Chapter 170: Each Returns to Their Own Room

Blood splatter on the spot?

Gu Xixi instinctively felt a chill on her neck.

But she quickly realized that this remark at this moment had nothing to do with her.

After all, Mu Nan Zhao wanted to erase this 'disgrace' of hers; he had plenty of opportunities in private, so there was really no need to do it in the military camp in front of so many people.

Gu Xixi quietly let out a breath, smiling, said, 'Thanks to you considering the bigger picture, you didn't let the General's blood spill on the spot; should I thank the people of Xi Bei on your behalf?'

Mu Nan Zhao glanced at her and said, 'You actually understand what I'm thinking.'

"Let's go, back to the village."

Just now, Huo Jiang deliberately provoked, saying over and over, 'Bought for a single cash.'

Mu Nan Zhao's killing intent was already stirring; if he didn't quickly pull Gu Xixi away, he feared he might accidentally strike Huo Jiang.

He has always been good at weighing pros and cons; this result, whether short-term or long-term, whether for the greater good or personal interest, is harmful with no benefit.

Moreover, Mu Nan Zhao and Huo Jiang have a deep friendship, so he naturally wouldn't really want to kill him.

As for revenge, there will be plenty of opportunities later; no need to rush.

Dependents Village was utterly quiet everywhere, not a soul in sight.

Everyone had been rushing from midnight until noon today; they must be tired and catching up on sleep at home.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao returned to the small courtyard; He Jinglan was dragging a box out of the house.

She set the box down against the wall, gave Mu Nan Zhao an annoyed look, and said, 'Why did you come?'

Mu Nan Zhao countered, 'You've decided to return to the capital?'

He Jinglan still had no pleasant expression, 'Where I go is none of your business.'

She snorted coldly and muttered to herself, 'Birds of a feather, none of them are good!'

Mu Nan Zhao's mouth twitched, and he helplessly exchanged a glance with Gu Xixi.

"What are you angry at, that you take it out on me?"

He Jinglan simply turned around and snapped, 'Last night you ran into me and Xixi, why didn't you mention Meng Chengping was there too?'

"You deliberately kept it from me!"

Mu Nan Zhao was speechless.

He never liked to explain, and besides, He Jinglan's anger was mainly directed at Meng Chengping.

Why waste more words?

Seeing Mu Nan Zhao's indifferent attitude, Gu Xixi had no choice but to smile and explain:

"Actually, last night was such a critical moment; he might genuinely have forgotten to mention Meng Chengping, not deliberately keeping it from you."

She jabbed him twice in the back from behind, giving him a look, and said, 'You say, right?'

Mu Nan Zhao's eyes flickered, and he reluctantly grunted, 'Yes.'

He Jinglan, however, couldn't let it go.

At noon, in a fit of anger, she rushed back, immediately packed her luggage, vowing to leave at dawn tomorrow and never look back.

Bringing up Meng Chengping now, she not only couldn't stay calm, but the more she spoke, the angrier she got.

"Fine, even if you really forgot to say it, what about Meng Chengping?"

"He took on such a dangerous mission; even if it had to be kept secret and he couldn't tell me, he should at least have come to say goodbye in person."

"When he was playing the hero, did he ever care that I hadn't seen him these past days, how worried I was? I fear he'll get hurt, fear something will happen to him, and I keep telling myself it's fine, not to let my imagination run wild."

He Jinglan finished her tirade with a patter, took a deep breath, and said:

"Anyway, I've made up my mind this time; none of you should try to persuade me on his behalf!"

Mu Nan Zhao waited until she was completely quiet, then said lightly, 'Nobody's trying to persuade you.'

He Jinglan blinked, 'Wasn't it that wooden Meng who sent you?'

Mu Nan Zhao said, 'Huo Jiang said there's nothing going on in the army tonight, and told me to come back to rest.'

"As for Meng Chengping, he didn't say a word to me."

He turned to Gu Xixi and asked, 'Did Meng Chengping ask you to help persuade him?'

Gu Xixi truthfully shook her head.

He Jinglan's face gradually turned ashen, 'Good, he's doing great!'

She sneered, 'It's obvious; he just earned a great merit, surely he's eating well, drinking well, sleeping well.'

"Not so," Gu Xixi said. "He... is unusually calm,"

She sought a more fitting description: 'He's like a calm madman; no matter how the General scolds him, he doesn't care. Then he throws heads on the table, and voluntarily lets the General beat and imprison him.'

"???" He Jinglan frowned in confusion, the corners of her mouth twitching, an expression of disbelief.

Gu Xixi continued calmly, 'Oh, in the end the General still punished him with twenty military strokes.'

"By the time I went out, he had already been carried away; I guess the beating was pretty severe."

"Military strokes? Twenty of them?" He Jinglan exclaimed in shock.

"I've seen that thing hit people; just one or two strikes can split skin and tear flesh."

"To actually strike him twenty times—doesn't General Huo value him highly? How could he bring himself to be so cruel!"

Gu Xixi spread her hands, 'I'm only saying what I know; I didn't personally witness the execution, so I don't know what happened afterward.'

He Jinglan trusted Gu Xixi the most; hearing this, she naturally had no doubts about its truth.

After a while, He Jinglan came to from her daze, looked up, and saw Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao staring at her.

She naturally didn't want her thoughts exposed, and loudly said, 'After all, we're acquaintances; I'm just curious to ask a couple more questions—how is he, what's it to me? Besides, it's not like I caused him to get beaten!'

He Jinglan said this, flicked her sleeves, and returned to her own room.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao looked at each other.

In silence, they both thought the same thing: trying to cover it up only makes it more obvious.

Mu Nan Zhao opened his mouth, "I have something to say to you."

From last night until now she hadn't slept a wink; as soon as it grew quiet, Gu Xixi could barely keep from yawning nonstop.

"You haven't rested these two days, either; if you don't sleep you'll drop dead."

She weakly waved her hand and drifted forward, "Each go back to your own room; if there's anything to say, we'll talk after we wake up."

Mu Nan Zhao stood where he was, watching Gu Xixi deftly close the door with a backhand.

He showed a helpless expression; after a moment, the corner of his mouth twitched into a faint smile, then he turned and walked toward his own room.

When Gu Xixi opened her eyes again, the sky was completely dark, and she still didn't know what time it was.

She felt her throat so dry it seemed to be smoking; she had to give up the idea of continuing to sleep, got up, and went to the kitchen to look for water.

Passing He Jinglan's room, the window was dark.

Gu Xixi thought she might still be asleep, holding the oil lamp, she continued toward the kitchen.

The kitchen was pitch black; Gu Xixi turned sideways, stepping in with one foot, her shoulder brushing the door curtain, just about to extend the oil lamp inside to light it, when she suddenly felt something underfoot.

A long sigh came from below.

Gu Xixi jumped, lifting her leg in fright. "Who?!"

"... Me." Mu Nan Zhao's voice was hoarse and weak.

Gu Xixi recognized his voice, relaxed, and quickly held up the oil lamp to illuminate.

All that could be seen was Mu Nan Zhao sitting on the floor, leaning against the side of the stove.

He wore only a thin, close-fitting inner garment; his face was pallid, his clothing visibly soaked with sweat, which accentuated the smooth, distinct lines of his muscles.

A sickly beauty, when undressed reveals flesh, tempting one to commit crime.

Such a thought inexplicably popped into Gu Xixi's mind.