The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

Jiang Liu glanced at Xia Qiutang and then at the man at the head of the table, unsure whether he should speak again.

He wanted to help Xia Qiutang, but he was afraid that explaining things would only make matters worse.

He knew what the man above meant, and he knew what Aunt Hong wanted to do, but he wasn't like that! He hadn't thought about it!

Jiang Liu opened his mouth, but still couldn't say anything.

Xia Qiutang has been in the mansion for three years. The initial thrill of their affair has faded, and the novelty of entering the inner courtyard has slowly worn off.

Her life is getting worse every day.

If she is also labeled as having an affair, how can she go on living her life?

"Master, I'm innocent!" Xia Qiutang burst into tears, crying out her innocence with heart-wrenching sobs.

"Think of my master, where do I have anywhere to go now!" Xia Qiutang choked up, her eyes filled with tears.

“Since I entered the manor… I have lost contact with my maternal family…”

She couldn't let her father know what she had done, nor could she face her stepmother. So, although she had been in Kyoto, she hadn't contacted the Xia family for three years.

There's no hope for her maternal family, and as for her husband's family... well, that goes without saying.

The Jiang family is long gone.

There has been no news of Jiang Su. She wonders if he has died somewhere out there. Where else can she run to?

This is her final resting place!

The man felt much better after listening to her tearful story, but he still didn't speak, instead just lowered his head and played with the jade thumb ring in his hand.

He enjoyed this feeling of being a savior on top of the world; the more helpless a woman was, the more at ease he felt.

This is also why he liked Aunt Hong.

Xia Qiutang, the man raised his eyes and glanced at Jiang Liu, whose eyes were full of heartache.

Some people are even feeling sorry for them! This is truly bad news.

Xia Qiutang was also very perceptive. Seeing him looking at Jiang Liu, she knew he minded this person, and pushed him out without hesitation.

"Master, he... he's Jiang Su's dog! He always followed me around, and he clearly had ill intentions. Now he's suddenly appeared here; I wonder what he's up to! Master, you must protect me!"

The man was delighted to hear this, but Jiang Liu stared wide-eyed in shock, looking at Xia Qiutang in disbelief.

Is this still the kind and innocent Miss Xia?

"Madam!" Jiang Liu's address to her remained unchanged, but the others interpreted the word "Madam" differently.

Aunt Hong covered her mouth and laughed, "Madam? What madam? There's no madam here!"

The man in the position of power had a hint of mockery on his lips.

Xia Qiutang's face turned pale and then red, but she had no way to refute it.

She went from being a noblewoman to a commoner, and then from an ordinary "lady" to a concubine.

Madam, that's the proper title for a wife, she... is no longer worthy of it.

She felt a little uncomfortable, but only for a moment. Still guarding the Jiang family, she didn't know if she was now like Jiang Xiaoxiao, ending up in a brothel. What did it matter if she was a concubine? At least she would be doing well, wouldn't she?

"Qiu Tang, he has no relation to you, right?" The man pointed at Xia Qiu Tang, then at Jiang Liu.

"No! No!" Xia Qiutang shook her head like a rattle drum.

"Alright! Since it doesn't matter, then you can supervise!" After saying that, the man stood up, gestured to the servant behind him, and then left.

Before the others could react, the servant had already brought people over. Jiang Liu looked left and right, not understanding what was going on.

The servant returned shortly afterward, accompanied by two men.

"Arrest him!" The servant had barely finished speaking when the two men grabbed Jiang Liu.

"What are you doing! Let me go!..." Jiang Liu struggled and was kicked hard.

Jiang Liu was pulled away, and the servant returned to respectfully invite Xia Qiutang.

"Aunt Xia, please!"

Xia Qiutang felt very uneasy, but she didn't dare to say anything and could only follow them out.

The servant paused for a moment and then said to Concubine Hong behind him:

"Aunt Hong, the master says you should go back first!"

Aunt Hong naturally wouldn't disobey; she tossed her handkerchief aside and left with her maid.

Xia Qiutang followed, and they arrived outside the courtyard.

Jiang Liu didn't know what they were going to do. He struggled for a while to no avail, so he just waited quietly.

When he saw what the group had brought, he could no longer remain calm.

"What are you trying to do?! I didn't do anything, you can't hit me!"

The servant gave him a disdainful smile. "How could you not have done anything? You wouldn't be lusting after my concubine, would you? That's enough to get you into trouble."

When Jiang Liu saw that they had already set up the stools and were holding the thick sticks upright, he knew they were serious and was so frightened that he quickly asked Xia Qiutang for help.

"I didn't! Madam! Miss Xia, please help me! I didn't! I just came to borrow money from you!"

Xia Qiutang wouldn't pay any attention to him. The master had just told her to keep an eye on things, so how could she dare to ask for help?

That would be admitting that he has a relationship with Jiang Liu.

Xia Qiutang looked away, not looking at him.

It's just hitting him. If he's truly willing to sacrifice, why would he make things difficult for her?

Jiang Liu was pushed onto the bench, and no matter how hard he struggled, he was bound to the bench like a rice dumpling in no time.

He kept repeating that he didn't have it, he didn't have it, but no one around him paid any attention.

The first board landed, and Jiang Liu screamed in pain, which finally drew Xia Qiutang's attention back.

With each strike of the board, Xia Qiutang would involuntarily tremble; thankfully, the board did not land on her.

Jiang Liu naturally saw the relief in Xia Qiutang's eyes.

He can't quite describe how he feels right now.

Xia Qiutang asked him to betray Qin Yao, but he didn't even flinch. He joined Jiang Su in undermining Qin Yao's power, and even killed Qin Yao for Xia Qiutang's sake, without feeling anything was wrong.

Even if she was having an affair, he would make excuses for her, saying that she had no choice, after all, she was so kind and good.

But now, facing Xia Qiutang, who is indifferent and heartless towards him, he regrets it.

She's just bad, her heart is black.

At this moment, he had no doubt that Xia Qiutang would stand idly by until her death.

He thought of Qin Yao; she would never do that. Her kindness to them was genuine, and she would directly raise any issues she had.

Unlike Xia Qiutang, who, upon closer reflection, realized she had gained nothing!

He actually understood it in his heart, but because of Xia Qiutang's example, he couldn't accept it.

but now……

"You heartless woman! All your kindness is an act! You're not as good as Qin Yao! You're not even as good as Aunt Hong!..."

Feeling the pain in his body, Jiang Liu blurted out what was on his mind.

If he's really going to die, he'll take someone down with him!

"You were so shameless when you seduced Jiang Su, and you were just as despicable when you seduced me! Does your current husband know about this?..."

Xia Qiutang's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She hadn't expected Jiang Liu to dare say such a thing to her, so she took a few steps forward and shut him up.

"Hit him! Hit him hard! Kill him!"

Xia Qiutang said fiercely to the servant who had hit her.

Jiang Liu could only whimper and stare at her intently.

With each thud of the paddle, blood seeped from Jiang Liu's body. Xia Qiutang glanced at it but still ordered the beating to continue.

Jiang Liu finally closed his eyes, but the beating continued...