Mu Anxiao gained a new understanding of Zhao Xiang this time, and naturally, she no longer trusted him. Bending over, she took Lin Zong’s arm, raised her eyes, and said coldly, “Go away, I don’t need your help.” With that, she forcefully pulled Lin Zong up.
Seeing Mu Anxiao’s strenuous efforts and recalling his own impulsive actions, Zhao Xiang said in a low voice, “I didn’t expect him to return.”
“Isn’t this the outcome you wanted to see?” Mu Anxiao said, draping Lin Zong’s arm over her shoulder and leaning her against her back. “You’d better not show up in front of Shen Moyun again, or I’ll definitely expose you.”
“You…”
“No more ‘you’. This was your choice. I’m giving you some leeway before the end.” Mu Anxiao, intending to interrupt Zhao Xiang, bent slightly and picked up Lin Zong.
Zhao Xiang watched Mu Anxiao like this and said nothing more.
Then, without even glancing at Zhao Xiang, Mu Anxiao carried Lin Zong to the door, paused, and said, “Ouyang Ye is a very cunning fellow. It’s wise to be wary of others.” After speaking, she crossed the threshold with Lin Zong on her back and walked out.
After Mu Anxiao’s words, Zhao Xiang lowered his gaze and decided to continue working for Ouyang Ye. Because he knew that no matter what, his life was saved by Ouyang Ye, and if Ouyang Ye knew he had betrayed him, he would surely act against his parents. Therefore, for his parents’ sake, he had no regrets.
On the other side.
Ignoring the gazes of all the servants, Mu Anxiao carried Lin Zong to Feng Qishi’s door.
Feng Qishi sensed Mu Anxiao’s spiritual energy, his body stiffened, and he quickly got up and went to the door. Upon opening it, he exclaimed, “What’s wrong with you?”
“The guest rooms over there are all full. I can’t put her there,” Mu Anxiao said, looking up at Feng Qishi. “Make way.”
Feng Qishi immediately stepped aside.
Following that, Mu Anxiao entered the room with Lin Zong on her back.
At that moment, Mu Anxiao and Feng Qishi stood by the bedside, looking down at the sleeping Lin Zong. Feng Qishi said, “She used to be a concubine in the palace. How did you meet her?”
Mu Anxiao’s reason for bringing Lin Zong to Feng Qishi’s side was twofold. Firstly, the rooms on the other side were full. Secondly, she knew Zhao Xiang harbored resentment towards Lin Zong, making it unsafe to leave her there. Furthermore, she was aware that Zhao Xiang had lost all face and would not dare to approach Feng Qishi again, so leaving Lin Zong here would ensure her safety.
Therefore, hearing Feng Qishi’s question, she replied, “Ouyang Ye brought her back.”
“What?” Feng Qishi expressed surprise.
Mu Anxiao: “No ‘what’s.’ I have some bad news for you.” She felt there was no need to hide it any longer. “Ouyang Ye has discovered me.”
“I know,” Feng Qishi said calmly.
Mu Anxiao was startled. “How did you know?” She tilted her head to stare at Feng Qishi’s face.
Feng Qishi: “Your spiritual energy can no longer be concealed, so he naturally discovered you.”
“That’s true,” Mu Anxiao replied helplessly.
Then, Feng Qishi suddenly thought of Zhao Xiang. “Right, where is Zhao Xiang?”
“He’s busy,” Mu Anxiao promised Zhao Xiang that she wouldn’t tell Feng Qishi what he had done, so she could only offer a perfunctory response for now.
Hearing Mu Anxiao’s casual reply, Feng Qishi didn’t want to dwell on it. “Then you can stay here.”
“I have other matters,” Mu Anxiao said softly.
“You…”
“I’ve been discovered by that fellow Ouyang Ye, so naturally, I need to start making my move.”
“What do you plan to do?” Feng Qishi became curious about Mu Anxiao’s intentions.
Mu Anxiao knew that Feng Qishi loved to get to the bottom of things. If she continued to hide something now, it would be meaningless.
So, after thinking for a moment, she said, “I’m having a competition with Ouyang Ye.”
“A competition?” Feng Qishi didn’t understand Mu Anxiao’s meaning for a moment and frowned. “What are you competing with him about?”
“Exposing each other’s plans. Whoever exposes more wins,” Mu Anxiao replied honestly.
Feng Qishi was speechless after hearing this.
Mu Anxiao, seeing Feng Qishi’s speechless expression, said, “I knew you’d be speechless, but this is my decision.”
“What if you lose?” Feng Qishi asked in a low voice.
Mu Anxiao: “If I lose, I’ll go with him. In any case, I won’t let him matchmake you carelessly.” She stared at Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi was shocked to hear this. “You’re doing this all for me?”
Mu Anxiao calmly looked at Feng Qishi’s surprised expression, thought for a moment, and said, “I can’t just stand by and watch Ouyang Ye make arrangements for you, nor can I let anyone else get hurt because of Ouyang Ye. So, I have to step in.”
“You with him…”
“I am confident I can win,” Mu Anxiao interrupted.
At this moment, Feng Qishi fell silent.
“…”
Mu Anxiao continued to look at Feng Qishi’s face calmly, then suddenly remembered Shu’er, whom they had forgotten. “Shen Fengzi, let’s go find Shu’er.”
“Find Shu’er?” Feng Qishi was surprised. He thought Mu Anxiao had given up long ago.
Mu Anxiao: “Yes, let’s go back to the past and help her find her memories. Perhaps we can learn more about Ouyang Ye’s plans.” As she spoke, she turned and walked ahead.
Seeing this, Feng Qishi was speechless for a moment and followed.
Shortly after, Feng Qishi followed Mu Anxiao to the dilapidated courtyard. As before, Feng Qishi waved his arm, and then he and Mu Anxiao turned to see that Shu’er’s soul had hidden in the corner of the wall. As for Shu’er’s body, it was still lying in place.
Shu’er stood up when she saw them return.
Mu Anxiao said, “It seems we came back too late.” She glanced at Feng Qishi as she spoke.
Feng Qishi was bewildered. “What do you mean?”
“It was supposed to be an hour later, but how much time has passed now,” Mu Anxiao said, walking up to Shu’er.
Then, Feng Qishi looked down at Shu’er’s body and walked forward. “Do you know how to go back?” he asked, coming up behind Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao remained silent, looking at the haggard Shu’er, and tried to ask, “What’s wrong?”
Shu’er: “I thought you weren’t coming back.” She blinked her eyes slightly.
Mu Anxiao: “Aren’t we back?” she said, reaching out to take Shu’er’s arm.
Shu’er’s body stiffened, and she met Mu Anxiao’s eyes. “Am I going to die?”
“No,” Mu Anxiao said, feeling the soul’s breath within Shu’er and finding that Shu’er was much better than before. “You’ve remembered,” she said, referring to her memories.
Shu’er: “I want to live.”
“How much have you remembered?” Mu Anxiao asked again.
Shu’er lowered her eyes and thought for a moment. “I don’t know. The memories are fragmented, but I think they are my memories.” After speaking, she glanced at Feng Qishi.
Mu Anxiao tightened her grip on Shu’er’s arm.