Chapter 20: Contentment

Words : 1555 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: ContentmentSu Jin sat on the bed, hugging the quilt, looking dejectedly at the man dressing in front of her. She never thought she’d fall into a pit she dug herself and be unable to climb out. She felt like the back of his head was mocking her for being caught in her own trap. Xie Jingchen just felt a chill on the back of his head; he glanced at the copper mirror and saw Su Jin making threatening gestures at him. That look was really amusing. He dressed neatly and wanted to turn around to catch her in the act, only to see her wearing a smile as bright as the spring sun. This woman! Really changes quickly. "Even if you’re in a good mood, tone it down a bit. If the maid sees it, who knows what kind of rumors she’ll spread," Xie Jingchen said. Su Jin’s smile stiffened and started to crack. What good mood! Ever since she met him, her mood has never been bright; it’s all been gloom. She’s already depressed enough, yet he shamelessly takes advantage, salts the wound, and still acts smug. People should be more straightforward! Su Jin took a deep breath and smiled, "Can’t control this good mood. From almost being strangled by you when I first came here, to you willingly sending yourself to bed now, it’s only been two days. At this rate, we’ll be a harmonious couple in no time." Showing mercy to the enemy is being cruel to oneself. If I don’t piss you off to death, I’ll at least make you half-dead. Xie Jingchen looked at Su Jin, not seeing any anger, just evaluation and contemplation, "Are you subtly telling me that you’ve given up on requesting a divorce?" Su Jin was so angry she almost spat blood, feeling pain in all her organs. How can this guy be so infuriating! Seems like pissing him off isn’t working anymore... Her eyes shifted, and Su Jin said with a smile, "I might have softened a bit, but my parents haven’t. In the Duke Mansion, the cooperation between us was quite pleasant. Today, as I return home, I hope Young Master Xie will fully cooperate with me." "That’s no problem," Xie Jingchen agreed quite readily. Su Jin smiled slightly, "Then I’ll thank you in advance." After speaking, Su Jin called out towards the outside, "Xingxing." Xingxing was outside leaning against a pillar in a daze; with the master in, she couldn’t just enter the young lady’s room, and no one was willing to talk to this bandit maid, making it extremely boring. As Su Jin called her out of nowhere, Xingxing joyfully pushed the door open and entered, saying, "Young lady, you’re up?" "Fetch my whip." Xingxing didn’t think much of it, and as soon as Su Jin gave the order, she eagerly went to the study to fetch the whip. Xie Jingchen had a bad feeling in his gut. Xingxing brought the whip over, and while handing it to Su Jin, she asked, "Young lady, what do you need a whip for so early in the morning?" "To whip him." Su Jin exhaled lightly. Xingxing was stunned. Seeing Su Jin reach for the whip, she quickly stepped back and said, "Young lady, you forgot we’re returning home today; you can’t whip the master." "I know, that’s exactly why I’m whipping him." "Why?" Xingxing asked, puzzled. Su Jin gave Xie Jingchen a sideways glance and said, "I have no other way to repay my father’s great favor in raising me, but after a few lashes, it would make him thrilled." Xie Jingchen, "..." "Mother told me to practice my aim well too, so later on, when Young Master Xie stands there, I’ll whip both your front and back. When we return home, I’ll pretend to pat your chest unintentionally; you must remember to gasp and subtly hint at the act of me whipping you, but don’t show any disgust, preferably a look of joy." Xingxing, "..." Xie Jingchen, "..." Are they trying to portray him, the new son-in-law, as some kind of masochist? Xingxing stood there not knowing what to do; what the young lady said made sense, but she still felt a bit sorry for the master. Su Jin gave a pile of instructions and finally patted Xie Jingchen’s chest, saying, "I trust your acting skills. You don’t have to follow everything I say to the letter; just improvise." S~eaʀᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xie Jingchen pondered for a moment and said, "I think if you just beat me so I can’t get out of bed, Father-in-law will be even happier." Su Jin looked at Xie Jingchen, blinked, and said, "You’ve successfully convinced me. You made some good points; let’s do it your way." Xie Jingchen, "..." Su Jin