Chapter 5: Matching Outfits

The Next Morning.

Chen Xingmiao gradually awoke, lazily turning over and rubbing her sleepy eyes. She instinctively pressed her sore shoulders. She had slept well, but the bed was a bit hard.

Sitting up, she glanced around the empty room and then at the new piece of clothing laid on the quilt.

“This little villain, where could he have run off to so early in the morning?” Chen Xingmiao murmured softly, scratching her head in puzzlement.

She got up and opened the door. Instantly, a dazzling beam of sunlight flooded in, dispelling the chill in the room and adding a warm glow to the simple chamber.

The weeds in the courtyard had been thoroughly cleared. Xiao Ziyu, dressed plainly, sat quietly on a stone bench beneath a tree, engrossed in reading a scroll.

Hearing the sound, he looked up slightly and saw Chen Xingmiao standing at the doorway, her eyes gently curved as she waved at him.

He silently watched her, saying nothing. She tugged at her clothes and then slipped back inside.

What was she doing?

As Xiao Ziyu pondered this, the woman reappeared, now carrying the clothing. She hurried over to him step by step.

“Husband, loving to read is good, but it’s cold this morning, so you must take care of yourself!” she said, tiptoeing to drape the garment over his shoulders.

Xiao Ziyu remained silent, his indifferent eyes like a bottomless cold pool, betraying no warmth.

Chen Xingmiao studied him, her gaze lingering on the dense patches mending his worn clothes.

Then she reached out and hooked her arm around his, coaxing softly, “Husband, come with me shopping later.”

Surprise flickered across the man’s face.

A smile played on her lips, eyes sparkling with anticipation as she waited unblinkingly for his reply.

After a long pause, Xiao Ziyu slowly said, “Alright.”

“I’m going to get ready now, wait for me!” she said, releasing his arm and running back inside.

Watching the door close gently behind her, a trace of suspicion flashed deep within Xiao Ziyu’s eyes.

What tricks was this woman trying to play?

Moments later, she clutched his arm tightly again, wrapping her own clothes more snugly around herself. “Husband, let’s go.”

Xiao Ziyu glanced at her, then down at his tattered clothes, his expression shifting slightly.

Before he could react, Chen Xingmiao set aside his book and briskly pulled him out the door.

The street bustled with life, dazzling with a variety of goods that overwhelmed the senses.

The continuous calls of vendors mingled with enticing aromas, awakening a deep longing.

She swallowed hard. Though she had acted in many period dramas, she had never truly tasted authentic ancient food.

“Husband, is there any recommended delicacy? Let’s eat first to fill our stomachs!” she asked.

Xiao Ziyu’s gaze darkened briefly; his lips moved but no sound came.

Only then did she realize that given his status in the Xiao family, how could they afford to let him live in comfort?

Had her question unwittingly touched a sensitive nerve in him?

Chen Xingmiao felt a pang of regret.

Such a blunder, truly a fault.

“It’s alright, husband. In the future, we can explore and taste together.” She quickly tried to make amends, gripping his arm a little tighter.

Then she lifted her eyes to him, her gaze gentle and her lips curling into a determined smile. “What you never had before, I will be there with you to have it, little by little.”

For a fleeting moment, Xiao Ziyu was captivated in her gaze.

His thin lips parted, voice low and hoarse: “Alright, together.”

His eyes followed her as she bargained with a vendor and purchased many daily necessities.

For a while, he was puzzled.

Was she truly a noble lady? She handled these affairs with such ease.

After some time, they arrived at a tailor’s shop, hands full of goods.

“Husband, come, let’s buy you some new clothes, and maybe some matching outfits for us,” she said.

Xiao Ziyu frowned slightly, not understanding what she meant.

“Matching outfits are clothes worn by two people in love, matching in style and color. When we visit my family after the wedding, we can show off our love!” she explained, her smile growing wider.

If that second mistress Zhou saw that Xiao Ziyu was not the monstrous figure rumored about, and that his married life was so comfortable, wouldn’t she be green with envy?

The thought alone was deeply satisfying.

More and more question marks formed in Xiao Ziyu’s mind, but he caught two words—love and romance.

Interesting...

A faint smile, edged with a subtle chill, curved his lips.

Having bought everything they needed, they returned home.

It was afternoon; the once cold and plain courtyard now resembled a secluded paradise.

Xiao Ziyu resumed reading as soon as he returned.

Chen Xingmiao busied herself with Chun Tao in the courtyard.

She cleared a patch of ground to plant vegetables come spring, built a swing, and placed some painted fake flowers and grass nearby.

The house grew cozier as well; the once stiff bed became soft, and the bedding was replaced with new sets.

Previously empty tables now held bronze mirrors and ancient skincare products. Whether by chance or not, the room now emanated warmth.

Xiao Ziyu gazed at the transformed room, momentarily lost in thought.

“Miss, you’re amazing!” Chun Tao clapped twice, pacing excitedly.

Chen Xingmiao stretched and plopped down on the bed, then fully lay back.

“I’m exhausted; this bed is finally comfortable.”

Seeing such improper behavior, Chun Tao hurried over and pulled her up, signaling with her eyes and whispering, “Miss, the husband is still here!”

???

Chen Xingmiao sighed helplessly.

I’m dead tired; how can I care about appearances now?

“No matter. I…” Xiao Ziyu began to speak, but discordant voices interrupted from outside.

Chen Xingmiao stood, and the three pushed open the door to find an elderly couple accompanied by several servants. Their originally fierce expressions softened somewhat upon seeing her.

“Oh, so Xiao Miao is here too.”

The woman’s face immediately filled with a false smile as she stepped forward and grabbed Chen Xingmiao’s hand.

Chen Xingmiao frowned in disgust.

Who was this old woman this time?

“Father, what brings you here?” Xiao Ziyu grabbed her other hand, gently pulling her behind him.

Seeing herself ignored, the woman flicked her sleeve with a cold snort and returned to stand beside Xiao Ziyu’s father.

Chen Xingmiao narrowed her eyes.

So these two were the villain’s scoundrel father and stepmother...

Xiao Yinsheng glanced around, clasped one hand behind his back, and assumed the posture of head of the household.

“Xiao Ziyu, do you know your crime?”

???

Chen Xingmiao blinked thrice in rapid succession.

What was this old man playing at? Oh—he’s here to cause trouble!