NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: The Lin Family Owes You Nothing
Chapter 16: The Lin Family Owes You Nothing
Qiao Nian hadn’t expected the Old Madam to suddenly ask this question. Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, Qiao Nian suddenly understood that the Old Madam wanted to match her with Xiao Heng.
Even though she had made it clear yesterday that she had no feelings for Xiao Heng, in the Old Madam’s view, they were childhood sweethearts. Xiao Heng was also in the emperor’s favor, making him the best candidate for Qiao Nian.
However, in the past, her relationship with Xiao Heng was one-sided, and now he and Lin Yuan were already in love. She had no place, nor any intention to interfere.
She shook her head, “Grandmother, General Xiao asked me to bring pastries to Lin Yuan today. They are a couple, you shouldn’t think about these things anymore.”
The Old Madam wasn’t stubborn. She sighed, “Ah! Grandmother just thought you and that Xiao boy were so close before. It’s a pity that it ended like this.”
Qiao Nian smiled, resting her head on the Old Madam’s shoulder, “Granddaughter only wants to stay with you now, truly.”
She knew that in the eyes of the older generation, it would seem a pity that her childhood friendship with Xiao Heng had come to this. But what’s past is past, and there was no need to get herself stuck in a quagmire for Xiao Heng’s sake.
She only wanted to accompany her grandmother and live her own life well.
As dusk fell, Qiao Nian accompanied the Old Madam to the front hall.
The servants had already prepared a sumptuous feast. Marquis Lin and Madam Lin had arrived early. Upon seeing the Old Madam, they both came forward to escort her to the head of the round table.
They sat on either side of the Old Madam.
“You all sit too,” the Old Madam looked very happy. In previous years’ reunion dinners, she was always unhappy because Qiao Nian wasn’t there.
But this year, anyone could see that the Old Madam was delighted.
Seeing the Old Madam’s demeanor, Marquis Lin and Madam Lin were naturally pleased and turned to Qiao Nian, “Nian Nian, come sit.”
Qiao Nian nodded slightly, but felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Her former seat was next to Madam Lin, but now, that place had long been taken by Lin Yuan.
Lin Ye’s forehead was still bandaged. Because of yesterday’s incident, he didn’t greet Qiao Nian but sat down next to Marquis Lin on his own.
There was only one empty seat left for Qiao Nian at the large round table.
Lin Ye was on the left, Lin Yuan on the right.
If possible, Qiao Nian wanted to turn and leave.
But not wanting to spoil the Old Madam’s mood, she could only sit down reluctantly.
During the meal, Marquis Lin chatted with the Old Madam about recent amusing events. Lin Yuan coughed occasionally, drawing concern from others.
As for Lin Ye, he remained silent throughout, just like Qiao Nian.
Noticing the unusual atmosphere between the two, Marquis Lin frowned almost imperceptibly and gently nudged Lin Ye, “Get some food for your sister.”
This was clearly giving Lin Ye a chance to make amends, and Lin Ye understood. After all, yesterday’s incident was indeed his fault.
So he picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of fish in the bowl in front of Qiao Nian.
“I remember you love fish the most,” he added.
It was a deliberate attempt to please her.
Marquis Lin and Madam Lin looked pleased, and even the Old Madam showed a satisfied smile.
But Qiao Nian looked at the piece of fish with concern.
However, with everyone so happy on this day of family reunion, she didn’t want to cause any trouble. So she quietly thanked him and started eating other things.
At first, Lin Ye thought Qiao Nian had accepted his gesture, but soon he noticed that the fish he had served her was still lying untouched in her bowl, along with the rice grains next to it.
His mood immediately darkened.
But due to the Old Madam’s presence, he didn’t immediately react.
After some time, the Old Madam said she was tired and asked a servant to help her back to rest.
Qiao Nian instinctively wanted to get up to accompany the Old Madam back, but was refused, “You continue eating. Grandmother is old and can’t eat much. Eat more for grandmother’s sake.”
Reluctantly, Qiao Nian had to stay.
The Old Madam’s intention was to let Qiao Nian spend more time with Marquis Lin and his wife.
After all, she was the daughter they had raised since childhood. How could there be no feelings at all?
Spending more time together would help develop more affection!
But shortly after the Old Madam left, Lin Ye snatched the bowl in front of Qiao Nian.
Madam Lin immediately frowned, “Ye’er! What mischief are you up to now!” She scolded in a low voice while checking Marquis Lin’s expression, fearing he might get angry again.
But Marquis Lin didn’t say anything about this. Instead, he looked at Qiao Nian, “Your birth mother left you in our household for fifteen years. During these fifteen years, we provided you with the best food and care, your mother and I treated you like our precious daughter, and your brother always protected you, getting you whatever you wanted.”
As these words were spoken, everyone’s expression in the hall changed.
Madam Lin looked at Qiao Nian with some concern, then poked Marquis Lin’s back, “Why are you bringing this up?”
Beside them, Lin Yuan’s coughing even quieted down, afraid of displeasing Marquis Lin.
However, Marquis Lin didn’t answer Madam Lin’s question. He continued looking at Qiao Nian and said, “What happened three years ago was indeed our family’s fault. But that day, it was either you or Yuan’er. I know you’ve had a hard and unfair time these three years, but can’t you consider it as repayment for those fifteen years?”
Lin Ye had said similar words before.
It was clear that Marquis Lin and the others had already assumed in their hearts that the three years she spent suffering in the laundry house hadn’t wronged her.
She had just repaid them for the previous fifteen years.
A pain throbbed in her chest, and Qiao Nian lowered her eyes, saying nothing.
Seeing her silent like this, Marquis Lin’s anger rose. He stood up from his seat, looked at Qiao Nian, his eyes full of disappointment, “Since you’ve returned, your grandmother has been doting on you, your mother has cried many times for your sake, Yuan’er personally went to your courtyard to apologize and admit her mistake, and your brother, though impulsive, entered the palace to avenge you!”
“Our whole family has been trying to please you, but in the end, our household doesn’t owe the Qiao family anything. Why do you need to put on such airs? If you really don’t want to stay in our household, you can leave on your own. I won’t stop you!”
“My Lord!” Madam Lin cried out, looking anxiously at Qiao Nian before lowering her voice, “How much wine have you had to say such drunken words!”
“Father isn’t speaking drunken words,” Lin Ye chimed in, placing Qiao Nian’s bowl in the center of the table, allowing everyone to see clearly that the piece of fish was still intact inside.
At this moment, even Madam Lin’s gaze towards Qiao Nian carried a hint of disappointment.
Why was she being so stubborn?
It was just a piece of fish, what harm would it do to eat it?
Lin Ye coldly looked at Qiao Nian, “Father is right. If you don’t want to stay in our household, just leave. No one will stop you. You don’t need to give us the cold shoulder from morning to night! After all, the root cause of all this is your mother. Our Lin family owes you nothing!”