Volume One, Chapter Five: Sixth Brother, She Truly Loves You Deeply

When Li Qiuning awoke, the room beside her was already empty.

As she stepped outside, she found several housemaids packing her luggage.

“What is this?” Anxiety crept into her heart.

One of the women replied, “It’s Ninth Master’s instruction. The driver is to take Miss Li away.”

Li Qiuning was stunned. That couldn’t be right—how could Qin Zhan possibly let her go? More importantly, she didn’t want to leave now!

“Stop packing. I’m not leaving. I want to see Ninth Master!”

She turned to go out.

At that moment, Secretary Zhang pushed open the door.

“Miss Li, Ninth Master said the engagement banquet begins this afternoon. There’s still time if you leave now.”

“Also, Ninth Master will not attend. He wishes you happiness.”

“This contract is your dowry; the Shang family will not trouble you in the future.”

His face was impassive, his smile official and detached.

Li Qiuning froze, taking several deep breaths before asking, “Where is Ninth Master?”

Secretary Zhang revealed nothing about his employer’s whereabouts. In his mind, this spoiled young lady had hurt Ninth Master; a clean break was for the best.

Indeed, Li Qiuning understood. This time, she truly was going back for the engagement banquet, and she would never see Ninth Master again.

No, absolutely not.

“I won’t leave. I want to see Ninth Master!”

Secretary Zhang frowned. Shouldn’t she be delighted, taking the carefully arranged contract and walking away?

A woman’s heart is a deep sea; who knows what more she wants? Greedy—she wants everything, even Ninth Master’s life?

“Miss Li, Ninth Master is no longer in the capital. Whatever you desire, all you have is this contract worth ten billion—it’s not a small sum.”

“Ninth Master is busy. You should head to the wedding venue soon. I hear Young Master Shang, despite his disability, insists on attending the engagement banquet.”

As Ninth Master’s trusted aide, Secretary Zhang had accompanied him through countless trials. His words carried weight.

Li Qiuning now wished she could ruin the engagement banquet. Why bother with marriage? Who cared!

Yes, they were waiting to laugh at her—then let her turn the engagement banquet upside down and make Shang Lu reap what he’d sown!

“Fine, I’ll go.”

“But don’t pack these things anymore; they never belonged to me.”

She would never leave Ninth Master. In her previous life, even when she wasn't by his side, whenever she faced danger or humiliation, it was Ninth Master who secretly helped her.

And there were times she nearly cost him his life. Rather than be manipulated by others, she’d rather stay with him always.

First, she’d cause a scene at the engagement banquet.

Secretary Zhang gave an official smile and arranged for a car to take her.

The Shang family engagement banquet.

Nearly everyone of name and status in the capital was present, along with many prominent figures.

Shang Lu sat in his wheelchair, his expression dark. “Still no word from her?”

Behind him, Rong Yue lounged carelessly, grinning, “Isn’t it better if she doesn’t come? Sixth Brother, you never really wanted to marry her. Besides, Ninth Master’s place is impenetrable—not even a mosquito could get in. It’s normal that they couldn’t bring her out.”

“But Li Qiuning cares about you so much, she’ll definitely show up. Without you, it’s like losing her life. Even if she’s fallen out with Ninth Master, she’ll fight to come back, you’ll see.”

He’d been Shang Lu’s sidekick since childhood. Among their group, hierarchy was strict—Shang Lu was always the leader, and no one objected; he was simply the most capable.

Shang Lu recalled last night’s torrential rain and the hatred and coldness that erupted on her usually submissive face, and a wave of unease swept over him.

Others might not know, but he did. Once, he genuinely cared for her, felt something for her—but she could never compare to Li Qingran.

“Where’s Qingran?”

Rong Yue lit a cigarette. “Qingran’s with Brother Mo. Haven’t they already gotten engaged?”

“I’m telling you, Sixth Brother, if you don’t act soon, Qingran will really marry Brother Mo.”

He thought Sixth Brother should be with Qingran—they were a match made in heaven.

Shang Lu didn’t answer immediately, his gaze inscrutable.

His leg ached faintly; last night’s humiliation surged back. Damn that woman, so ruthless.

“Young Master, Miss Li has arrived!” The assistant hurried over to report.

Thank goodness Miss Li wasn’t late—otherwise, there’d be no explaining to so many guests.

Shang Lu jerked his head up—she really came?

As expected, she loved him most. Shameless and melodramatic—who else could take her in but him?

His face twisted into a sinister smile. Today, he would teach her a lesson.

“Push me out!”

The assistant obediently wheeled him forward.

Rong Yue squinted, a little irreverent. “Sixth Brother, she really is crazy about you.”

Oddly, his words sounded clenched with anger—but no one noticed.

On the ceremonial stage ahead—

Li Qiuning appeared before the crowd in a simple white gown, dressed casually, nothing like a bride-to-be.

The guests whispered among themselves.

The Shang family’s faces darkened.

Madam Shang stood up. “Li Qiuning, what’s the matter? Why aren’t you wearing the dress?”

Someone hurried to offer her the gown.

But in the next moment—

Li Qiuning, full of contempt and mockery, produced a lighter and, before everyone’s eyes, set the dress aflame.

“Who wants to marry Shang Lu? I’d rather marry a cat or a dog than him—a faithless, duplicitous, despicable scoundrel. Whoever crosses paths with him is doomed.”

“All you heiresses, be careful when you consider these alliances. I’m carrying his child—shouldn’t he take responsibility? Yet he wants everything and still entangles himself with Li Qingran.”

“Oh, and by the way, the child in my belly isn’t Shang Lu’s, but he insists on marrying me. Turns out, Li Qingran can’t have children, so he wants to use my womb to leave a legacy for the woman he truly loves. How calculating!”

Her words shocked everyone.

Some things weren’t spoken aloud, but most knew the truth privately. Her reckless exposure of these secrets was astonishing.

People settled in to watch the drama unfold.

Shang Lu, pushed forward in his wheelchair, nearly choked with rage at her outrageous claims.

“Li Qiuning, what nonsense are you spouting?”

“Shut up! Shut up!”

Li Qiuning ignored him entirely. In this moment, she was the wild, unrestrained heiress she had been a year ago.

“Why should I be silent? You did these things and won’t own up to them. If not for you, I wouldn’t have ended up like this. Since Li Qingran is so wonderful, why not marry her? You two—scoundrel and harlot—should be bound together for life!”

All eyes turned to the true heiress of the Li family, their gazes full of intrigue. So she was infertile?

In great families, lineage is paramount; surely they wouldn’t hand their legacy to outsiders.

Li Qingran’s face was ashen. How had things suddenly become like this?