Xiao Ya was soaked to the bone, her usually sweet voice now hoarse from choking on water.
The sound alone wrenched at Huo Ci’s heart.
Even if Jinzhu was at fault, if Jiang Xingyan had kept Xiao Ya by her side at all times, how could a lowly servant have gotten the chance to harm her?
Now that he had become Xiao Ya’s mother, he would take care of her properly—ensuring she never suffered harm or injustice again.
Lost in these thoughts, Huo Ci no longer questioned how such a bizarre body swap had happened. All he wanted was to hold Xiao Ya tightly and comfort her.
Reaching out, he softened his voice—still unused to its delicate pitch—and coaxed, “Xiao Ya, Mama’s here. Let Mama hold you.”
But no matter what he said, Xiao Ya only had eyes for Jiang Xingyan.
Jiang Xingyan’s heart swelled with disbelief and joy. “Xiao Ya… you recognize me?”
Huo Ci refused to give up. Gently, he took Xiao Ya’s hand—
Only to freeze at the icy chill that seeped into his bones.
He shot Jiang Xingyan an exasperated glare.
Of course. The pampered young mistress of the wealthiest family in the capital had no idea how to care for a child!
“Waaah—!”
Xiao Ya burst into tears, coughing violently from the strain.
Jiang Xingyan immediately slapped Huo Ci’s hand away. Instantly, Xiao Ya’s cries quieted, her tiny body curling into Jiang Xingyan’s arms with a whimper.
Her little face even scrunched up in clear distaste.
Huo Ci’s hand hung awkwardly mid-air.
He could feel the weight of the stares around him—some puzzled, some amused.
Only Jiang Xingyan’s maids seemed genuinely shocked, their eyes wide.
Xiao Ya adored her mother. Why was she acting like this?
Grand Physician Sun hurried forward with a bow. “General Huo, the child has suffered severe fright and may be delirious. She must not be agitated further.
“This old man will prescribe calming and warming tonics. Let her rest for a few days before a follow-up examination.”
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Jiang Xingyan flicked her robe aside and dropped to one knee before him. “Grand Physician Sun, your mercy has given my daughter a second life. Huo Ci will never forget this debt. Please accept my thanks!”
Sun flustered, waving his hands. “N-no need for such formalities, General! This humble one is unworthy—”
Huo Ci’s eye twitched.
Did she have to gnash her teeth while saying my name?
“Xin Zhui,” Jiang Xingyan ordered, “escort Grand Physician Sun to the study to write the prescription. Then hire a carriage and personally see him home.”
Xin Zhui clasped his fists. “At once, General!”
“Grand Physician, this way.”
“Apologies for the earlier urgency—I hope you won’t take offense.”
Sun huffed, stroking his beard, but followed Xin Zhui without further complaint.
Watching Xin Zhui’s unusually eager stride, Huo Ci nearly scoffed.
Since when are you this obedient?!
Once the two disappeared down the corridor, Jiang Xingyan’s expression turned glacial.
“Tie Jinzhu up,” she commanded the servants. “Summon the bailiffs to take her away.”
Old Madam Huo shuddered.
Having witnessed Jiang Xingyan’s ruthlessness firsthand, no servant dared hesitate. Some rushed to report the crime, others bound Jinzhu—all moving with frantic efficiency.
The ropes scraped Jinzhu’s wounds, jolting her back from the brink of unconsciousness with a scream.
Pale-faced, Old Madam Huo ventured weakly, “My son, perhaps we could—”
Jiang Xingyan cut her off. “Mother has also had a shock. Retire to your quarters and rest.”
A single glance sent attendants flocking to Old Madam Huo’s side, “assisting” her back to the main house.
Knowing she was in the wrong, the old woman dared not argue and hobbled away, trembling.
Jiang Xingyan’s gaze flicked to Huo Ci—still staring at her in a daze—before she suppressed her fury and strode off without another word.
Good. Let him see for himself.
Let him see the state of the “modest quarters” his kind, virtuous mother had arranged for her.
“Xia Feng,” she called, “bring all of Xiao Ya’s belongings to the detached residence. Summon Qiu Yan and Chun Xue to attend us.”
Xia Feng agreed aloud but frowned inwardly.
Since when is the Young Master so… peculiar?
Glancing back at Huo Ci’s stunned figure, she amended:
Actually, the Young Mistress is acting even stranger today.
Keeping her suspicions to herself, Xia Feng sent Chun Xue ahead with Jiang Xingyan, instructed Qiu Yan to pack Xiao Ya’s things, and stayed behind to coax her mistress.
“Young Mistress, everyone’s gone. Let’s return too.
“Xiao Ya was just frightened and confused. She’ll recognize you again in a few days.”
Huo Ci lowered his eyes and grunted in acknowledgment.
Unaccustomed to being touched by women, he subtly withdrew his arm from Xia Feng’s supportive grip.
Xia Feng’s heart lurched.
Something’s wrong. This is all wrong.
…..
Jiang Xingyan carried Xiao Ya to the detached residence.
The spacious courtyard had been meticulously cleaned by servants.
Three well-lit main rooms stood furnished with the finest items—no doubt funded by her money.
After all, a general’s salary could never sustain such extravagance for an entire household.
Compared to the derelict wing she had been relegated to, even the servants’ quarters here were superior.
The thought of her grandfather’s fortune being drained to subsidize the Huo family made Jiang Xingyan’s blood boil.
Clenching her jaw, she stepped inside and carefully laid Xiao Ya—now fast asleep—on the bed.
Chun Xue hurried over to tend to her.
This was Jiang Xingyan’s first time entering Huo Ci’s residence since their wedding night.
The day after their marriage, border conflicts had erupted, summoning Huo Ci to the frontlines. By the time he returned victorious two years later, Xiao Ya was already over a year old.
At first, he had been delighted—until his mother’s constant whispers poisoned his mind, turning him indifferent.
Jiang Xingyan gritted her teeth.
If only he had visited that damned wing even once, he would’ve seen how we lived.
But no. He had swallowed his mother’s lies whole, convinced that Jiang Xingyan—spoiled by luxury—had chosen to isolate herself in squalor for “freedom.”
Every attempt to explain had been thwarted. Whenever he was home, he either secluded himself here or doted on his mother. They never spoke.
The rift between them had only widened.
In their past life, he had even blamed her for Xiao Ya’s death.
Taking a steadying breath, Jiang Xingyan unfurled a sheet of pristine paper and lifted a brush.
In bold strokes, she wrote three characters:
和離書
Divorce Agreement
She signed Huo Ci’s name, stamped his seal, and—for good measure—pressed his thumbprint into the paper.
Once the ink dried, she rolled the document into a bamboo case, sealed it with wax, and handed it to Chun Xue.
“Give this to Xia Feng. Tell her to guard it with her life—and to never speak of it to anyone.
“Only when her mistress asks for it directly is she to produce it.”