Zhao Xiang was rendered speechless by Mu Anxiao's words. At that moment, he even forgot his usual gift for gab. Looking at her, his face was simply creased in a foolish grin.
Mu Anxiao eyed Zhao Xiang's foolish grin and felt a surge of disdain. "I want to ask you something," she pouted, her expression clearly conveying her contempt for him.
Conversely, Zhao Xiang assumed that after Mu Anxiao had her 'say,' she had forgiven him. Thus, he grinned even more wantonly. "Ask away."
"Were you injured in the head when you were young?" Mu Anxiao asked seriously.
"That," Zhao Xiang didn't react for a moment, thinking Mu Anxiao was concerned about him. "I'd have to ask my parents. But, I think I was injured, though... it wasn't a severe injury. In short, there might have been something."
Mu Anxiao uttered an "Oh."
However, Mu Anxiao's "Oh" left Zhao Xiang confused. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just think your head is unwell and you should see a doctor."
"Really? I..." Zhao Xiang trailed off mid-sentence as Gu Yan let out a muffled snicker. Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiang immediately shifted his gaze to Gu Yan's face. "What are you laughing at?" he hadn't yet grasped the situation.
Gu Yan shook her head.
Zhao Xiang frowned, about to inquire further, when Mu Anxiao said, "Given your mental state, help me with something."
"What?" Zhao Xiang's thoughts were immediately pulled back by Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao crossed her arms. "Take me to the coachman."
"Coachman..." Zhao Xiang repeated, chuckling dryly. "This, I really don't know."
"I know," Gu Yan quickly said.
Mu Anxiao had intended to use finding the coachman as a final test of Zhao Xiang's trustworthiness. But alas, he knew nothing. She was somewhat speechless at this. She then looked at Gu Yan and said, "No need, I'll find him myself."
"You know where?" Gu Yan asked, surprised. She wanted to use this to atone for her previous mistake, but to her surprise, Mu Anxiao refused her. She suspected Mu Anxiao held a grudge.
"I do."
"But..."
"Don't say anything more. This general's mansion is essentially filled with Ouyang Ye's informants. If you..." Mu Anxiao said, glancing at Zhao Xiang, who was looking at her expectantly, and continued, "If you lead the way and they find out and report it, it won't do any of you any good."
Zhao Xiang smiled. "You're so considerate."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao's mouth twitched, and she glanced at Zhao Xiang's face again. "You're truly disgusting," she said, then looked back at the touched Gu Yan. "Alright, I'm leaving now."
"Mm," Gu Yan nodded, stepping aside to let Mu Anxiao pass.
Following this, as Mu Anxiao was about to leave, Zhao Xiang called out, "If you need anything, find me."
"I wouldn't dare," Mu Anxiao pouted and shook her head.
Zhao Xiang looked dejected. "Don't say that. Everyone makes mistakes..."
"Your mistake has made Shen Moyun and I enemies," Mu Anxiao interrupted him sharply. She hadn't intended to say this, but seeing Zhao Xiang's 'unconcerned' benevolent expression, her anger surged.
The moment Mu Anxiao uttered those words, Zhao Xiang was stunned. "What's going on?"
"As your master wished, Shen Moyun is going to marry Gu Yan."
"Wasn't he... forced?" As soon as Zhao Xiang heard the news, the scene of Feng Qishi being coerced flashed through his mind. It was at this point that he felt apologetic towards Mu Anxiao. He hadn't expected there to be another reason, and it greatly surprised him.
"Forced? Do you think Ouyang Ye has that kind of ability? I'm telling you, I'm not done with you regarding this matter." Mu Anxiao pointed at Zhao Xiang and walked past them.
Zhao Xiang stood there, dazed.
Gu Yan was also taken aback. She glanced at Mu Anxiao's retreating figure, then turned back to Zhao Xiang. "Things are indeed not that simple."
"Mu Xiao is really angry," Zhao Xiang said softly, glancing sideways at Mu Anxiao's retreating, furious figure.
At the same time, Gu Yan followed Zhao Xiang's gaze and also turned to look at Mu Anxiao's furious back. "You need to make it up to her," she said.
"Tell me how," Zhao Xiang turned to meet Gu Yan's eyes.
Gu Yan frowned. "How? Shouldn't you be figuring that out yourself right now?"
Zhao Xiang looked troubled. "I'm the worst at figuring things out. Of course, I know I need to atone for my mistakes, but," he took a sharp breath, "how can I make amends? She can't be bothered with me at all. But I can't just give her the deed to my house; if I did that, my father would definitely break my legs. My image at home is that of an honest man."
"Indeed, all honest men have another side," Gu Yan said dismissively, turning and walking in the direction Mu Anxiao had gone.
Seeing this, Zhao Xiang hurriedly asked, "What are you doing? Shouldn't you be going to the kitchen at this time?"
"Kitchen," Gu Yan mumbled under her breath, stopping and turning to look at Zhao Xiang with a helpless expression. "You really do have a problem with your head."
"I'm asking you a question, and you're being abusive," Zhao Xiang whined.
Gu Yan replied, "I'm cursing you. Haven't you considered that with Mu Xiao's abilities alone, she can get into the woodshed? Don't forget, it's been... " She glanced around nervously, worried about eavesdroppers, before continuing, "It's been enchanted by Ouyang Ye, and the sorcery to open that lock is something only you and I know. You see..."
"I can use this to atone for my mistakes," Zhao Xiang said eagerly.
Gu Yan's lips curved into a smile. "That's more like it."
"You're so smart," Zhao Xiang said, quickly walking to Gu Yan's side. "Let's go."
"Step back," Gu Yan said disdainfully, pushing Zhao Xiang away.
Zhao Xiang frowned. "Why?" He grabbed Gu Yan's arm.
"Can't you just follow behind me?" Gu Yan looked at Zhao Xiang's behavior with exasperation.
Zhao Xiang smiled. "Let's go together. That way, when Mu Xiao sees us, she'll see both of us directly, which might prevent her from ignoring me." With that, he pulled Gu Yan and walked forward.
In this manner, Gu Yan was 'controlled' by Zhao Xiang.
On the other side.
Ouyang Ye walked into Feng Qishi's study. Feng Qishi stood by the desk, tidying things up, while looking up at Ouyang Ye, who had ignored Song Xu and was walking towards him. "What are you here for?" he asked expressionlessly, his tone cold.
"I've come to find Xiao'er," Ouyang Ye said, stopping opposite Feng Qishi.
"Xiao'er..." Feng Qishi repeated, putting down the scroll in his hand and saying coldly, "The person you're referring to, I don't know."
"You..."
"If you're looking for someone, I can tell you that you've come to the wrong place because," Feng Qishi deliberately interrupted, pointing to Song Xu beside him, "there's only him and me here."
"Do you think I'll believe what you say?" Ouyang Ye said, glancing at Song Xu.