Chapter 4: Sharing a Room

If I weren't trapped here, I would truly want to smash this lousy system to pieces.

【Host, please calm down. I am now initiating your next mission: protect Xiao Ziyu.】

That cold, mechanical voice echoed in Chen Xingmiao’s mind once more without warning. She almost thought she had misheard.

"That’s the great villain Xiao Ziyu. He needs me to protect him?"

【But right now, he is only a bullied son of a concubine. Surely, a host as beautiful and kind-hearted as you wouldn't stand by and watch him die, right? Besides, if Xiao Ziyu dies, you will be trapped here forever.】

"Whether I'm trapped or not is a matter for later. Xiao Liu, does your system come with a built-in flattery function?"

【Hehe, not exactly. Anyway, I wish you a pleasant time in the drama.】

As soon as the words fell, Xiao Liu vanished again, leaving Chen Xingmiao sitting on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the red bridal veil she had just removed.

Looking at Xiao Ziyu now... it was impossible to reconcile him with that cold-blooded, murderous villain.

Forget it. He is offering toasts now, so nothing should go wrong. After all, the Xiao family wouldn't want a scene on the day of the wedding.

Thinking this, Chen Xingmiao yawned several times.

So sleepy. I’ll just take a nap first.

Time ticked away, and the sound of soft snoring filled the quiet room; she seemed to be sleeping soundly. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, like a blooming red rose, yet her limbs were sprawled out in the shape of a "big" character. If someone saw this, they would never associate her with a young lady of a wealthy family.

About a few minutes later, Chen Xingmiao lazily rolled over, lifted a hand to rub her eyes, and the scene in the room gradually came into focus.

This is... the ancient era?

At this thought, she sat up abruptly, finally remembering that she was trapped in a script. She turned her head to look out the window; it was already dark.

"Chuntao? Chuntao?"

She called out twice, and soon the door was pushed open.

"Miss, what are your orders?"

"What time is it now?"

Chuntao blinked her eyes in confusion for a few minutes. Where on earth had her mistress learned such strange words lately?

The room fell into a deathly silence. Chen Xingmiao slapped her forehead; she had been dazed from her nap. She quickly rephrased the question.

"What hour is it now?"

"Miss, it is already the Hour of the Bo. Would you like to change and rest?"

The Hour of the Bo—that was roughly ten in the evening. The guests should have departed by now, so why...

"Tell me, has Xiao Ziyu returned?"

Chuntao shook her head. "The son-in-law has not returned."

Was he really planning to leave her to spend the wedding night alone? In this ancient era, a married woman's status relied heavily on her husband's affection. If word got out, she would have no standing in the Xiao household.

No, absolutely not!

With that thought, Chen Xingmiao stepped out of the room.

"Miss, where are you going so late?" Chuntao followed behind, completely bewildered.

"Chuntao, go ask where Xiao Ziyu is. I'm a bit hungry, so I'm going to the kitchens to find something to eat."

After giving instructions, Chen Xingmiao made inquiries with the servants and finally found the kitchen. As it turns out, weddings are exhausting and hunger-inducing from ancient times to the present!

She rolled up her sleeves, preparing to feast, but before she could enter, she heard voices inside.

"Hurry up! You might not want to sleep, but the rest of us do."

"Exactly, snap to it."

This was followed by bursts of mocking laughter from men. Chen Xingmiao’s expression hardened, and she marched straight in.

"What are you doing at this late hour?"

The servants, who had been laughing, saw it was Chen Xingmiao and, knowing the influence of the Chen family, scrambled off their stools and knelt on the ground, not daring to lift their heads. She scanned them with a cold gaze, her tone growing icy.

"I am new here, but I didn't expect the Xiao family servants to be so unruly. Do you not know how to answer when your mistress asks a question?"

"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare..."

Just then, the man in the back spoke up.

"Why are you here?"

Xiao Ziyu?

Chen Xingmiao turned her head, slightly startled. His handsome wedding robes had been replaced by worn, patched old clothes. Beside him were piles of unwashed bowls and chopsticks from the banquet. His hands had been soaked in water for so long that his exposed fingers were beginning to turn white.

