Chapter 115: When Enemies Meet, Hatred Burns Brightest

Ning Yaxin had only been staying in Gushan Village for three days when Ning Yongqiang arrived to find her.

Under a large tree outside the house, the siblings spoke in private.

"Sister, when are you going back?" Ning Yongqiang asked.

Ning Yaxin countered, "Has Zhang Zhishen left? I’ll go back once he’s gone."

"Sister," Ning Yongqiang asked, "are you saying that if he doesn't leave, you won't go back?"

Ning Yaxin answered with absolute certainty, "That’s right! If he doesn't leave, I won't either!"

Ning Yongqiang looked distressed. "Sister, aren't you making things difficult for me? Zhang Zhishen asks me about your whereabouts every single day; I'm about to go mad with his pestering."

Ning Yaxin immediately asked, "Yongqiang, you didn't tell him I was here, did you?"

Ning Yongqiang shook his head instantly. "Of course not. How could I betray you? I’m your own brother!"

"That’s more like it," Ning Yaxin replied.

Suddenly, Ning Yongqiang lowered his voice. "But sister, Father has already guessed that you came here."

Ning Yaxin was startled and asked nervously, "How could Father have guessed?"

Ning Yongqiang shook his head. "I don't know, but he did. He told me to come and persuade you to go home soon and not to be so stubborn."

Before he could finish, he added, "But don't worry, Sister, Father didn't tell Master Zhang or Zhang Zhishen that you were here."

Ning Yaxin felt a weight lift off her shoulders and let out a quiet sigh of relief.

After a brief silence, she said, "Yongqiang, do you think I want it to be like this? If Father wasn't constantly trying to pair me up with Zhang Zhishen, I wouldn't have run away here!"

Ning Yongqiang asked curiously, "Sister, if you don't want to marry Zhang Zhishen, then who do you want to marry?"

"I..." Ning Yaxin hesitated, then said, "I don't want to marry anyone. I’m quite happy on my own!"

Ning Yongqiang sighed and shook his head. "To be honest, Sister, it would be a different story if Mr. Xu weren't already married. Looking around Xinzhou County, he’s the only one who truly deserves you."

As soon as the words left his lips, Ning Yaxin’s face burned uncontrollably. "What nonsense are you spouting? What if someone hears you?"

Ning Yongqiang laughed. "Sister, there's no one around, who could hear us? Besides, I was just speaking casually. Why are you getting so worked up?"

Ning Yaxin pointed a finger at him and warned him sternly, "Remember, I don't want to hear such things ever again. Do you hear me?"

"I understand, Sister. I won't say it again," Ning Yongqiang promised hurriedly.

Ning Yaxin kept her face taut. "Yongqiang, when you go back, tell Father that I will not marry into the Zhang family. Please tell them to return to Heyang soon. I will only return home when they leave."

Ning Yongqiang had no intention of arguing; he knew his sister well enough to know that once she made up her mind, no one could change it.

He nodded helplessly. "Alright, Sister, I have nothing more to say. I'm just glad to see you're doing well. I’m heading back now."

Ning Yaxin didn't try to stop him and saw him off to his carriage. Before leaving, Ning Yongqiang greeted Xu Mo and his wife before climbing into the carriage and departing from Gushan Village.

Less than a quarter of an hour after Ning Yongqiang left, the sound of carriage wheels echoed from afar.

Chen Miaoyi and Ning Yaxin were sitting in the courtyard chatting when the noise caught their attention.

"Who else could be coming?" Chen Miaoyi stood up to look toward the road.

Ning Yaxin stood up as well, but the moment she saw the approaching carriage, her expression turned tense.

She immediately ran toward the house, calling out, "Madam Xu, it’s Zhang Zhishen. I need to go inside and hide!"

Chen Miaoyi was startled, then nodded quickly. "Yes, yes, Miss Ning, hurry inside and hide. Don't come out under any circumstances."

As she spoke, Chen Miaoyi followed Ning Yaxin, closing the door behind them as they entered the main hall. Chen Miaoyi then stepped out to the courtyard gate, putting on a casual, unconcerned appearance.

Once inside, Ning Yaxin rushed toward the inner rooms, but accidentally collided with someone, causing her to stumble backward.

Fortunately, the other person reacted quickly, grabbing her waist to steady her.

"Miss Ning, what's wrong? Why are you in such a rush?" The person she had bumped into was Xu Mo.

Ning Yaxin froze, then pulled away as if struck by lightning. She lowered her head, her face and neck flushing a deep, burning red.

Her reaction made Xu Mo feel awkward, and for a moment, the air seemed to turn stagnant.

The sound of the carriage outside drew closer, bringing Ning Yaxin back to reality.

"Young Master Xu, Zhang Zhishen is here. I have to go hide," she said, quickly moving past him toward her room.

Xu Mo looked through the window and saw a strange carriage approaching. Curious, he walked to the door of the room and asked, "Miss Ning, how would Zhang Zhishen know you were here?"

Ning Yaxin frowned. "He must have followed Yongqiang. Why else would he show up right after my brother left?"

Seeing her agitation, Xu Mo comforted her, "It's fine, Miss Ning. I’ll go send him away!"

After Xu Mo left, Ling'er ran in from the back courtyard. "Eldest Miss, I think I saw the Zhang family’s carriage."

Ning Yaxin pulled Ling'er into the room and shut the door. "Stay here. Don't go out."

Ling'er nodded, but then noticed something strange about her mistress. "Eldest Miss, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?"

She touched Ning Yaxin’s cheek and exclaimed, "It’s so hot, Eldest Miss!"

Flustered, Ning Yaxin turned away. "I was just running in a hurry, that’s why..."

...

When Xu Mo stepped out into the courtyard, the Zhang carriage had already stopped nearby.

Chen Miaoyi looked back to see Xu Mo and walked over, looking nervous. "Husband, what should we do?"

"Don't panic," Xu Mo replied. "I'm here."

With that, he strode out of the courtyard gate, stood with his hands behind his back, and held his head high, waiting for Zhang Zhishen to approach.

A moment later, Zhang Zhishen emerged from the carriage. He was clearly in a foul mood; he jumped down and charged toward Xu Mo, his eyes fixed on him with burning hatred.

"Xu Mo, you despicable, shameless villain!" Zhang Zhishen shouted.

Ever since he had been captured and escorted back to Heyang, he had harbored a deep grudge against Xu Mo. Now that his enemy was before him, his eyes were red with fury.

Seeing how large and aggressive Zhang Zhishen appeared, Chen Miaoyi worried for her husband’s safety and hurried out to pull him back into the courtyard.

Xu Mo shook his head firmly. "Wife, I’m no coward!"

He gently pushed her hand away and walked straight toward Zhang Zhishen. "Zhang Zhishen, you are not welcome here. Leave at once!"