In a few days, Han Jiang Xue will turn seventeen. Although she hasn't found a husband yet, it doesn't bother her at all.

It wasn't until I was stopped in the street today by that useless second son of the Zhuang Family, Li Xingming, that I realized trouble was brewing!

"Han Jiangxue, what kind of watch is this? You're about to have your betrothal ceremony soon, didn't you know that? This young master is the legitimate son of a respected princely mansion, and pairing up with you, a mere family from the fringes, is more than enough! With your nature, wilder than any man, being able to marry out is thanks to great merit accumulated by your ancestors. What's there not to be happy about?"

Li Xingming sat in the carriage, holding Hua Manlou's top courtesan without a care in his arms, and smiled at Han Jiangxue who was sitting grimly on horseback in front of them. He felt an indescribable joy in his heart.

Thinking back to the times when Han Jiangxue and that deadbeat older brother bullied me, I felt a sense of relief: "Haha, don't worry, once you cross the threshold, this young master will discipline you every night. I guarantee that in less than half a month, even if you are a tigress, you'll be melting under this young master..."

"Shut your stinking mouth! Even if I never get married, I would never marry a scum like you!"

Han Jiangxue was furious, her anger reaching its peak because of Li Xingming's shameless actions. Of course, the most infuriating thing was this so-called marriage.

Upon pulling on the reins, without a second thought, he prepared to ride around the carriage blocking his way and head straight home to ask his father for clarification!

Seeing Han Jiang so furious, Li Xingming laughed even harder. Without any effort, he threw out another string of nasty and despicable words. Even the onlookers who were watching the commotion couldn't help but feel a chill. If it came to being shameless and despicable, then looking at the entire capital city, Li Xingming believed that no one dared to take first place.

"You wretch!" Han Jiangxue roared, snatching up the riding whip in her hand and lashing it straight at Li Xingming's face. "Slap!" It landed squarely on target, without any mercy whatsoever.

Then, a mounted figure appeared without expression, galloping past with no regard for the cries of terror and slaughter that erupted around him.

Back home, Han Jiangxue tossed her whip aside and rushed straight to her study without a word.

You must ask your father what is going on. If you are truly going to marry someone like Li Xingming, that scoundrel, then I will do everything in my power to bring down the Han family and the Zhuang family's estate! I will never give in!

"What are you doing, barging in like that without even knocking? What kind of manner is this?" Mr. Han looked up at his furious son with disappointment filling his eyes.

Han Jiangxue snatched the book from her father's hand and shouted, "That bastard Li Xingming said you were going to marry me off to him. Is that true?"

The Korean father was taken aback, instantly understanding the source of his son's anger. The displeasure in his eyes also subsided somewhat.

Just as he was about to explain everything properly, a servant who usually followed the young master out came rushing in, panting and stammering, "Master... Master... something terrible has happened! Miss... Miss beat up the Second Young Master of the Zhuang family!"

When the Han Father heard this, his face immediately changed. Before he could even question her, Han Jiangxue glared fiercely at the attendant, saying in a very unhappy tone: "What are you yelling about? It's just a whip! That kind of scoundrel deserves to be beaten to death! Who does he think he is to spout such filthy language in public..."

“You listen to me!” Mr. Han slammed his fist on the table, cutting off Han Jiangxue’s words abruptly. He was clearly furious. “If he's an scoundrel, I think you are even worse! Look at you now, what part of you resembles a well-bred lady from a prestigious family? You're arrogant, unruly, reckless, and your reputation is tarnished! The fact that he is willing to marry you is already incredible luck. What qualifications do you have to complain about others here!”

Suddenly, the study fell silent. Han Jiangxue's heart was filled with grievance at her father's one-sided accusations, and what was even more unbearable was that her father was actually willing to let her marry someone like Li Xingming, a scoundrel.

"Even if I'm a jerk, I'm just a jerk myself. I've never been as low as he is!"

After a moment, the stubborn girl fought back her tears and refused to explain further. She simply declared resolutely, "Father must immediately cancel this marriage! I will absolutely not marry him!"

"Marriage is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly. One must obey their parents' wishes, how could you dare defy them! From today onwards, I will no longer allow you to act as you please! Now, you are going with me to the Prince's Mansion to apologize to the second son. Otherwise..."

Before the old man could finish his words, Han Jiangxue turned her head and said, "Fine, I'll go! I'll go kill that bastard right now and see if he dares to marry me!"

Having said that, Han Jiangxue truly rushed directly towards the study's exterior, looking as if she was going to fight someone to the death.

When the father saw this, he was furious and immediately shouted to those outside: "Come here! From today onwards, Miss is not allowed to step out of the Han family gate even half a step. If anyone dares to disobey, break their legs directly to prevent them from harming the entire Han family!"

The servants waiting outside saw that their master was serious this time, and naturally they did not dare disobey. They hurried to stop the young lady and persuade her kindly.

