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Xia Qingxue couldn't help but shiver at Su Chen's cold, piercing gaze.
But then, recalling how he'd always been at her beck and call, her confidence quickly returned.
She shot him a defiant glare, scoffing, "Su Chen, how could you bring this shameless woman into your house without my permission?"
After all, she was Su Chen's fiancée and the future matriarch of the Su family.
She hadn't even married into the family yet, and now, out of nowhere, this vixen had already snuck into Su Chen's bed.
When she first heard rumors that Su Chen had forcefully wed the Holy Maiden of the Immortal Sword Sect, Xia Qingxue felt an immense sense of crisis.
So, when she found out that Su Chen had brought Chu Yanran out onto the streets today, she rushed over in a fury, dragging her maid along, determined to get an explanation.
Seeing Chu Yanran's beauty, which could bring down kingdoms, only intensified her jealousy.
Xia Qingxue, the eldest daughter of the Xia family from the Eastern Hua Continent, had always been showered with affection and was known for her unparalleled looks.
Yet here was a woman even more beautiful, even more enchanting than herself.
How could she possibly swallow this?
She had to drive Chu Yanran away; otherwise, once she married into the Su family, where would her authority as the lady of the house be?
"Hmph, she's my woman. Why wouldn't I marry her?"
Su Chen scoffed at Xia Qingxue's accusation. He pulled Chu Yanran close, wrapping his arm around her slim waist, then leaned down and pressed a kiss on her soft, inviting lips.
"AhâŠ"
The onlookers froze, dumbfounded. The Su family's young master had forcibly taken in a concubine just yesterday, and her poise and beauty were in no way inferior to Xia Qingxue's.
In terms of allure, the woman in Su Chen's arms was leagues ahead, possessing a mature charm that made the slightly inexperienced Xia Qingxue seem plain by comparison.
But wasn't Su Chen supposed to be completely infatuated with Xia Qingxue?
For years, he'd turned down countless noble ladies and famous courtesans, all in the hopes of winning her favor.
So, what was he doing now, openly flaunting this new relationship?
Could it be that he no longer cared for Xia Qingxue?
The spectators exchanged glances, each trying to guess Su Chen's true intentions.
"Su Chen, youâŠ"
Xia Qingxue's face turned deathly pale as she clenched her fists, her eyes filled with intense resentment.
All these years, besides her father Xia Zhentian, no one had ever humiliated her like this.
This was a slap in the face!
She glared daggers at Chu Yanran, her eyes brimming with a fierce killing intent.
She was determined to get rid of this vile woman and restore her dignity.
Stepping up to Chu Yanran, she sneered, "You little harlotâŠ"
With that, she raised her hand, about to deliver a fierce slap.
Smack!
Before her hand could come down, Su Chen's palm landed sharply on her cheek, the crisp sound echoing through the air.
"Ah!"
Xia Qingxue gasped in pain, clutching her swollen cheek, staring at Su Chen in shock.
Did he really dare lay a hand on her?
In her mind, all it took was a snap of her fingers, and countless men would rush to her side. But now, Su Chen had publicly humiliated herâit was a shame beyond words.
The crowd was equally stunned, unable to believe their eyes. They thought they must be dreaming, or seeing an illusion.
The young master of the Su family had actually slapped Xia Qingxue.
How could this be real?
Everyone knew Su Chen's devotion to Xia Qingxueâhe treated her like a precious treasure, careful not to break or bruise her, the very model of a doting suitor.
There was even a time when a young noble, infatuated with Xia Qingxue, had attempted to drug her and have his way with her. Su Chen had arrived just in time to save her purity.
That night, the entire family of that young noble vanished without a trace from the Heavenly Profound Continent.
This incident had sent shockwaves across the Eastern Hua Continent.
Xia Qingxue had since become an untouchable for all young nobles.
It was under Su Chen's protection that the once-declining Xia family had risen to become a mid-tier family in the Eastern Hua Continent.
The sudden shift in Su Chen's attitude left everyone struggling to process what was happening.
"Su Chen⊠you dare hit me?"
Tears welled up in Xia Qingxue's beautiful eyes as she choked back her feelings of shame and humiliation.
The mix of grievance and humiliation was almost too much for her to bear.
How could the man who once worshipped her suddenly stop fawning over her?
Ignoring her words, Su Chen stepped forward, shielding Chu Yanran behind him. An imposing aura radiated from him, making Xia Qingxue's face go even paler.
"Miss Xia, don't forget your place. Do you really think you have the right to act so brazenly in front of me?"
As he spoke, he reached out and clasped her slender neck, his voice as cold as ice, "Let me make this clear: if you dare touch my woman, your Xia family is doomed."
His merciless words and bone-chilling gaze struck Xia Qingxue like a thunderbolt, leaving her dazed.
The Xia family was merely a fading clan; if not for her engagement to Su Chen, they wouldn't have even stayed in the capital, let alone rise in status.
Against the colossal Su family, the Xia family was nothing.
For too long, she'd been emboldened by Su Chen's relentless affection, forgetting her true status.
Now, she finally realized how foolish she'd been.
"Cough⊠coughâŠ"
Struggling for air, Xia Qingxue's face turned beet-red. She hastily begged, "Su Chen⊠I was wrongâŠ"
"Too late."
Su Chen released her with a sneer, then frowned at her. "Xia Qingxue, you don't deserve to be my woman. Tomorrow, I'll personally annul our engagement."
"Furthermore, I'll declare to all of the Eastern Hua Continent that Su Chen and the Xia family have no further ties."
His words left everyone dumbfounded.
The news that Su Chen planned to break off his engagement with Xia Qingxue would surely cause waves across the Eastern Hua Continent.
Though he had taken in a concubine, the position of his primary wife was still openâa fact that would drive noble ladies across the continent into a frenzy.
Years ago, Xia Qingxue had stolen the heart of the young Su family heir, wounding the pride of countless noble maidens. But now, things had changed.
As the Su family heir, Su Chen was destined to become the family head. Whoever won his favor as his main wife would rise to the status of the Su family's matriarch, a position as glorious as a phoenix soaring to the heavens.
The crowd was utterly stunned.
Xia Qingxue's legs buckled as she collapsed to the ground. Clutching Su Chen's leg, she pleaded desperately, "Su Chen⊠you're joking, aren't you?"
Given his past devotion, it was likely a statement made in a moment of anger. He'd made similar threats before.
In the past, every time she'd spurned his advances, he would fly into a rage, muttering about breaking off the engagement.
But every time, all she had to do was act a little coy, and he'd immediately revert to his adoring, apologetic self.
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