Chapter 54: Are You a Clown Sent by the Monkeys?

Qingfeng's gaze swept swiftly across their faces, taking in the expressions of shock etched on everyone present.

He recalled the masked man's strict injunction never to drag Chen Xingmiao into this, and let out a slight, deliberate cough.

"You dare to lay a finger on the woman... whose sister our master fancies? Tired of living?"

???

Listening to his awkward pause, Chen Xingmiao frowned in confusion.

*Big brother, are you a comedy act sent by the heavens? With a lie this clumsy, do you seriously expect—*

"Who is your master? How dare he fancy Xiaowan and try to steal my woman?" Despite the sharp blade poised right before his eyes, Xiao Zilin mustered the courage to demand.

...?

She felt utterly helpless, the corner of her mouth twitching upward into a forced, awkward smile that froze and twitched unnaturally.

*No, seriously? Is there actually someone buying this? Are these people entirely devoid of intelligence?*

Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, a flicker of impatience crossing his eyes. He thrust the sword forward by a fraction, the cold edge nearly grazing the other man, and said coldly, "Why all the useless chatter? Do I need to report to you whom my master chooses to fancy?"

Seeing this, Han Xu's expression darkened. He stepped forward, cupping one hand over the other in a slight bow.

"Brother, let's talk this through. Do you happen to know Xiao Ziyu?"

Qingfeng frowned deeply, his eyes filled with guarded vigilance. Curling his lip, he snapped back ungraciously, "Xiao Ziyu who? Never heard of him. I have no idea what nonsense you're babbling about."

Refusing to give up, Xiao Zilin seized the moment while Qingfeng was momentarily distracted to quickly stand up and step backward.

"You don't know him? How is that possible?"

Suspicion filled his gaze, and his tone grew fiercely guarded.

Qingfeng took a deep breath and let out an impatient click of his tongue.

"What kind of nobody warrants my knowing them?"

Chen Xingmiao observed the man before her, suddenly remembering that he was the very same man she had run into in the alley that night.

No wonder he looked so familiar. It seemed he genuinely didn't know the little villain.

A spark of delight lit up the depths of Chen Xingmiao's eyes as she turned to Xiao Zilin, "Well? Doesn't this prove that my husband has nothing to do with the masked man?"

Xiao Zilin opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but knowing he was in the wrong, he sullenly pursed his lips.

Han Yaoxin clapped her hands together in delight and tugged at Han Xu's sleeve.

"Brother, let's go vouch for him to His Majesty. That way, Xiao Ziyu can return to the Goddess."

Han Xu glanced at Han Xu, the corners of his lips curving into a faint, amused smile as he nodded.

"Then let's hurry!"

Thinking of Xiao Ziyu's wretched state in the dungeon, Chen Xingmiao didn't want to waste another second. She grabbed Han Yao and started walking.

Han Xu glanced down at the hand Han Yao still had clamped onto his sleeve, only to find himself instantly dragged along in their wake.

Xiao Zilin watched the retreating figure of that man. Just as he started to give chase, Qingfeng's eyes narrowed sharply, and with a flick of his wrist, he thrust his sword right back in front of him.

Xiao Zilin halted abruptly, his body leaning slightly to the side as he nimbly dodged the blade.

"Your reflexes aren't bad, but I advise you not to play any more petty tricks. If our master wanted you dead, it would take no more than a flick of his finger."

Qingfeng offered a cold, mocking smile, glancing down at the man with casual disdain and an arrogant roll of his eyes.

With that, he withdrew his sword. Ignoring the raging, furious Xiao Zilin behind him, he strode out the door and vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Meanwhile, Chen Xingmiao and her companions arrived at the imperial palace. With Han Xu and Han Yao acting as guarantors, Chen Xingmiao successfully secured his release.

The moment the heavy shackles were lifted from him, Xiao Ziyu seemed drained of all remaining strength. His knees buckled under him, and he collapsed forward uncontrollably.

"Husband..." Chen Xingmiao gasped in alarm, instinctively reaching out to catch him firmly in her arms.

*So thin...*

Feeling the stark, sharp lines of his bones beneath her hands, a jolt of shock went through her. The little villain had always been slender, but now he felt even more emaciated than before.

Xiao Ziyu breathed heavily, resting his chin against Chen Xingmiao's shoulder.

"Wife... let's go home."

He frowned, as if he had spent every last ounce of his remaining strength just to utter those four words.

"Alright, I'll take you home right now."

Struggling under his weight, Chen Xingmiao half-dragged him forward. Seeing this, Han Xu stepped up to offer assistance.

Yet, just as Han Xu's hand was about to touch Xiao Ziyu, the latter flinched violently as if struck by lightning, his arm jerking away with an unmistakable flash of guarded resistance.

Han Xu's hand remained frozen in mid-air, a flash of awkwardness crossing his face. A moment later, he slowly lowered his arm, looking at Chen Xingmiao with a trace of helplessness.

Sensing the subtle tension in the air, Chen Xingmiao offered an apologetic smile.

"Thank you both for your help today, but I can manage on my own." She then turned to Han Yao. "Yaoxia, I'm heading out now. Let's get together another day."

Han Yao wore an understanding smile and gave a light wave. "Go ahead, Goddess. Hurry back and take care of him. If you need anything, just let me know."

With immense effort, Chen Xingmiao half-dragged, half-carried Xiao Ziyu all the way back home.

Chuntao was startled out of her wits at the sight of Xiao Ziyu covered in injuries. When she noticed the beads of sweat on Chen Xingmiao's forehead, she didn't waste time asking questions and rushed forward to help.

After the two of them settled Xiao Ziyu onto the bed, Chen Xingmiao collapsed breathlessly onto a nearby chair.

Chuntao hurriedly poured a cup of water and handed it to her.

"My lady, please drink some water. What on earth happened? You were gone for so long, you scared the wits out of me!"

Watching his painfully thin, skeletal frame lying rigidly on the bed, his paper-white face looking even more gaunt, Chen Xingmiao's brow furrowed even deeper.

Yet a second later, she was startled by her own internal monologue.

*Skeletal... is that word really appropriate for someone his age?* But she couldn't seem to find a more fitting description.

"Chuntao, why don't you go prepare something to eat? Make sure it's nutritious, so we can help your master recover his health."

Chuntao curtsied, murmured her assent, and hurried off toward the kitchen.

As soon as Chuntao was gone, Chen Xingmiao looked at the soundly sleeping Xiao Ziyu and finally felt bold enough to summon Xiaoliu.

[Great Host, is there anything I can help you with this time?]

Chen Xingmiao instinctively moistened her lips, the tip of her tongue brushing against her dry lips. Anticipation gleamed in her eyes as she eagerly demanded in her mind: *Xiaoliu, this counts as completing the mission successfully, right?*

[Yes, Host! Congratulations, the reward of one thousand points has been credited to your account!]

"That's wonderful! Is there any medicine that can help the little villain get better faster?"

Overwhelmed with emotion, Chen Xingmiao blurted out her inner thoughts without thinking.

The moment the words left her mouth, she snapped back to reality, silently cursing herself for the blunder.

At the same time, Xiao Ziyu on the bed seemed jolted awake by her words, breaking into a violent fit of coughing that rattled his entire chest with every heave.

He forced open his heavy eyelids, his gaze filled with confusion and weakness as he wheezed out weakly, "Wife... who are you talking to? What villain?"

Stiffly, Chen Xingmiao turned her head toward him, her teeth lightly biting down on her lower lip.

"Wife..." Xiao Ziyu's voice came again. He paused, drew in a labored breath, and persisted in asking, "Who were you talking to?"