Chapter 96: Nearly Exterminated

Several people inside the house heard the commotion in the courtyard.

Gu Xixi exchanged a glance with Mu Nan Zhao.

Mu Nan Zhao immediately got up from the kang, and Gu Xixi said to Shitou, "Let's go out and see."

"Stay with Grandfather and don't run around."

Even though Shitou was usually mischievous, he now sensed an unusual atmosphere.

He shifted a little toward Lao Langzhong and nodded silently.

The accumulated snow reflected a bit of brightness into the night.

Four Government Office runners stood in a semicircle scattered across the snow, hands resting on the sabers at their waists.

Seeing this posture, it was clear they intended to prevent anyone coming out of the house from escaping.

Gu Xixi stepped out from under the eaves and faced them directly, asking, "May I ask where you come from and why you are here?"

One Government Office runner produced a token and waved it.

"We come from the County Office because of a series of theft cases, and we have come specially to take Chen Fang to the County Office for questioning!"

"A theft case?" Gu Xixi startled, then asked, "The Qing Tian County Office?"

The speaker grunted, then put the token away.

But at this moment Gu Xixi grew suspicious. She had dealt with the Qing Tian Government Office several times; those Government Office runners occasionally came to the village, yet she had never seen these four before.

Especially since they were all stern, tall and sturdy, appearing well-trained, which contrasted sharply with the varied heights and builds of the usual Qing Tian officials, who were more down-to-earth.

Gu Xixi stepped forward a few more paces and said, "May I have a look at the token?"

The Government Office runner coldly shouted, "Halt!"

As he spoke, the sound of swords being drawn rang out all around.

The other three Government Office runners each pulled their sabers partway out, glaring tigerishly to show intimidation.

Zhang Shen instantly turned pale with fright, exclaiming, "What is going on? You suddenly come to arrest people, even bringing swords…"

The Government Office runner coldly regarded the two women, saying, "The Government Office is conducting business; you, the relatives of suspects, dare to obstruct us—don't blame us for being ruthless!"

Mu Nan Zhao stepped out from the shadow beneath the eaves, the wind and snow lifting his long hair, his appearance peerless.

"You are looking for me; I will go with you."

The Government Office runner frowned as he sized him up, asking, "Are you the Chen Fang who was exiled from elsewhere to the northwest?"

"Exactly." Mu Nan Zhao merely gave a faint glance, and the Government Office runner felt inexplicably diminished in his presence.

The Government Office runner gritted his teeth, strained to straighten his back, and said, "So it's you, hiding behind women—truly a useless weak scholar!"

Mu Nan Zhao smirked, not at all angry, and said, "Aren't you in a hurry to finish your report? Let's go."

The Government Office runner watched him walk past with hands behind his back, composed demeanor, and felt he had suffered great humiliation.

"Bastard! Are you ignoring me!"

He fiercely drew his saber at Mu Nan Zhao's back, but the other three stopped him.

Someone secretly shook his head and whispered, "The mission is paramount."

As the group went out, Gu Xixi ignored Zhang Shen's obstruction and hurried after them, calling, "Wait!"

She coldly glanced at the Government Office runners and said, "Even if convicted and sent to the execution ground, you should allow time for the family to bid farewell."

"You won't be in such a rush, will you?"

This time there was no obstruction.

Gu Xixi waved her hand, signaling Mu Nan Zhao to bend down.

She rose onto her tiptoes, leaned against his shoulder, and wrapped her arms around him, appearing truly like a couple parting.

Gu Xixi whispered in Mu Nan Zhao's ear, "Something's off."

"These people's origins, and the charge they've leveled against you, are rather strange."

Mu Nan Zhao's chin brushed Gu Xixi's cheek, his pose ambiguous. "Did you see that they all have swords?"

"When they drew their swords just now, they truly unleashed killing intent."

The man's clear, pure aura mingled with the snow's chill, cold enough to instantly awaken the senses.

Gu Xixi's eyes suddenly widened, and Mu Nan Zhao gently pushed her away.

"Tonight I must go with them; the innocent will clear themselves."

"Don't be afraid; there are many people at home, all under your protection."

His words were meant both for Gu Xixi to hear and for those nearby to hear.

Gu Xixi stared blankly as Mu Nan Zhao vanished into the wind‑snow night, while Zhang Shen anxiously reached out to support her.

"Xixi, what on earth is happening? Should we go find Lao Qian to discuss it?"

"Must go…"

"Many people at home…"

"What does Mu Nan Zhao's remark mean?"

"Could it be that if she had just exposed those four men, or continued to resist, they would directly exterminate the household?"

Gu Xixi's palms had already broken out in a cold sweat.

Having seen Mu Nan Zhao's skill, she thought taking on four opponents might not be a problem.

Not to mention whether the other side had hidden reinforcements; after Mu Nan Zhao killed these people, what then?

How would the bodies be disposed of? How would the homicide case be resolved?

She certainly couldn't drag the whole family along to follow Mu Nan Zhao into a life on the run, could she?

Moreover, neither Gu Xixi nor Mu Nan Zhao ever aimed to become fugitives.

Thinking this, Gu Xixi turned and hurried back, calling, "Auntie, let's eat."

"Ah?" Zhang Shen couldn't believe it, "Still eating?"

The food was served, and Gu Xixi ate it in big mouthfuls, appearing completely unaffected in her appetite.

By contrast, Zhang Shen, Lao Langzhong, and even little Shitou found the food bland.

Shitou didn't have the adults' worries; he blurted out, "Sister Xixi, Mr. Chen's been arrested—why are we still eating here?"

Gu Xixi said while eating, "An empty stomach is useless; only when full do you have the strength to work."

She said, passing the empty bowl to Zhang Shen, "Auntie, please refill my bowl."

Normally Gu Xixi eats little for dinner, but tonight she ate two bowls of rice and many dishes.

Moreover, she ate extremely fast; while others had barely eaten, she had already put down her chopsticks.

"Auntie, give me a few of the steamed buns you made this morning; no need to heat them—just wrap them in the steamer cloth."

Zhang Shen had no clue what Gu Xixi was up to, merely following her instructions and running around in a daze.

Gu Xixi went back inside, changed into the thickest cotton clothes, and draped a stone-green overcoat.

She brewed herself a pot of strong honey water, poured it into a waterskin, wrapped it in several layers of cloth, and tucked it into her bosom to keep warm.

Then she packed a bundle of steamed buns and a bundle of sugar cubes into the cloth bundle, straightened her overcoat.

Shitou was the first to react, "Sister Xixi, are you going out?"

Gu Xixi solemnly entrusted Shitou, "Well, after I leave, you'll be the youngest man in our family; remember to take good care of Grandpa Langzhong and Grandma Zhang."

"Don't forget to feed Xiao Hua and Lai Fu."

A sense of mission welled up in Shitou's heart; he clenched his small fists and nodded firmly.

"Sure! Leave it all to me! I promise not to hold Sister Xixi back!"

Gu Xixi also told Zhang Shen and Lao Langzhong, "We have enough food and drink at home; besides, there's nothing lately that requires going out, so you guys stay home, keep warm, eat and drink well, and don't worry too much."

Lao Langzhong had been silent until now, then spoke, "You're going to find someone to rescue him?"

Gu Xixi smiled faintly, "There's no choice; this is all we can do."

Disguising as constables, they entered the village with knives, intending to commit murder and silence witnesses.

Only the thought that they would take such a risk could lead Gu Xixi to suspect Mu Nan Zhao's true identity.