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nAfter getting dressed, Tang Qiu found herself unable to look Jiang Shaocheng in the eye. It had never crossed her mind to see him in a romantic light ever since marrying him; she was grateful to him, undoubtedly, and she had a duty as his wife. But she didn’t feel that way towards him… Right? She had never loved anyone before. She didn’t know what it was supposed to feel like.

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n“Let’s go, Qiu.” Jiang Shaocheng made his way to her side and took her hand, as if nothing was wrong between them.

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nLooking at their interlaced hands, Tang Qiu’s heart began racing even more furiously. She hurriedly pulled away. Jiang Shaocheng frowned, fixing her with a stare. Was she avoiding him?

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nIt occurred to Tang Qiu that she may have overreacted. She made haste in helping him push his wheelchair out. All the while, Jiang Shaocheng could sense the distance his little wife kept from him; there was a tinge of cold to her aura that hadn’t been there before.

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nWhen they arrived at the Jiang family home, Tang Qiu took in the wide, sprawling courtyard. There was a stark yet imposing quality to the architecture of the house, which was surrounded by greenery, a view of rolling hills and running streams. There was no question that a wealthy family lived here.

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nHe Lei helped Jiang Shaocheng down from the car. He could feel the ice in Jiang Shaocheng’s demeanor radiating from him in waves, and couldn’t repress a shudder. He had wanted to ask the young master if everything was alright, but one look at him was enough to make He Lei think better of it. He wasn’t equipped to handle the young master anyway; best that he leave the task to Tang Qiu.

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nTang Qiu saw He Lei silently indicate that she should help push Jiang Shaocheng’s wheelchair. She walked briskly up to them. A shadow hung over her husband’s face, and she wondered silently if it was because they had arrived at his family home.

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nThe instant they disembarked, the four guards at the entrance of the house approached them.

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n“Apologies, Young Master. We have to inspect you first. Rules are rules.”

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nHe Lei sneered at them. The young master had just come home, and they wanted to inspect him? It was all he could do not to strike them across the face. “By what right do you presume to inspect the young master yourselves?”

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nThe guards moved to block their way. “If you refuse, none of you can enter.”

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n“You…”

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n“He Lei!” Jiang Shaocheng let out a cough. Feebly, he said, “It’s okay. Let them.”

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nHe Lei was still furious, but he had no choice but to clamp down on his temper. Tang Qiu, too, was incensed. “Do they always treat you like this?”

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nTo be inspected like some kind of criminal after returning home? It was too much!

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nAfter they were finished with He Lei, they stepped towards Jiang Shaocheng, but Tang Qiu raised a hand, stopping them in their tracks.

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n“He Lei is one of our staff. You’ve already inspected him. But I am the young mistress of the Jiang family. Laying a hand on me without my permission is akin to violating me!”

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nThe guards regarded her with undisguised contempt. The young master couldn’t even walk without help. Who did his wife think she was? Even if they forced themselves on her, what could one man–and a cripple–do to stop them?

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n“Please cooperate with us, Young Mistress!” The guard’s tone invited no argument. Without waiting for a reply, he stretched out a hand to search her body.

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nJiang Shaocheng gave a brief cough. Immediately, He Lei brandished a dagger and stabbed the guard who had dared to touch Tang Qiu.

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nIt had all happened in a flash.

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nTang Qiu’s eyes widened. She grabbed Jiang Shaocheng’s wheelchair and retreated back a few steps. Meanwhile, the other three guards were left reeling, shocked that He Lei would be so bold as to resort to violence in the Jiang household. They reached for their weapons, ready to retaliate, before a man’s voice halted them.

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n“What’s going on? What’s all the commotion about?”

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n“Second Young Master…” the guards cried out in unison, with the exception of the one who was groaning in pain on the ground.

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nJiang Ming laughed. He didn’t even spare a glance at the wounded man. “Brother! What are you still doing outside? Come on in.”

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n“That was our plan all along,” Tang Qiu called back, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Who knew that we would be stopped by these guard dogs here? It’s about time you showed up, Second Young Master!”

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nTang Qiu’s temper, when contrasted with her delicate beauty, only endeared her further to Jiang Ming. He made a show of chastising the guard curled up on the ground. “What’s the matter with you? My elder brother comes home, and you refuse to let him into the house?”

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nThe three guards rushed to help the injured man up and lowered their heads in apology.

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n“Come in, brother.” Warm hospitality oozed from Jiang Ming.

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nJiang Shaocheng coughed. He looked at his brother–braving the chill to welcome them in, his voice thick with kindness. “What else would I do, after coming all this way? The only problem is that some people must get their fill of bloodshed before they’re satisfied. It seems I have no choice but to assist them in the matter.”

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nJiang Ming’s smile turned forced. He stared at the man in the wheelchair before him, wondering if he was truly as severely ill as he appeared to be.

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nTang Qiu pushed the wheelchair into the house, giving an aloof snort as she passed Jiang Ming. He clenched his jaw. One day, he swore, he would see that woman broken before him…

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nThere was a maid in the living room when they entered. She let out a cry of alarm when she saw Jiang Shaocheng’s burn scars, turning tail and fleeing.

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nTang Qiu scoffed. Turning to Jiang Ming, she said, “What a large and important family the Jiangs are. I’ve never seen a servant behave like this before. How enlightening.”

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nHer sarcasm was not lost on Jiang Ming. He laughed good-naturedly. “Don’t mind her, sis-in-law. She’s new and has yet to abide by the rules. You, on the other hand, sound like you know your courtesies. In that case, go make me a cup of tea. Let me sample the kitchen skills of my sister-in-law…”

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