Jiang Fu was not particularly close to this uncle of hers. Her parents, the Second Master Jiang and his wife, had died suddenly without even leaving any last words.
Fortunately, Master Jiang still had a conscience and did not embezzle the Second Branch’s property.
However, it was Madam Yan who held the real power in the main household. Though Master Jiang witnessed his wife’s cold and harsh treatment, he never intervened.
He even quickly agreed when Madam Yan proposed sending Jiang Fu to become Scholar Lin’s concubine.
With hundreds of candles burning brightly, Master Jiang looked at his beautiful and charming niece and put on the airs of an elder.
“Come over and greet Scholar Lin.”
“…I won’t.”
Though Jiang Fu appeared delicate and soft, she was not someone to be manipulated at will.
This old man had a lecherous look in his eyes and was clearly not a good person. She refused to go over.
Holding Bai Xing’s hand, Jiang Fu turned around in a hurry, ready to leave.
Jiang Yao had been waiting for this day for so long and would not let her leave so easily.
“Mama Wang, stop her!”
“Listen to the Second Young Lady!”
Seeing Jiang Fu trying to flee, Madam Yan immediately stood up.
Mama Wang, with her strong and sturdy build, quickly caught Jiang Fu.
Her thick arms clamped around Jiang Fu’s wrists, her eyes filled with malice.
“Fourth Young Lady, you’d better be obedient. This old servant doesn’t know her own strength—be careful not to get hurt.”
Bai Xing was held back by other servants, forced to watch helplessly as Jiang Fu was taken away.
“Young Lady!”
Bai Xing tried to break free but was slapped twice by a servant woman. “You little wretch, do you want to die?”
“Bai Xing…”
Seeing this, Jiang Fu trembled, clenched her fists tightly, and her eyes turned completely red.
A beauty shedding tears was especially pitiable, and Scholar Lin’s heart trembled at the sight.
“Oh, my little beauty, don’t cry. My heart is breaking. You old woman, let her go at once!”
As soon as Mama Wang brought Jiang Fu into the room, Scholar Lin eagerly rushed over.
Though over seventy and no longer nimble on his feet, with a thin, bony frame covered only by skin and missing all his teeth, nothing could stop him from wanting to defile Jiang Fu.
Just as Scholar Lin’s hand was about to touch Jiang Fu’s face, Jiang Yao, standing nearby, clenched her handkerchet tightly, her eyes brimming with excitement.
“Slap!”
Jiang Fu mustered all her strength and fiercely slapped the hand away. “Don’t touch me!”
Apart from Xiao Jing, she loathed being touched by any man.
Especially this old man, who could have been her great-grandfather.
“Jiang Fu!”
Master Jiang’s eyes widened in fury, nearly frightened to death by her actions.
That was Scholar Lin! Offending him would mean he could no longer stay in the Hanlin Academy.
Trembling all over, Jiang Fu felt as if everyone in the room were vicious wolves trying to push her into an abyss. If she showed the slightest weakness, she would be devoured, leaving not even a trace of her bones.
Clenching her palms, Jiang Fu forced herself to calm down. She looked at Master Jiang, her tone calm yet sharp.
“Does Uncle want to force me to die?”
“…What nonsense are you talking about? How could I force you to die…”
Master Jiang avoided her gaze, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
He was not entirely a bad person, but in the face of personal gain, this delicate and charming niece seemed insignificant.
Seeing Master Jiang hesitate, Madam Yan quickly stepped forward.
“How is this forcing you to die? Your uncle is doing this for your own good. After being rejected by the Xiao family, who in the capital would dare marry you? Although Scholar Lin is a bit older, he knows how to cherish people. Once you marry him, you’ll become a concubine and enjoy endless blessings.”
Madam Yan praised Scholar Lin to the heavens, as if this old man with one foot in the coffin were some kind of prized catch.
Jiang Fu was so angry she burst into tears. “If he’s so wonderful, why not have Second Sister marry him instead?”
“How could a wretched old man like him be worthy of…”
Upon hearing Jiang Fu’s words, Jiang Yao instinctively retorted, completely unaware that she had spoken her true thoughts aloud.
Scholar Lin’s face instantly darkened.
Master Jiang and Madam Yan hurriedly apologized, “Scholar Lin, our daughter speaks recklessly without thinking. Please don’t listen to her. Someone as foolish as her should be beneath your notice.”
Only then did Jiang Yao realize her blunder, her face turning deathly pale with fear. Especially when Scholar Lin’s sinister and lecherous gaze swept over her, her feet seemed glued to the floor, not daring to move an inch.
“Yes, yes, it was all nonsense I spoke…”
“Hmph!” Scholar Lin snorted coldly. He rubbed his fingertips, the back of his hand still retaining the lingering warmth from Jiang Fu’s slap.
“I, Lin, am not one to force others. Since the little beauty is unwilling, I won’t press her. However, Shiyuan’s daughter here needs to learn some manners.”
Shiyuan was Master Jiang’s courtesy name. Scholar Lin couldn’t bear to trouble Jiang Fu, but Jiang Yao, whom he looked down upon, was not so fortunate.
“Yes, yes, Scholar Lin is absolutely right. Madam Yan, hurry and take her away. She is not allowed to leave the house these next few days. Have her copy the Admonitions for Women several times in her room. She may only come out once she has learned proper behavior.”
“Father…”
Jiang Yao never expected to be reprimanded. Though she feared Scholar Lin, she deeply despised this wretched old man. Suddenly ordered into confinement, Jiang Yao resisted fiercely.
“Take her away at once!”
Master Jiang roared angrily, and Madam Yan quickly pulled her daughter away.
“Silly Yao’er, your father is doing this for your own good. That Scholar Lin is a lecherous old devil. If you stay there and he takes a fancy to you… Don’t go out these next few days. Hide in your room.”
“What about Jiang Fu?”
Having been scolded by that wretched old man, she couldn’t stand the thought of Jiang Fu walking free.
“Don’t worry, she won’t escape.”
Hearing Madam Yan’s words, Jiang Yao quieted down.
Jiang Fu was resolved to die. If Scholar Lin laid a hand on her, she would immediately dash her head against the wall.
Fearing the prize might slip from his grasp, Scholar Lin signaled with his eyes for Master Jiang to let her go.
Master Jiang then transformed into a benevolent elder, comforting Jiang Fu, “Today, your uncle was just teasing you. Since you are unwilling to marry Scholar Lin, I won’t force you.”
“Really?” Jiang Fu didn’t believe him.
Master Jiang struggled to maintain his smile. “Of course it’s true. You are my own niece—how could I ever harm you?”
“I hope Uncle remembers his words today.”
Jiang Fu took Bai Xing’s hand, and the two supported each other as they walked out the door.
Unbeknownst to her, Scholar Lin behind her stared brazenly at her retreating figure, his eyes filled with lust. “The little beauty is indeed beautiful, but her temper is rather fierce…”
Master Jiang fawned obsequiously, “Rest assured, I will discipline her properly before sending her to you.”
“Mmm.”
Jiang Fu and her maid stumbled back to the Second Branch’s courtyard. Bai Xing tightly bolted the door and moved several large stones to barricade it. Only after confirming that no one outside could push it open did she feel slightly at ease.
“How could Master do such a thing? That Scholar Lin is practically toothless! Isn’t this throwing our young mistress into a pit of fire?”
Bai Xing angrily voiced her indignation on behalf of her mistress. Her cheek was swollen from being struck, making her speech somewhat distorted, but it did nothing to dampen her fiery temper.
Jiang Fu regained some strength only after entering the room. She had genuinely wanted to die earlier.
“…I won’t marry anyone.”