Chapter 181: A Blow from Behind

Zhang Shen paced at the gate, and upon seeing Gu Xixi she rushed over, lowering her voice nervously.

"Xixi! It seems thieves have broken into our house!"

Gu Xixi startled, "Thieves?"

She had actually been waiting to catch a thief, but in broad daylight? Who in the village would be so brazen?

Zhang Shen nodded, "This morning, just after you left, your master was summoned for a house call, and Xiao An also went out—he said he was going to the county town to see what saplings are for sale this season."

"So besides me, there's no one else at home."

"But just now I came out to pour out dirty water, and as soon as I entered the courtyard I heard movement in the west room."

"You only just told me the other day that Xiao Chen had been pardoned by the Imperial Court, that he could hardly return home to visit his parents, and that he wouldn't be back for at least half a year."

"I figured it must be bandits breaking in; I couldn't handle it alone, so I hurriedly retreated."

Gu Xixi pondered, "You did the right thing—there's no need to risk your life in a head‑on clash."

Zhang Shen said, "No one has come out yet; I'll keep watch here—you go find help to catch the thief!"

"No need." Gu Xixi's tone was unusually calm.

She lifted her head and looked around, not knowing what she was looking for.

Then her eyes turned cold, she rolled up her sleeves, and walked toward her own gate, saying, "In broad daylight, evil does not triumph over good—I'll take on this little thief myself!"

Zhang Shen gasped, "Ah! Don't go! It's dangerous!"

However, Gu Xixi's steps were swift, her back resolute; Zhang Shen had no choice but to follow her into the courtyard.

Gu Xixi casually picked up the hoe leaning by the door and headed straight for the west room.

Zhang Shen slapped her thigh with a mournful face, thinking, "Good heavens, this isn't catching a thief—this posture is clearly a fight to the death!"

She also grabbed an iron spade and gave chase.

Even if it comes to a fight, she should be the one blocking in front of Xixi!

The west room door wasn't locked; Gu Xixi kicked it open with a bang and swung her stick at the flashing shadow inside.

"You dare steal things!"

"No good! Breaking into an empty house in broad daylight!"

She cursed, then brought down a blow.

The person struck, caught off guard, took three hits and then suddenly grabbed the hoe's handle.

"Gu Xixi! Open your eyes and see clearly!!"

The man's voice was through gritted teeth.

Zhang Shen's iron spade fell to the ground, "Xiao Chen?!"

Gu Xixi also loosened her grip on the hoe, as if just regaining her sight, "Oh, I thought thieves had entered; as a weak woman I had to strike first. I didn't see it was you—I'm truly sorry."

That apology sounded obviously insincere.

Zhang Shen felt a bit embarrassed, "So it's Xiao Chen who's come back."

"I heard Xixi say you went back to your hometown to visit your parents."

"It's rare for you to return home—why not stay a few more days? Why come back so soon?"

"Return to my hometown, visit my father and mother?" Mu Nan Zhao ground his back teeth, turned his head to look at Gu Xixi.

"I see."

Zhang Shen felt pity for her prospective son‑in‑law and stepped forward to examine him closely.

One could see that Gu Xixi had used all her strength when swinging the hoe; Mu Nan Zhao's forehead bore a bruised stick mark.

"Xiao Chen, this wound… is it alright?"

Zhang Shen herself felt that saying that lacked confidence, so she gave an embarrassed laugh and tried to cover:

"Xixi didn't mean it—don't blame her, blame me; I didn't see clearly and overreacted!"

Mu Nan Zhao smiled, "It's fine, just a bruise; it'll fade in a few days without any treatment."

"Good thing it's me and not a thief—I'm glad you're all safe."

Zhang Shen was greatly relieved, "You must be hungry after coming back; Auntie will fix you something to eat."

Mu Nan Zhao replied with a smile, "All right, I've been missing Auntie's cooking."

Zhang Shen's mood lifted greatly, and she hurried off like a gust of wind.

Gu Xixi followed closely behind, but was blocked by Mu Nan Zhao's outstretched arm.

In fact, he still had injuries in places unseen.

The back of his neck and his back each took a blow, and they still burn with pain.

Seeing she couldn't dodge, Gu Xixi simply lifted her head to look at him and asked, "Anything?"

Mu Nan Zhao saw her expression and couldn't help but start.

"How is she not afraid?"

At this moment, her eyes no longer held the former false, fawning smile.

Only a kind of calm madness remained—unafraid even if the heavens fell.

Mu Nan Zhao collected himself and asked, "Why did you say that to Zhang Shen?"

"May I ask, which hometown am I returning to, and whose parents am I visiting?"

Mu Nan Zhao's parents had died early, so after entering officialdom he left the main Mu household and established a separate residence.

Thus, when he fell into disaster and fled, the Mu clan, relying on the resources of a great aristocratic family, avoided implication and was preserved.

Gu Xixi said, "You clearly know I'm lying—what's there to ask?"

Mu Nan Zhao choked, then lost his temper, "Then why did you also say I wouldn't be back for half a year?"

Gu Xixi lifted her chin, stared at him, "I've met Master Liu—oh, he must have told you too—why do you still not know it yourself?"

The two stared at each other, and the only sound left in the room was their faint breathing.

Gu Xixi sneered, "Do you still need me to explain clearly? Fine."

"With the war against North Separation over, your big event is imminent, and you've already arranged everything here ahead of time—clearly you don't intend to come back."

She saw Mu Nan Zhao's eyes shift slightly, knowing she had hit the mark, and her mocking tone grew stronger.

"Shouldn't I be asking you why you suddenly ran back?"

"Your time is precious now; surely you wouldn't waste it just to fetch two pieces of clothing?"

Mu Nan Zhao stared fixedly at Gu Xixi, his face turning slightly green, as if he were furious.

After a moment of deadlock, he gritted his teeth and said, "If I say it's for you, you'll probably find it laughable."

Gu Xixi indeed let out a light laugh, even bending forward and backward from laughing.

Then, looking at Mu Nan Zhao's dark face, she said, "You're a born power‑minister; this sort of 'loves beauties, not the realm' persona doesn't suit you."

"Besides, I'm not some beauty who could overthrow kingdoms."

Gu Xixi's heart no longer harbored the fear it once did.

Since her fate and future are still inseparable from Mu Nan Zhao's influence, having realized this, what does she have left to fear?

In the end, everyone dies—early or late, it's all the same; no matter the outcome, it's just a matter of blocking the enemy's advance.

Mu Nan Zhao looked at Gu Xixi's radiant smile, his mood utterly terrible.

Not long ago, he was still unhappy because he feared she would be upset about this matter.

But now she isn't afraid, yet he feels the distance between them growing ever greater.

"Gu Xixi, sometimes I really want to split open your chest to see if you have no heart."

Gu Xixi stepped forward, "Then why don't you give it a try?"

"But you wouldn't do that—just to glance at my heart would ruin your important affairs, not worth it."

Having said that, she laughed and walked around Mu Nan Zhao, about to leave.

"Xixi! I'm back—look what I bought you!"

An Qinghe's voice came running from afar into the courtyard.

Mu Nan Zhao's gaze turned sharp as a blade, shooting toward Gu Xixi.

"No wonder you were in a hurry to chase me away—turns out a new person has already moved in."