When Feng Qishi saw Zhao Xiang and Mu Anxiao looking at him, he immediately thought about his status in Jin Cheng and how much he knew about it. He revealed a troubled expression. "It's no use looking at me. I haven't stayed in any inns in Jin Cheng."
"You haven't stayed, but you've seen them, right?" Mu Anxiao said indifferently.
Feng Qishi was taken aback. "What do you mean by that?"
"What do you mean? I am Cao Gen now, Ouyang Ye's new subordinate. He was a former subordinate. Most importantly, I am a new servant in your mansion. Naturally, I don't have time to wander around outside. He," Mu Anxiao said, glancing at Zhao Xiang who was staring at her, and continued, "If he goes out to find his parents, it will definitely arouse Ouyang Ye's suspicion."
"You think very thoughtfully," Zhao Xiang couldn't help but admire Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao looked at Zhao Xiang's fawning expression and said coldly, "You can flatter Ouyang Ye all you want, and Ouyang Ye might be extremely happy. But remember this," she said, withdrawing her gaze from Zhao Xiang's face and looking at Feng Qishi, "this trick won't work on me."
"I know," Zhao Xiang said with a smile. "As long as you can protect my parents, I'm willing to give my life."
"You truly are a filial son," Mu Anxiao said. She suddenly thought of Feng Qishi's situation and paused, then shifted her gaze back to Zhao Xiang. "Speaking of which, you don't have any siblings, do you?"
"Why are you asking this?" Zhao Xiang didn't understand Mu Anxiao's thoughts.
Mu Anxiao: "Some parents are very biased. If you have other siblings, I'll ask a simple question," she said, her eyes firm, "whether your parents show favoritism."
"Favoritism..." Zhao Xiang said, thinking deeply based on Mu Anxiao's words. He lowered his eyes. "My parents favor my younger brother."
"What about your brother?" Zhao Xiang asked again.
"My younger brother married into another family, but he has never returned. I think my parents probably don't favor him anymore," Zhao Xiang said uncertainly.
Hearing Zhao Xiang's words, Feng Qishi frowned and said, "You didn't mention having a brother before. Are you playing tricks?" He began to doubt Zhao Xiang.
Zhao Xiang looked surprised. "You suspect me?"
"Yes, I suspect you. So what?" Feng Qishi said coldly.
Hearing Feng Qishi's blunt words, Zhao Xiang thought about what he had done and naturally understood why Feng Qishi didn't trust him. He looked at Feng Qishi and smiled bitterly. "Indeed, I've concealed quite a lot from you, so it's natural for you to suspect me. But," his eyes were firm, "everything I'm saying now is the truth. As for why I didn't mention my family matters, it's because in my heart, only my parents are my family. Everyone else has nothing to do with me."
"It's because of this that you harmed your parents," Mu Anxiao said directly.
Zhao Xiang's eyes darkened. He thought about Ouyang Ye's constant threats using his parents and said in a low voice, "What you said seems reasonable. Since childhood, anyone I liked ended up badly. Is it wrong for me to be filial to my parents?"
"You are not wrong," Mu Anxiao said, looking at Zhao Xiang, and smiled. "I'll ask you one last question: Are your relationships with your parents good? Do they know you're good to them? Because sometimes..." She trailed off and looked at Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi knew what Mu Anxiao wanted to say, and he quickly averted his gaze. "..."
Following Mu Anxiao's gaze, Zhao Xiang glanced at Feng Qishi and asked, "Why are you looking at Brother Mo Yun?" Then, he shifted his gaze back to Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao came back to her senses, looked at Zhao Xiang, and continued, "I want to see. In short, sometimes your good intentions might be one-sided. Even if your parents hurt you, I hope you won't be too angry."
"Why do you say my parents will hurt me? My parents are fine," Zhao Xiang suddenly didn't understand Mu Anxiao's meaning.
However, Mu Anxiao said these things only to make Zhao Xiang more cautious. Because she knew that in this world, the way a family spoils their favorite child is by indulging them. The fact that his parents allowed his younger brother to marry into another family showed that they cherished their younger son. Otherwise, they wouldn't have let their youngest son marry into another family for a better life.
From this alone, Mu Anxiao firmly believed that Zhao Xiang's parents would definitely do something that would hurt Zhao Xiang.
Although her thinking was somewhat twisted, it was better for her to view some things in a negative light. She did this for another reason: Zhao Xiang was no longer fully human. If he were stimulated by such matters, it would not be good for him.
It was for this reason that she wanted to speak her mind to him, so that he wouldn't be so heartbroken when he truly faced it.
"Zhao Xiang, you are not young anymore. Why haven't you married and had children? I think your brother who married into another family already has many wives and concubines, yet you are just a half-human, half-demon ordered around by Ouyang Ye. Of course," she said seriously, "I'm not saying this to instigate conflict between you and your parents. I just want you to understand that your life was given to you by your parents, but ultimately, your life is yours. It's not worth it to lose your life for a pair of biased parents."
"My parents are not biased. My parents are very good to me," Zhao Xiang said emotionally.
Mu Anxiao's lips curved. "That's for the best." As she spoke, she glanced at Feng Qishi. "We can't act now. I'm counting on you."
"You really know how to arrange things," Feng Qishi said, glancing at Jia. "You, come with me."
Jia impatiently replied, "Why should I go with you? You can find some servants to accompany you. I need to guard her here." He pointed at Bing'er.
Seeing this, Feng Qishi frowned deeply. "Lou Yi is here. Come with me, or I'll use my methods to turn you back into a soul spirit." He widened his eyes slightly.
Jia looked resigned. "Why does everyone threaten to turn me back into a soul spirit? I've had enough." He then looked at Mu Anxiao. "He's the one who won't let me stay here. If anything happens to Bing'er later, don't blame me."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao suddenly thought of Lou Yi's abilities and immediately shifted her gaze to Feng Qishi. "If you don't trust the people in the mansion, go find someone outside. Anyway, you're a general, who wouldn't listen to you?" She then looked at Jia. "You continue guarding her."
"Got it," Jia smiled.
Lou Yi frowned. "How much do you not trust me?" He then sneered.
"..." Mu Anxiao ignored Lou Yi and directly shifted her gaze to the door. "Who is it?" she asked coldly.