Mu Anxiao watched Ajū's smug expression and smiled, "As expected of the head housekeeper. Your casual words are enough to intimidate anyone."
"No," Ajū, sensing the hidden meaning in Mu Anxiao's words, put on a stern face. "What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing," Mu Anxiao replied, glancing at the submissive second maid. "If you don't want it, then forget it. It saves me some money anyway." With that, she casually pulled off the money pouch hanging from her waist.
Feng Qishi, watching from not too far away as Mu Anxiao prepared to bribe them with money, frowned, thinking that the person would certainly not be so generous, and she would have to reimburse her later.
As he thought this, he furrowed his brow slightly and touched the money pouch at his waist.
Over there.
The second maid remained silent, believing that as long as she didn't accept the money, she would be fine.
Conversely, Ajū became anxious. "Aren't you afraid she'll go out and spread rumors?" she glanced at the second maid.
Hearing this, the second maid immediately shifted her gaze to Ajū's face, angrily asking, "What do you mean by that?"
Ajū, wanting the money the second maid had, grew impatient when the second maid spoke. "Be quiet," she hissed, then looked back at Mu Anxiao and said, "Her mouth is notoriously long."
Intimidated by Ajū's words, the second maid dared not speak.
"Is that so?" Mu Anxiao asked, a smile playing on her lips. She walked towards the other maids with her money pouch and began distributing money.
Seeing this, Ajū became angry. "What do you mean?"
"I'm giving it to those who are obedient first," Mu Anxiao said, not even looking at Ajū.
The maids also dared not offend Mu Anxiao, so they lowered their heads and accepted the money one by one.
Ajū was speechless.
A few minutes later.
Mu Anxiao, holding the now-flattened money pouch, returned to Ajū. "Have you made up your mind?"
"About what?" Ajū hadn't caught on yet.
"What else? You don't want the money anymore," Mu Anxiao said, holding the money pouch up towards Ajū's face.
Ajū glanced at the money pouch in Mu Anxiao's hand, then looked at the second maid. "The money is in your hands. You decide," she said, glaring fiercely at the second maid before turning back to Mu Anxiao.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao smiled. "Four taels of silver." With that, she reached into the money pouch and began taking out money.
At this moment, the second maid also saw the deep 'threat' in Ajū's eyes. To avoid being targeted, she clenched her fists and declared in one go, "I take back what I just said."
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao, while handing the four taels of silver to Ajū, turned her head to look at the second maid. "But you said you didn't want it."
"My mouth is indeed long," the second maid said faintly.
Ajū took the silver, glanced at the second maid, and a slight arc formed at the corner of her lips.
Mu Anxiao calmly watched the second maid's slightly averted gaze. Without thinking, she stepped forward and stood before her. "You change your mind remarkably quickly."
"That's just how I am. My thoughts change from moment to moment," the second maid said, losing the courage to look directly at Mu Anxiao.
"Alright," Mu Anxiao smiled, making no move to hand over the money.
Ajū leaned forward, looking at Mu Anxiao's back, becoming anxious.
The second maid's gaze flickered towards the money pouch in Mu Anxiao's hand. "..." She dared not speak.
Following the second maid's gaze, Mu Anxiao also looked at her money pouch. "You want it?"
The second maid nodded.
"Actually, I have many ways to make you shut up."
The second maid froze upon hearing this.
Then, before the second maid could react, Mu Anxiao immediately reached out and grabbed her by the neck, pushing her back against the wall.
At this sight, all the maids were startled. Even Ajū was shocked.
Seeing this, Xiaoyue hurried forward and said, "Don't."
"This is none of your business here," Mu Anxiao said, tilting her head. She then turned back to meet the second maid's wide, staring eyes. "What I hate the most are people who go back on their word," she deliberately raised her voice.
Ajū was stunned.
Immediately, the maids began to steal glances at Ajū.
Ajū, unaware of their gazes, continued to stare at Mu Anxiao, growing nervous.
The second maid held her neck high, afraid Mu Anxiao would choke her to death. "What do you want?" her voice was very small.
Mu Anxiao smiled. "Say it. Say you don't want the silver anymore."
"I..."
"Quickly, say you don't want it," Xiaoyue interrupted, worried Mu Anxiao might actually use force on the second maid.
Hearing Xiaoyue's enthusiastic shouts from behind, Mu Anxiao felt speechless.
At that moment, tears began to stream down the second maid's cheeks. "Why are you targeting me?"
"What?"
Mu Anxiao couldn't stand seeing women cry. Her current actions were only meant to scare Ajū, and she had intended to slip the silver into the second maid's hand. Unexpectedly, she had made the second maid cry.
Seeing the second maid's tearful state and hearing her words, Mu Anxiao stiffened and released her grip.
The second maid continued to cry.
Mu Anxiao looked down at the second maid's appearance and asked softly, "If I give the money to her, can you guarantee you won't say anything?"
"Yes," the second maid valued her life.
Hearing the second maid's firm reply, Mu Anxiao looked at the money pouch in her other hand. Her eyes darkened, and she finally relented. "You'd better remember your word," she said, releasing her hand and turning towards Ajū.
Subsequently, the second maid breathed a sigh of relief and gently touched her neck.
Seeing this, Xiaoyue quickly walked in front of Mu Anxiao and asked, "What are you doing?"
"What are you doing?" Mu Anxiao stopped.
Xiaoyue reached out and grabbed Mu Anxiao's arm. "Stop doing these things."
"Didn't you tell me to handle it myself?" Mu Anxiao said softly.
Xiaoyue frowned. "I meant for you to decide, not for you to do this," she was truly frightened by Mu Anxiao's actions.
"What have I done? I'm using money to buy peace of mind, to buy your future. I don't think I've done anything wrong," Mu Anxiao said calmly, meeting Xiaoyue's eyes.
Following that, Xiaoyue met Mu Anxiao's gaze. After a few seconds of stillness, she suddenly raised her hand and slapped Mu Anxiao.
The next second, Mu Anxiao turned her face away.
Ajū smiled.
The other maids were stunned.
Seeing this, the second maid quickly stepped forward. "Why did you hit her?" she came to Mu Anxiao's side.
Xiaoyue didn't even look at the second maid. She coldly asked Mu Anxiao, "Are you awake yet?"
Hearing Xiaoyue's words, Mu Anxiao inexplicably laughed.
Seeing this, the second maid was frightened.