In the span of just this single day, Mu Anxiao had endured various setbacks, all thanks to Xiao Yi. Clenching her fists, just as she was about to go confront Xiao Yi, Ouyang Ye immobilized her.
A few minutes later.
After they had completely departed, Ouyang Ye released Mu Anxiao's acupoints. Mu Anxiao immediately leaned forward, then lifted her head and glared fiercely at Ouyang Ye. "You're deliberately trying to drive away everyone around me, aren't you?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"Mu Anxiao, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I had them stay with you before because I didn't want you to be lonely, but I've realized," Ouyang Ye said, "that I was wrong. I should have gotten rid of them from the start. That way, you might not have reunited with Feng Qishi. You..."
"You..."
"Think of it this way, we're even now," Ouyang Ye said suddenly.
Mu Anxiao's eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, then suddenly remembered Gu Yan and the others, feeling a pang of unease.
"You should know," Ouyang Ye said calmly.
Mu Anxiao's eyes darkened. "I have no idea," she said, her gaze shifting evasively.
Ouyang Ye continued, "I originally intended to bring Hong'er here as your personal maid. I intended to promote Gu Yan, along with Xie Shou, Zhao Xiang, and the others. However," he scanned Mu Anxiao's face, "because of you and Feng Qishi, my plans were all ruined. What I'm doing now is already showing mercy. If you dare to say another word, don't blame me for being impolite." With that, he grabbed Mu Anxiao's hand.
Mu Anxiao stiffened, and just as she was about to resist, Ouyang Ye embraced her. "If it weren't for you all, I wouldn't be like this at all, Mu Anxiao," he pressed the back of her head. "This is the consequence you yourself have brought about. No one else to blame."
Mu Anxiao was stunned by his words.
In an instant, Ouyang Ye brought Mu Anxiao to the study. To Mu Anxiao's relief, Ouyang Ye didn't stay long before leaving. This, however, made her dwell on what Ouyang Ye had said in the courtyard earlier. "If it weren't for you all... Who is this 'you all' referring to? But..." she mused, resting her chin on her hand, staring fixedly at the door. "But I don't remember ever hurting him? And he wasn't around in the very beginning. It's truly strange."
"The 'you all' refers to you and Shen Yan."
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao straightened up quickly and looked up at Mo Juan, who had appeared beside her. "Me and Shen Yan?"
"Yes, if Shen Yan hadn't recommended Ye Yin to ascend, Yuan Xian wouldn't have treated Ye as he did. But speaking of which," Mo Juan said, crossing her arms, "you were just a little human brat back then. The main person responsible for Master's fate was naturally Shen Yan."
"Shen Yan?" Mu Anxiao repeated, recalling Shen Yan's assurances to Ye Yin and remembering that deeply etched experience. She sighed. "Ye Yin did no evil and had a kind heart. Ascending was only a matter of time. Besides, if Yuan Xian could see Ye Yin's potential, it means Ye Yin was capable of doing anything. In that case, it's Ouyang Ye's own inner demons that have harmed him."
"You have no idea how much suffering Ye endured in his cultivation," Mo Juan said indignantly.
Mu Anxiao snorted. "Yes, I wouldn't understand, but you wouldn't understand either how much suffering Feng Qishi and I endured because of him. You certainly wouldn't understand the suffering of those who died tragically because of Ouyang Ye." As she spoke, she turned her face away.
Mo Juan knew that if Ouyang Ye's wrongdoings were to be recounted verbally, it would take months, or even years. Therefore, she could understand Mu Anxiao's reaction. To help Mu Anxiao leave smoothly, she deliberately changed the subject. "Do you know why Master took a liking to you?"
"I don't know, and I don't want to know," Mu Anxiao replied with a hostile attitude.
Mo Juan paid her attitude no mind and sat down. "Actually, you are Shen Yan's destined woman."
Mu Anxiao froze at this statement, then turned to look at Mo Juan and asked, "What did you say?" She thought she had misheard and wanted to confirm.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's utterly bewildered expression, Mo Juan realized that Mu Anxiao didn't understand some things yet and decided to stop holding back. "Back then, Ye was still in the celestial realm. He witnessed the binding of your red thread. But," she frowned slightly, "because of Ye Yin, everything was shattered."
"You mean, back then, it was already destined for me and Shen... Shen Yan to be together?" Mu Anxiao was surprised because, in her memory, Shen Yan had never treated her well. Shen Yan had always tormented her in the roughest ways, which was why she had always wanted to escape. Now that Mo Juan said this, she couldn't help but wonder if Ouyang Ye had misjudged?
"Yes, otherwise, why would Master have always suspected you?" Mo Juan said indifferently.
Mo Juan's explanation made things clearer, but... she still couldn't figure out why Ouyang Ye targeted Shen Yan. Setting aside Shen Yan's mortal status, by all rights, he should also be Ouyang Ye's enemy. Yet, in reality, Ouyang Ye had such a strong possessiveness towards her.
Regarding this, she was puzzled. "What is Ouyang Ye's motive for doing all these things?" she mumbled, looking at Mo Juan.
Mo Juan replied, "You are merely a mortal who has not yet ascended. Ye has always considered you innocent, so he didn't pay much attention to you. But Shen Yan was different. Although he didn't hold a formal celestial position in the celestial realm, he possessed a divine-level status. It was this status that allowed him to move unhindered in heaven and earth. Therefore, based on that incident, Ye has always hated him. After all the effort, when he finally died, who would have thought," she paused for a moment, then continued, "that you would bring him back again? So Ye decided to use you to kill the reincarnated Feng Qishi."
"This... must have taken a lot of brain cells," Mu Anxiao said after hearing Mo Juan's explanation. She finally understood why Ouyang Ye was so wicked; it turned out his resentment had accumulated too deeply.
"What?" Mo Juan didn't seem to understand.
Mu Anxiao shook her head. "Ouyang Ye's ultimate goal was to destroy the red thread and prevent Feng Qishi from having a celestial position?"
Mo Juan nodded.
Mu Anxiao also nodded. "I see. But speaking of which," she frowned slightly, "Shen Yan is already dead, so my red thread with him..."
"You are bound by a karmic red thread across lifetimes. As long as you don't turn to ashes, that red thread will always exist," Mo Juan interrupted.
Mu Anxiao's body stiffened as she recalled the poison Ouyang Ye had placed on Feng Qishi. She hurriedly said, "In that case, Ouyang Ye wants Feng Qishi to be utterly annihilated." She thought for a moment, growing anxious. "No, I need to save him as soon as possible."
"I'll help you," Mo Juan said, now knowing everything.