Chapter 117: The Key

Upon receiving the news, Jiang Biwu hurried from his home to the Liang residence. Throughout the journey, he remained in a state of disbelief: Could Liang Xiao truly have stepped forward to confront Zhang Zhongheng? It seemed entirely impossible!

Given Liang Xiao’s past temperament, he had always disdained such unreasonable provocations. Had the sun risen from the west today? To think he would actually stand out in public and trade insults with Zhang Zhongheng? Half-doubting, Jiang Biwu only truly believed it when he arrived at the Liang family gates.

After catching his breath to steady his racing heart, he pushed through the crowd. He arrived just in time to hear Zhang Zhongheng pressing Liang Xiao to admit that he had defiled Xu Ruojin’s honor.

"I will say no more. Just give a nod, and I shall leave immediately. Liang Xiao, you are a man who has traversed the battlefield and stared death in the face; you have always been one to take responsibility for your actions. I never expected that today, you would be too cowardly to admit to such a thing. To call you a 'hero' is simply laughable!"

"This matter is not for you to demand an explanation for, and Xu Ruojin has yet to enter the doors of the Zhang family." After saying this, Liang Xiao looked at Jiang Biwu, who had squeezed through the crowd. His voice remained flat. "You’ve come."

Jiang Biwu nodded and turned toward Zhang Zhongheng. "Leave at once. What is the meaning of this scene?"

"So, you’ve brought reinforcements." Zhang Zhongheng’s mockery was directed straight at Liang Xiao. "Though she has not yet crossed the threshold of the Zhang family and is not yet one of us, I am a man of good conscience who cannot stand by and see injustice. Even if it were a commoner being bullied, I would still step forward to speak up. Do not think you can brush this aside; I must have a resolution today."

"You are not worthy." Liang Xiao’s voice was deep and resonant. "Since you claim to be the champion of Miss Xu, why not bring her forward? She has not come out to accuse me, yet you are here, baring your fangs and claws to blow this matter out of proportion. It matters little to me as a man, but Miss Xu’s reputation is being destroyed by your 'justice.'"

"You truly are full of good intentions." Stung by the truth, Zhang Zhongheng was left speechless. Catching a glimpse of the surrounding crowd, he noticed the skeptical looks and heard the whispers growing against him.

Jiang Biwu frowned deeply and leaned into Liang Xiao’s ear. "Why bother stooping to his level? It would be best to leave."

"I have my own plan." Liang Xiao looked at Jiang Biwu. "Help me with one thing."

"What is it?" Jiang Biwu leaned in closer.

Liang Xiao said nothing, but gestured for Jiang Biwu to open his hand. He wrote two words on his palm. Jiang Biwu was visibly shocked. Liang Xiao nodded, and after a moment of hesitation, Jiang Biwu nodded back, entered the Liang estate, and departed through a side gate.

Zhang Zhongheng immediately summoned his attendant. "Find someone to follow Jiang Biwu and see what he is up to."

"Yes, master. I shall go at once."

While the clamor outside reached a fever pitch, Xu Yaohui had invited Yan Hongwen to his study to discuss the matter. Ultimately, the target of this affair was Xu Ruojin. Yan Hongwen was there to back the Xu family, but Xu Yaohui’s desperate search for his assistance only fueled Yan’s hidden irritation. He had come here leisurely, feeling as though everything was under his control. The Zhang family had offered an apology and sent Zhang Zhongliang to accompany him, appearing so sincere, yet Zhang Zhongheng’s actions felt like a slap to his own face. He felt utterly humiliated.

He had indeed discussed how to deal with Liang Xiao with the Zhang brothers. Zhang Zhongliang had once asked him to have Xu Ruojin come forward, but after meeting her, Yan Hongwen had dismissed the idea, telling Zhang Zhongheng to decide for himself, as Xu Ruojin would not appear. He had never expected Zhang Zhongheng to dare to confront Liang Xiao in the name of her fiancé. By forcing Liang Xiao to admit to the defilement in front of the public, Zhang was not just attacking Liang—he was mocking and humiliating Yan himself.

If Xu Ruojin were driven to her death, Zhang Zhongheng could simply shrug his shoulders and claim he was only following the plan to bring down Liang Xiao. And he, the young master of the Yan family, would be the one who failed to protect the bride-to-be for the Zhang family. The culprit would become him! It was clear that Zhang Zhongheng was not submissive at all; he was issuing a challenge to Yan Hongwen. He refused to believe he could not handle a brat from the Zhang family!

Seeing Yan Hongwen’s furious expression, Xu Yaohui could not remain calm. "This matter is entirely due to Zhang Zhongheng’s recklessness. But after this, Ruojin will likely never be able to show her face in public again. This marriage... alas!"

"Secretary Xu, are you sighing because you resent my father for acting as the matchmaker?" Yan Hongwen, accustomed to dealing with high-ranking officials in the capital, felt nothing but disdain for a minor ninth-rank official like Xu Yaohui.

"No, no, how could I have any ill will toward Magistrate Yan?" Xu Yaohui said with a bitter expression. "It is just that the more the Xu family gets involved, the worse this will become. I only ask that Young Master Yan take charge for Ruojin’s sake!"

"Hmph!" Yan Hongwen knew Xu Yaohui was afraid he would wash his hands of the matter. He had no intention of doing so—to abandon it now would be cowardly. "I will not let this go; put your mind at ease, Secretary Xu." Yan looked at him. "However, if you want me to handle it, I have a suggestion."

"What is it?"

"Ask Miss Ruojin herself how she wants to handle this."

"This..." Xu Yaohui hesitated, not understanding. "Is that appropriate?"

"Do you not trust me, or do you not trust Miss Ruojin?" Yan Hongwen offered a cold, mirthless smile. "She is your daughter, after all."

"Yes, yes, I will do as you say, Young Master Yan." Xu Yaohui immediately commanded Chen Cai, "Go and invite the Second Miss."

Xu Ruojin had been contemplating how to resolve the situation. When Chen Cai found her, she did not hesitate and hurried over. She did not fear the trouble coming her way; she feared becoming a fish on a chopping block. Her life was only reliable if she held the reins herself. Whether she lived or died, it had to be her own choice, not the judgment of others. Otherwise, even in death, she would be nothing but an aggrieved ghost.

The situation was urgent, and Xu Yaohui skipped the pleasantries. Once Xu Ruojin arrived in the study, he relayed Yan Hongwen’s suggestion: "What are your thoughts on this? Since things have come to this, you might as well speak your mind so we can find a proper solution."

Xu Ruojin had not expected this to be Yan Hongwen’s proposal. After a brief moment of surprise, she stated her thoughts: "I would like to ask one thing: does Father still intend for me to marry into the Zhang family?"

Xu Yaohui was stunned and looked toward Yan Hongwen. Yan frowned. "You need not concern yourself with the Zhang family; just tell us how you wish to proceed."

Xu Ruojin said immediately, "I have thought of a key person whom we previously overlooked."

"Who?" Yan Hongwen and Xu Yaohui asked in unison.

Xu Ruojin bit her lip and said the name: "Mo Rong."

At that moment, Zhang Zhongheng was still confronting Liang Xiao. The reason he had not completely dragged the Xu family into this was because of one person: Mo Rong. It was he who had coerced Mo Rong into feigning illness and framing Madame Xu, claiming it was her fright that caused it. Before arriving at the Liang residence, he had already dispatched men to deal with her. As long as she remained silent forever, nothing else would be a problem.

So, he waited. He waited for the news from his servants...