly comforted her, embracing her as they left.

The Marquis and Lin Ye also departed, but not before Lin Ye gave Qiao Nian a deep look filled with anger and disgust.

Qiao Nian paid it no mind, walking out supported by several maids from Fragrant Lotus Garden, but she didn't expect Xiao Heng to still be standing there.