Chapter 39: Loathed by All

What did he mean by that? He couldn't possibly be suspecting that I have something going on with that masked man, could he?

Chen Xingmiao raised her hand, extending four fingers with a look of firm conviction. "Husband, please rest assured. I don't even know that masked man. I am absolutely innocent—I swear it, I guarantee it!"

Xiao Ziyu narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to her. A smile played openly on his lips as he rested his chin on her shoulder and rubbed against it. "Then I would like to know, who is it that my dear wife cares about the most?"

Chen Xingmiao felt her muscles tense instantly. She forced a somewhat stiff smile. "The one I care about most is, naturally, the one who cares about me most."

Faced with this evasive answer, Xiao Ziyu bit her earlobe lightly in dissatisfaction. Chen Xingmiao trembled at the sudden movement, a shy flush instantly blooming on her cheeks. She instinctively tried to pull away, but Xiao Ziyu wrapped his long arms around her, pulling her securely into his embrace. He blew air against her ear as if in punishment, occasionally taking her earlobe into his mouth.

No, wait—what is this little villain trying to do? She shifted her head, feeling completely uncomfortable, and tried to push him away with both hands. "Husband, stop, it tickles."

"Oh? Where does it tickle?" Xiao Ziyu released her, resting his chin on his hands as he stared at her face with a beaming smile.

*He's flirting, he's definitely flirting! This is not the road to the kindergarten!*

She hurriedly pulled the quilt over herself and, feigning exhaustion, let out a large, exaggerated yawn. "Husband, I’m truly too tired; I just want to lie down and rest a while longer."

Xiao Ziyu, however, had no intention of letting her off so easily. His slender fingers gently pinched her chin, lifting it slightly, his eyes filled with playful mockery. "Tired already? It seems my wife’s constitution isn’t as good as it looks."

Chen Xingmiao cursed inwardly, but forced a fawning smile on her face. "Husband, I’ve been poisoned, haven't I? It must be the residual toxins; I really need more rest." As she spoke, she pretended to be in discomfort, knitted her brows, and lay back down against the pillow.

Xiao Ziyu took his time pulling a bag of sugar-roasted chestnuts from his sleeve. He leaned against the bedside with elegant grace, arms crossed over his chest, watching her quietly. "My wife is right. In that case, you certainly shouldn't be eating anything indiscriminately."

It smelled so good—how hateful, using food to tempt her! Chen Xingmiao screamed internally, but her eyes couldn't stop staring fixedly at the bag emitting that alluring aroma, and she swallowed hard.

[Congratulations to the host for completing the side quest. Reward: 100 points. The previous 100 points that were not issued have also been granted. A total of 200 points have been issued.]

Just as Chen Xingmiao was pursing her lips, ready to compromise, the voice of Xiao Liu suddenly rang out in her mind. *Wow, I got paid! Finally, I got paid, and they were actually on time for once!*

Chen Xingmiao was overjoyed, but after a moment's thought, she put on a look of worry again. *Chen Shuwan should be fine now, but I wonder who that masked man was. I wonder if I’ll have a chance to meet him and latch onto a powerful figure.*

Just as she was lost in thought, a crisp cat meow suddenly came from outside the door. Xiao Ziyu, who had been smiling just a moment ago, saw his expression shift slightly.

"Wife, you rest well. I left my book at home, so I’m going back to retrieve it." With that, he set the sugar-roasted chestnuts by the bed, rose, and left in a hurry.

Chen Xingmiao didn't pay much attention to that, instead asking in her heart: *Xiao Liu, do you know who that masked man is? Is he a new character? Is he a hero or a villain?*

[Sorry, host. This involves critical plot points. I cannot answer; you must explore it yourself.]

It was the answer she expected, but Chen Xingmiao still couldn't help but roll her eyes. *I knew I couldn't count on this Xiao Liu. Other people's systems go out of their way to help their hosts, but this system of mine seems more like it's here to set me up.*

Chen Xingmiao sighed helplessly, sat up, and stared at the bag of chestnuts. After a brief internal struggle, she couldn't resist reaching out and grabbing a handful. The sweet, fragrant flavor spread through her mouth instantly. She chewed while muttering, "Heaven and earth are vast, but eating is the most important thing."

Just as she was enjoying herself, she suddenly remembered that Xiao Ziyu had left in such a hurry that he hadn't even closed the door properly. Driven by curiosity, she climbed out of bed, stepped lightly, and walked to the door to see what was happening outside.

The moment she peeked out, she saw Concubine Zhou not far away, whispering to a palace matron. *That’s strange. When I was unconscious, I faintly heard that this old hag had been grounded by Father. How does she dare to come out and stir up trouble?*

Chen Xingmiao stretched her neck, but they were too far away to hear anything. She simply closed the door, returned to the bed, and angrily popped another chestnut into her mouth. *Damn it, this old hag is actually colluding with people from the palace. Why are so many people trying to harm the Chen family, and trying to harm me?*

Thinking of this, Chen Xingmiao felt increasingly aggrieved, her face filled with misery. *I clearly have the protagonist's script. If I don’t have the protagonist's halo, that’s one thing, but why is it that everyone I see hates me?*

"Xiao Liu, tell me, is this reasonable?"

[This is exactly how your intelligence and wit can be highlighted, host!] Xiao Liu flattered her.

"I’m afraid that before my intelligence is highlighted, my life will be gone."

She sat on the bed, eating the chestnuts, her legs swinging leisurely. This relaxed posture stood in stark contrast to the anxiety in her heart.

"Miss!" Chuntao suddenly pushed the door open and ran in, crying.

Chen Xingmiao was startled, and the chestnuts in her hand nearly spilled onto the floor. "What on earth? Chuntao, you scared me!"

Chuntao wiped the tears from her face haphazardly and gasped for breath, "Miss, you're finally okay! Chuntao was already prepared to follow you to the afterlife!"

"Pah, pah, pah! What are you saying? We sisters will definitely live a life of great wealth and reach a ripe old age." Chen Xingmiao hurriedly interrupted her, wiping the tears from Chuntao’s face as she spoke.

Hearing her words, Chuntao sobbed and nodded, managing to stop her crying. *I never expected that after such an accidental transmigration, I would meet someone so loyal. If I ever really go back, I will truly miss this little girl.*

Chen Xingmiao patted her head, and Chuntao looked at her, breaking into a smile through her tears. No matter what happened in the future, she just hoped to make this little girl happy during the time she was here.

"By the way, did you see my husband just now? He said he was going back to get a book, but I was worried the Xiao family might bully him if they saw I wasn't there."

Chuntao heard this and scratched her head in confusion. "The son-in-law? Was the son-in-law here today?"

"Didn't you tell him I was poisoned, which is why he came?" Chen Xingmiao looked at Chuntao, more confused than ever.