With the lessons of the past guiding her, Mu Anxiao fixed her gaze intently on the plump woman's face, deliberately remaining silent, waiting for the woman to fully confess her scheme.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's expression, convinced something was amiss, and then glancing down at the money pouch Mu Anxiao had tossed at her feet, the plump woman spoke in a low voice. "You say I've exposed myself," she began, bending to pick up the money pouch, then straightening up and looking back at Mu Anxiao. "I just wanted to give you some silver so you could eat better. Is that wrong? You're quite the calculating young man." She then put on a show of being wronged.
Mu Anxiao couldn't discern whether the plump woman's words were genuine or deceitful. However, she knew that some things were best not taken at face value, lest she be harmed in the future and still be left in distress. Thus, looking at the plump woman's face, she felt nothing. Instead, a cold smile touched her lips.
Upon seeing this, the plump woman smoothly dropped her wronged expression and frowned. "No, what's with that cold smile? Don't you believe I genuinely wish you well?"
"You know I know the General, right?" Mu Anxiao said pointedly, immediately using this to observe the plump woman's expression for any shift.
The plump woman looked at Mu Anxiao with a helpless expression, sighed softly, and said, "Did my sudden offer of silver and kindness to you cause you discomfort? If so, I apologize. But this..." she trailed off, "I truly don't understand."
"If you don't understand, then continue not to understand," Mu Anxiao decided she had no need to bicker with the plump woman any longer. "I have only one thing to say: I cannot accept your silver, but I'll reluctantly take these pastries. Of course, this is in exchange for my own well-being. And when you leave, don't speak carelessly."
However, ever since touching the money pouch, Mu Anxiao had been acting strangely, and the plump woman couldn't make heads or tails of it. As for what Mu Anxiao meant by her exposing herself, she understood even less and couldn't fathom it. For now, she simply watched Mu Anxiao, saying nothing.
Mu Anxiao looked at the suddenly silent plump woman, then recalled the phantom soul that had left such a deep impression on her. She sneered, "It seems I've guessed it all. Let me tell you," she said earnestly, "if you want to harm me, forget it. Giving me money only to sell me out to the General later—that's quite a clever plan, isn't it? But unfortunately for you, I discovered it. You must be feeling quite guilty now." Having said this, she met the plump woman's gaze.
Subsequently, after hearing Mu Anxiao's words, the plump woman couldn't help but lower her eyes and smile. "Your thoughts are quite active, young man. If I were to report you to the General, what good would that do me?" she mused. "Besides, speaking of your relationship with the General, do you really think the General would listen to a mere cook?"
"What... what do you mean by that?" Mu Anxiao now completely envisioned the plump woman as that phantom soul. "Are you trying to cover up your intentions with these words? Let me tell you, for every method you have, I have one too. You want to mess with me? Forget it."
Seeing Mu Anxiao's growing excitement, the plump woman couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Mu Anxiao, hearing the plump woman's open mockery and watching her tilt her head back as she laughed, became angry. "What are you laughing at? My words were a warning to you. Is that so amusing that you're laughing like this?"
"I'm laughing at you," the plump woman declared. She took a step forward, staring directly into Mu Anxiao's face. "I'm laughing at your naivety, your foolishness, your self-importance." With that, she ceased her laughter, lowered her gaze to her money pouch, and said, "Since I entered this General's mansion, I've barely gone out. Do you know why?" She looked at Mu Anxiao.
Worried the plump woman might make a move against her, Mu Anxiao took another step back. "I don't know why, and I don't want to know. In any case, I won't be taking your silver." With that, she picked up her bundle and turned to leave.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's retreating back, the plump woman quickly stepped forward and grabbed Mu Anxiao's arm, saying, "I didn't mean it like you think. I did give you silver with the intention of silencing you, but..."
"You've confirmed my suspicions, what else do you want to say?" Mu Anxiao asked without turning, her tone hardening.
The plump woman's eyes darkened. "I want to say that I feel sorry for you. Besides, why would I go and report you to the General? Does complaining to him suddenly make me rich? In short, I gave you the silver for two reasons: first, I didn't want you to report this matter to the General, and second, I wanted you to use it for your treatment, as I wasn't sure if this wound-healing powder would be effective."
Listening to the plump woman's earnest words, Mu Anxiao was reminded of the arrogant, complaining phantom soul who had caused her to owe a favor to Lord Hei Fengtian. She then compared the plump woman's words with what the phantom soul had said and found them completely dissimilar. Moreover, as the plump woman claimed, she herself was injured, and such bruises were notoriously difficult to heal; ordinary wound-healing powder would likely be ineffective. It dawned on her, and she suddenly felt embarrassed. "You truly mean well for me," she said, turning slightly.
The plump woman released her hand and nodded. "I genuinely do. Your injuries are partly my fault. As for why I didn't want you to report it, the reason is simple," she paused, then continued, "I don't want to leave this place."
"Is this place that good?" Mu Anxiao suddenly found herself unable to comprehend the plump woman's thoughts.
The plump woman sighed softly. "Whether it's good or not is another matter. At my age, finding work elsewhere is difficult. I came here a year ago. Before that, no one wanted me. I spent almost all my time in tavern kitchens, washing vegetables. But since coming here, I haven't had to wash vegetables. So, here I can find my value. If I leave, I'll truly be finished. That's why I thought of this method, but I didn't realize you wouldn't like it." She then lowered her head.
Mu Anxiao's mind cleared as she listened to the plump woman's words. "Someone has harmed me in a similar way before, so when I touched the money pouch, my anger flared up involuntarily. I apologize; I shouldn't have been so quick to assume you were a bad person."
"It's alright, I knew something must have happened to you, that's why..." The plump woman stopped midway, her eyes suddenly widening, her entire face contorting into a grimace.
Witnessing this, Mu Anxiao was shocked. "What's wrong with you?" she asked, stepping forward. Just as she reached out to steady the plump woman, the latter fell backward. Unable to catch her, Mu Anxiao watched helplessly as the plump woman lay on the ground. "How could this happen?" she murmured, quickly moving forward and crouching beside the plump woman.