C6 Not Harboring Any Good Intentions

Xuanniang appeared calm and sincere, as if she were still the same cautious widow trying to make a living. Yet, Xu Fangfang sensed something had changed. Xuanniang had never before wielded a large knife to threaten Mrs. Sunn. She had always been the type to endure quietly.

Xu Fangfang fell silent, her fingers twisting together, a slight frown on her face. She was considered attractive, even at nearly thirty, with a certain charm. Her skin was a bit rough, her hands calloused, and she wore a floral-patterned cotton jacket.

Xuanniang smiled and said, "Sister, I'll take the sweet potatoes back to my room to eat. I haven't rested well these past few days, so I'm going to take a nap."

"Go ahead," Xu Fangfang responded warmly.

Xuanniang turned and went back to her room, her smile vanishing as soon as the door closed. She first checked her wound—after fainting, a doctor had treated her, and it was slowly healing, not as painful as before.

She carefully recalled the conversation she had just had with Xu Fangfang and Zhao Hao, along with the expressions on their faces. Was Zhao Hao aware of what Xu Fangfang had mentioned? Xuanniang found herself lost in thought.

Both Xu Fangfang and Zhao Hao seemed to have their own issues. In comparison, the sharp-tongued Mrs. Sunn was easier to handle; a little intimidation was all it took.

No one is unafraid of death, Xuanniang thought. Just now, Xu Fangfang clearly heard Mrs. Sunn accuse her of murder, so why wasn't Xu Fangfang scared at all? The answer seemed obvious, and Xuanniang felt a bit relieved. At least keeping the enemy in sight gave her some peace of mind.

Xuanniang recalled the strange look in Zhao Hao's eyes when he approached her earlier. Even though she had never been in a relationship in her past life, she could sense his ill intentions. She sighed, fearing she wouldn't sleep well tonight.

Before bed, Xuanniang overheard neighbors talking about the officials staying in a town ten miles away. They wouldn't leave until the village's case was solved. Xuanniang suddenly thought of Nangong Han, a man unlike any she had ever met in either of her lives.

She touched the silver ingot in her purse and smiled slightly. This money was enough to support her for a year.

As the sky grew darker, the villagers, who lived by the sun, went to bed after dinner. Xuanniang carefully locked her door and lay back in bed, unable to sleep. She had been in this world for two days but still hadn't figured out her path forward.

She had always been a light sleeper, and in this world, her vigilance was even stronger.

As the night deepened, a rustling sound came from the doorway. Xuanniang's eyes snapped open, her dark gaze unusually bright in the night. She quickly closed her eyes again, just as the door creaked open. Perhaps it was her past training in the military that made Xuanniang's senses exceptionally sharp.

Soft footsteps...

Drawing closer...

A hand reached Xuanniang's face, accompanied by a satisfied sigh. "You little minx, you used to guard against me, threatening to die rather than give in, even wanting to kill me. But now, aren't you behaving?" The hand slowly slid down her face.

"What are you talking about?" Xuanniang said, ignoring Zhao Hao's shock as she quickly got up, putting some distance between them, yet with a smile.

Zhao Hao was momentarily speechless.

"I was just afraid my sister-in-law would find out. I never expected you to be so infatuated, still holding onto this idea after all this time," Xuanniang continued, her eyes lacking the usual hatred and disgust for Zhao Hao.

From the moment she saw Zhao Hao, she remembered the original owner's past experiences. Zhao Hao had repeatedly made advances when no one was around, sneaking into her room at night. Although Xuanniang had become a widow shortly after marriage and was still inexperienced, she was utterly repulsed by Zhao Hao. Initially, she sternly rebuked him, but as he grew more audacious, Xuanniang was driven to desperation. She once reached for a small knife hidden under her pillow, ready to end it all with Zhao Hao.

After a few attempts, Zhao Hao decided to behave himself for the time being, not daring to act recklessly. This time, when Xuanniang spent the night away at Nangong Han's place, coupled with the village gossip, Zhao Hao's interest was piqued once more.

"Good that you understand," Zhao Hao said, taking the opportunity to sit beside Xuanniang, grinning so widely his eyes nearly disappeared. He held Xuanniang's hand and spoke softly, "I only married that shrew because I had no choice. If I had met you sooner..."

"Meeting now isn't too late," Xuanniang replied, subtly withdrawing her hand.

Zhao Hao was too pleased to notice. "Then maybe we could... My brother passed away early, never got to show you any joy..." His eyes were lecherous, and his usually simple face looked particularly ridiculous and repulsive.

"Hold on," Xuanniang interrupted, blocking Zhao Hao's reaching hand, feigning shyness. "Don't rush. Let me get you a glass of water first. I'm nervous about this, having no experience myself. Let's chat a bit."

"Sure, sure, sure!" Zhao Hao agreed eagerly.

Xuanniang went to pour two glasses of plain water. These days, tea was a luxury no one in the village could afford.

"Have you heard the villagers talking about how I went up the mountain the other night, and then someone ended up dead there?" Xuanniang asked, pretending to be scared but with a hint of worry. Inside, she was laughing coldly, wishing she could cut Zhao Hao down as she watched his face.