This time, Mu Anxiao recognized the voice as belonging to a man.
However, ever since she had been given a second chance at life, she cherished her own life exceptionally. She especially couldn't stand hearing people threaten her life. Whenever anyone did, she would immediately turn hostile, a fact well known to all the maids in the mansion.
Therefore, she was now disinclined to engage with that person.
Upon hearing this, the master of the Mu mansion turned to the man and said, "This maid is acting crazy." He pointed to his head, "There's something wrong with her."
"Is that so?" the man replied. He glanced at Mu Anxiao and frowned, "This ugly creature, is she your daughter?"
"Indeed. I apologize for the sight. But speaking of which," the Mu mansion master smiled, "I must thank you today. If it weren't for you, I would have offended my benefactor."
"I just couldn't stand seeing someone obstructing my view," the man said coldly, his gaze falling on the back of Mu Anxiao's head. "Why is she crying?"
The Mu mansion master smiled, "To be frank, she insists on leaving..."
"Father, my mind is perfectly fine," Mu Anxiao couldn't stand it anymore. She turned around, not even glancing at the man, and said, "Let's be direct. I am standing here now with only one purpose: one, to leave through the main gate; two, I want to enter the palace in place of your third daughter."
Upon hearing this, the Mu mansion master became enraged. "You wicked girl, is the imperial palace a place for you to go?" He shifted his body to look at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao impatiently pulled down the veil that was obstructing her view, sniffled, and said, "Father, there are some things you wouldn't want outsiders to hear, right?" Only then did she cast a glance at the man.
The man narrowed his eyes.
The Mu mansion master was taken aback and said, "You said one purpose, but that's two now." He gritted his teeth.
Mu Anxiao replied, "I'm learning from you, Father. It's been a full three months. If you want your scandalous secrets spread, then don't agree to my request." After saying this, her gaze turned cold.
From the very first day she arrived, Zhang Yan had made Mu Anxiao play the role of a young lady who would neither fight back nor retort. In short, he had told Mu Anxiao that as long as she was obedient, nothing would be a problem. As long as she was obedient, everyone would like her, and naturally, all opportunities would be hers.
Of course, before she sensed the demonic energy, Mu Anxiao had indeed intended to follow Zhang Yan's advice. She could even tolerate spending nights in the wilderness in the middle of the night, and she could also endure the various smells from inside the sacks.
However, after sensing the demonic energy, she completely changed her mind. She believed that waiting idly for opportunity was never a good strategy, and opportunities were earned. Therefore, she was determined to enter the palace to investigate the owner of that demonic energy, no matter the cost, even if it meant being beaten or scolded.
The Mu mansion master had never seen Mu Anxiao like this. Now, looking at her serious expression, he suddenly realized that she was indeed the 'wild girl' his wife had spoken of.
Thus, he growled, "I don't understand what you're saying. Go back through the back door now."
It was like a bolt from the blue.
Mu Anxiao felt a flash of lightning pass before her eyes. Looking at the Mu mansion master, she thought her words were perfectly reasonable. Yet, why would they result in this? She didn't understand.
Subsequently, you walked up to the Mu mansion master and feigned persistence, "I'm not going back. No matter what, today you must..."
Before she could finish, the Mu mansion master raised his hand and slapped her across the face.
The slap was so resounding that Mu Anxiao's ears rang instantly, and she was stunned.
"Madwoman! Someone, take her back!" the Mu mansion master declared. He turned to the man and said, "I apologize."
The man glanced at Mu Anxiao and shook his head slightly.
Mu Anxiao tilted her face, took a deep breath, and still refusing to give up, turned back to look at the back of the Mu mansion master's head, saying, "Mu Gui, if you are unrighteous, then don't blame me for being unrighteous." After speaking, she raised her hand to rub her numb and aching cheek.
This Mu mansion master's name was Mu Gui. Ordinarily, people only addressed him as 'Lord' or 'Master.'
Never, except for the benefactor and his own parents, had anyone addressed him by his given name so directly.
Hearing Mu Anxiao call him by name now, he became furious. "A bunch of useless people, what are you all standing around for? Take her back and lock her in the woodshed!"
"Even if you lock me in, I have a way to get out," Mu Anxiao said deliberately.
Mu Gui frowned and said, "Tie her up with a rope."
"Yes," the two servants replied in unison, stepped forward, and each took an arm of Mu Anxiao, pulling her along.
Mu Anxiao showed no intention of struggling and let them lead her away.
The man watched Mu Anxiao being taken away, thought for a moment, and then turned to the increasingly infuriated Mu Gui, saying, "My Lord, I will not speak of this matter. Rest assured."
Hearing this, Mu Gui smiled at the man and said, "General, I apologize."
"..." The man shook his head slightly.
Mu Gui knew the man was not one to gossip, so he let go of his unnecessary worries and said faintly, "Then, General, please." After speaking, he turned and walked ahead.
The man followed with his men.
An hour later.
Mu Anxiao sat leaning against a pillar, her hands and feet securely bound by ropes. The entire woodshed was pitch dark, but she showed no fear. On the contrary, she calmly surveyed her surroundings before turning to Jia, who had emerged from underground, and said excitedly, "You're here."
Jia was originally the second-in-command of Hei Feng. However, Hei Feng had been reinstated after rendering meritorious service.
With the turn of fortune, Jia and Yan Yu were now subordinates of Hei Feng.
In this entire underworld, only Hei Feng knew that Mu Anxiao was not dead. As he had a mission, he dispatched Jia to Mu Anxiao's side to assist her in completing the task of capturing the demon soul.
Jia asked, "How did you end up like this?" He walked forward and crouched in front of Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao sighed and said, "Never mind that, I've found the demon soul."
"Where?" Jia asked excitedly.
"In the imperial palace," Mu Anxiao replied. She then looked down at the ropes binding her and continued, "Forget it, I'll be honest with you. I offended Mu Gui because I wanted to enter the palace, and then he ordered someone to tie me up here."
"What?" Jia exclaimed. Recalling Zhang Yan's instructions before leaving, he said, "Are you crazy? Your master said not to offend Mu Gui, you..."
"I can't just wait to be killed anymore. Besides, I'm doing this to capture the demon soul. If I don't complete the mission, the spiritual energy that saved me will be depleted. Honestly, I don't know what my master is thinking. He said he would give me a year to cultivate the second layer of spiritual energy, but it's almost a year now, and he still won't let me act. I think," Mu Anxiao snorted coldly, "he just wants to see me die."
"What kind of mindset is that?" Jia asked helplessly.
"This is my mindset. Honestly, I've had enough of this wretched household. When the returned daughter is seen by her mother, the mother is overjoyed. But my mother," Mu Anxiao clicked her tongue, "wishes she didn't have to see me. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have been framed. Honestly, I'm just puzzled. If my mother hates me so much, why did she send people to find me? Why bother? If she hadn't, I wouldn't..."
"If she hadn't, you wouldn't have an identity," Jia interrupted.
Mu Anxiao was stunned.