"Our General's Mansion comes from the Duke of An Guo's family, we have strict rules and regulations. Since you have entered our mansion with such an identity, you must abide by the rules of our house and avoid offending the master."

Su Tang softly replied with a sound, lowering her eyes and following Zheng MaMa forward.

In two more days, her elder sister, Su Yuqing, will marry the master of this manor, while she, as a concubine, arrived at Qin Manor ahead of schedule today.

It wasn't that she had ulterior motives to get close to him. It was her elder sister, who was frail and sickly, and she feared that this General Qin, with his rough personality, would be too much for her. Yet, she couldn't bear to give up this marriage, so she proposed a "trial marriage".

"Up ahead is Grandpa's courtyard. He has many friends who visit him, all high officials from the imperial court. You should be aware and give way to them so that people don't say that our household doesn't know proper etiquette."

Su Tang responded with a sound, following Zheng MaMa's words forward, but before she could see the courtyard, she saw two young men coming together.

One of them was clad in armor, with a cloak over it. His brows and eyes were filled with a cold and ruthless look, and there was a scar on the corner of his brow. This was Qin Xie, the master of Qin's residence, a newly wealthy nobleman who had returned to Beijing a few days ago after getting married. He held the rank of General Wuwei in the army.

Grandma Zheng also saw it and immediately whispered, "Turn around and avoid it."

Su Tang followed her and turned around, lowering her head and unable to speak. But Qin Jie still saw them and quickly sent his friend away, walking towards them.

"Is this person sent by the Su family?"

Grandma Zheng hurriedly agreed and whispered to Su Tang to call someone.

Su Tang felt embarrassed and unsure how to begin. After a moment's hesitation, she said: "My humble self, Su Tang, greets you."

Qin Xie seemed to still remember her. Upon hearing the name, his face darkened: "It's you... You haven't even passed under my roof yet, don't be so presumptuous."

This was said very rudely, as if he didn't look down on her at all. Grandma Zheng's eyes became strange, and Su Tang was also spoken to the point of blushing. 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 from afar: "Come in."

It was only then that Grandmother Zheng brought Su Tang forward, but as soon as they entered the main hall, Qin Xie sent her away. There were only the two of them left in the hall.

The man straddled his horse and dismounted. As he turned to face her, his brows furrowed with disapproval. "A concubine is just half a slave. How could Su family's daughter do such a thing? If you weren't willing, I would discuss with your stepmother to find another 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 those in the household described him as a rough and uncouth warrior. It turned out that he also had a kind and considerate side, but she couldn't agree.

She lowered her eyes: “The general is brave, and I have long admired him. This was my own choice.”

Qin Xie's brow furrowed completely: "Admiration? You and I have only met twice. What admiration could there be?"

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

That's for the older sister, you're just passing by.

Su Tang was blocked, she knew they were passing by.

Qin Xie and Su Yuqing were cousins, their marriage had been arranged since childhood. He never missed a holiday or festival to show his affection for her. For the sake of her reputation, he would always bring other sisters from his family with him, but the gifts they received were vastly different.

Su Tang wasn't without her discernment, but what could she do?

She had to come.

"My lady understands, General, please rest assured. I won't overstep my bounds. Once I enter your home, I will always be obedient and never cause trouble for you or your 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 really let go, your life will be ruined forever."

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

Qin Xie fell silent, only after a long time did he let out a sneer, his tone full of mockery: "A proper Miss from an official family, instead of being the main wife, she insists on becoming a concubine... degrading herself."

Su Tang's heart ached sharply, nearly being stung by these words to tears. Yet, she could only grit her teeth and endure it.

"Let's go."

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

Qin Xie's eyes held an unconcealed coldness: "What else? Do you want me to set up a dragon and phoenix double flower candle for a concubine, and prepare a hundred sons and thousands of grandchildren bed?"

Su Tang hadn't expected that kind of treatment, but...

She looked around. This was the main hall; even with the door shut, you could hear noises from outside. To say nothing of the fact that there wasn't even a bed: "General, how about we go inside?"

"I like it here. If you can't stand it, go back."

Su Tang's face turned pale, her fingertips trembling, before finally closing her eyes and placing her hand on her waist: "I can bear it..."

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

He recalled the scene two years ago. He went to the Su family that day with the intention of seeing Su Yuling, but unfortunately, the other party was ill and did not show her face. Instead, at a family dinner, he caught sight of Su Tang at first glance. At that time, she was only fourteen years old and thinner than others. Among the chattering and flattering crowd celebrating the New Year, she was so well-behaved and sensible that people couldn't help but feel pity for her.

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

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