Heavens, even if he were a concubine’s son, he shouldn't be treated like this. A mocking smile tugged at the corner of her lips, and her slender fingers curled into tight fists.

"You all have quite the audacity. My bridal chamber hasn't even been warmed on my wedding night, and you're here forcing my husband to wash dishes?"

Hearing this, the servants lowered their heads even further. Chen Xingmiao frowned and took Xiao Ziyu's hand; the man looked at her in confusion but did not resist. Without a word, she dragged him out of the kitchen.

When they reached the door of the bridal chamber, Xiao Ziyu stopped.

"You should go rest; I am heading back to my room as well."

Back to his room?

"What do you mean? Isn't your room here?"

Xiao Ziyu shook his head. His eyes seemed veiled in mist, making his emotions unreadable.

"My quarters are further ahead. You are the beloved daughter of Master Chen; the Xiao family naturally wouldn't dare to neglect you."

Watching his thin, retreating figure under the moonlight, Chen Xingmiao furrowed her brow. Those servants treated him like that, yet he didn't utter a single word of complaint. No wonder he turned into a great villain later.

"Miss! Miss!" Chuntao came running back, panting. "I went to the kitchen to find you, and they said you and the son-in-law had already returned."

She looked around, but seeing no third person, she asked, "Miss, where is the son-in-law?"

"Chuntao, pack our things. We're moving!"

Chuntao was once again confused, but she didn't stop, following her into the room to start packing. The desolate courtyard had nothing decent in it but a stone table, overgrown weeds, and an old tree. She hadn't expected the old man of the Xiao family to house his own son in such a place.

Chuntao frowned in disgust. "Miss, are we really going to live here?"

"Think of it as a way to save our lives."

To keep Xiao Ziyu from turning dark, she had no better option than to keep an eye on him. Before Chuntao could understand what she meant, Chen Xingmiao was already calling out.

"Husband! Are you asleep? Husband, where are you?"

Late at night, Xiao Ziyu had just changed and lain down when he heard the shouting from the courtyard. He hesitated, then got up, put on his shoes, and went to the door. Pushing it open, it was indeed that woman again.

"Why are you here?"

Chen Xingmiao’s lips curved upward as she strode toward him. By the dim light of the room, she could barely see that all his clothes seemed to be patched.

"I’m here to sleep!"

Xiao Ziyu frowned, unable to comprehend what she was doing. "If you want to sleep, go back to your room. Why come to mine?"

She didn't answer immediately, instead walking past him into the room. After a quick look around, she plopped down on the edge of the bed.

"What do you mean 'mine'? We are already husband and wife; we should naturally live together. This is our home."

Home...

Xiao Ziyu froze, then turned and entered the room as well. "This place... I fear it will dirty you, Miss Chen."

Chen Xingmiao simply took the belongings from Chuntao, set them aside, and lay down on the bed. Xiao Ziyu stood still, watching her quietly.

"Look, husband, I can manage."

Seeing that the relationship between the two wasn't as stiff as he thought, and that this man didn't seem as bad as the rumors suggested—in fact, he looked quite decent—Chuntao lowered her head with a smile and quietly closed the door as she retreated.

Chen Xingmiao got off the bed and pulled the dazed Xiao Ziyu to the edge of the bed.

"Don't worry, husband. From now on, we live together, and no one will dare to bully you."

Xiao Ziyu seemed shaken, looking at the woman before him with a puzzled expression. Hearing her call him "husband" over and over, it was as if she had already accepted the fact that they were married.

"Live together?"

But he knew his place was low, and he wasn't sure if the second daughter of the Chen manor could really adapt to such a dilapidated place...

"That's right! I brought some silver. Tomorrow, we'll buy things and tidy this place up. Husband, our lives will only get better!"

She spoke with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with light, full of longing for the future. Xiao Ziyu said nothing more; he simply shifted his quilt toward the inside of the bed and gently covered Chen Xingmiao with it.

"Husband, you?"

"It’s very late. Let’s sleep."