Before Jiang Xingyan’s mind could even react, Huo Ci’s muscle memory had already taken over—flipping Xin Zhui over his shoulder and slamming him hard onto the ground.
The sharp pain in her cheeks made her instinctively raise her hands to touch them.
By the time she regained her senses, Xin Zhui was pinned under her foot, his expression dazed as he muttered, “Impossible… absolutely impossible.”
It really was his real face—nothing had peeled off.
Furious, Jiang Xingyan stomped down on him. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”
Xin Zhui clutched his shoulder, howling in pain. “General! General, mercy! I was just joking around!”
Between the pain and the anger, Jiang Xingyan wanted to curse up a storm.
Truly, like master, like subordinate.
Neither of them was a decent person!
Back in the main hall, Huo Ci sneezed violently.
Before the second sneeze could escape, Bao Zhu pinched him hard, forcing it back up his nose and making his eyes water.
Jiang Xingyan kicked Xin Zhui in the rear. “Get lost!”
Howling, Xin Zhui scrambled onto his horse and fled.
That strength, that mercilessness—yep, definitely his general.
But then… what exactly was off about him?
Pondering this, Xin Zhui rode back to the military camp.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xingyan stormed into the main hall with murderous intent.
Her icy aura was so intimidating that Old Madam Huo and the servants didn’t dare even breathe too loudly.
Her face still throbbing, Jiang Xingyan had no patience for pleasantries. She glared at Huo Ci. “Hand over all the deeds to the shops and properties my grandfather left you—along with the contracts of the managers and workers.”
Of course, she knew these were all in her mother-in-law’s hands, but Huo Ci didn’t.
She’d already drawn Xin Zhui’s suspicion—she couldn’t afford another slip-up.
Old Madam Huo’s heart stirred, and she probed cautiously, “Why does Ci’er need these?”
Jiang Xingyan briefly summarized the morning court affairs.
While Old Madam Huo was still confused, Huo Ci had already grasped the situation.
Bitterness flooded his heart. The Huo army had been built with Old Master Jiang’s silver, and now, Jiang Xingyan was using her own wealth to secure his military power.
He was utterly useless.
Though Old Madam Huo didn’t fully understand the details, she knew this was the Emperor’s demand. Refusal meant execution for the entire clan.
Huo Ci didn’t want Jiang Xingyan to sacrifice so much and remained silent.
To Old Madam Huo, this was him being sensible—not speaking out of turn in front of Ci’er.
“Ah, Xiao Yan, you’re so busy you must’ve forgotten. After you entered our household, you entrusted all the shop deeds to me for safekeeping. Why didn’t you mention this to Ci’er?”
A cold glint flashed in Jiang Xingyan’s eyes.
As if I’d ever be that stupid?
Huo Ci’s head snapped up, his shocked gaze locking onto Jiang Xingyan.
Suddenly, everything became clear.
He finally understood why, despite his modest salary, his mother had lived in extravagance.
While he was away, she had seized all of Jiang Xingyan’s dowry—even the contracts of her personal maids.
And that wasn’t enough. She’d then banished her to a side courtyard.
Through ten months of pregnancy and raising Xiaoya, how much suffering had she endured?
Tears threatened to spill again.
Jiang Xingyan met his guilt-ridden eyes with icy detachment, her expression full of disgust.
She didn’t want empty regret or apologies.
She wanted him to feel it—to drag him down into the same hell!
Soon, Yu Zhu returned with a sandalwood box, presenting it to Jiang Xingyan.
Her gaze darkened.
This box had been handed to her personally by her grandfather. Now, it was finally coming back to her.
Old Madam Huo showed no reluctance—if these shops could help her precious son, it was their good fortune.
“Ci’er, besides the deeds, there’s also a token inside. You’ll need it for audits and profit distributions. Tomorrow, have that maid Dong Yang from the side courtyard accompany you to get familiar with everything.”
Jiang Xingyan feigned ignorance. “Oh? Why is that?”
Old Madam Huo chuckled. “Our dear in-laws were so worried we’d mistreat their granddaughter. To withdraw silver from the shops, you not only need the token but also someone from their household present. Really, now that we’re family, why such distrust? It’s like they’re guarding against thieves!”
Jiang Xingyan sneered inwardly.
Measures against the honorable, not the despicable.
Her grandfather had never imagined that the wife of the illustrious General Huo would stoop to robbing an orphan of her inheritance.
If not for his foresight—requiring both the token and a trusted representative—she might have long since become a forgotten ghost in the Huo residence.
And even in death, she wouldn’t have rested peacefully, her name smeared with false accusations to justify her demise.
Huo Ci felt himself unraveling.
Just when he thought he’d grown numb, something even more outrageous would shatter his limits anew.
Stealing from someone, then blaming them for being cautious?
What a wonderful mother he had.
His head bowed in despair, Huo Ci realized—
He could spend a lifetime repenting, and it still wouldn’t absolve his sins.
Jiang Xingyan gave a noncommittal reply and took the sandalwood box back to the side courtyard.
Once her son was gone, Old Madam Huo ordered Yu Zhu to store the Emperor’s rewards safely.
Then, with a sidelong glance at the dazed “Jiang Xingyan,” she spat venomously:
“Don’t delude yourself. Even the lowest honorary title has nothing to do with you! If you had any sense, you’d hand over all your assets, divorce yourself, and relinquish the title of Young General’s wife!
Our Huo family is nobility—far beyond the reach of a lowborn merchant’s daughter like you.”
Suddenly noticing the red marks on “Jiang Xingyan’s” cheeks, Old Madam Huo panicked.
“Who struck her face?!”
Yu Zhu hurriedly replied, “Lady Jiang was helping in the kitchen today. It must’ve been a new, ignorant servant who didn’t know the rules.”
Old Madam Huo paled.
If Ci’er saw those marks, he’d surely grow suspicious.
“What kind of fool would do this? Drive them out immediately—don’t let them ruin everything!”
As she instructed Yu Zhu and turned to leave, Huo Ci stared numbly at his mother—the same woman who prattled about Buddha’s mercy daily.
Though he didn’t know how his face had gotten injured, her casual order to drive someone out showed no trace of compassion.
Bao Zhu shot a glance at the despondent “Jiang Xingyan.” “Madam, send her back today. Best not to let the Young General see her.”
Old Madam Huo waved dismissively, leaving it to Bao Zhu to handle.
Then she asked Yu Zhu, “Have we sent someone to fetch Shu’er yet?”
Yu Zhu supported her arm respectfully. “Yes, Madam. We dispatched the fastest horse in the estate. By tomorrow evening, Eldest Miss Yi Shu will surely arrive!”