Everything became complicated from the moment Ouyang Ye appeared. Mu Anxiao had initially not wanted to overcomplicate things, believing that she only needed to gradually expose Ouyang Ye’s plans. But the more she did so, the more she found herself manipulated by him.
She had no idea what the current situation was for Feng Qishi. All she knew was that Ouyang Ye’s sole purpose in doing all this was to separate her and Feng Qishi. For this plan, he was even willing to deceive various female demons at any cost.
A Chu was one of them.
The facts were clear; Zhao Xiang knew many things, but his lips were far tighter than she had anticipated. At this moment, the only thing she could do was to ‘extract’ the truth from him.
Even if it meant wasting time on idle chatter, it didn’t matter.
“Why bring up that fellow all of a sudden?” Zhao Xiang retorted.
“He’s as mysterious as Ouyang Ye,” Mu Anxiao said.
Zhao Xiang frowned. “Just because of that, you think he’s your master’s subordinate?” As he spoke, he suddenly found himself unable to understand Mu Anxiao.
However, in She Ning’s eyes, the man in the straw hat was his savior. He also knew that the Ouyang Ye they spoke of was a great demon. Naturally, he could not allow them to trample on his benefactor by mentioning Ouyang Ye.
“Mu Xiao, can you not drag him into this?” he said.
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao shot Zhao Xiang a glare and then turned her gaze back to She Ning. “What, don’t you find that fellow suspicious?”
“No.”
“Just because he treated your injuries,” Mu Anxiao understood She Ning’s mindset.
She Ning nodded.
Mu Anxiao let out a cold laugh. “You’re so easily bought.” After she spoke, she tilted her head, and finally fixed her gaze back on Zhao Xiang.
Zhao Xiang’s eyes flickered. “Why are you looking at me?”
“Hmph, you’re avoiding my gaze again. Zhao Xiang, Zhao Xiang,” Mu Anxiao placed a hand on her hip. After She Ning’s protection, she excluded the man in the straw hat and once again turned her full attention solely to Zhao Xiang. “No wonder Ouyang Ye likes you; there’s a reason for it after all.”
“Can you stop speaking in riddles?”
“You understood my riddles, which means…” Mu Anxiao said, lowering her head slightly, continuing, “You know quite a lot.”
“You…”
“What about me? Tell me, what’s the situation at the General’s Mansion?” Mu Anxiao interrupted sternly, pressing him.
“…” Zhao Xiang had snuck out. He did indeed know about the General’s Mansion. However, he simply could not speak. Because he had promised Ouyang Ye that if he revealed Ouyang Ye’s secrets, his parents’ lives would be forfeit.
Because of this, he deliberately played the role of a mute.
Mu Anxiao knew Zhao Xiang would react this way. The more he acted like this, the more certain Mu Anxiao became that he was hiding something.
She decided to remain silent and see what other reaction he could muster.
“…” She crossed her arms in front of her.
She Ning didn’t know what had happened between them before, so he didn’t intrude. He looked up and began counting the stars.
In the city.
The man in the straw hat stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the city wall. He muttered to himself as he silently counted the time, “Can those guys actually get in?” As he spoke, he turned sideways, tilted his head to look at the top of the city wall, thought for a moment, then stood up and disappeared again.
Outside the city.
Zhao Xiang finally couldn’t hold back any longer. “Why have you stopped talking?” He had thought that as long as Mu Anxiao spoke, he would have a chance to change the subject. He hadn’t expected Mu Anxiao to also fall silent. He felt both helpless and nervous about this.
“Talking, what’s there to talk about?” Mu Anxiao feigned ignorance.
“You don’t trust me that much?”
“You’re hiding something, so why should I trust you?” Mu Anxiao said. After sizing up Zhao Xiang, she clicked her tongue. “You haven’t been truthful with me at all.”
“What’s my relationship with Ouyang Ye?” Zhao Xiang suddenly asked.
“What relationship? A dog and its master, isn’t it?” Mu Anxiao blurted out.
Zhao Xiang’s expression stiffened. “Can you speak properly?”
“Only a dog is loyal to its master, aren’t you? Did I say something wrong?” Mu Anxiao deliberately provoked Zhao Xiang.
As expected, Zhao Xiang disliked being compared to Ouyang Ye in this way and became angry. “He is my master, but I only call him master because of my parents. As soon as I find my parents, I will…” He dared not say he would leave Ouyang Ye. His eyelids drooped slightly as he continued, “In short, what I want now is to know if my parents are safe. Only when I achieve merit will I know.”
“You’re using me,” Mu Anxiao said again.
“You already know my situation very well.”
“I’ve indeed seen your filial piety, but,” Mu Anxiao said, lifting her chin, “not a single word you’ve said to me has been the truth.”
“If I were the kind of person you described, I would have let you in by now, Mu Xiao,” Zhao Xiang said angrily. “I find you to be someone who acts on impulse. Time is almost up, and I wonder how you’ll account for yourself tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, you snuck out, so you naturally aren’t worried.”
“You…”
“I’ll help you earn merit, and you tell me one piece of information, how about that?” Mu Anxiao interrupted.
Zhao Xiang’s eyes flickered.
She Ning couldn’t bear it anymore. “Hey, if you were more honest, she wouldn’t have to be so aggressive. If you ask me, just be flexible; it won’t cost you your life anyway.” As he spoke, he reached out and patted Zhao Xiang’s shoulder.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiang’s heart wavered. “Go ahead and say it.”
“You agreed.” Mu Anxiao’s lips curved into a smile.
“Mm, what do you want to know?”
“The situation at the General’s Mansion.”
“Those people are living as usual; the master has only confined Mo Yun,” Zhao Xiang truthfully confessed.
“What about Bing’er?” Mu Anxiao asked again. She remembered that Ouyang Ye already knew about Jia and Lou Yi’s existence.
Zhao Xiang thought for a moment and said, “Your people are all confined together.”
“Is that so?” Mu Anxiao nodded, thinking that Ouyang Ye’s target was Feng Qishi, so Bing’er and the others should be fine.
“How do you plan to get in?” Zhao Xiang asked.
Mu Anxiao snapped back to attention. Just as she was about to reply, the man in the straw hat suddenly appeared in her line of sight. “…” She frowned.
Zhao Xiang and She Ning were startled and dared not speak.
The man in the straw hat looked at Mu Anxiao’s slight frown with a composed expression and sneered, “What, surprised?”
“Why are you here?” Mu Anxiao asked.
The man in the straw hat smiled. “I suddenly felt I owed you an apology, so I wanted to come and see you.” He suddenly walked up to Mu Anxiao. “Are you alright now?” After he spoke, he placed his hand on Mu Anxiao’s head.
Mu Anxiao’s body stiffened, and she quickly took a step back. “Are you sick?”
“I’m perfectly fine,” the man in the straw hat chuckled and lowered his hand.