The moment Zhao Xiuxiu turned as if she truly intended to leave, Chen He and Wang Chuntao finally snapped back to reality.
Both of them immediately fell silent, not daring to utter another word.
Leaning against the carriage with her arms folded, Lin Xiazhi watched the drama unfold with great amusement.
She had never expected that one small action from her would cause such a massive deviation from the original storyline.
The novel never mentioned Chen Feicai becoming a live-in son-in-law.
In ancient times, becoming a son-in-law who married into the wife’s family was hardly a glorious fate.
Especially if he ended up in the hands of a vicious woman like Zhao Xiuxiu.
The entire Chen family would probably be tormented for the rest of their lives.
The worse things became for them, the happier Lin Xiazhi felt.
Hehehe…
A mocking smile appeared on Zhao Xiuxiu’s lips before she sighed dramatically.
“My parents only have me as their precious daughter. Do you know why my father is returning to the capital? Because His Majesty personally summoned him back. His career is bound to rise further.”
She looked at Chen Feicai.
“If Feicai joins the Zhao family, that would be a blessing earned over several lifetimes.”
“Feicai, think carefully. What’s more important, your reputation or your future career? I already endured my father’s criticism just to plead for you. Do you really have the heart to let me suffer that humiliation for nothing?”
Chen Feicai remained silent.
His expression turned frighteningly cold.
For any man, marrying into a woman’s family was considered a tremendous disgrace.
How could he possibly agree to such a thing?
But if it could help his official career…
Then perhaps it was worth considering.
The problem was his parents.
Noticing her son’s hesitation, Wang Chuntao immediately shook her head.
“No matter what, I won’t agree!”
“Xiuxiu…” Chen Feicai said painfully.
Caught between his parents and the woman he loved, he felt torn apart.
Seeing his indecision, Lin Xiazhi decided to add a little fuel to the fire.
“Have you finished discussing it?”
“If not, I’m about to start.”
Her gaze swept across them.
“So, whose hand are we cutting off?”
She pointed at Chen Feicai.
“Waste Talent, you’re the most filial one here. Why don’t we start with yours?”
“!!!”
Chen Feicai’s face instantly paled.
The anger in his eyes was immediately replaced by fear.
He hurriedly hid his hands behind his back.
“I don’t want to lose a hand!”
“Then your mother can do it.”
“I don’t want to either!”
With a shrill cry, Wang Chuntao’s legs gave out and she collapsed onto the ground, trembling while clutching her arms.
“Then your father—”
Before Lin Xiazhi could finish, Chen He nearly jumped into the air.
His face turned deathly white as he hid behind his son.
“Feicai! Save me!”
“!!!”
Zhao Xiuxiu immediately seized the opportunity.
“I really should leave now.”
“My parents are still waiting outside the village.”
She lowered her eyes sadly.
“To be honest, they weren’t even willing to bring all of you along. Yet you’re still acting proud and difficult.”
“Feicai… perhaps our fate together ends here.”
“Take care of yourself.”
After wiping away a tear, she turned decisively and walked away.
Panic instantly gripped Chen Feicai.
“Xiuxiu, wait!”
“I agree!”
“I’ll marry into your family!”
Zhao Xiuxiu stopped.
A victorious smile flashed across her face.
Lin Xiazhi raised an eyebrow.
As expected of the woman who had tortured the original owner to death.
The scheming was top-tier.
“Feicai!”
“My son!”
Chen He and Wang Chuntao looked devastated.
Their eyes were filled with grief and despair, as though Chen Feicai had already died.
Chen Feicai’s heart tightened.
Without hesitation, he knelt before them.
“Father, Mother.”
“Your son is unfilial.”
“But to save your lives, I have no choice.”
“I hope you can understand.”
“Of course I understand.”
Wang Chuntao suddenly regained her energy.
Her son was only becoming a live-in son-in-law, not dying.
There would surely be opportunities in the future.
Struggling to her feet, she immediately pointed arrogantly at Lin Xiazhi.
“Are you satisfied now?”
“Take your money and get lost!”
“AHHH!”
Before anyone could react, Lin Xiazhi casually flicked her wrist.
A finger flew through the air.
Blood splattered everywhere.
“!!!”
Wang Chuntao clutched her hand and screamed hysterically.