grabbed the whip, but Xingxing wouldn’t let go; beating such a silly master might make him even sillier. She said, "No way, even if the master isn’t going back with us, even if the young lady beats him until he’s on his last breath, they’ll still think it’s just a boast. Besides, with him going back with us, isn’t he a shield against rotten eggs?" The certain master felt like he was hanging by a thread without even being whipped yet. Su Jin struggled for a while but still couldn’t snatch the whip from Xingxing, and she said angrily, "Eat less for breakfast in the future; you’re too strong!" "I haven’t had breakfast yet," Xingxing replied. Su Jin, "..." As Su Jin weakened, Xingxing took the whip, not looking back, and returned it wherever she fetched it from. Spying Xie Jingchen sitting there looking dejected, even coughing twice, Su Jin handed him a handkerchief with concern, "Are you going to spit blood again?" Xie Jingchen felt his blood surge to his throat, "Are you really planning to anger me to death?" Su Jin blinked and said, "You’re stimulated alive." Xie Jingchen, "...!!!" Lifting a foot, Xie Jingchen walked out; he just couldn’t talk to her. Whenever she spoke, he felt his blood boiling. Su Jin felt her spirits lift. After breakfast, Su Jin and Xie Jingchen went to Qihao Hall to greet the Old Madam, knowing it was Su Jin’s day to return home, the Old Madam said nothing. Princess Nanzhang, however, looked at Xie Jingchen and remarked, "Chenchen doesn’t look well. I think you should stay and rest in the mansion, prioritize your health, and let the Eldest Young Madam return by herself this time; you can accompany her next time." Next time, Xie Jingchen wouldn’t be needed. Su Jin silently said to herself. Xie Jingchen said, "My wife is returning home for the first time; I should accompany her. Didn’t personally fetch her here, and not accompanying her now is inappropriate." The Third Madam said with a smile, "Freshly married, love is like mixing oil with honey; how could they stand to be apart for a moment? Sister-in-law is controlling too much, attracting animosity for nothing." Princess Nanzhang wasn’t annoyed, only saying, "I was scared witless by what happened last time. Chenchen is young and doesn’t know any better. I must say something; when Lord returns and asks, I can’t bear the blame. If you’re determined, I won’t stop you." Xie Jingchen and Su Jin took their leave. But just as they reached the gate of the Duke Mansion, they saw the steward approaching and saying, "Young Master, Eldest Young Madam, you’re just in time; the shop stewards that came to collect debts yesterday are back again." Su Jin frowned. Xingxing then said, "Didn’t we pay them? How dare they come again!" Xingxing stormed towards the gate and then her laughter could be heard. Uncertain what amused her, Su Jin walked over and saw those stewards each sporting a blue left eye, looking extremely battered, clearly beaten by someone. Seeing Xingxing laugh, they glared at her. The shop stewards, seeing Xie Jingchen, complained, "Young Master Xie, you must help us; you repaid the debt for Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, but the Marquis beat us up for disgracing the mansion." The black eyes were the evidence. Xie Jingchen rubbed his forehead. Even with debts cleared, it still led to trouble... Xingxing placed her hands on her hips and said, "Knowing that my family’s Marquis doesn’t like you coming around, you still dared; you were asking for it, weren’t you? Haven’t you heard the saying ’Those who follow the bandit prosper, those who defy the bandit perish’?" Su Jin, "..." So smoothly, so righteously, she couldn’t quite recall how it was originally said. "I advise you to quickly find a place to hide; otherwise, the other eye will turn blue too. If you come again, expect broken arms and legs," Xingxing continued. The stewards were frightened, "You, you’re bullying people too much!" Xingxing said, "The Marquis detests complaints most; only incapable people complain. Not beating you all to pieces is already being lenient. Be content; contentment brings happiness. Our Madam praised your shop for its good wares. When Young Master marries, we’ll frequent your shop." The stewards, "...!!!" Spare them, please! Su Jin, "..." Xie Jingchen, "..." She couldn’t imagine how those stewards, with their black eyes, could find contentment unless they were beaten senseless.

Chapter 20: Contentment

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