Chapter 9 (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Jiang Shaocheng coughed twice and spared a glance at Fang Guo’an. “You know better than anyone why Feng Lu left the country, and why you let Tang Qiu marry me in her place. I believe you owe my wife an apology.”

An apology? Wasn’t twenty million dollars enough?

“The little slut chose to be a social climber of her own accord.” Chen Man’s face was full of venom. “And now you expect us to apologize to her?”

Jiang Shaocheng coughed, and He Lei backhanded Chen Man across the face. “This is your warning, Mrs Fang, for daring to slander the young mistress of the Jiangs!” As he spoke, he snatched up the knife lying by the fruit bowl; its blade held a cold glint, like it was prepared to embed itself in her throat in less than a heartbeat. Chen Man shut her mouth, too terrified to speak.

Taking advantage of the Fengs’ silence, He Lei continued, “Do you think we didn’t look into how one bride ended up getting swapped for another? Feng Lu left two hours before the wedding, and Miss Feng Yao even sent her off. You planned for our young mistress to marry our young master. What nonsense, to claim that she coerced Feng Lu into letting her take her place! Now, to cover up your actions, you still have the audacity to tarnish the young mistress’ good name!”

When he was finished speaking, He Lei drove the knife into the sofa, tearing a gash in its surface. The Fengs flinched at the noise and trembled in fear.

“Apologize!”

Feng Guo’an nearly collapsed to his knees. Cold sweat beaded across his forehead. Chen Man was the first to give in, bowing her head as she broke down. “We’re sorry… so very sorry, Young Master Jiang. We were wrong to frame Tang Qiu. We’ll never do it again!”

Jiang Shaocheng coughed repeatedly. “My wife is the one who deserves your apologies. It’s her forgiveness that you need!”

“It was our fault, Tang Qiu. Forgive us.” Chen Man forced the words out.

The absurdity of the situation was not lost on Tang Qiu. The Fengs had always treated her as a servant to be ordered about. Never had she thought that they would one day grovel for her mercy.

Jiang Shaocheng took note of Tang Qiu’s silence. She must have been bullied horribly by them in the past, he thought, feeling a slight ache in his heart. He ran a hand through her tresses, like she was a tiny, childlike critter in his arms. “I told you, you’re mine now, and I won’t let anyone hurt you. If you feel wronged, I’ll get them to apologize on their knees.”

Tang Qiu felt delight stir in her heart at seeing the Fengs brought low. She had been beaten and berated by them since she was a child, labeled a lowly creature who was only fit to live in the dark and spend her life being trampled beneath their feet. Now, this man whom she had only been married to for a day was offering to have them beg for her forgiveness on their knees. She felt a pinch of gratitude.

“Kneeling won’t be necessary, lest it affect my own luck. But they were wrong about one thing, though.”

“About what?” asked Jiang Shaocheng.