Chapter 38: I Remember Everything You Said

Chen Xingmiao slowly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with confusion and weakness. Her parched lips parted slightly as she struggled to murmur, "Father, where... where am I?"

Chen Jinzhou’s eyes welled up instantly, tears spilling over as his voice choked with emotion. "Xiaomiao, you’re finally awake! You’re home. Don’t be afraid, Father is here."

As he spoke, he gently stroked Chen Xingmiao’s forehead, his touch overflowing with tenderness.

Chen Xingmiao felt as though her head were heavy and clouded, her entire body devoid of strength. Only after a strenuous effort to recall did she remember that she and Chen Shuwan had been poisoned.

She had been careless; she never expected that merely touching the pastry would result in poisoning.

Sighing inwardly, she asked, "What about my sister? How is she?"

"Rest assured, I have already had the antidote administered to Xiaowan. You needn't worry about anything; just focus on resting."

"Antidote? Where did you get the antidote, Father?" Chen Xingmiao asked, furrowing her brows in confusion.

Chen Jinzhou hesitated, a complex look flashing across his face before he finally replied slowly, "It was delivered by a masked individual. They left the antidote and departed immediately; I didn’t have a chance to ask about their origins."

A masked individual? A new character? But Xiao Liu hadn't notified her of any new plot developments.

Chen Xingmiao fell silent, a flicker of suspicion crossing her eyes.

"Xiaomiao, rest for now. I’m going to check on your sister."

Chen Jinzhou tucked the quilt around her, stood up, and left the room.

Chen Xingmiao tried to prop herself up with her hands, but her body was so weak that she failed several times.

Just as she took a deep breath and prepared to try again, the bedroom door creaked open abruptly.

"What are you doing?" Xiao Ziyu hurried into the room, reaching the bedside in a few strides and firmly steadying her shoulders with his hands.

Chen Xingmiao was startled, a flash of surprise and delight crossing her eyes. She blurted out, "Husband? How did you get here?"

A trace of panic flitted across Xiao Ziyu’s eyes. He coughed twice and explained, "Chuntao told me you had been poisoned, so I rushed over."

She hadn't expected this little villain to be capable of showing concern.

Chen Xingmiao stared at him, a smile tugging at her pale lips.

Xiao Ziyu helped her sit up, placed a pillow behind her back, then turned to pour a cup of water from the table and handed it to her.

"Thank you, husband." She took the cup and drank it in one breath, finally soothing her parched throat.

"Um... are you still in pain?"

Xiao Ziyu lowered his head, looking elsewhere as he asked cautiously.

Before she could respond, he reached into his sleeve, pulled out a piece of candy, and held it to her lips.

Chen Xingmiao was momentarily stunned, then opened her mouth to take the candy.

So sweet... why was this candy so sweet?

Her eyes crinkled with a smile as she watched him. "Why are you giving me candy?"

"You said... if it hurts, eating a piece of candy makes it stop hurting." Xiao Ziyu’s voice was slightly muffled, and his ears were quietly turning red.

He unconsciously tugged at the corner of his sleeve, appearing somewhat nervous yet striving to maintain a calm demeanor.

A faint smile played on Chen Xingmiao’s lips. She reached out, gently cupping Xiao Ziyu’s face, and whispered, "So, you remembered."

Xiao Ziyu scratched his head, looked away, and mumbled, "Everything you say... I remember."

Seeing him so uncomfortable, it was becoming increasingly difficult to associate him with that cold-blooded, murderous villain.

Chen Xingmiao was about to continue when she was interrupted by hurried footsteps outside.

She instinctively looked up and saw Han Xu standing tall and stern, appearing at the doorway with a group of imposing guards.

Xiao Ziyu frowned and stood up, shielding Chen Xingmiao behind him.

He stared straight at Han Xu, his tone icy and accusatory. "For His Highness the Crown Prince to barge into my wife’s bedroom with a group of guards—is that not highly improper?"

Han Xu remained calm. Without haste, he raised his hand, signaling the guards to wait outside.

The guards turned in unison, their footsteps gradually fading away.

"Second Young Master Xiao, there is no need to be so tense."

Han Xu’s voice was deep and steady. His gaze shifted past Xiao Ziyu to settle on Chen Xingmiao behind him.

"I have come this time merely to check on the young lady."

Upon hearing those last three words, Xiao Ziyu’s expression darkened, and the chill emanating from him intensified.

He stepped forward, standing almost face-to-face with Han Xu. "Your Highness, please mind your language."

Han Xu’s lips curled slightly into an elusive smile. "Second Young Master Xiao, why be so angry? It was merely a slip of the tongue."

Why did it feel... like there was gunpowder in the air?

Chen Xingmiao gave an awkward laugh, trying to mediate between them.

"My thanks to the Crown Prince. He meant well, didn't you, husband?" As she spoke, she tugged on Xiao Ziyu’s sleeve.

Xiao Ziyu looked displeased. With a cold huff, he turned away, walked over to the table, sat down, and picked up a teacup, drinking water on his own.

Han Xu moved forward with poise, his eyes locked firmly on Chen Xingmiao.

"By the way, an assassin entered the palace tonight, seemingly specifically for your sister. I came today to ask...?"

"Specifically? Is he really that concerned about my sister?"

As soon as the words left Chen Xingmiao’s lips, Xiao Ziyu, who was drinking, sprayed his water out in a sudden burst.

He choked, his face flushing bright red as he coughed violently, frantically wiping the water splashes from his clothes.

"Husband, what’s wrong?" Chen Xingmiao quickly turned her attention to him.

Xiao Ziyu waved his hands in a panic, his face shifting between red and white. He stammered, "No... nothing, I just choked."

As he spoke, he wiped the remaining water from his mouth with his sleeve, his eyes darting away, not daring to meet hers.

Watching Xiao Ziyu’s discomfiture, a hint of undetectable mockery flashed in Han Xu’s eyes before he returned to a solemn expression.

"Second Young Master Xiao, you should be more careful."

His tone was flat, yet laced with a hint of ridicule.

Xiao Ziyu shot him a cold glance, stood up, walked to the bed, and took hold of Chen Xingmiao’s hand.

"If the Crown Prince has no other business, please leave. My wife needs to rest."

"Then I shall come to see you another day." Han Xu still wore a faint smile as he turned and walked out the door.

After Han Xu left, the atmosphere between the two fell into an awkward silence. No matter what Chen Xingmiao said, Xiao Ziyu kept his head down, neither looking at her nor speaking.

How strange. Weren't things just fine a moment ago? What was wrong with this little villain now?

Chen Xingmiao pondered this, scratching her head in bewilderment.

"Husband, say something? Did I do something else to upset you?"

She cupped Xiao Ziyu’s face, only to be met with eyes as cold as frost.

Chen Xingmiao was taken aback, her fingertips trembling instinctively as she reflexively tried to pull her hand away.

But before she could move, Xiao Ziyu grabbed her hand and pulled it back firmly.

"How is my wife so certain that the masked individual was concerned about your sister?"