Chapter 10: The Homecoming Visit

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“You!” Xiao Yingsheng’s face turned by turns pale and livid. Clutching his chest, he staggered backward in fury.

Hua Liyin’s expression was no better. Her carefully maintained features were twisted with rage. Now the entire household knew that she had risen from the position of a concubine. How could anyone in the residence sincerely submit to her in the future?

“If Father and Mother still don’t wish to lend us a carriage, then if my father asks about it after we return to my family home, I’ll have no choice but to tell him the truth.”

Chen Xingmiao abruptly changed her earlier forceful attitude. Blinking her watery eyes, she looked as though she had suffered some enormous injustice.

Xiao Yingsheng raised his hand sharply, yet stopped it in midair by sheer force of will.

The Xiao family could not afford to provoke the Chen family—not now.

Chen Xingmiao lifted her chin and was just about to speak when a force pulled her behind him.

She looked up again, her pupils filled with panic and shock.

“What does Father intend to do?”

That icy voice seemed wrapped in the frozen chill of winter, sending shivers down the spine.

At that moment, he was utterly unlike the man from moments ago, whose face had been calm, though his restraint had concealed something deeper.

The murderous intent faintly visible on his face was taken in by Chen Xingmiao in its entirety.

“Someone, prepare the finest carriage for the Second Young Master and the Second Young Madam!” Xiao Yingsheng slowly lowered his hand, then swept his sleeve and turned his back on them.

“Thank you, Father!” Xiao Ziyu kept his face stern. The murderous aura in his eyes had not faded in the slightest.

Before long, the servants led a carriage to the main gate of the Xiao residence.

This was not right. How could the little villain already be radiating murderous intent at this point?

She had clearly been doing her best to protect him. He should not have shown any sign of turning evil.

Absentmindedly, Chen Xingmiao walked toward the gate, completely unaware that Xiao Ziyu had already stopped in front of her.

“My lady!” Chuntao was busy carrying their luggage, and by the time she gave the warning, it was too late.

Chen Xingmiao instinctively raised her hand and naturally placed it against the man’s chest.

When she came to her senses, she found Xiao Ziyu frowning down at her.

Oh no. Surely he wasn’t going to lose favor with her again?

She drew in a sharp breath and hurriedly stepped back, putting some distance between them.

“Hehe… Some things are always so familiar…”

Chen Xingmiao gave an awkward laugh, remembering that the same thing had happened when the two of them first met.

“You…” Xiao Ziyu slowly began.

Little Six, don’t say anything! Little villain, please don’t deduct my favor points!

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Cold sweat seeped from Chen Xingmiao’s palms as she prayed desperately in her heart.

“Watch where you’re going next time.” Xiao Ziyu turned and climbed into the carriage.

Chen Xingmiao was about to follow when Xiao Ziyu lifted the curtain again, poked his head out, and extended a hand toward her.

Was the little villain… not only refraining from deducting favor points, but actually taking the initiative to hold her hand?

Wonderful news—truly wonderful news!

Chen Xingmiao immediately placed her hand in his. The anger she had felt moments before vanished in an instant.

Xiao Ziyu exerted a little force and pulled her into the carriage, then promptly returned to his seat as though nothing had happened.

Was this really all there was to it?

Her hand remained suspended in midair. Before it had even warmed, it was left empty once more.

How could anyone be so cold and heartless?

“My lady, it’s cold outside. Please get inside quickly and don’t keep Young Master-in-Law waiting,” Chuntao said with a quiet laugh.

That was right. He was her husband.

As if she had made some momentous decision, Chen Xingmiao dropped herself down beside the man.

Xiao Ziyu glanced at her indifferently and shifted a little farther away.

She held both hands out toward him. “Husband, my hands are cold.”

“Mm. Mine are cold too.”

Chen Xingmiao: “…”

Seriously? Was he emotionally clueless?

Seeing her awkward, helpless expression, Xiao Ziyu smiled faintly. He took her hands and tucked them inside his clothes.

“Husband, you smiled!” she exclaimed in delighted surprise, as though she had discovered a new continent.

Xiao Ziyu did not bother hiding it. Instead, he shifted closer to her, reclaiming the distance he had just created.

Not bad. The little villain had finally figured things out. He was no longer avoiding her.

Chen Xingmiao was momentarily stunned, then rested her head against his shoulder.

The carriage threaded its way through the streets. The two of them leaned against each other all the way until they arrived at the main gate of the Chen residence.

Chen Jinzhou and Chen Shuwan had been waiting outside for some time. Their smiles grew broader than the last as soon as they saw the carriage stop. Chen Shuwan rushed forward in a single stride.

“Xiaomiao, hurry down and let your sister see whether you’ve lost weight!” she called, unable to conceal her eagerness and concern.

Chen Xingmiao and Xiao Ziyu stepped down from the carriage hand in hand. The first thing Chen Jinzhou noticed was their tightly clasped hands, and only then did the stone that had been hanging over his heart finally fall.

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“Your son-in-law pays his respects to Father-in-Law and his elder sister.”

Xiao Ziyu bowed, clasping his hands respectfully.

“Wasn’t it said that the Xiao family’s illegitimate son was hideously ugly? How…”

Chen Shuwan stared in surprise at the man who had stepped from the carriage. Not only was he handsome and dignified, but he also exuded an air of righteousness.

“Sister, those were all rumors. My husband is handsome, and he treats me wonderfully.” As she spoke, she exchanged a glance with the man beside her, her eyes brimming with sweetness.

“All right, let’s go inside. The meal has already been prepared.” Chen Jinzhou stepped forward and helped Xiao Ziyu straighten.

The group proceeded to the dining hall. Walking at the back, Chen Xingmiao suddenly stopped. She glanced around mysteriously, then beckoned for the man to bend down.

Although Xiao Ziyu did not understand, he did as she asked.

She leaned close to his ear, their hands still clasped tightly together.

“Husband, you’re no longer alone. This is your home now, and these are your family.”

If she could let the little villain feel the warmth of a home, perhaps he would not turn evil in the future—or destroy the Chen residence.

Xiao Ziyu parted his lips, but in the end said nothing. His gaze lingered briefly on her face before swiftly shifting away to the distance.

He looked around at everything surrounding him. This was the first time he had ever seen a place as magnificent as the Chen residence.

Although Chen Jinzhou’s official rank was below that of the Chancellor, he was the emperor’s sworn brother and enjoyed the protection of the entire imperial family.

He had heard that the Chen family was practically half of the imperial household. Now that he saw it for himself, it seemed the rumors were true.

By comparison, the Xiao family was no more than an ant.

“My lord, the Second Young Lady and her husband have returned. Why didn’t you send someone to inform your concubine?”

A soft, delicate voice laced with reproach suddenly pierced the ears of everyone present. Its drawn-out cadence was filled with affected sweetness.

Chen Xingmiao curled her lips in disdain, feeling gooseflesh rise all over her body.

That old hag—she was already so old, yet she still put on a childish voice to pretend she was young!

A few seconds later, Aunt Zhou entered the hall with the careful support of a maidservant, gliding forward at an unhurried pace.

She held her head high, her expression revealing both arrogance and complacency. Her eyelids drooped slightly as her gaze swept lightly over Xiao Ziyu, filled with scrutiny and disdain.

Then she did not even spare Chen Xingmiao or Xiao Ziyu a proper glance. She walked straight past them, swaying toward Chen Jinzhou’s side.

“So this is the Second Young Master-in-Law. Tsk…”

She narrowed her eyes slightly, looking Xiao Ziyu up and down, then curled one corner of her lips.

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