Yin Zhen, peering through the seams of the money pouch at Mu Anxiao's sudden silence, asked, "Why aren't you speaking?"
"If I were her, for the sake of my life, I would choose him against my will."
"And if he doesn't believe you?"
"I'd say nice things. Anyway," Mu Anxiao said, suddenly recalling her own insincere words from the past, she thought of A Ju in the room, whose situation was almost identical to her past self. Her eyes darkened as she continued, "Living is the most important thing."
"But she wouldn't dare," Yin Zhen stated plainly.
Listening to Yin Zhen, Mu Anxiao thought of A Ju, who had nearly caused Xiao Yue's death not long ago. She let out a cold laugh and said, "It truly is a cycle of fortune. Indeed, someone can still control her." She shook her head as if in lament.
Yin Zhen was rendered speechless by Mu Anxiao's words.
Mu Anxiao lowered her head, staring at the money pouch that had suddenly fallen silent, and sighed.
In the room, Ouyang Ye's patience was also limited. Looking at A Ju's silence, he coldly uttered, "You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit." With that, he intentionally channeled his power to push the teacups floating in mid-air closer to A Ju.
A Ju looked at the tea sets clearly approaching her with sheer terror. She immediately recalled Ouyang Ye's instructions and hastily said, "Master, you are much better than Shen Mo Yun."
"Oh?" Ouyang Ye became pleased. He then retracted all the teacups back onto the table in front of A Ju.
A Ju visibly relaxed at this sight and said, "Master, Shen Mo Yun is merely a general who lives off his position. In other words, if his ancestor weren't Shen Yan, he wouldn't have his current life. Furthermore, who are you? You are a King."
"King? Haha, your mouth is quite eloquent. Tell me, how have I become a King again?" Ouyang Ye tilted his chin up.
Seeing Ouyang Ye in a good mood, A Ju continued, "Your subordinates are definitely more numerous than King Jin's. You are also more capable than this King Jin. If you ask me," A Ju said, her words dripping with sweetness and a smile, "you are the King." She gave him a thumbs-up.
Ouyang Ye burst into laughter after hearing this.
Conversely, Mu Anxiao and Feng Qi Shi felt a pang of bitterness.
Yin Zhen asked, "Is she speaking her true thoughts?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Qi Shi glanced down at the money pouch and said lightly, "Whether it's true or false, at least her life is saved." He then turned his back.
Immediately, Mu Anxiao turned to look at the suddenly disheartened Feng Qi Shi and asked, "Are you alright?"
Feng Qi Shi sighed. "Do you think her words are true or false?" he asked, turning his head to look at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao hadn't expected Feng Qi Shi to genuinely care about A Ju's words. Looking at him, she didn't know what to say.
Seeing Mu Anxiao at a loss for words, Feng Qi Shi gave a faint smile.
Mu Anxiao lowered her head.
At the same time, Ouyang Ye's voice echoed again, "Then, according to you, I can consider occupying this Jin City." He then revealed a wicked smile.
A Ju nodded, "Master, that's a good idea. Here," she put aside all fear and stepped forward, "I have many beautiful maids. You can choose whomever you please then."
"I don't like maids."
A Ju smiled, "Then I'll find you noble young ladies from wealthy families, even if I have to run my legs off." She put on a fawning expression.
"I don't like any women from your mortal realm."
"Mortal realm," A Ju repeated. The word "monster" flashed through her mind. She continued to smile foolishly at Ouyang Ye, "Master, you're not going to ask me to find you monsters, are you?"
"I want immortals."
"Immortals?" A Ju's heart tightened, and she gave a dry laugh. "Master, I have never seen an immortal. You are making things difficult for me."
"If you don't find them, you die," Ouyang Ye said sternly.
A Ju's eyes sank, and she fell silent once more. She knew clearly that she could not complete this task. If she agreed blindly now, it would be courting death. So, she chose to remain silent.
Ouyang Ye asked, "What, silent again?"
"Master, I am merely a mortal. Becoming an immortal is impossible in this lifetime, let alone finding an immortal," A Ju said with a troubled expression. "Master, please assign me another task to atone for my mistakes."
"So, you know you need to atone." Ouyang Ye smiled. "Good, you're making progress."
"Master, please tell me your command," A Ju said courteously.
Seeing A Ju's good performance, Ouyang Ye was no longer harsh with her and directly said, "Go and find that useless needle."
"Useless needle…" A Ju repeated. After a moment of thought, she nodded, "Understood, Master."
"So prompt," Ouyang Ye said with a faint smile.
"I know where it is," A Ju said. After a pause, she asked, "Master, why do you want that useless needle?"
"That useless needle poses a great threat to me. I want to destroy it," Ouyang Ye stated with a determined gaze.
Outside the house.
Yin Zhen clearly heard Ouyang Ye's words. It deliberately burrowed further into the seams of the money pouch and said, "You must protect me."
At this moment, Mu Anxiao also heard what Ouyang Ye had instructed A Ju, and she happened to want to disrupt his plans.
Thinking of this, she readily agreed to Yin Zhen's plea, "Don't worry, I won't let him discover you."
"Really?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Mu Anxiao said. She looked up and saw A Ju walking out of the room.
Yin Zhen sensed A Ju's presence and dared not speak.
Mu Anxiao moved aside.
The next moment.
Mu Anxiao and Feng Qi Shi stood together at the courtyard gate, then both looked at A Ju, who was kneeling on the ground searching for Yin Zhen, without saying a word.
Yin Zhen was extremely nervous and gently nudged the money pouch, asking, "Why are you watching her?"
"I'm just seeing if she can find a single flower," Mu Anxiao said. She turned to look at Feng Qi Shi, who had been dejected since earlier, and asked, "Do you want to know her true thoughts?"
"Mmm, actually," Feng Qi Shi didn't want to lie to Mu Anxiao, so he said, "I'm quite unhappy."
"Then show yourself and ask," Mu Anxiao said calmly.
"…" Feng Qi Shi shook his head.
Mu Anxiao asked in confusion, "Why? If it were me, I would definitely ask."
"That's you. However," Feng Qi Shi said, still looking at A Ju, who was diligently searching for Yin Zhen, "I think most of what she says is likely the truth."
"Why so little confidence? You are her true master."
"What you said…" Feng Qi Shi started to say, then stopped, lowered his eyes, and smiled.
Mu Anxiao was confused. She then turned back to look at A Ju and deliberately said, "If you can find it, I'll change my surname to yours." She pointed at A Ju.
Feng Qi Shi glanced at Mu Anxiao and was speechless.
Shortly after, just as A Ju was in distress, Ouyang Ye suddenly appeared before her.
At the same time, Mu Anxiao and Feng Qi Shi shifted their gaze to Ouyang Ye.
The next second, A Ju looked up at Ouyang Ye and said, "Master, I remember it was around this area."
"I remember," Ouyang Ye suddenly said.
A Ju blinked, looking timid, "What do you remember?"
"You go find a servant named Cao Gen. The silver needle is with her." After speaking, Ouyang Ye turned and vanished.
Subsequently, A Ju repeated the name 'Cao Gen' aloud and muttered, "Master said it's with her, so it must be with her." With that, she stood up.