Although Han Jiang Xue was extremely angry right now, she knew her father wouldn't make concessions so quickly. She didn't bother arguing further and decided to go talk to her stepmother, Liu shi, instead.

Although Liu was her father's second wife, she was kindhearted and treated both her stepson and younger brother like her own. Last year, when her stepson died unexpectedly, Liu cried until her eyes were almost blind.

Based on this alone, I believe the stepmother would definitely help. Furthermore, half a year ago, the main character relinquished their rightful engagement and allowed their stepmother's younger sister to become betrothed to the eldest son of the Zhang family. This in turn spared her from the fate of participating in the palace selection.

The servants, seeing this, were worried and tried to follow him. But Han's father rebuked them, saying, "All of you stay here! Keep an eye on the door and don't let him leave!"

Han Jiangxue lost her temper with her father and stomped away without a word. She hurried to the backyard.

As I passed through the small garden, I tripped over something on the ground and twisted my ankle. It seems like when bad luck comes, even drinking cold water can get stuck in your teeth!

He could only squat down and check the severity of his injury. He glanced around and seeing no one, he stealthily moved to the banana flower bushes nearby and took off his shoes.

I'm not injured, but it's already starting to swell up. I'm afraid I'll have to stay put for the next few days. As I was putting my shoes back on and getting ready to leave, I heard someone whispering in the banana grove behind me.

Realizing it was her stepmother and sister, Han Jiangxue was about to call out, but suddenly heard her sister mention the marriage. Her sister's tone was strangely unfamiliar, full of glee. Han Jiangxue instinctively froze in place, listening.

"Han Jiangxue has been pampered to the extreme by me, her temper and reputation have reached their worst. Originally, as long as she continued to be obedient, I planned to find a better match for her. But this girl is exceptionally intelligent. Not only did she notice something amiss about her elder brother's death, but she even dared to investigate the matter, acting beyond her capabilities! She's simply digging her own grave!"

The stepmother's cold and unfamiliar voice struck fear into Han Jiangxue's heart. Her face changed instantly, she could hardly believe her ears. She had planned to seek help from Liu shi, but things turned out completely unexpectedly.

My heart instantly dropped to the depths of an ice cave. It turns out that beneath all these years of Liu's hypocritical facade, there was a heart so incredibly venomous!

"Mother, why go through all this trouble? Why not just kill that wretched girl directly? She's a good-for-nothing wastrel, someone everyone would ridicule. I don't understand why Zhang Hao keeps thinking about her!"

Sister Han Yajing's voice came again, laced with disgust and hatred.

The sound of Han Jiangxue's head whirring was like thunder. Another bolt from the blue! How could even her sister, who used to be as pure and innocent as a snow lotus, be so cruel?

All relatives, all trust collapsed in an instant at this moment. I felt my heart was about to burst out, boiling over with anger like a tsunami. My hands clenched involuntarily...

"Han Jiang Xue's marriage to the Zhuang family is a done deal. Short of necessity, killing is never the best solution. Otherwise, I wouldn't have tolerated their siblings for over a decade. You can rest assured and wait for your marriage to the Zhang family. Whether you can capture Zhang Hao's heart in the future, and whether the Zhang family can become another Han family, it all depends..."

Before she could finish her words, Liu suddenly stopped. Her eyes darted towards the clump of banana trees in the distance, and in a chillingly cold voice, she commanded, "Who's there! Show yourself!"

When Han Jiangxue was discovered by the Liu family, she didn't have time to think. She instinctively got up and tried to find her father. But after only two steps, she fell again. Her previous injury made her fall into despair immediately.

Seeing that the listener was Han Jiang Xue, Lady Liu's heart instantly filled with murderous intent. No matter how much this dead girl had heard, she absolutely could not be allowed to live!

"Since you're so eager to go down there and find your short-lived mother and older brother, then I'll give you everything!"

Liu said as she rushed forward, grabbing Han Jiangxue's neck. She was astonishingly fast; Han Jiangxue was immediately immobilized.

"If you kill... me, father... will surely notice..." Han Jiangxue struggled, unwilling to be killed by Liu like this.

Liu's strength was astonishing. She exerted herself while sneering, "Starting from your mother, so many people in the Han family have died over the years, yet your father hasn't noticed anything! Rest assured, I'll do it cleanly, and your father won't shed a single tear for you, this unfilial child!"

"You..." Han Jiangxue was choked and couldn't make a sound. Her breathing became more and more difficult, her eyes wide with the struggle for breath, filled with endless hatred and unwillingness.

I wanted to cut the demon in front of me a thousand times, but my consciousness was becoming increasingly blurred. What flashed before my eyes was Liu's cold and ruthless twisted face, and Han Yajing's extremely happy and dangerous face.

Suddenly, with the last of his strength, he lunged toward Liu Shi. As his fingertips tore through that wickedly contorted face, he finally breathed his last.