Chapter 12: He Knows Martial Arts

Page (1/3)

“Mother Zhou, you seem rather surprised to find Xiaomiao here?” Chen Shuwan’s suspicious gaze fixed squarely on Madam Zhou.

The color that had just returned to Chen Jinzhou’s face darkened once more, his sharp eyes seeming capable of seeing straight through anyone.

Madam Zhou froze, a flicker of panic crossing her face.

“I—I…” she stammered. Then, in the next moment, she rushed to the maid who had delivered the report and slapped her across the face. “Wretched servant! How dare you spread rumors about Second Miss’s reputation!”

“This servant deserves death! Please forgive me, Master!” The maid fell to her knees in terror and began kowtowing repeatedly.

“Open the door!”

At Chen Jinzhou’s command, Chen Shuwan immediately stepped forward and pushed the door open.

The two people on the bed jolted in fright. They scrambled onto the floor and hastily gathered their scattered clothes, wrapping themselves up.

Madam Zhou’s eyes widened as though she had seen a ghost. “Xiaolian, how could it be you?!”

“Hmph!” Chen Jinzhou’s brows rose as he gave a cold snort. “So this is how you train your servants!”

Chen Xingmiao leaned leisurely against the doorway, watching the spectacle before her with great interest.

Madam Zhou’s expression turned grave, her heart filled with confusion. She could not understand how Chen Xingmiao, who should have been in that room, had somehow become her own personal maid.

“Madam, please save me!” Xiaolian tugged at Madam Zhou’s clothes, her face streaked with tears as she begged. “I…”

Madam Zhou hurriedly shoved her away and took a step back, sharply berating her. “Xiaolian, how could you do such a thing? Did you never think of your elderly parents?”

Xiaolian’s heart turned to ash. She knelt on the floor with her head lowered, not uttering a word.

The man kneeling beside her glanced at Madam Zhou, then at Chen Jinzhou. At last, he somehow produced a knife and charged straight toward the doorway.

“Xiaomiao!” Chen Jinzhou and Chen Shuwan cried out in alarm.

Damn it! He’s coming for me?!

Chen Xingmiao froze. She instinctively tried to run, but her legs went weak and refused to move.

Seriously? Am I going to die before I finish the mission?

Chen Xingmiao shut her eyes, praying that it would not hurt too much.

At that critical moment, Xiao Ziyu, who was nearest to her, lunged forward and pulled her tightly into his arms. Then, with a swift side kick, he sent the knife flying from the man’s hand.

“Men! Take every one of them to the authorities!” Chen Jinzhou roared. He then hurriedly turned to her and asked with concern, “Are you all right? Were you hurt?”

“Xiaomiao, does anything hurt?” Chen Shuwan took her hand, her eyes reddening as though she were about to cry.

Chuntao clasped her other hand as well, her eyes filled with worry.

“I’m fine…”

Page (1/3)

Page (2/3)

Confusion filled Chen Xingmiao’s eyes as she tilted her head back to stare at Xiao Ziyu.

She had nearly forgotten that if the little villain would one day be capable of killing so many people, he must certainly know martial arts.

His frail appearance was merely a disguise.

“Why are you looking at me like that, my lady?” Xiao Ziyu met her gaze, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his lips.

Chen Jinzhou glanced at the two of them, then made a silencing gesture before leading everyone away.

“I feel as though I still don’t know my husband very well.”

“And could you let go of me now?” Xiao Ziyu replied to something else entirely, his gaze dropping to the arms she still had wrapped around him.

Chen Xingmiao smiled sweetly and hugged him even tighter.

“What? Am I not allowed to embrace my own man?”

What a joke. She was a woman from the twenty-first century. Surely she could charm a man from ancient times.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Ziyu pried her hands away and sat down to one side, idly playing with the teacup on the table.

“I’m rather curious. How did you manage to drink that cup of wine and remain unharmed?” His tone suddenly grew stern, suspicion seeping into his voice.

“Secret technique. Not for outsiders.”

With that, she yawned, walked to the bed, and disdainfully pulled off the bedsheet before lying down.

By the time she woke, dusk had already fallen.

“Chuntao? Chuntao, are you there?”

She called out twice without much thought, and the door soon opened.

Chuntao entered carrying pastries. “Are you hungry, Miss?”

Chen Xingmiao smiled helplessly, unable to suppress the envy rising in her heart.

How does this little girl always manage to bring back something delicious? The original owner really did have a blessed life.

“I’m not hungry. Where is Xiao Ziyu?”

“Someone from the Xiao family came this afternoon, so Young Master followed them back first.”

“What?!” Chen Xingmiao instantly sobered. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

What if that bunch from the Xiao family had done something to accelerate the little villain’s descent into darkness? Would all her efforts not have been wasted again?

After calling out a hurried farewell, she rushed toward the Xiao residence, paying no attention to Chuntao’s nonstop chatter as the girl hurried after her.

Page (2/3)

Page (3/3)

Chen Xingmiao could not understand it. Why did these people enjoy stirring up trouble so much? She was exhausted enough already.

Even after transmigrating, did she still have to be a wage slave?

When she returned to the Xiao residence, several servants were already blocking the entrance to the compound leading to the main hall.

“Move!” Chen Xingmiao had no desire to waste words with them.

“My apologies, Second Young Madam. The Master has ordered that no one is permitted to enter the main hall today.”

As he spoke, one of the servants leered at her from head to toe.

Chen Xingmiao’s gaze sharpened, and she silently gathered strength in her hand.

“What do you think you are?” She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

The servant clutched his instantly reddened cheek. His eyes brimmed with resentment, yet he could only swallow his anger in silence.

“Second Young Madam, this is the Master’s order. Please do not make things difficult for us servants,” another servant said.

“Do I need to summon my father?” she asked coldly.

The moment the words left her mouth, the servants exchanged glances, their confidence vanishing at once.

Chen Xingmiao could not help sighing inwardly. Having a powerful father was truly wonderful.

“Why are you still standing there? Move! If you offend our Master, it will not end well for you—or even for Master Xiao,” Chuntao said as she supported Chen Xingmiao, displaying the full majesty of a pampered young lady.

Not bad, Chuntao. You might have a future as an actress!

Chen Xingmiao secretly gave her an approving nod in her heart.

After hesitating for a moment, the servants finally stepped aside.

With Chuntao beside her, Chen Xingmiao strode toward the main hall. Her heart raced faster with every step, while her mind conjured one dreadful scene after another involving Xiao Ziyu.

The moment she entered the main hall, an oppressive atmosphere swept over her.

Xiao Yinsheng sat upright in the seat of honor, his face stern and imposing. Xiao Ziyu stood to one side, his expression calm and his eyes deep and unreadable, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

“Ziyu, do you realize that what you did today has brought disgrace upon the entire Xiao family?” Xiao Yinsheng thundered, his furious voice echoing throughout the vast hall.

Chen Xingmiao’s heart jolted. She hurried forward and stood protectively in front of Xiao Ziyu, meeting Xiao Zhengxiong’s gaze without the slightest fear.

“Master Xiao, have you forgotten that we have already separated from the family?”

“Oh? Even after separating from the family, he is still a dog raised by the Xiao family. Since we raised him to adulthood and even found him a wife, he must obey the Xiao family for the rest of his life!”

That voice… Whose was it?

She paused. Her head felt as though it had been filled with lead as she slowly turned around, every movement cautious and brimming with vigilance.

Page (3/3)