In that moment, Mu Anxiao finally understood that everything from last night until now had been a conspiracy orchestrated by Ouyang Ye. She regretted deeply not paying more attention and being more vigilant from the moment Ouyang Ye claimed to have forgotten how to unlock the door.
Now, looking at Feng Qishi, who had been drawn into the plan before her, she didn't know what to say.
After a few seconds of hesitation, just as she had formulated her thoughts, Feng Qishi shifted his gaze back to the bed. "You slept well," he said.
"..." Mu Anxiao was taken aback by Feng Qishi's sudden remark and couldn't react immediately. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, sensing something was off about him.
"..." Feng Qishi remained silent, his gaze fixed on Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye smiled faintly. "The raw rice has been cooked into cooked rice. You can imagine what you will. " He then looked at Mu Anxiao again.
Simultaneously, Feng Qishi also looked at Mu Anxiao.
Raw rice cooked into cooked rice? Ouyang Ye's words were indeed misleading. However, Mu Anxiao realized the gravity of the situation.
Ignoring Ouyang Ye, she spoke directly to Feng Qishi. "Shen Fengzi, you won't disbelieve me, will you?" She abandoned all other thoughts, only wanting a word of 'trust' from Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi let out a cold snort and turned back to Mu Anxiao. "You clearly know he's no good, yet you keep believing him, Mu Anxiao," he exclaimed, his eyes wide. "You've really had enough."
"I..."
"Don't 'I' me. Since it has already happened, there's no need for you to say anything more. Now, I'm asking you to leave my room." Feng Qishi glanced at the bed again.
This time, Mu Anxiao was completely speechless.
Ouyang Ye chuckled. "I'm really sorry. I had nowhere to go last night, so I came to your room. This bed," he pointed to the disheveled bedding, "shall we help you... "
"Get out," Feng Qishi growled imperiously.
Everything became inexplicable. An ordinary rest turned unusual after Ouyang Ye's remark. Looking at him, Mu Anxiao's urge to explain vanished in that instant. She lowered her gaze slightly, scoffed, and recalling the shadow at the door last night, asked, "The person outside the door at night, that was you, wasn't it?" She had now completely fallen into Ouyang Ye's trap.
"It was me," Feng Qishi admitted without hesitation.
Ouyang Ye then laughed, "You truly are..."
"Shut up. No one will think you're mute if you don't speak," Mu Anxiao said, glaring fiercely at Ouyang Ye. Just as she was about to leave, Feng Qishi reached out and grabbed her arm. She stiffened, turned to look at him, and asked, "What do you want now?" Her patience with Feng Qishi had run out.
"Since the raw rice is cooked, you should marry him. I'll give you this bridal chamber," Feng Qishi said coldly.
"Give it to me," Mu Anxiao retorted, looking at Feng Qishi with a cold sneer. "Whether the raw rice is cooked or not, I know best. As for this bridal chamber, you'd better keep it for yourself." With that, she forcefully shook off Feng Qishi's hand and walked away.
Ouyang Ye lowered his eyes and smiled. Just as he was about to follow Mu Anxiao, Feng Qishi's gaze fell upon him. Noticing this, he smiled and asked, "What is it?"
"I know nothing happened between you and her," Feng Qishi said after confirming Mu Anxiao was completely out of earshot.
Ouyang Ye laughed. "How do you know that I and she..."
"I believe her," Feng Qishi interrupted.
Ouyang Ye's eyes darkened. His good mood vanished with Feng Qishi's statement. "If you knew, why did you pretend?" His gaze turned cold, feeling played.
"You told me to marry Gu Yan," Feng Qishi got straight to the point.
Ouyang Ye frowned. "You really were listening."
"That's right. I heard everything you and Mu Shazi said in front of the manor gate. Now," Feng Qishi said with a wry smile, "I understand her true thoughts. Since that's the case, I'll marry Gu Yan."
"Yesterday, I let you go. Why didn't you leave?"
"You knew my junior brother was impersonating me. Why did you pretend not to know?" Feng Qishi did not appear surprised, remaining composed.
Ouyang Ye smiled. "As expected of a master strategist, you see through everything."
"Your words were so blunt, even a fool would understand. It's just," Feng Qishi continued, "I didn't expect you to really not expose me."
"If I exposed you, I wouldn't be able to be with Mu Anxiao."
"You've truly played every trick and scheme."
"Your words make me feel quite embarrassed," Ouyang Ye said casually.
"Don't feel embarrassed. Everything you've done is dishonorable," Feng Qishi stated. After staring at Ouyang Ye for a few seconds, he continued, "Your goal is nothing more than to separate me and Mu Shazi. Now that I'm fulfilling your wish, will you stop hurting her?"
"What are you saying? How could I hurt..."
"Deception is also a form of harm," Feng Qishi interrupted coldly.
Ouyang Ye was momentarily speechless and then chuckled. "How come I never realized you were so noble before?"
"..." Feng Qishi deliberately remained silent.
Ouyang Ye smiled. "In that case, I will fulfill your wish. You choose the wedding date. As for this room," he surveyed the surroundings, "can it serve as the bridal chamber? If not, you can choose another one yourself. After all, there are plenty of rooms in this manor."
"You don't need to worry about that. Before that, you have to promise me one thing."
"Speak," Ouyang Ye prompted, raising his chin.
"After I get married, you will take the monsters and leave Jincheng."
"As long as I don't let them..."
"I am the general here. I will not allow you to threaten the lives of the people," Feng Qishi said sharply. "As long as they are here, they are a threat."
"You've thought this through quite thoroughly. Fine, I promise you. After your wedding, I will take Xiao'er away," Ouyang Ye said deliberately.
Feng Qishi's eyes darkened. "Alright, you can leave now. I want to be alone."
"Do you need me to call Gu Yan?" Ouyang Ye asked intentionally.
Feng Qishi coldly said, "No. Get out."
All that Ouyang Ye had done had been laying the groundwork for this moment. In other words, he had longed for this day for a long time, and finally... he had obtained Feng Qishi's verbal consent. Therefore, Ouyang Ye was not angry at all. Instead, he continued with a playful smile, "Alright, I'll go find Xiao'er now." With that, he turned and left.
After Ouyang Ye had completely departed, Feng Qishi lowered his gaze.