Volume One, Chapter Fourteen: As Long As Ninth Master Trusts Me

Cheng Xinsu had also lost her home. Her grandfather and father both died on the battlefield, sacrificing themselves to save others. Her mother remarried and abandoned her. Because her grandfather had once been Old Master Qin’s bodyguard, and in gratitude for saving his life as well as the Cheng family’s merits, she was brought to the Qin family at the age of eight.

At first, she was just a guest under their roof, but gradually, the Qin family accepted this outsider. After all, Qin Zhan had brought them to the brink of extermination, and by contrast, this outsider became all the more pleasing to them. She became a silent observer to some of their less savory deeds, and they would say, “That’s what makes a family.”

She looked at Yan Qiuning with a hint of meaning in her gaze. “No, I am not like you. The Cheng family is not the Yan family. I was born nobler than you.”

She dared to speak so because the Cheng family’s achievements were a weapon she could wield. She was nothing like the criminals of the Yan family.

Yan Qiuning pushed away those immaculate hands; what the other took pride in meant nothing to her. “No matter how noble, you will die all the same. Aren’t you afraid?”

She remembered that the night before Cheng Xinsu was to marry into the Xie family, she died suddenly. This woman, who thought herself at ease in both the Qin and Xie families, was mercilessly abandoned in the end.

She did not know the exact reason. Only that the night before the wedding, Shang Lu and his crowd went wild, and the groom enjoyed himself with women on both arms, indifferent to his dead fiancée.

Six months pregnant, she went in to clean up and vaguely recalled someone saying, “That woman was truly delusional. Did she think she could become mistress of the Xie family? Second Brother will marry… Anyway, congratulations on your wedding tomorrow…”

The implication was clear: Second Master Xie never intended to marry Cheng Xinsu. The bride for the next day’s wedding was another woman entirely.

To marry into a wealthy family and become a lady of status, this woman had betrayed the Qin family without hesitation, staking everything and losing it all.

“Everyone dies in the end. What is there to fear?” Cheng Xinsu, seeing the complicated look on her face, tactfully stepped further away.

She noticed that the Li family hadn’t taken her away this time. Once, the woman could summon the Lis with a word. Now, with this fool unexpectedly off the plan, the task the Xie family assigned her might become easier.

A plan forming in her mind, she smiled. “But truly, those with a home and those without are worlds apart. The Li family raised you for years, yet now with your adoptive parents in trouble, you turn your back on them. Isn’t that the height of ingratitude?”

“Ninth Master treats you well, but if he learns how heartless and unfeeling you are, will he still care for you? I’ve been in the Qin family for years and know his temper well. You’d better seize your chance.”

Yan Qiuning was just considering that Cheng Xinsu must have been entangled with the Xie family for years, hiding in the Qin house all this time, studying every member—she was the Xie family’s plant in the Qin household.

She herself could not repeat the same mistakes. Qin Zhan could not be victimized again. This woman had to be eliminated.

“Heaven sees all. I don’t need others to judge whether I’m ungrateful. It’s enough that Ninth Master believes in me.”

“Whereas you, for all your knowledge of the Qin family, ought to know that the thing he loathes most is those who harbor ulterior motives toward the family.”

Cheng Xinsu’s expression shifted. What did she mean by that?

What was she implying? What did she know?

No, she had concealed herself so well. Who could possibly suspect?

She was about to probe further when—

“Susu, why are you even talking to her? Don’t you find her unlucky?” Qin Keli appeared, dressed in a carefully chosen outfit, evidently ready to go out. Seeing the two conversing from afar, she hurried over to interrogate them.

Cheng Xinsu’s face instantly became harmless and innocent as she moved away to stand beside Miss Qin.

“I saw her arguing with Li Xinwen just now and feared she’d be bullied. Besides, she’s pregnant—she must be extra careful.”

What a kind heart.

Qin Keli only felt she was meddling. “You’d do better worrying about what I’ll wear to my birthday party next week.”

Yan Qiuning, shielding her belly, turned away to leave.

Qin Keli was instantly filled with nameless fury. “What’s her problem? Who is she giving attitude to?”

“Even in someone else’s home, she doesn’t know her place. Useless thing.”

Miss Qin was notorious for her fiery temper and relentless nature, willful and domineering, feared by all—except, once, by Li Qiuning, who could rein her in a bit.

Cheng Xinsu lowered her lashes and said coolly, “You’re going out?”

“Yes, I can’t take you today. My mother says that not everyone is welcome at this party, and the Xie family will be there. They want to discuss an alliance. As if I’d want to marry into that old-fashioned family!”

Qin Keli grumbled endlessly, nothing like the poised and graceful women at her side.

“Which Xie family?” Cheng Xinsu asked, masking a strange expression beneath her lowered gaze.

Qin Keli glared at her impatiently. “Which other Xie family would it be?”

“Oh, and you said that wretch argued with Li Xinwen? Ha! That bootlicker actually dared quarrel with her beloved big brother?”

No one used to dare cross Li Xinwen; Li Qiuning would be the first to go mad and bite anyone who threatened him—just like a loyal dog. Now the dog’s gone mad and bites even her master. What a spectacle.

Cheng Xinsu recounted what had happened earlier, her words faintly suggestive.

“She probably finally saw through those people. Good. Maybe now she’ll stop being bullied.”

Qin Keli sneered, her face darkening. “You’re so generous to her, Susu. But I won’t let her have her way. If she thinks she can freeload in my home, she’s dreaming.”

“Tonight, she’ll run into Shang Lu’s crowd. I’ll make sure to mention the child in Li Qiuning’s belly.”

Her eyes gleamed with malice, and her mood lightened considerably.

Miss Qin departed, the luxury cars at the gate ostentatious as ever, followed by a procession of bodyguards.

Cheng Xinsu’s lips curled ever so slightly. No one saw the hidden side of Miss Cheng, whose compassion for others never saw the light. An alliance between the Xie and Qin families—why should it be that simpleton?

“Miss Cheng, Third Master is looking for you.”

A servant came over.

Cheng Xinsu’s eyelids twitched, and she silently cursed the old man, then followed the servant away.

—

Night had just fallen.

After a meeting at the company, Qin Zhan went to the chamber of commerce to approve the latest project funds. Only when he saw the bright moon did he remember there was still someone left at Full Spring Court.

“Home,” the man said, setting aside his work.

Zhang Feiyu, exhausted, almost thought he was hearing things. The workaholic wanted to go home?

Was he dreaming?

Qin Zhan stood and cast him a glance.

Zhang Feiyu instantly felt a chill on his back. He hurriedly gathered his files and told the deputy secretary to take over. “Yes, Ninth Master.”

The Qin residence.

Even if the lanterns shone as bright as day, they could not illuminate the hidden darkness in the corners. The blue-brick, white-tiled house was shrouded by night, winding itself into an impenetrable cage, trapping the canary with nowhere to fly.

“Ninth Master, this was found among Miss Yan’s luggage.”

Old Wang, trembling, handed over a black USB drive.

Every time Ninth Master brought Miss Yan back, something would be discovered. She had never truly escaped Shang Lu’s control.

Her heart had never belonged to Ninth Master.

Qin Zhan’s face darkened visibly. After a few seconds of silence, his voice was cold as ice: “Put it back.”