Chapter 118: Disappearance

"The origin of this matter was simply a minor disagreement between my mother and Mo Rong at the Magistrate’s residence. Once that day ended, it should have been the end of it. Who would have guessed that by the next day, rumors would spread that Mo Rong had fallen ill, claiming it was from being frightened by my mother?"

Xu Ruojin remained calm, analyzing the sequence of events for Yan Hongwen and Xu Yaohui.

"The focus of the accusations shifted toward my mother, and then to me. The situation grew increasingly intense, and then came news of Young Master Yan’s arrival. But from start to finish, aside from the claims that Mo Rong was frightened into a near-mad state, there has been no word from the Mo family. No one even bothers to ask if Mo Rong has recovered."

"Therefore, I believe someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes. As for who, I suspect I need not say his name; the key lies in whether Mo Rong is willing to step forward and testify that she was instigated by him."

Xu Ruojin was already tired of saying Zhang Zhongheng's name, but even if she didn't, both Yan Hongwen and her father knew exactly who it was.

"If Mo Rong is willing to agree, the matter will collapse on its own. We will shift from a passive position to an active one, and we can justify any narrative we choose. That is my thought. Whether or not to proceed depends on the decision of Young Master Yan and my father."

Having finished, Xu Ruojin looked toward her father, Xu Yaohui, who immediately turned to Yan Hongwen. "Young Master Yan, what do you think?"

Yan Hongwen frowned, his usual carefree and elegant demeanor replaced by a cold, ruthless expression. "Then we must act immediately. I fear the Zhang family may have already moved against that girl; it remains to be seen if there is still time."

"Will... will they?" Xu Ruojin’s heart tightened. She had indeed wondered if Mo Rong might be harmed by Zhang Zhongheng, but it was merely a passing thought. Now, reflecting on how many times he had tried to scheme to have her killed, why would he hesitate to dispose of a mere Mo Rong?

Yan Hongwen did not answer but stood up immediately to instruct Zhu Fang.

Xu Yaohui and Xu Ruojin shared a long gaze. He saw the deep confusion in his daughter’s eyes. Indeed, she was filled with questions; she could not understand why her father felt compelled to follow Yan Hongwen’s lead in everything. She was his own daughter, and the Yan family was merely a matchmaker, was it not?

"Go and attend to this matter first. We shall speak of other things later," Xu Yaohui said, waving his hand, signaling for her to return to her courtyard.

Xu Ruojin refused. Matters had reached such a point; she despised waiting most of all. It would be better to take the initiative. If she could use this to call off the marriage, that would be the best possible outcome.

"Father, even now, do you still hope for your daughter to marry into the Zhang family?"

"We shall discuss this later."

"No!" Xu Ruojin would not retreat. "I will speak my mind now. I will not marry. I will not marry a man who wants me dead, regardless of who acted as the matchmaker!"

Xu Yaohui looked at her with cold eyes, but Xu Ruojin did not flinch. "If the engagement to the Zhang family was previously meant to help your career or stabilize the futures of my older and younger brothers, I would have grit my teeth and accepted it. But now, even if this marriage were forced, the Zhang family would never help the Xu family. Therefore, I do not consent to this marriage!"

"What is it you want to do?" Xu Yaohui asked, sounding somewhat urgent.

Xu Ruojin let out a long sigh. "If Zhang Zhongheng wants to question Young Master Liang on my behalf, then I shall go out and face him myself. Whether the Xu family thrives or fails has nothing to do with the Zhang family. I do not need an outsider to manage my affairs!"

***

"You..." Xu Yaohui started to scold her for being reckless, but the words died on his lips.

Xu Ruojin ignored him, returning to her courtyard to change into elegant attire and instructing Hong Xing to have Chen Cai prepare the carriage.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Liang residence, Zhang Zhongheng had been waiting for a long time for the servant he had sent to return with news, but none had arrived. According to his original plan, before heading to the Liang residence, he had sent people to the Mo family. He had already bribed people there, and news should have reached him quickly.

Could something have gone wrong? The agitation in Zhang Zhongheng's heart was written clearly on his face, especially when he looked at the composed Liang Xiao. He grew even angrier. Although this man had stepped out to hear his accusations and pressure, he had not uttered a single word that would lead him into a trap. He was truly cunning and difficult to handle.

Only when he received confirmation that Mo Rong would never speak again would he dare to press his advantage and drive both Liang Xiao and that detestable woman, Xu Ruojin, to their deaths!

Liang Xiao’s calmness was innate. Even when facing an enemy’s blade on the battlefield, he did not change his expression. To play such petty tricks on him? It was laughable. If not for the sake of achieving his own goals, he would not have bothered to pay him any mind.

Someone from the Liang household emerged to deliver a message: "Young Master, the messenger from the Jiang family has sent word. Please rest assured, everything is taken care of."

Liang Xiao nodded. "I understand."

The servant returned inside and shut the gates tightly, leaving Liang Xiao alone outside. Seeing this exchange, Zhang Zhongheng’s brow furrowed even deeper.

Suddenly, there was a commotion nearby. People from the Zhang family pushed through the crowd and reached Zhang Zhongheng, whispering into his ear: "Young Master, it’s bad! Something has happened!"

"What is it?" Zhang Zhongheng asked urgently.

"The... the young lady of the Mo family has gone missing!"

"What?" Zhang Zhongheng was shocked, his heart nearly leaping into his throat! He wanted to question them immediately, but there were too many prying ears, so he suppressed his fury and lowered his voice.

"How could she go missing? Where is her family?"

"They reported it to the authorities yesterday, and the magistrate has sent people to search everywhere..."

Zhang Zhongheng stomped his foot in silent rage, but there was nothing he could do. A chill crept from his feet to the back of his neck. If something had truly gone wrong with Mo Rong, he... he would become the one in the most passive position.

He looked at Liang Xiao, who remained as indifferent as before. Zhang Zhongheng clenched his fists and shouted, "You say I have no right to represent the Xu family? Fine! Do you dare to go to the Xu residence with me and clarify this face-to-face?"

Matters had reached this point; he had to act decisively. He needed to accelerate the situation so that it would be set in stone before the Xu family could react. If Liang Xiao refused, he could insist that it was because he was guilty, and then he would immediately go to search for Mo Rong.

The corners of Liang Xiao’s mouth curled into a faint smile. "Very well, I will go with you."

"You..." Zhang Zhongheng had not expected him to agree. The surrounding crowd was watching them intently; if he went back on his word now, he would be the one to lose face.

"Let’s go! We go to the Xu residence now!"

Zhang Zhongheng boarded his carriage and ordered, "Immediately mobilize everyone to find Mo Rong. Once you find her, kill her!"

Liang Xiao led a horse out from his home, mounted it, and followed leisurely behind Zhang Zhongheng.

The crowd erupted in whispers. Many, eager to see the spectacle, followed along toward the Xu residence, making for a very lively day.

Xu Ruojin had just finished changing her clothes and was about to leave when Chen Cai rushed in. "Master, Second Miss, Young Master Zhang and Young Master Liang have arrived at our front gate together, and there is a large crowd with them!"

"What did Zhang Zhongheng say?" Xu Ruojin asked urgently.

"Young Master Zhang said he wants the Second Miss to tell everyone whether it was Young Master Liang who pulled you from the water, and he insists on seeking justice for you!"

Xu Ruojin’s heart tightened abruptly. He was trying to force her to admit that her reputation had been ruined... Zhang Zhongheng, you are truly vicious!