“What in the world?!” All eyes followed the maid’s trembling finger. There, just as she’d said, was a venomous snake, hissing as its forked tongue darted in and out of its mouth. This was no ordinary snake. Its head was massive, its hood flared, and it was poised to strike at any moment. The maids, frozen in terror, scrambled back. “Run! Get out of here!” they shrieked, stumbling over one another in their rush for the door. Just then, Situ Hai and Mu Xinyue rushed onto the scene. At the sight, Situ Hai instinctively recoiled, taking two steps back himself. He didn't dare approach. Mu Xinyue’s face was a mask of fury, her voice trembling. “What is going on? A snake? How could she have been bitten?! Don’t just stand there, you idiots! Kill it! Kill that thing now!” The maids exchanged terrified glances, but not a single one moved. Go up against a cobra that was so obviously venomous? They had to be kidding. The only one whose expression was a kaleidoscope of horror and confusion was the nanny, who had just arrived. *Isn't that the snake I put in Mu Xia's room?* she thought, her blood running cold. *What is it doing out here?* Her legs had trembled just carrying the transparent box it was in; now, seeing it loose, she was utterly paralyzed by fear. She knew better than anyone just how lethal its venom was. If Situ Qingshan didn't get the antivenom within an hour, she was dead. And the worst part was, she couldn't tell a soul. When no one moved, Mu Xinyue turned on Situ Hai, grabbing his arm. “Husband! Go on, kill that snake!” But how could Situ Hai possibly dare? And yet, in front of so many people, he couldn't bear to lose his authority as the head of the family… If word got out that his daughter had been bitten by a snake and he was too scared to do anything, where would he hide his face? He cursed the useless, cowardly servants, and he cursed Mu Xinyue for putting him on the spot. If it weren’t for them, he wouldn't be caught in this impossible situation. Steeling himself, Situ Hai grabbed a broom and was about to step forward when a clear, questioning voice cut through the tension. “Daddy, what are you all doing up so late?” Situ Hai turned to see Mu Xia in her pajamas, her hair a mess and her eyes heavy with sleep, looking as if she’d just woken up. He felt a flush of embarrassment. “A snake got into the room. Your sister was bitten and fainted. I have to go…” “You can’t!” The sleepiness vanished from Mu Xia’s eyes in an instant. She grabbed Situ Hai’s arm. “That’s too dangerous! Daddy, you can’t go over there!” Hearing this, a rage ignited in Mu Xinyue. She raised her right hand and swung it hard across Mu Xia’s face. Mu Xia could have easily dodged the blow, but after a split-second hesitation, she chose not to. A sharp *smack* echoed through the room as the slap landed squarely on Mu Xia’s cheek. *Perfect.* Five distinct red finger marks instantly bloomed on Mu Xia's pale, delicate skin, the area already beginning to swell. Mu Xinyue’s slap was followed by a torrent of abuse. “You little bitch! You just want your sister to die, don't you?! You vicious, cold-hearted girl, get out of my sight! Butler! Throw her out right now!” The butler standing nearby was torn, not knowing whether to obey or not. He could only look to Situ Hai for direction. Before Situ Hai could speak, Mu Xia blinked, and tears streamed down her face. Her voice was thick with anguish. “Daddy, I was just worried about you. You’re the head of this family. If something happened to you, what would we do? I only just found you… I don’t want to lose the person I love most!” Her words struck a deep chord in Situ Hai’s heart. *That’s right,* he thought. *I am the head of this family. This entire household depends on me.* If something happened to him, wouldn't the family fall apart? As he’d thought, his precious daughter was the only one who truly understood him. Situ Hai’s brow furrowed as he glared at Mu Xinyue. “What is wrong with you, hitting her like that? She was only worried about my safety!” “But she obviously wants Qingshan to—” “Auntie!” Mu Xia cut Mu Xinyue off. “If you insist on thinking the worst of me, then fine. I’ll prove to you that I don’t want anything to happen to my sister!” With that, Mu Xia took the broom from Situ Hai’s hands and marched fearlessly toward the snake. “Miss, be careful! That snake is deadly!” a kind-hearted maid called out, unable to watch in silence. Even Situ Hai hesitated. Right now, Mu Xia was a far more valuable daughter to him than Situ Qingshan was. “My dear, don’t go!” Situ Hai tried to stop her, but Mu Xia shook off his hand and continued toward the snake. The cobra, clearly agitated, lunged as Mu Xia approached. Mu Xia “narrowly” dodged the snake’s lunge, spinning around and swatting its tail with the broom. The snake grew even more furious, its hissing growing louder, more menacing. “Hssss… hsssss…” Everyone was too terrified to move, either frozen in place or cowering in the distance. Only Mu Xia stood in the vast room, locked in a battle with the cobra. To the onlookers, Mu Xia was a warrior. An unbelievably brave warrior. Finally, after a grueling ten minutes, Mu Xia managed to pin the snake’s head down, looking exhausted and disheveled from the “struggle.” “Scissors! Or a knife, anything!” “I have one!” A braver servant approached and handed her a small fruit knife. Mu Xia snatched it, squeezed her eyes shut as if terrified but forcing herself to act, and sawed through the snake’s neck. The fearsome cobra was decapitated, its body twitching before falling still. Only then did Situ Hai dare to approach, his voice filled with concern. “My child! Are you alright?” Mu Xia, looking pale and shaken, rushed into his arms. “Daddy! I was so scared…” “My sweet girl, don’t be afraid. It’s over now. The snake is dead.” “As long as you’re here, I’m not scared… Daddy, don’t worry about me. You need to get sister to the hospital…” Mu Xia looked up, her expression a heart-wrenching mix of vulnerability and steely resolve. Situ Hai’s heart simply melted. To have a daughter like this… he was truly blessed. Then he saw the angry red mark on her cheek, and a fire ignited in his chest. He shot a furious glare at Mu Xinyue. “Look what you’ve done! She was willing to risk her life to save Qingshan, and you still have the audacity to think she wishes her harm?” “I…” “You can’t even tell right from wrong. I don’t think you’re fit to manage this household anymore. From now on, I will handle all the family finances myself!” The color drained from Mu Xinyue’s face. “Husband, I was just…” Mu Xinyue scrambled to defend herself, but Situ Hai cut her off. “Quiet! I don’t want to hear it! Starting today, you will go to your room and reflect on what you’ve done. You are not to come out until you’ve understood your mistake!” Just then, a servant entered. “Master, the ambulance is here.”