Chapter 13: If It Hurts, Take a Candy and the Pain Will Fade Away

“The debt of gratitude he owes the Xiao family will never be repaid in this lifetime!”

The man was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, the fabric soft and smooth, with delicate silver cloud-patterned edging on the collar and cuffs—a stark contrast to the patched-up clothes Xiao Ziyu once wore.

Chen Xingmiao heard these words and felt as if she had just heard the most absurd joke in the world. She couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

Gratitude? Did the people of the Xiao family speak without thinking?

Xiao Yinsheng, seeing the man, suddenly gained confidence. He shouted hoarsely, “Xiao Ziyu, kneel down now!”

“If anyone is to kneel, it’s you—the one who breaks promises! Chuntao, husband, let’s go!” Chen Xingmiao said as she grabbed Xiao Ziyu’s hand and turned to leave.

The man lunged to the doorway, blocking her path. His eyes roamed over her, a wicked smile curling on his lips.

“You’re the new bride we just brought into our family. Such a delicate appearance wasted on him. Why don’t you come with me instead…”

Before he could finish, Chen Xingmiao raised her hand and slapped him hard.

Ouch, she had used too much force, and it stung.

“Chen Xingmiao!” Xiao Yinsheng sprang up from his seat, raising his voice several decibels.

The man clutched his cheek, eyes flashing with disbelief as he roared, “Bitch, how dare you hit me? Do you know who I am?”

“I don’t care who you are. Bullying my husband is unacceptable.”

Chen Xingmiao paused, the flames of fury blazing in her eyes no less fierce than his. Her hand tingled slightly from the earlier force.

The man’s face paled and flushed in turns. He never imagined this woman would dare defy him, even striking him in front of the servants!

“I am the eldest son of the Xiao family, at least your elder brother. How dare you hit me, you reckless woman!”

“You? You deserve to be a brother?” Chen Xingmiao retorted without backing down. Yet catching sight of the calloused, dark skin on his hands, she felt a twinge of dread.

If it came to a fight, she was no match for him. This little villain wouldn’t go easy on her.

Xiao Liu, who exactly is he? Xiao Liu, please come out—I need you.

Chen Xingmiao silently urged in her mind.

[Response to host: Xiao Zilin, eldest son of the Xiao family, a seasoned warrior often away, close friend of the crown prince, and the original owner’s sister’s long-time beloved.]

Long-time beloved?

Chen Xingmiao rolled her eyes dramatically.

Seriously, was Chen Shuwan blind to love someone so arrogant and overbearing?

“Scared? I, Xiao Zilin, never hit a woman, but today…”

Seeing Chen Xingmiao remain silent, Xiao Zilin raised his hand, gathering all his strength to strike.

At that moment, Xiao Ziyu suddenly lifted his hand and firmly grasped Xiao Zilin’s arm.

“Brother, I tolerate you, but that doesn’t mean you can bully my wife.”

His voice was as cold as ice. It was the first time in years Xiao Zilin had heard such words. His hand froze, forgetting to withdraw.

“Xiao Ziyu, how dare you speak to your elder brother like that? You’re clearly unrepentant. Guards, teach him a lesson!”

With a command, a servant quickly handed a thick whip to Xiao Yinsheng.

Xiao Zilin shrugged off Xiao Ziyu’s grip, grinning maliciously, as if saying, “You’re doomed.” He was utterly insufferable.

Wielding the whip, Xiao Yinsheng strode to the group, opened the door, and gestured politely, “Miss Chen, this is a family matter. You should leave for now.”

Chen Xingmiao pushed him aside and tightly held Xiao Ziyu’s hand.

“You must be really senile. First, I’m Xiao Ziyu’s wife—his affairs are mine. Second, since the family is divided, what do your matters have to do with us?”

Xiao Yinsheng’s face darkened as he lashed the whip toward them. Instinctively, Xiao Ziyu shielded Chen Xingmiao with his body. A sharp pain shot through his back, and he groaned softly.

Chen Xingmiao clearly heard his pained sound, her heart suddenly tightening.

If this continued, it would only hasten the little villain’s descent into darkness. She had to stop this now.

Snatching the whip from Xiao Yinsheng’s hand, she glanced around and spotted scissors on the table. She dashed over and grabbed them.

Xiao Yinsheng shouted, “What do you think you’re doing!?”

“Doing? Don’t you like enforcing family discipline? Today, I’m going to reform your feudal mindset!” With all her strength, she cut the whip into several pieces and stomped on them fiercely.

Xiao Yinsheng was too furious to speak. Xiao Zilin swiftly drew his sword and pointed it at her. “You’re utterly disrespectful.”

“I am disrespectful! If you have the guts, then kill me!” Chen Xingmiao placed her hands on her hips, lifted her chin, and offered her neck to him.

Knowing of Chen family’s influence, Xiao Zilin raised his sword but hesitated to act, trembling with rage.

Suddenly, Hua Liyin appeared from nowhere, her face full of a fake smile as she stepped between the three.

“Zilin, Ziyu is still your brother. Harmony in the family brings prosperity.” She tugged at Xiao Zilin’s sleeve, signaling him to apologize.

“Bah! A bastard—why should I consider him family?”

At this, Xiao Ziyu lowered his head, his hand clenched tightly into a fist in his sleeve, veins bulging.

Chen Xingmiao looped her arm around him and smiled warmly. “His family is me. Who cares about being family with you?”

She held Xiao Ziyu’s arm and left. Xiao Zilin, furious, threw his sword aside, vowing that one day this woman would kneel and apologize to him.

Back in their courtyard, Chen Xingmiao stood on tiptoe to smooth the disheveled hair from his forehead.

“Husband, if they come looking for you again, don’t go. Even if you must, take me with you. Trust me—I can protect you.”

But Xiao Ziyu stepped back, tossing out, “I don’t need your pity,” before retreating indoors.

Chen Xingmiao stared at his back, faintly noticing the whip marks stained with blood on his clothes.

That old bastard really knew how to strike hard.

“Miss, how could your husband say that? You clearly…” Chuntao protested indignantly. Over these few days of marriage, she had witnessed her lady’s kindness toward her husband.

Chen Xingmiao shook her head, signaling her to stop.

If the little villain heard such words, it would be disastrous for her.

She patted Chuntao’s shoulder and followed inside.

Xiao Ziyu was carefully removing his clothes to tend the wounds. Seeing her enter, he panicked and hastily put on his shirt backward.

Chen Xingmiao chuckled softly, approaching him. She held out her clenched fist, eyes sparkling with amusement.

Xiao Ziyu looked at her hand in confusion, then back at her face.

She stopped teasing and opened her palm to reveal a single candy resting quietly in her hand.

“If it hurts, eat this candy—it’ll make it better.”