As Sima Pingting saw what Jiang Yuanxi was holding, a sudden realization struck her.

A black snake used as a whip.

She recalled how their family’s money had mysteriously disappeared, with the guards inexplicably passing out.

Upon closer inspection, each of them had two bite marks on their bodies, as if something had bitten them.

Now, seeing the black snake in Jiang Yuanxi’s hand, she instantly understood the truth.

Sima Pingting’s eyes burned with intensity. “Jiang Yuanxi, was it your family who stole those sixty thousand taels?!”

So, this Sima Pingting wasn’t entirely clueless after all.

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Jiang Yuanxi’s gaze was clear and innocent, feigning ignorance.

Jiang Yuansheng added, “Miss Sima, please don’t make baseless accusations.”

Sima Pingting gritted her teeth—these two were obviously pretending!

“Return the money, or don’t blame me for taking action!” she threatened.

Jiang Yuanxi was never afraid of threats.

She took a step forward, and Jiang Yuansheng let go of his grip.

“Yuanxi, remember to hit hard. There’s no one around here,” he said casually.

No one?

Great. That meant she could do whatever she wanted.

Sima Pingting recalled the humiliation of having a tortoise drawn on her face last time.

She wouldn’t hold back this time!

As she charged forward, Jiang Yuanxi threw the black snake at her.

Sima Pingting swung her whip, trying to strike the snake away.

However, the agile creature dodged effortlessly and left a deep, bloody wound on her arm.

“You—!” Before Sima Pingting could finish her sentence, she fainted.

Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes lit up with amazement. “How impressive!”

When had Hei Zi (the black snake) learned such strange movements?

Hei Zi flicked its tongue arrogantly as it slithered over.

To avoid its master’s punishments, it had trained itself into a formidable fighter.

And now, the training paid off.

Jiang Yuanxi turned to Jiang Yuansheng. “Brother, come over and beat her up!”

She knew her brother had pent-up anger, and now that Sima Pingting was unconscious, they couldn’t waste such a good opportunity.

Jiang Yuansheng chuckled. He had always known his little sister was the best.

“Yuanxi, you can do it for me,” he said with a smile.

He had never been one to hit women.

[Besides, what if this ugly girl dirties my brother’s hands?]

“Come on, let’s beat her up!” Jiang Yuanxi beckoned to Hei Zi.

Nearby, Xuanwu (the tortoise) crawled over, looking at Jiang Yuanxi expectantly.

Its expression seemed to ask, “Can I join too?”

“You too, turtle! Let’s do this together!”

And so, one girl and two beasts showed no mercy.

Xuanwu and Hei Zi used their claws and tails to slap Sima Pingting’s face relentlessly.

All the grievances they had suffered under Jiang Yuanxi were now being vented out.

Before long, Sima Pingting was beaten beyond recognition.

..

Later, at dinner, one girl and two beasts ate more than usual.

Chun Tao was puzzled. “Madam, our lady’s tortoise sure eats a lot! Three baskets of grass, five baskets of apples, and five baskets of carrots.”

All of them were large baskets, and that was just for one meal.

“I don’t understand how such a small body can hold so much.”

“And the black snake,” Chun Zhi added in disbelief. “Normally, it eats about as much as our lady. But today, it swallowed half a pig!”

She gestured with her hands. “How can a snake, only as thick as our lady’s wrist, eat so much?”

Chen Xinwan smiled gently.

Her daughter was extraordinary, so naturally, the creatures by her side wouldn’t be ordinary either.

“Take good care of them and give them whatever they need,” she instructed.

“Yes, Madam.” The two maids accepted the order.

..

Meanwhile, Jiang Yuanxi held a small stick in her hand.

Xuanwu and Hei Zi lay flat on the ground, occasionally glancing up at their little master.

“Eat, eat, eat! All you know is eating!” Jiang Yuanxi struck the ground with the stick, kicking up dust.

“You ate so much—what if you scared Mother?!” she scolded.

Hei Zi shrank back guiltily, not daring to argue.

Today had been its fullest meal in a long time.

Ever since following Jiang Yuanxi, it had been forced to eat like a human—no more than what its master ate.

These days, it had grown noticeably thinner.

Today, it had gotten carried away and accidentally revealed its true appetite.

And now, it was getting punished.

Xuanwu was even more frustrated.

What’s wrong with eating a few apples and carrots?! Why does the master control everything?!

And I didn’t even get to eat my fill!

No one told me that following Jiang Yuanxi meant starving!

If I had known, I would’ve stayed hidden at the bottom of the lake!

..

Just then, Jiang Yuanwu arrived.

“I heard these two have big appetites?”

“It was an accident,” Jiang Yuanxi quickly explained, glaring at Hei Zi and Xuanwu.

Hei Zi and Xuanwu immediately lay still, not daring to move.

Jiang Yuanwu chuckled. “If they eat a lot, let them eat. Our family has plenty of money—we can afford to feed them.”

Hei Zi and Xuanwu looked at him with gratitude.

Jiang Yuanxi hesitated. “Brother, you’re not afraid of them?”

Jiang Yuanwu glanced at them. “Not really.”

Of course, he was a little wary. These two were clearly not ordinary creatures. But with his sister around, they wouldn’t dare misbehave.

Besides, after spending so much time together, he had grown attached to them.

“I heard that some useless guy from the southern part of the city can eat a whole pig in just three bites. A big appetite is nothing unusual.”

Three bites, one whole pig?!

Jiang Yuanxi was shocked.

That’s amazing!

Compared to that, these two were much cheaper to feed.

She glanced at Hei Zi and Xuanwu, who both grinned at her.

Jiang Yuanwu raised an eyebrow.

The creatures raised by his sister were truly extraordinary—intelligent and human-like.

But when these two toothless beings smiled, it did look quite creepy.

It was kind of scary.

Jiang Yuanxi smacked them with her stick. “Close your mouths! You look hideous!”

Jiang Yuanwu carried Jiang Yuanxi into the house.

“Mother, there’s war at the border. His Majesty wants to send me there.”

Chen Xinwan’s eyes filled with worry. “When do you leave?”

“In half a month.”

“The Xiongnu are aggressive this time. Father and I both have to go.”

Chen Xinwan’s hands trembled as she tried to keep calm.

Jiang Yuanwu noticed her distress but said nothing.

His father had sent him to deliver the news so their mother could prepare herself.

[War!]

Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes widened.

Thinking back to her past life, this was the moment when her father led an army, striking directly at the Xiongnu royal court.

Jiang Fengyuan, who had been standing outside for a long time, entered.

“Xin Niang,” he said softly.

Chen Xinwan didn’t dare look up, afraid her husband would see the tears in her eyes.

She lowered her head and continued sewing.

“We still have half a month. I’ll have everything prepared for you and Yuanwu.”

[Father is amazing—a true hero of war!]

[Father will definitely win this battle! And without Duke An interfering this time, he’ll return safely!]

Hearing this, the heavy atmosphere lightened a bit.

Chen Xinwan smiled faintly.

Jiang Fengyuan chuckled. “Don’t worry, my love. I’ll bring back treasures from the Xiongnu royal court just for you.”

Just then, Chun Zhi entered.

“Madam, the Empress has sent an invitation for a flower-viewing banquet in three days. All the noble sons and daughters must attend.”

Chen Xinwan raised her head. “A matchmaking event?”

[Princess? That means Mo Yuting—my second sister-in-law!]