Volume One, Chapter Twenty: He Stands by Her, Always

Madam Shang suddenly stood up, her eyes wide with rage as she glared at her, nearly spitting blood from anger. “Do you… do you even know what you’re saying!” She never imagined that this wretched girl, after finding another backer, would forget how she used to grovel and beg, daring to speak to her like this—was she insane?

“Li Qiuning, have you already forgotten how you begged me to agree to your engagement with my son? Have you forgotten how you pleaded for his forgiveness in the pouring rain? Have you forgotten everything you sacrificed just to marry into the Shang family? Have you forgotten the respect and obedience you owe me?” Such filth dared to challenge her, especially with the surname Yan. All those Yan bastards deserved to die.

Yan Qiuning clenched her fists. How could she forget? She would never forget how she was humiliated and abused for their sake, how her sincerity was trampled upon. She cried and begged, but what did she gain? Who cared whether she lived or died?

“Such a filthy mouth.” Qin Zhan rose to his feet. This conversation was never meant to be a fair negotiation; it was merely a chance for Yan Qiuning to vent her anger.

He strode over to the woman’s side, exuding a powerful and unassailable aura.

His voice was cold. “I’m right here. Don’t hesitate.”

He was her only support, and would always be partial to her alone.

Yan Qiuning felt reassured; with lightning speed, she stepped forward and slapped Madam Shang hard across the face.

“Madam Shang, do you know how long it takes to walk from the city center to the herbal garden? You insisted the angelica root there made the best facial masks, so I went. But strangely, I couldn’t hail a single cab that day, so I had to walk. By the time I returned, the sun had already set, only to find you entertaining Li Qingran with air-shipped snow lotus flowers, imported fruit, enjoying the air conditioning—all joy and harmony. And me? I came back without even a bowl of water. Madam Shang, has your conscience been eaten by dogs?”

Madam Shang was dumbfounded. She actually dared to strike her—where did she get the courage? Wasn’t she afraid that she’d never be allowed to marry Shang Lu?

Such a wretch and her melodrama—so what if she bled and toiled to marry into the Shang family? Did she expect to enjoy its glory and wealth for nothing?

She pointed at Yan Qiuning and cursed, “So what? Qingran has helped Shang Lu with all her heart, offering contacts and resources without hesitation. And you—what use are you? Besides exhausting yourself, what else can you do? You dare feel aggrieved? My family isn’t a charity, why should we support a useless parasite like you?”

“I truly didn’t expect you to be so cunning and vicious. Our family’s kindness wasn’t enough for you—you turn on us, break off the engagement, and now you want to rob and blackmail us? Poverty must have driven you mad!”

“And fortunately, that bastard in your belly has nothing to do with my son. If he did, I’d make sure you miscarried. You’re not fit to bear a Shang child—keep dreaming!”

Every word and sentence placed the Shang family on a pedestal, as if they were the masters of the world.

Yan Qiuning felt nothing but contempt and disgust. She dry-heaved in front of the old woman. “…Such a revolting person.”

Madam Shang was utterly unhinged, itching to tear this wretch apart, furious at being struck and determined to retaliate.

The bodyguards around her watched closely.

Qin Zhan’s voice was icy: “If you dare lay a finger on her, I’ll cut your hand off.”

“You… you wouldn’t dare!” Madam Shang instinctively withdrew her hand, looking at him with deep apprehension, both startled and frightened. She knew he wasn’t joking.

Half a year ago, at a grand banquet attended by high-ranking figures, this man had seized a certain official and chopped off his hand—a scene etched into many minds as a lingering nightmare.

Yet those at the pinnacle of power said nothing, allowing Qin Zhan to do as he pleased.

His cold gaze grew even darker and more ruthless. “You think I wouldn’t dare?”

The old woman’s legs buckled, her face ghostly pale, unable to speak for a long moment.

The man pulled Yan Qiuning by the wrist, seating her where he had been sitting.

Bodyguards entered and restrained the old woman.

Old Wang came in holding a ruler. “Forgive me, Madam Shang.”

He raised his hand and struck the old woman’s mouth hard.

Madam Shang struggled violently. How could a noblewoman of her stature be treated like this? Terror contorted her face. “Qin Zhan, you’re insane! How dare you treat me this way—I won’t let you off, and neither will my son!”

Old Wang struck with all his might. After several blows, Madam Shang’s mouth was bloodied and mangled, her shrieks replaced by agonized screams.

Yan Qiuning, who hadn’t noticed before, now realized she was seated in the position reserved for the Ninth Master.

She immediately felt uneasy, casting a nervous glance at him. “Ninth Brother, this is your seat!”

The most inviolable rule of the Qin family was that only the family head could sit at the master’s seat—no one had ever dared cross that line.

Qin Zhan pressed her slender, fragile shoulder with his hand, his attitude both indulgent and doting. “Mm, you may sit.”

Everyone present understood at once.

The Ninth Master’s feelings for this young lady were unquestionable—he would protect her without regard for consequences, even if it meant risking the Qin family itself.

Old Wang, seeing the Ninth Master act this way, nearly misapplied the ruler in his hand. He couldn’t tell if this was a blessing or a curse.

If Miss Yan was pure-hearted and cherished the Ninth Master in return, it would be a good thing. But if she was merely acting, waiting for the chance to deliver a fatal blow, disaster would follow.

Madam Shang glared at them with venom, realizing something was off—things had gone beyond their plans.

Their initial aim was to control Yan Qiuning, gradually undermining the prosperous Qin family. But now, this woman was beyond their control.

Outside, Liu Mei’s eyelids twitched violently. Madam Shang was being humiliated so brazenly; the Ninth Master’s dominance was no mere figure of speech.

Was he truly bold enough to single-handedly challenge all the elite families of the capital?

Hearing the madam’s screams, she seized the chance to slip away and notify the Shang family.

Outside the Spring Pavilion.

Cheng Xinsu noticed someone sneaking out and instructed her people to keep watch.

“Liu Xiuhui is such a fool, coming alone to confront my uncle—she’s basically offering herself up. With his temperament, he always settles scores.”

Qin Keling, who had been napping after a night of drinking, heard that the Shang family had arrived and quickly got up to watch the spectacle.

Across a small garden, the woman’s screams were still so clear that passing servants hurried away, afraid of being dragged into the mess.

Cheng Xinsu blurted out, “Ninth Master truly cares for Miss Yan—not only did he forcefully take the rights to East Street, he’s compelled Madam Shang to bow and admit fault. From now on, no one will dare bully Miss Yan.”

Now, the entire Qin family was watching the goings-on at the Spring Pavilion, wondering about the status of the new Miss Yan brought in from outside.

And now, she was likely second only to the master himself.