Transmigration Of An Assassin

Meeting Again

Seeing Tang Chang An meant nothing to Tang Shushui. As he continued about his business, he barely acknowledged the presence of his step-brother, whose return from Hexiao County stirred no emotions within him. For Tang Shushui, life had moved on. But for Tang Chang An, his return was charged with bitter determination. He was eager, almost desperate, to see how the step-brother he despised was faring.

After Tang Shushui married Jiang Yanwei and severed ties with the Tang family, his father, Tang Hui Ying, found himself in financial trouble. His gambling habits and extravagant lifestyle demanded a constant influx of money. During one of his many gambling sessions, he heard about Merchant Fang from Hexiao County—a wealthy man in search of a concubine. Seizing the opportunity, Tang Hui Ying proposed Tang Chang An to Merchant Fang.

Initially, Tang Chang An scoffed at the idea of becoming the concubine of a merchant. But his resolve weakened when he saw the life Tang Shushui was leading. Tang Shushui was thriving, enveloped in the love and care of Jiang Yanwei, who showered him with affection and indulged his every whim. This sight ignited a fire of hatred within Tang Chang An. He couldn't stand the fact that the step-brother he once tormented was now living a life of happiness and luxury. The realization that Jiang Yanwei, the person who loved Tang Shushui, was the one he had feelings for deepened his hatred. It wasn't just jealousy; it was a consuming, burning hatred.

Driven by this intense emotion and a desire to disrupt his brother's happiness, Tang Chang An went to learn more about Merchant Fang. He discovered that while Fang wasn't exceptionally handsome, he was far from unattractive and, more importantly, he was considerably wealthy. The allure of wealth and the prospect of revenge led Tang Chang An to accept the marriage proposal. He envisioned a scenario where he would return, flaunting his new status and wealth, and trample on the happiness of Tang Shushui and Jiang Yanwei. However, he grossly underestimated the hardships that awaited him.

Merchant Fang's wealth was indeed not low, but it came with its own set of complications. His main wife was the second daughter of Hexiao County's magistrate. Although she was the daughter of a concubine, she was greatly favored by her father. The recent promotion of her uncle to the Head of the Hanlin Academy elevated her status further, compelling the Fang family to treat her with immense reverence. Mrs. Fang's status and influence were far greater than Tang Chang An had anticipated.

The reality of his new life hit him hard on the very first day. As he entered the grand hall of the Fang residence, his eyes took in the charming and the intimidating presence of Mrs. Fang. She was a woman of poise and authority, her eyes sharp and assessing. Tang Chang An's usual manipulative charm, which had often served him well, led to his immediate downfall. His attempts to gain favor and act pitiful Mrs. Fang were met with cold disdain. 

"You are nothing but the son of a petty farmer," Mrs. Fang declared, her voice laced with contempt. "Your petty tricks might work on other petty farmers, but this is Hexiao County. Here, I am a favored daughter of the County Magistrate, and your schemes are not only transparent but also pathetic."

He relisted, Mrs. Fang did not even need to scheme against. To her he was just a jumping clown, an ant she could tramp if she had bad day, but unfortunately he learned this too late.

Tang Chang An's first days in his new home were a harsh awakening. For the first three days of his marriage, he spent his time kneeling in the cold, hard hall, his knees bruised and his pride shattered. Each minute spent on the ground felt like an eternity. The humiliation he endured was a bitter pill to swallow, and the scornful glances of the servants, coupled with Mrs. Fang's stern, unforgiving gaze, made Tang Chang An realize the gravity of his situation. He had stepped into a world where his usual tricks and manipulations were not only ineffective but also dangerous.

The cold reality of his new life began to sink in. Relying on Merchant Fang proved futile. While Merchant Fang appreciated Tang Chang An's beauty, he was not willing to jeopardize the substantial benefits he gained from his main wife. Mrs. Fang's family connections and influence were too valuable to forsake for a mere concubine. The only reason Tang Chang An was taken in was due to his looks and the need for more heirs. With only one son born to Madam Fang and no more children in the family, a concubine was necessary to ensure the family's lineage. Tang Chang An, with no significant status or powerful family, was the perfect candidate. He was attractive enough to please Merchant Fang and insignificant enough not to threaten Madam Fang.

The months that followed were a series of harsh lessons for Tang Chang An. He was forced to adapt, to mold himself into the role of a docile and obedient concubine. The initial defiance and schemes gave way to a reluctant submission. Mrs. Fang, recognizing his change, granted him a semblance of peace, while Merchant Fang's favor provided him with basic comforts. His life became a delicate balance of subservience and cautious maneuvering.

His return to his hometown was precipitated by threats from his father, who aimed to stir trouble about Tang Chang An's abandonment of his family after he married into wealth. However, the true reason for his return was his unresolved hatred for Tang Shushui. Seeing his brother in a state of happiness, laughing and being affectionate with Jiang Yanwei, only fueled his bitterness.

Tang Chang An's existence had become a constant struggle. In Hexiao County, he was nothing more than a lowly concubine, forced to beg for favor and act subservient to survive. He had to play the role of a seductress to gain even an ounce of attention from Merchant Fang, while Mrs. Fang's shadow loomed large over his every move. Stepping outside the confines of his gilded cage was a luxury he could seldom afford. Madam Fang's influence meant that even her dog held more nobility than him in the eyes of those around them.

From kneeling to serving tea, and acting like a plaything to Madam Fang's friends. Humiliation had become a part of his daily life. The memory of those initial three days of kneeling, with his knees throbbing in pain and his spirit crushed, was a constant reminder of his hatred. Every scornful glance from the servants, every cold word from Mrs. Fang, cut deep, stripping away layers of his pride and dignity. The once proud and manipulative Tang Chang An was now a mere shadow of his former self, living in a perpetual state of fear and humiliation.

In the grand house of Merchant Fang, Tang Chang An was nothing more than a pretty ornament, a tool to be used and discarded at will. The life of luxury he had envisioned was a cruel illusion, replaced by a harsh reality where he was just another pawn in a game he could never hope to win. The taste of bitterness and regret was his constant companion, a reminder of the price he paid for his ambition and hatred.

So to Tang Shushui it might've meant nothing, to Tang Chan An it mean a lot, it was a chance to bring Tang Shushui down to hell, and make him feel a thousands fold of what he felt!

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