Mu Anxiao listened to the old man's words and, thinking of their preference for sons, sighed and said, "Your grandfather said not to blame him; he never paid you any attention."
Hearing this, the old man frowned. "Can you convey it more precisely?"
Mu Anxiao glanced at the old man, then at the weeping Mu Xiang, and said, "Your grandfather said, 'Mu Xiang, Grandpa has always been watching you grow. For so many years, Grandpa didn't pay attention to you. I hope you don't blame Grandpa.'" As she spoke, she thought of the old man's attitude towards his grandson, and anger surged within her. She said, "Just keep favoring sons. Only when you're dead will you realize the good in your granddaughter. How tragic."
However, the moment Mu Anxiao said this, Mu Xiang hurriedly said, "Don't talk about my grandfather like that."
Mu Anxiao calmly looked at Mu Xiang and asked, "Your grandfather treated you that way, and you're not angry?"
"I've never resented Grandpa. My mother died early, and the fact that I can stay in this house is all thanks to Grandpa. When my stepmother chased me away, Grandpa shielded me. Although he didn't say much to me, his kindness," she pointed to her heart, "I've kept it in my heart."
"...."
As expected, Mu Anxiao didn't quite understand kinship. However, after this exchange, Mu Xiang was considered the most normal family member Mu Anxiao had encountered.
The old man said, "Thank her for me. For not holding grudges."
Hearing the old man's words, Mu Anxiao's expression stiffened. "Uh, you talking like that feels so distant."
"Then..." The old man glanced uncomfortably at Mu Xiang and asked, "How should I say it then?"
"...." Mu Anxiao thought that if she spoke at this occasion, Mu Xiang would definitely hear it. So, she ignored the old man, cleared her throat, and looked at Mu Xiang again, saying, "Your grandfather said that you have always been his most favored granddaughter. It's just that due to the traditional concepts of the previous generation, he didn't know how to treat you well. So, please forgive him."
The old man's eyes widened. "That's what I wanted to say."
"...." Mu Anxiao glanced at the old man and said nothing.
Mu Xiang smiled through her tears. "I never held a grudge against Grandpa. Grandpa, don't worry, I will always remember you. Also, I have some good news for you: I'm getting married soon."
"Married?" the old man exclaimed in surprise.
Mu Anxiao mimicked the old man's expression and exclaimed, "You're getting married."
"Yes, I'm marrying far away. Although I don't know what my husband looks like, I've heard he's a very good person, and he's older than me. But they say that offers more security."
"How much older than you?" Mu Anxiao asked curiously.
Mu Xiang smiled awkwardly. "I don't know. The matchmaker said so."
"Really? Congratulations," Mu Anxiao cupped her fist and, glancing at the old man, said with a smile, "Your grandfather said that."
"Thank you, Grandpa." Mu Xiang smiled in the old man's direction.
Mu Anxiao smiled and turned to the old man. "Do you have anything else to say to the rest of the family?"
The old man replied without thinking, "No."
"No?" Mu Anxiao was surprised.
The old man nodded. "Yes, no more. Since I'm already dead, there's no point in saying any more to them. So, let's go."
"Alright then," Mu Anxiao nodded and looked at Mu Xiang. "Well, your grandfather is leaving. Say... farewell."
"Grandpa is leaving now?" Mu Xiang looked reluctant.
Mu Anxiao said, "Your grandfather came back to see you all. Now that he has seen you, it's time for him to go."
"...." Mu Xiang's face showed a look of disappointment. "Alright then, Grandpa... farewell."
The old man smiled at Mu Xiang, turned, and left first.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao was stunned. "Okay, you should go inside quickly. Your grandfather has left." She then turned and glanced at the old man's receding figure.
Immediately after, Mu Xiang lowered her head, thought for a moment, and called out again, "Grandpa, farewell."
Hearing this, the old man lowered his head and smiled, thinking how foolish he had been. He had a granddaughter who took good care of him but he didn't cherish her. It was truly sad.
With that thought, he sighed and waved his hands a couple of times.
Mu Anxiao watched the old man's潇洒 departure with a helpless smile. She turned back to Mu Xiang and said, "Hurry and go inside."
"Mm." Mu Xiang nodded, turned, pushed open the gate, and looked sideways at Mu Anxiao. "Thank you."
Mu Anxiao shook her head slightly. "You're welcome. It's what I should do. Get some rest early."
Mu Xiang replied, "Mm, you too." As she spoke, she went inside, turned around, smiled at Mu Anxiao, and then gently closed the gate.
Mu Anxiao returned the smile, then suddenly frowned, tilted her head to look at the slightly changing sky, and shivered. "The weather has really gotten quite cold lately." Saying this, she turned and walked in the direction the old man had gone.
The next moment, after Mu Anxiao had completely left, Wan Sha descended from the sky and landed outside the gate. She then smiled at Mu Anxiao's retreating back and said, "Mu Anxiao, how good it must feel to be slandered by someone who thanked you." As she spoke, she turned and walked through the gate.
Inside the house.
Mu Xiang walked gracefully on her way back to her room. Then, she felt a gust of cold wind blow from behind her. She shivered, stopped, and slowly turned around to see Wan Sha approaching her, carrying a red lantern.
Seeing this, her body stiffened, and she took half a step back. "Who are you?"
"Did I let you see how your grandfather was?" Wan Sha walked up to Mu Xiang.
Mu Xiang took half a step back. "No need, Grandpa has his..."
"That Mu Anxiao is lying to you. Actually, she..." Red light flickered in Wan Sha's eyes. "kidnapped your grandfather."
"What?" Mu Xiang said, and her eyes also turned red.
Wan Sha smiled. "Let me tell you, the one who conveyed the message to you, Mu Anxiao, is actually a female demon. She captured your grandfather. If you want to save your grandfather, there's only one way."
"What way?" Mu Xiang's thoughts followed Wan Sha.
Wan Sha smiled. "The way is to report her."
"Where to?" Mu Xiang showed no emotional reaction, her expression calm.
"Follow me. However," Wan Sha gently tidied Mu Xiang's clothes and said, "I need to borrow your body for a moment."
However, the moment Wan Sha said this, the red light in Mu Xiang's eyes suddenly dissipated. She hastily took a step back and said, "You won't deceive me."
"..." Wan Sha looked at Mu Xiang, who had broken her demonic spell, with disbelief and smiled. "I didn't expect you to cherish your life so much."
"Don't come any closer." Mu Xiang's eyes widened. She took out a piece of jade from her embrace and, with trembling hands, extended it towards Wan Sha.