Chapter 179

Gu Xixi followed Shitou to the front courtyard, "Master Liu, where are you?"

Shitou pointed ahead, "He's waiting right outside the gate."

"Granny Zhang greeted him and invited him in for tea, but he said he had to go back to prepare lessons, so he didn't want to disturb us. He only came to see Sister Xixi, give a quick update, and then left."

Front courtyard, He Jinglan was already tired from playing, and she and An Qinghe curiously peered toward the outside of the gate.

Seeing Gu Xixi approach, An Qinghe said admiringly, "Xixi, your prestige in this village is truly extraordinary."

"Even the newly arrived schoolmaster has to come greet you."

"I wish I could be like you one day at the Seedling Merchants Association."

Gu Xixi broke into a cold sweat, thinking, "Somebody just sent lackeys to the door—what's there to admire?!"

She came out from Lao Langzhong, regained her composure, and already had a rough idea of what was going on.

Nowadays Xi Bei has been turned into an ironclad fortress by Huo Jiang and Mu Nan Zhao working together.

To be able to enter Huachi Du Cun openly carrying Chen Fang's handwritten letter, then openly become a tutor, and still be alive to this day—

could only be someone with a close relationship to Mu Nan Zhao.

He came calling at night, even specially using the name "Chen Fang," perhaps to convey something.

Gu Xixi glanced at He Jinglan.

He Jinglan immediately understood, "Shitou, you didn't say you had a kaleidoscope that's especially pretty, did you?"

"Can I borrow it to play with?"

Shitou blinked in confusion, then nodded, "If Sister Jing Lan wants to play, of course."

He Jinglan took Shitou's little hand and walked toward the main hall, "Then teach me how to play."

She didn't forget to drag An Qinghe along as well, "You come too."

An Qinghe tried to protest, "Hey, it's too dark out, I still need to keep Xixi company!"

He Jinglan said while walking, "There's nothing dangerous at the gate."

She gave An Qinghe another glare, lowering her voice to threaten, "Xixi doesn't like guys who cling too much."

"Especially when discussing important matters, it's none of your business—you just cause trouble hanging around."

An Qinghe froze, thinking that actually made a lot of sense.

He, lost in thought, let He Jinglan pull him along…

Gu Xixi stepped over the threshold.

The man holding a lantern outside was facing her family's courtyard, lost in thought, unknown what he was looking at.

The man wore a half-new, half-old indigo-blue long robe; although his features were ordinary, his refined bearing was impossible to ignore.

A hint of wind and frost tinged his brow and eyes, making him look not young, at least around forty.

Gu Xixi also turned back to look at her own home, "Master Liu? What are you looking at, so engrossed?"

Master Liu's eyes turned to Gu Xixi, a gentle, refined smile on his lips, "Boss Gu's household is full of relatives and friends, so lively—it's enviable."

Gu Xixi smiled.

Knowing that Master Liu was actually a person of Mu Nan Zhao, even the title "Master Liu" was false,

she naturally wouldn't have a very good attitude.

"When the village school was first built, our family indeed contributed, so it's only proper for you to greet me."

"You've seen me, and there's no one else around; if he has any message for you, you might as well say it straight."

Master Liu blinked slightly, then his smile deepened.

"Indeed, as Chen Fang said, Boss Gu is a heroine among women."

Gu Xixi said, "I'm just a villager who farms; don't put a high hat on me."

She spoke bluntly, and Master Liu's expression showed a hint of helplessness.

He cautiously looked around and said, "At most a month or so, and the war with Beili will be over."

"Not long after that, the outside might fall into chaos for a while."

"The specifics… I'm sorry, I don't know the details, so I can't elaborate."

Gu Xixi nodded, "Then what else do you know? What did he say he wants me to do?"

Master Liu said, "Before the end of the month, stock up on food and supplies at home; after the border war ends, try to minimize the family's outings."

"Although Xi Bei will be the safest place in the future, outside affairs are unlikely to affect our village."

"But it's hard to guarantee that after chaos erupts there won't be gaps or loopholes."

"However, you don't need to worry too much; just in case, I brought some personnel with me when I entered the village."

Gu Xixi immediately looked around.

Master Liu laughed, "They're all scattered and hidden; some are even in nearby villages, so you can't see them now."

Gu Xixi found the existence of ancient Shadow Guards truly puzzling, and she didn't want to waste her brainpower on it.

She pondered for a moment, then suddenly lifted her gaze, her eyes sharp as she fixed on Master Liu.

"When the time comes, Mu Nan Zhao will step into the open, letting the world and those who once harmed him know he's not dead—he's coming back, right?"

Master Liu's eyes flickered, "According to what I know, if everything goes smoothly…"

Gu Xixi burst out laughing in anger, "Well, I said he specially sent people to protect him."

"His enemies, knowing he's alive, should easily be able to find out where he's been hiding this past year."

"Those people can't catch him, and they wouldn't dare move against the great Mu clan."

"And then I, this unfortunate tool who spent only a single cash coin, am bound to be mistaken as having a close relationship with him."

She curled her lips, her smile blooming like a flower, "Master Liu, do you think I'll end up being seized by my whole family as a hostage, or just killed outright to vent their anger?"

Master Liu dared not meet Gu Xixi's gaze, "Boss Gu, the situation is as such."

Please believe that if anything happens, we will do everything we can to protect your whole family and get you out.

Gu Xixi lowered her voice, "Leave? So his casual remark means all I've done here is for nothing? On what basis!"

She was filled with anger and helplessness.

As before, Mu Nan Zhao had left her banknotes, and it's still the same.

Here, as long as the upper‑class nobles shift their stance, the fate of ordinary people can be played with at will.

And Gu Xixi's own fate has so far not escaped Mu Nan Zhao's grasp.

Gu Xixi gradually calmed, looked at Master Liu, and said, "I know you're just passing on orders; I'm not angry at you, please understand."

Master Liu sighed, "I understand."

"But Boss Gu is so clever; only when one realizes that in today's world, great chaos brings great order."

Gu Xixi said, "I never said the path he chose is wrong."

"I just resent that I've never been able to be my own master."

At parting, Gu Xixi asked again, "If I become a hostage, will he spare no expense to save me?"

Master Liu's face showed difficulty, "This… I can't say either."

Gu Xixi smiled, "You are an honest, good person."

With such heavy news, Gu Xixi plans to keep it to herself for now.

Anyway, if we look on the bright side, the sky might fall, but it's not certain it will.

Gu Xixi returned to the rear courtyard.

Lao Langzhong had finished making the pills, filling a whole box.

"When there's a chance later, I'll bring them over for them."

Gu Xixi replied, walked over, and said, "Master, calm down; if you want to hit or scold, don't hold back."

Lao Langzhong sighed, "Forget it, human life is paramount; in emergencies we must adapt."

"First, tell me what the situation was back then."