“My finger!”
“My finger!”
Chen Feicai never expected her to strike again.
His fury exploded.
“Lin Xiazhi, you—”
Before he could finish, Lin Xiazhi blurred forward.
In the next instant, punches and kicks rained down on his face, stomach, and groin.
The pain was so intense he couldn’t even scream.
After kicking him to the ground, she unleashed a merciless barrage.
“You like running your mouth?”
“Let’s see if you can still talk after this!”
“AHHH! My son!”
“Feicai!”
Wang Chuntao and Chen He rushed forward in panic.
The next second, both were knocked flat by Lin Xiazhi’s fists.
“Help!”
“Help!”
Zhao Xiuxiu and Lin Qingbei instinctively retreated beside the carriage, staring in complete shock.
Thinking of all the injuries she had suffered, Lin Xiazhi felt that fists and kicks weren’t enough.
She grabbed the horsewhip hanging from the carriage and began another round of savage punishment.
“You treated her like she wasn’t even human!”
“Go on, be arrogant now!”
Since Mu Zheng had only asked her not to kill them, he never said she couldn’t beat them half to death.
And since they were about to part ways forever, this was the perfect chance to vent all her anger.
Within minutes, the three of them barely moved anymore.
Fear rose in Lin Qingbei’s heart.
He hurried over and grabbed Lin Xiazhi’s arm.
“Big Sister, stop!”
“If you keep hitting them, they’ll die!”
Zhao Xiuxiu finally snapped out of her daze.
Quickly pulling out a stack of banknotes, she pleaded,
“Miss Lin, please show mercy.”
“Here’s one thousand taels.”
“Please stop.”
Only then did Lin Xiazhi lower the bloodstained whip.
She glanced at the money but didn’t take it immediately.
“And the chicken soup from noon.”
“One hundred taels.”
“…”
Biting her lip in humiliation, Zhao Xiuxiu reluctantly produced another hundred-tael note.
Only then did Lin Xiazhi accept the payment.
Looking down at the blood-covered trio sprawled on the ground, she said coldly,
“Now get out.”
“Hurry!”
Supporting Chen Feicai, Zhao Xiuxiu practically dragged him toward the exit.
She walked so fast it was obvious she wanted to escape as quickly as possible.
“W-Wait for us!”
Ignoring the pain in her severed finger, Wang Chuntao struggled to her feet.
She hoisted the groaning Chen He onto her back and staggered after them.
The moment they disappeared, the courtyard finally fell silent.
At the same time, Lin Xiazhi’s stomach growled loudly.
Rubbing her belly, she pulled out a wild rabbit and handed it to Lin Qingbei.
“Can you cook?”
She could cook herself.
The problem was whether the food would be edible.
Lin Qingbei nodded timidly.
“I can.”
Noticing his unusual behavior, Lin Xiazhi frowned.
“Did I scare you just now?”
The boy still looked shaken.
For a moment, he seemed afraid to approach this sister who felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
“Qingbei.”
Her voice softened.
“You’re still young, but you need to learn how to protect yourself.”
“Never give others the chance to hurt you.”
“So sometimes, being a little ruthless isn’t wrong.”
She looked into his eyes.
“Especially in times like these.”
“If you’re not ruthless…”
“If you’re not strong enough…”
“The people who get hurt, or die, will be you and the people you care about.”
“Do you understand?”
Lin Xiazhi spoke earnestly.
She hoped this seven-year-old boy could become stronger and braver.
If he remained timid and hesitant throughout their journey, she simply wouldn’t have enough energy to protect everyone.
Fortunately, Lin Qingbei wasn’t weak at heart.
He quickly understood the meaning behind her words.
“I understand now.”
“Don’t worry, Big Sister.”
“I’ll become stronger.”
“Then I’ll protect you and Mother.”
A faint smile appeared on Lin Xiazhi’s face.
She patted his head gently.
That finally eased some of her concerns.
“You only need to protect Mother.”
“Now go cook.”
“After dinner, we’ll finish packing and get ready to leave.”
“Okay!”
Carrying the rabbit, Lin Qingbei happily skipped toward the kitchen.
Just as Lin Xiazhi was about to check on Shen Ying’s condition, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the gate.
Frowning slightly, she walked to the entrance and pushed the door open a crack.