"Our General's Mansion hails from the Duke An'guo's lineage, we abide by strict rules. Since you entered our mansion with such a status, you must follow the rules of this household and avoid offending your master."

Su Tang softly responded with a hum, lowering her eyes and following Zheng Mama forward.

In two more days, her elder sister, Su Yuqing, will marry the master of this mansion. As for her, this concubine, she has arrived at Qin Mansion ahead of time today.

It wasn't that she had a ulterior motive to get closer to the general, but rather that her older sister was sickly and she feared the general's rough demeanor would be too much for her. Since she couldn't bear to give up this marriage, she proposed a "trial marriage."

"The front yard belongs to my grandfather. He has many friends who come and go, all high officials from the court. You should be aware of this and give way to them, so that no one says that people in our household are lacking in manners."

Su Tang responded again and followed Zheng Mama's words forward, but before she could see the courtyard, she saw two young men walking together.

One of them was clad in armor, wearing a cloak over it. His eyes were cold and stern, with a scar on his brow. This was the master of Qin's residence, Qin Xie, the newly married Marquis who had returned to the capital a few days ago and was known for his military prowess.

Ching-ma-ma also saw it, and immediately whispered, "Turn around and avoid it."

Su Tang followed her and turned back, bowing her head in silence. However, Qin Xie still saw them and quickly dismissed his friend before walking towards them.

Is this the person sent by the Su family?

Zheng Mama immediately replied, and in a low voice reminded Su Tang to call someone.

Su Tang felt awkward and didn't know how to speak. After a moment of hesitation, she said: "My name is Su Tang, I pay my respects to you."

Qin Xie seemed to still remember her. Upon hearing the name, his face sank: "It's you... You haven't even passed through the threshold yet, don't call me that."

This remark was extremely rude, as if he didn't regard her at all. Zheng Mamá's gaze turned strange, and Su Táng felt her face burning with shame. But she dared not show her displeasure, so she could only lower her eyebrows even further: "Yes, General."

Qin Xie turned and strode away, his voice echoing back, "Come in."

Then, Zheng Ma brought Su Tang forward, but as soon as they entered the main hall, Qin Xie sent them away. Only the two of them were left in the main hall.

The man sauntered up and sat heavily, then frowned when he looked over. He wore an air of displeasure: "A concubine is half a slave. How could you, the daughter of the Su family, do this? If it wasn't your own volition, I can discuss with your stepmother to find another suitable match for you."

Su Tang's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Qin Xie to say that. Outsiders said he was ruthless and killed without mercy, while people in the manor described him as a crude and brutal warrior, but it turned out he also had a kind and considerate side. It's just that she couldn't agree.

She lowered her eyes: "The general is valiant, and I have long admired him. This is my own volition."

Qin Xie's eyebrows furrowed deeply: "Admiration? I've only met you twice. How could there be admiration?"

Su Tang gripped her fingers, trying to ease the tension of lying: "The general sent a gift to our house two years ago, a small wooden eagle figurine. That was the first time I received something so peculiar..."

"That's for my older sister. You're just passing by."

Su Tang was stopped, she knew they were just passing by.

Qin Xie and Su Yuqing were cousins, betrothed since childhood. He never missed an opportunity to show his affection during festivals and holidays. He always brought other sisters from his family to accompany him, ostensibly for the sake of her reputation. However, the gifts he presented differed greatly.

Su Tang wasn't blind to this, but what could she do?

She had to come.

"I understand, General. Please rest assured, I won't overstep my boundaries. Once I enter your household, I will be dutiful and never cause trouble for you or my sister. Please keep me."

Qin Xie's face darkened: "Su Tang, I remind you, this is a chance for you to choose again. Once I truly let it go, your life will be ruined forever."

Su Tang's fingertips were clenched so tightly they ached, but she still replied with a soft voice: "Thank you for your kindness, General. Please grant me this."

Qin Xie fell silent, and after a long while, let out a low sneer, his voice dripping with sarcasm: "A proper lady from an official family, yet she chooses to be a concubine instead of a legitimate wife... such self-degradation."

Su Tang's heart ached with pain, almost overwhelmed by these words to the point of tears welling up. Yet, she could only grit her teeth and endure it.

"Let's go."

Qin Xie spoke again, Su Tang was startled and then reacted to the meaning of his words. She subconsciously clutched her collar, a little flustered: "Here, here?"

Qin Xie's eyes held a cold indifference that was impossible to hide: "Otherwise? Should I prepare a dragon and phoenix double happiness candle for a concubine and lay out a bed fit for hundreds of sons and thousands of grandchildren?"

Su Tang didn't expect that kind of treatment, but...

She looked around. This was the main hall; even with the door shut, you could hear noise from outside. And there wasn't even a bed: "General, shall we go inside?"

"I like it here, tough guys can go back."

Su Tang's face turned pale, her fingertips trembled again and again, but in the end, she closed her eyes, raised her hand and placed it on her waist: "I can take it..."

She slowly unbuttoned her clothes, Qin Jie's face showed disappointment: "You don't even leave, you really surprise me."

He recalled the scene two years ago. He had gone to the Su family that day wanting to see Su Yuling, but unfortunately, the other party was ill and did not show her face. Instead, at a family banquet, he saw Su Tang at first glance. At that time, she was only fourteen years old, thinner than anyone else. Among the crowd of chattering people who were vying for attention and celebrating the new year, she was so well-behaved and sensible, it was heartbreaking.

I never expected that in just two years, she would change so drastically. She became obsessed with power and wealth, even disregarding her own family.

She's a commoner's daughter after all, with ulterior motives.

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