"Is that so?" Mu Anxiao murmured, recalling Zhang Yan's unusual behavior when he had tasked her with something. *Something's not right,* she thought.
At that moment, the wolf demon sensed Mu Anxiao's distraction and furrowed its brow slightly. "What's wrong?" it asked.
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao snapped back to attention. Glancing at the wolf demon and then at Jiong Ye, she realized her mission was far from simple. If Jiong Ye spoke the truth, then she now had a new objective, a new task. She focused her gaze on Jiong Ye's face. "Where did you hear that?" she inquired.
Jiong Ye looked left and right, then whispered, "It was when we were behind the screen. Zhao Mei'er let it slip."
"It was her," Mu Anxiao said dismissively.
Jiong Ye nodded.
Mu Anxiao sighed. "It seems Ouyang Ye is planning a major move," she commented, her eyes drifting towards the outside of the prison cell.
Jiong Ye and the wolf demon remained silent, observing Mu Anxiao's pensive reaction.
Meanwhile.
Ouyang Ye arrived outside Song Xi's room. Song Xi was currently conversing with Xi'er and hadn't noticed Ouyang Ye's presence.
Inside the room, Song Xi looked at Xi'er, who was pouring him tea, with a worried expression. "Wife, tell me, between our Master and the Lord, whose status is higher here?" he asked, accepting the tea Xi'er handed him.
"Naturally, it's the Master," Xi'er replied, also unaware of Ouyang Ye's approach. She met Song Xi's gaze intently. "Husband, you've been distracted since you returned. What's wrong?" she asked, concerned about Song Xi's state of mind.
In truth, Song Xi had been staring at Xi'er without uttering a word since his return. Xi'er hadn't pressed him, and Song Xi had felt guilty. His current question was a way to test her.
Unexpectedly, Xi'er was quite direct.
Song Xi was not. "I'm not distracted," he said, forcing a dry chuckle.
"You say you're not, yet you haven't spoken to me since you returned. Normally, you'd have so much to say when you see me. But you came back and said nothing. You..." Xi'er trailed off, suddenly remembering the task Ouyang Ye had assigned Song Xi. Her brow furrowed. "Did Mu Anxiao cause you trouble?"
"No," Song Xi shook his head.
Xi'er's frown deepened, observing Song Xi's reaction. "If not her, then why are you like this?" she asked, her tone losing its usual softness. "If you don't tell me clearly, I'll be angry."
"I..." Song Xi managed one word, took a sip of water, and said, "It's Zhao Mei'er."
"What about her?" Xi'er's nerves tightened, her eyes widening. "Did she bully you?"
"No," Song Xi replied softly.
Xi'er, growing impatient with Song Xi's evasiveness, exclaimed, "Then it's not her. Song Xi, let me ask you a question."
Hearing this, Song Xi looked up at Xi'er with an innocent expression. "What question? Ask away," he said, his voice very quiet.
"Am I your wife?" Xi'er asked.
Since their marriage, Song Xi had dreaded Xi'er asking such questions. Seeing her earnest expression now, he panicked. "Of course, you are," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
"Since that's the case, I hope you can answer me honestly."
"I..." Song Xi hesitated.
Xi'er's frustration grew with his strange reaction. "It's just us here. Why... don't you trust me?"
"No," Song Xi shook his head.
Xi'er frowned. "If not, then why are you acting like this? There are things I need you to explain clearly, because the way you are now..." Her eyes softened. "It makes me feel like we are very, very far apart."
"Wife, this matter cannot be discussed, because..." Song Xi took a sharp breath. "I have a feeling it's not a good thing."
"What do you mean?" Xi'er asked.
Song Xi pursed his lips and put down his teacup. "It means I suspect the Lord is acting on his own to punish Mu Anxiao. But," he thought for a moment, continuing, "when I consider the relationship between the Lord and the Master, I dare not say anything more."
"You mentioned Zhao Mei'er earlier," Xi'er steered the conversation back.
Song Xi affirmed with an "Mm." "She is the Lord's subordinate, and she was the one who told me to return."
"What did she tell you?" Xi'er asked.
Under Xi'er's questioning, Song Xi recalled his conversation with Zhao Mei'er. "She said the Lord wanted me to hand Mu Anxiao over to her, and I shouldn't concern myself with anything else. However, when I was leaving the prison, Mu Anxiao instructed me to bring them some food. Now that I'm back, I'm afraid the Master might ask about it."
"Because of Zhao Mei'er's words, you didn't complete the task given to you by the Master," Xi'er stated, standing up.
Song Xi had anticipated Xi'er's reaction after he revealed the truth, and he was correct. "But Zhao Mei'er said the Lord told me not to worry about it. And I also know," he stood up as well, "that the Lord has always been wary of you. I was worried about holding you back, so I returned."
"But by doing this, you've offended the Master," Xi'er met Song Xi's eyes.
Song Xi averted his gaze. "If that's the case, I am willing to accept punishment."
"Willing to accept punishment," Xi'er repeated, letting out a cold laugh. "Song Xi, why don't you ever consider me? You..."
"It was Zhao Mei'er who told you to leave," Ouyang Ye interrupted Xi'er.
Hearing this, Xi'er turned with feigned fear towards Ouyang Ye, who had crossed the threshold, and said, "Master."
Simultaneously, Song Xi turned sharply to Ouyang Ye and whispered, "Master, you heard everything." He deliberately shielded Xi'er.
"Yes, I heard," Ouyang Ye replied, approaching Song Xi.
Seeing this, Song Xi immediately knelt. "Master, it's all my fault. If you're going to punish anyone, punish me. This has nothing to do with my wife." He then bowed his head to the ground.
Ouyang Ye looked down at Song Xi and smiled faintly. "You're quite astute."
Song Xi stiffened, then slightly lifted his head to look at Ouyang Ye. "Master, I am foolish and do not understand your meaning?" he asked, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Xi'er knew Ouyang Ye disliked it when others interrupted, so she remained silent.