Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: She Will Always Be the Only One in My Heart

Ninth Master’s domineering nature spared no one. For him, it was always the same: those who obey me thrive, those who defy me perish. Once someone crossed him, they wouldn’t even get a chance to beg for mercy.

Lady Shang stared at him in shock, unable to believe her ears. “Not only is my family being rejected by a woman like her, but we’re also expected to hand over an entire street? Just the annual rent from East Street amounts to several hundred million! Qin Zhan, aren’t you going too far?”

She had come here thinking that, even if she couldn’t drag away that wretched Li Qiuning, she’d at least wring some benefits from Qin Zhan. Never did she expect that she’d lose both the pawn and the queen in this game!

Ninth Master’s words left Yan Qiuning, who’d never seen such a side of the world, utterly stunned. In both her lives, she’d always been law-abiding, never so brazenly greedy and high-handed. It wasn’t that she thought Qin Zhan was in the wrong; she was just too astonished. She hadn’t known people could act this way—caring nothing for others’ feelings, only their own satisfaction.

Composing herself, she mimicked Ninth Master’s assertive manner. “Lady Shang, don’t you know how much you took from Ninth Master when your family agreed to the engagement? That was supposed to be my dowry. Now that the engagement is off, shouldn’t it be returned? One street hardly seems sufficient.”

“Or is it that you’re so blinded by greed that your plan was always to seize Ninth Master’s assets—hoping to walk away the sole winner while giving nothing in return?”

Her words were sharp as knives, each one striking at the heart.

Ever since her true identity as Miss Li had been revealed, she hadn’t dared to hold her head high before anyone. Her dignity had become their favorite tool for mockery.

Lady Shang leapt to her feet, eyes blazing with fury, nearly spitting blood from rage. “You… do you even know what you’re saying?”

To think this wretch, emboldened by a new protector, had forgotten all the pleading and servility she’d once shown! Was she mad, daring to address her like this?

“Li Qiuning, have you already forgotten how you begged me to let you marry my son? Forgotten how you knelt, drenched in endless rain, pleading for his forgiveness? Forgotten all you sacrificed to marry into the Shang family, forgotten the respect and obedience you owed me?”

Lowly creature, she thought, how dare you challenge me—especially as a Yan? All those Yan brats deserved only to die.

Yan Qiuning clenched her fists. How could she forget—all that she’d endured for them: the humiliation, the torment, the trampling of her sincerity? She had wept and pleaded—what had those tears ever earned her? Who had ever cared if she lived or died?

“Watch your mouth,” Qin Zhan said, standing up. This conversation had never been about a fair exchange; it was simply a chance for Yan Qiuning to let off steam.

He walked to her side, his voice cold. “I’m right here. Don’t hesitate.”

He was her only pillar, forever and always on her side.

Yan Qiuning felt as if a weight had been lifted from her heart. Without a second thought, she strode forward and slapped Lady Shang hard across the face.

“Lady Shang, do you know how long it takes to walk from the city center to the herbal garden? You insisted that the angelica there made the best face masks, so I went. But strangely, that day, I couldn’t get a taxi, so I had to walk all the way.”

“It was sunset by the time I returned, only to see you and Li Qingran enjoying imported snow lotus and fruits from abroad in the air-conditioned room, laughing together. And me?”

“When I came back, I couldn’t even get a glass of water. Lady Shang, has your conscience been eaten by dogs?”

Lady Shang was dumbfounded. She actually dared lay a hand on her! Where did she find such courage? Was she not afraid she’d never be allowed to marry Shang Lu?

Such a pretentious little wretch. Wasn’t it natural to toil a bit if she wanted to marry into the Shang family? Did she expect to enjoy their glory and wealth for free?

Pointing angrily, she shouted, “So what? Qingran devoted everything to helping Shang Lu, offering her connections and resources without reservation. And you? What use are you besides working yourself to death? You feel wronged? My family isn’t a charity! Why should we support a useless freeloader like you?”

“I never imagined you’d be so scheming and malicious. After all we’ve done for you, you turn your back the moment things change. Not only do you break off the engagement, but you try to rob us? You’re truly desperate!”

“And thank heavens that bastard in your belly has nothing to do with my son. If he did, I’d make you miscarry! You think you deserve to bear a child of the Shang family? Dream on!”

Every word placed the Shang family on a pedestal, as if they alone ruled the world.

Yan Qiuning looked at her with undisguised disgust and retched a few times. “...Such a repulsive person.”

Lady Shang was utterly shattered. She wanted to tear Yan Qiuning apart, furious that she’d been struck and not yet avenged. But the bodyguards around them watched her every move.

Qin Zhan’s voice was icy. “If you dare to raise your hand, I’ll have it chopped off.”

“You… you wouldn’t dare!” Lady Shang instinctively pulled her hand back, glaring at him with a mixture of fear and anger. She knew he wasn’t bluffing.

Six months ago, at a grand banquet in full view of the elite—including high-ranking officials—this cold-blooded man had severed an official’s hand. The memory haunted all who witnessed it.

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

Qin Zhan’s eyes darkened, merciless and forbidding. “You think I wouldn’t?”

The old woman’s legs turned to jelly, her face ashen. She was speechless for a long moment.

The man led Yan Qiuning by the wrist to the seat he’d just vacated.

Outside, the bodyguards came in and restrained the old woman.

Old Wang entered, holding a disciplinary rod. “My apologies, Lady Shang.”

He raised his hand and struck her hard across the mouth.

Lady Shang struggled violently. How could a woman of her status be treated like this? Horrified, she screamed, “Qin Zhan, you’re insane! How dare you treat me this way? I won’t let you get away with it—my son won’t let you get away with it!”

Old Wang struck again and again, until blood and flesh blurred her lips. The pain silenced her.

Only then did Yan Qiuning realize she was sitting in Ninth Master’s seat. Instantly uneasy, she glanced up nervously. “Brother Jiu, this is your seat!”

The Qin family’s most inviolate rule: only the master could sit in the family head’s chair. For generations, no one had ever dared cross that line.

Qin Zhan placed his hand on her slender shoulder, his gaze indulgent and warm. “It’s all right. You can sit.”

Everyone present understood what this meant.

Ninth Master’s feelings for this young lady were clear: come what may, he would protect her—if need be, at the cost of the entire Qin family.

Old Wang’s hand trembled on the disciplinary rod, uncertain if this was a blessing or a curse. If Miss Yan was truly sincere and cherished Ninth Master, it would be a blessing. But if she was only acting, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, disaster would surely follow.

Lady Shang glared at them with venomous hatred. She sensed the situation slipping far beyond her control.