Chapter 6: The New Bride Splits the Household Shortly After the Lunar New Year

Xiao Ziyu looked on with an indifferent expression, silently watching the middle-aged man’s growing fury without the slightest intention of offering an explanation.

"Do you think that just because you married the Chen family’s daughter and got lucky, you can climb the ladder of success? You should weigh your own status before getting ahead of yourself!" Hua Liyin chimed in, fanning the flames with a voice dripping with disdain.

Xiao Ziyu vaguely remembered that it was they who had forced him into this marriage, yet now they were the ones turning around to bite the hand that fed them.

He parted his thin lips, and his cold, sharp voice uttered only three words: "I did nothing wrong."

Xiao Yinsheng’s eyes were as sharp as blades, as if he intended to pierce right through the man before him. His mouth twitched uncontrollably; he was clearly seething with rage.

"Insolent!" With a roar, a bright red palm print instantly appeared on Xiao Ziyu’s face.

*Oh, hell no! Bullying my little villain right in front of me!*

Chen Xingmiao felt a sharp pang in her heart. Instinctively, she strode forward and positioned herself in front of Xiao Ziyu.

"Is Father-in-law trying to show off his authority to his daughter-in-law?"

Xiao Yinsheng’s expression shifted slightly. Hua Liyin’s gaze darted between the two, and then she approached with a smile that was impossibly fake, attempting to pull Chen Xingmiao aside.

"Little Miao, dear, stay out of this. This is a family matter for the Xiao household."

Chen Xingmiao pulled her hand away with a look of disgust and stepped back to Xiao Ziyu’s side, gripping his trembling, restrained hand firmly.

"Since it’s a 'family matter,' if we are no longer part of the Xiao family, does that mean you will no longer be able to meddle in our affairs?"

"Hmph!" Xiao Yinsheng snorted, his face full of contempt. "That goes without saying. The business of outsiders has nothing to do with the Xiao family."

"Good. I hope you keep your word, Father-in-law!" A flash of cunning crossed her eyes.

The expressions on Xiao Yinsheng and Hua Liyin’s faces froze instantly, while Xiao Ziyu stared at her, completely bewildered. *What is this woman planning now?*

She turned around, walked briskly to the drawer, and quickly pulled out paper and a brush.

"You—what are you doing?" Xiao Yinsheng’s expression grew grave, a vague sense of foreboding washing over him.

"Right now, let’s discuss the terms of our separation."

Hua Liyin’s eyes widened in shock, and she exclaimed in disbelief, "You want to separate from the family?!"

Chen Xingmiao nodded firmly. Her cold, piercing gaze swept over the servants before she declared, "Yes. Furthermore, I am willing to pay you five thousand taels of silver, provided that from this day forward, no one in the Xiao household is permitted to bully my husband again."

She paused, walked to the doorway, pointed outside, and added, "And have someone wall off the connecting passage and open a separate gate for us on the side."

Chuntao was confused. Her young mistress was spending money and effort just so the son-in-law wouldn't be mistreated? But for a new bride to demand a family separation right after entering the household would surely damage her reputation. How would her mistress ever be able to face anyone again?

"Mistress, you mustn't..." she whispered, shaking her head with a heavy heart.

Chen Xingmiao ignored her, looking at the couple before her with unwavering resolve. "Well, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, do you agree?"

Xiao Yinsheng and Hua Liyin looked at each other. Five thousand taels was a significant sum. Faced with such a temptation, they finally nodded.

"Fine. We will do as you say. I will have men here tomorrow to handle it."

After the documents were drawn up in duplicate, Xiao Yinsheng and Hua Liyin prepared to leave with their servants. Chen Xingmiao’s gaze turned cold as she stared at one of the servants, falling into deep thought.

"Wait a moment," she said, her voice laced with a chill.

She stepped forward and walked up to the servant—this person… he seemed to be one of those who had bullied Xiao Ziyu in the kitchen.

Xiao Yinsheng turned back, looking at her with confusion.

She raised her hand, and with a sharp *slap*, a crisp sound echoed through the courtyard.

The servant gritted his teeth, but knowing his place, he dared not retaliate.

"This slap is to teach you a lesson. Since you want to act like a dog, then act like one, and don’t overstep your bounds to bully your masters!"

Xiao Ziyu also saw the servant's face, and his heart was filled with fresh astonishment. *Helping me? Putting on a show?*

"I expect the Xiao household to keep their people in check from now on. You may leave," Chen Xingmiao said coldly.

"You!" Xiao Yinsheng’s eyes were wide with fury. His face darkened until it looked as though it might drip ink, and his entire body radiated seething rage.

He had never imagined that he, the dignified head of the household, would be checkmated by a young girl who had just arrived. It was a complete and utter humiliation!

Even if you want to beat a dog, you have to consider its master. By acting this way, she had shown him no respect at all.

Seeing this, Hua Liyin panicked. She knew the Chen family’s current influence was far beyond the Xiao family’s reach. If they clashed with Chen Xingmiao now, they would only be the ones to suffer.

Anxious, she grabbed Xiao Yinsheng’s arm tightly and shot him a look, signaling him to show restraint for the time being.

Xiao Yinsheng’s chest heaved violently. With a heavy snort, he flicked his sleeves and strode away.

As soon as they left, Chen Xingmiao immediately changed into a smile, a stark contrast to her previous icy demeanor.

She trotted over to Xiao Ziyu’s side, dimples appearing on her cheeks. "Husband, you won't be bullied ever again."

Xiao Ziyu, however, looked grave, his brows tightly knitted. He did not feel relieved by her words.

"For you to demand a separation just after marrying into the Xiao household... you will surely be the subject of gossip..." He sighed heavily. "Our marriage was forced. You really didn't need to sacrifice so much for me!"

She pouted in dissatisfaction and boldly took Xiao Ziyu’s hands.

The man’s body trembled, but he didn't pull away. He stared at her quietly, watching her pouting, flushed face.

"What 'mistress,' what 'sacrificing'? You are my husband, and I am your wife. Since we are married, we must support each other."

Xiao Ziyu looked at her, his eyes filled with suspicion. He didn't know what she was planning. First, her attitude changed abruptly, and now she was helping him like this—he couldn't help but wonder if there was some ulterior motive.

Xiao Ziyu instinctively licked his dry lips, not knowing what to say.

"Did you hear me? Don't say such things again, and don't call me 'mistress.' This life is for the two of us to live together. And I already said it—I won't let you be bullied again."

She frowned. What was wrong with this little villain? She had gone to such lengths to pull him out of the Xiao family’s abyss, and he wasn't even grateful.

A smile suddenly played on the corners of Xiao Ziyu’s mouth. He walked up to her unhurriedly, reached out to lift her chin, and leaned in slightly. His warm breath brushed against her ear as he asked softly, "Can I really believe what you say?"

Hearing this, Chen Xingmiao immediately grew annoyed. What did he mean? Was he still doubting her?

"Forget it if you don't believe me." She gave him a light push with both hands and turned to walk toward the house.

To her surprise, Xiao Ziyu reacted quickly. With lightning speed, his arm hooked around her neck, pulling her firmly into his embrace. His voice carried a hint of playfulness: "I understand, my wife."