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.
"Since they addressed you as 'Young Master', it's only right that they call me 'Young Mistress'. After all, I am your wife." Tang Qiu sent a faint smile his way. It was like seeing a flower in bloom, its fragrance deep and rejuvenating, carrying a warmth that seemed to melt into his bones.
"You're right. They misspoke!" Jiang Shaocheng glanced at He Lei, who nodded and brandished the fruit knife at the three of them.
"Was the young mistress unclear?"
The Fengs were loath to submit, but they had no other choice. "Forgive us, Young Mistress. We beg your forgiveness."
"I accept your apology, but that doesn't mean I forgive you. Consider it my generosity that I'm choosing not to kick up a fuss about the matter." Everything the Fengs had done to her over the years was still fresh in Tang Qiu's mind. How could she possibly forgive them?
The Fengs looked incensed and humiliated that Tang Qiu had refused to forgive them. Had Jiang Shaocheng not been present, they would have likely beaten her to death, but with him around, they could only grit their teeth and remain with their heads bowed.
Jiang Shaocheng ran a cool gaze over the Fengs. "Tang Qiu is my wife. I trust that you all know how you should and shouldn't treat her from now on."
The Fengs breathed a sigh of relief and nodded their acquiescence, but secretly, resentment burned in each of their hearts. After all, this sick man would die soon; how long could he protect her? Once he was gone, it would be the little bitch's turn to suffer!
Watching from the sidelines, Jiang Ming was still unsatisfied. He strode after his brother in a temper as He Lei pushed his wheelchair out.
"Brother, we should swap her with Feng Lu."
Jiang Shaocheng had been about to board the car. He coughed and told Tang Qiu to get in the car first. She nodded and obeyed. He closed the car door before looking Jiang Ming in the eye. "Enough is enough."
Jiang Ming took in the sight of his sickly brother and pasted a well-meaning expression on his face. "I'm doing this for your good, brother. By letting them stick you with this new bride, they're insulting you. You…"
"For my good?" A cough. "You chose a fat, ugly, bad-tempered woman who hooks up with other men, and you tell me it was for my good? I'm not dead yet, Jiang Ming. Until then, my affairs are my own to manage!"
Jiang Ming fought a shudder at the darkness in Jiang Shaocheng's voice, like a demon come to demand his life. He felt a strange sense of unease. Since when did his weakling brother possess such an intimidating, imposing manner?
Whatever. He was still a worthless piece of trash. This wasn't over!