Chapter 320

Mu Nan Zhao and An Qinghe exchanged glances.

An Qinghe gave a provocative smile.

Mu Nan Zhao gave a faint cold smile.

In terms of aura, neither would yield an inch.

An Qinghe: "When you were in Flower Pool Ford Village, Zhang Shen, Old Jiang, Gu Xixi, Shitou, and I—who had wronged you? Yet you kept hiding things repeatedly."

"Everyone's gone, and you didn't leave a single true word—how can you face them?"

Mu Nan Zhao: "To be honest, I'm a bit envious of you—your life is all black and white, your mind so clear."

An Qinghe: "You just want to call me stupid, don't you? Even if I'm stupid, I'm still better than you, deceiving even those closest to you."

"For power you'd do anything—who knows when you'll turn and bite those around you?"

Mu Nan Zhao: "You're overthinking—Gu Xixi already knows who I am. It's you who should consider whether you're being sentimental, thinking those close to you are on your side, but others may not see it that way."

An Qinghe: "Don't try to drive a wedge between me and Gu Xixi—she didn't tell us about you, either because your past identity was shameful, or because she had an agreement with you beforehand and, out of principle, could only keep it secret for you."

"All of Gu Xixi's production formulas to date have been entrusted to me—have you ever had such trust?"

"Besides, Gu Xixi and I came to the capital, and on the way we never even mentioned the Regent Prince—clearly we had no intention of meeting."

Mu Nan Zhao's calm expression finally showed a crack.

He picked up the tea cup and drank the cold tea in one gulp, forcibly suppressing the killing intent in his eyes.

When Mu Nan Zhao lifted his gaze again and looked directly opposite, his expression had returned to its usual aloof coolness.

He said with a hint of mockery, "I also heard just now that Boss Gu wants to avoid me."

Gu Xixi ate her porridge with a straight face, fully aware that Mu Nan Zhao would eventually point at her.

She met his gaze without surprise, "Yeah, right—I had wanted to avoid you, best not to meet, but I never expected we'd still run into each other."

"The commoner girl has troubled the Regent Prince, I'm truly sorry."

Gu Xixi lowered her head slightly in a symbolic gesture and continued eating her meal.

He Jinglan stared in shock.

"In the past we always thought Mu Nan Zhao's sarcastic tone was unmatched, but now it seems Gu Xixi has been poisoned too long, surpassing her teacher?"

"Of course, An Qinghe's performance just now was also eye‑opening—madly stomping on the minefield, making one worry a bloodbath might erupt on the spot……"

He Jinglan instinctively turned her head, wanting to share a silent exchange with her brother to enjoy the spectacle.

But she saw He Jinghui staring oddly at An Qinghe, paying no attention to anyone else, unknown what he was thinking.

He Jinglan turned back helplessly, silently shaking her head.

"Tonight every single one of them is abnormal!"

Next, Mu Nan Zhao fixed his gaze on Gu Xixi and asked bluntly, "When did I ever say you were trouble?"

"Abandoning old ties, avoiding you at all costs—was never me."

"Why, Boss Gu, must you turn the tables like this?"

Gu Xixi fell silent; she had already drunk the broth dry from that bowl of porridge.

She set down her utensils and said solemnly to Mu Nan Zhao, "The commoner girl's earlier words were improper."

"One should be grateful for the Regent Prince's deep affection and righteousness, not forgetting those he knew in humble times."

"First, the commoner girl knows her own limits—borrowing the prince's power to act mighty would not be believed by others."

"Second, why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken? The Regent Prince's connections are not to be squandered by the commoner girl; they must be hoarded carefully."

She paused, her expression somewhat troubled, her eyes honest: "At least for now… there really isn't any urgent matter that needs to be taken to the prince. But later… who knows."

Mu Nan Zhao's handsome face finally flushed with anger: "Gu Xixi!"

"So you only come see me when you face a life‑or‑death crisis and have nowhere else to turn?!"

Gu Xixi nodded: "The Regent Prince handles state affairs; if I came to you over my family's shed being blown over by the wind, that would be a laughingstock if it got out."

Mu Nan Zhao's face turned ashen.

"Others can't tell, but he sees clearly—Gu Xixi is doing this on purpose!"

"But he knows even better that everything Gu Xixi said comes from her heart."

"Looking back, it seems only a matter of life and death would force her to lower her head."

"And when there's no need for her to bow, she wouldn't even utter a word to placate him."

"All of it, nothing but damned honest truths!"

Mu Nan Zhao drew a deep breath without a trace, calming himself: "The woman you picked up—do you want her to live, or do you want her to win her lawsuit?"

Gu Xixi said earnestly, "Must justice and life be mutually exclusive?"

"The commoner girl doesn't dare ask, but may I ask the Regent Prince: do you think Lv Jing should merely survive on her own, or should she fight to the death to win justice for her family, so the countless evildoers meet swift justice?"

Mu Nan Zhao gazed at her, a helpless smile flickering in his eyes.

"If I chose the former, you'd say I'm occupying a position without merit, unworthy of my high post, deserving to be drowned in the spit of the masses."

Gu Xixi lowered her eyes, "The commoner girl dare not."

Mu Nan Zhao displeased: "Can you stop calling yourself 'commoner girl' and adding to my annoyance?"

Since you've already seen the true self, Gu Xixi has a request; naturally she complies: "Prince, I can."

Mu Nan Zhao fumed: "Don't call me Prince!"

Gu Xixi glanced aside, "... Sir? Young master?"

"Or... Mister?"

Mu Nan Zhao nearly choked: "How did you used to address me before—can't you just keep doing that now?"

Gu Xixi looked at him, "Chen Fang? But that's false."

Mu Nan Zhao gritted his teeth: "In the past, with no one else around, you always called me by my full name, Mu Nan Zhao—what's wrong now? Amnesia or just not daring?!!"

He Jinglan hurriedly stood up to smooth things over, "Hey hey hey, what are you shouting for? Speak properly, don't get worked up!"

Even if it were someone else, it would be hard not to get excited.

An Qinghe gloated, "Would the Regent Prince really shout at people like that?"

"I thought you could keep your composure all the time."

An Qinghe had been listening quietly just now and didn't interject again.

Because of Lv Jing's matter, he knew he couldn't help much; since Gu Xixi had decided to take the opportunity to ask Mu Nan Zhao for help, he wouldn't cause her trouble.

Mu Nan Zhao jumped to his feet, glaring at An Qinghe, "Even if I stay calm, it's not for you to watch!"

"Keep nagging and see if I don't give you a show!"

An Qinghe stepped forward provocatively, "Oh, you wouldn't actually want to hit me, would you? Come on, who knows who'll win?"

The Regent Prince was never a genteel person; once his mask is broken, at least tonight it won't be mended.

As the host, He Jinglan could only try to mediate both sides, although inside she was shouting "Fight! Fight!", she still had to go through the motions on the surface.

At that moment, He Jinghui, who had been unnoticed all evening, suddenly lunged forward.

He slammed both hands on the table with a bang, his eyes bloodshot as he roared at An Qinghe, "What are you arguing with him about? It's not my sister he likes!"