"No need, just bring it to me," Mu Anxiao said. She glanced at the burly men, Number Three and Number Four, who stood beside the plump woman, respectfully smiling at her. Swallowing hard, she imagined these rough men massaging her shoulders and fawning over her, shivered, and then looked at the plump woman who was still smiling and watching her. "What are you looking at me for? Why aren't you going?"
"Are you sure you won't come in with me? There are many delicious things inside, and I can share some with you. Didn't you say," the plump woman smiled, "that you were hungry? I'm afraid a single pastry won't fill you up. After all, you are a robust young man." As she spoke, she reached out to grab Mu Anxiao's arm.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao quickly stepped back and said, "No need, I'm not robust at all. Just like you said when I was being beaten, I'm just short and ugly." After saying this, she glanced at the plump woman's hand.
Mu Anxiao's refusal, however, was twofold: firstly, her objective had been achieved; secondly, she disliked being fawned over. She preferred to be treated with genuine sincerity. Of course, Mu Anxiao also understood that the plump woman was acting this way out of fear that she might report her to Feng Qishi. If Feng Qishi became angry, she might scold her severely and expel her from the General's Mansion. It was clear that the two burly men had similar thoughts. Therefore, Mu Anxiao did not need this kind of helpfulness built on such a foundation.
The moment Mu Anxiao dodged her, the plump woman withdrew her hand and said, "Are you sure? I have a lot of delicious food inside. If you don't come in, you won't have another chance." She then waited expectantly for Mu Anxiao's reply.
Mu Anxiao also disliked this feeling of being pestered, especially the hypocritical smile on the plump woman's face, which made her uncomfortable. Clearing her throat, she decided not to be polite anymore. "I've made myself very clear. Can you stop asking? It's really annoying." As she spoke, her face became stern.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's displeased expression, the plump woman was startled. "Are you sure you're not going?" she asked, her gaze towards Mu Anxiao becoming cautious.
Mu Anxiao then crossed her arms in front of her and said, "I said I'm not going, and I'm not going. If you spout any more nonsense," she employed her ultimate move, "I'll go find the General. Your behavior is bothering me." Her eyes sharpened.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's resolute attitude, the plump woman glanced at the two burly men beside her and dared not force Mu Anxiao any further. "Alright, wait for me. I'll get you something to eat and some liniment." With that, she turned and left.
Conversely, the two burly men showed no intention of leaving. They stood in place, both giving Mu Anxiao a chilling smile.
Mu Anxiao frowned, looking at the two burly men whose attitudes were completely different from when they had beaten her. She intentionally glanced behind them and asked, "What are you still standing here for? Are you spying on me?" She looked at each of them as she asked.
Then, Number Three chuckled sheepishly at Mu Anxiao and pointed to her injured spot. "Well, we really didn't hold back just now. Um... um, are you alright now?" he asked, his gaze towards Mu Anxiao becoming extremely cautious. Number Four servant also showed concern and, along with Number Three, quietly watched Mu Anxiao, waiting for her reply.
Mu Anxiao sighed at their expectant expressions and said, "If I weren't alright, do you think I could be standing here? Alright," she became serious, "I don't want to talk to you right now. Go inside, I just want to be alone here for a while." As she spoke, she deliberately took a step back.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's impatience, Number Three said again, "Are you sure you're not going in? There's so much good food inside, you..."
"You're such a man, why are you so verbose? I said I want to be quiet, Mu Anxiao said angrily. "Don't you understand, or what? Hurry back, please, I'm begging you. Alright?" She clasped her hands together, completely exasperated.
Immediately after Mu Anxiao said this, Number Three and Number Four exchanged an awkward smile and then turned and walked away without daring to say another word.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao breathed a sigh of relief and muttered, "So verbose." Then, with one hand on her hip, she turned her head and saw Liu Ye approaching gracefully.
At the same time, Liu Ye saw her. "It's you," she said, quickening her pace to Mu Anxiao's side. She then glanced at the door of the room and asked, "Why are you here?" She knew the rules of the kitchen and showed a worried expression.
Mu Anxiao replied, "Just had something to do, so I came over." She didn't want to say too much and casually brushed off Liu Ye.
Then, Liu Ye noticed that Mu Anxiao's movements were not quite right and asked, "What's wrong with you?" She glanced at the hand Mu Anxiao was supporting herself with behind her back.
Hearing Liu Ye's words, Mu Anxiao quickly lowered the hand supporting her behind her back and said, "Nothing, it's just..." She remembered what Liu Ye had told her and smiled. "It's just that I didn't expect it to be true, just as you said. I would really get spanked if I went in." After saying this, she smiled sheepishly at Liu Ye.
Seeing Mu Anxiao like this, Liu Ye couldn't help but feel sympathetic. "Why did you come here? If you wanted to go in, you should have asked me. I would have taken you in, and you wouldn't have been beaten. You're so foolish." As she spoke, she looked at Mu Anxiao's hand again and said, "Let's go, I'll take you to see a doctor to get your medicine." She then reached out to grab Mu Anxiao's arm.
Mu Anxiao hastily took a step back as Liu Ye reached for her. "No need, we've already sorted things out. They've also apologized to me. I'm waiting for the kitchen steward to bring me some food. Besides, my injury isn't serious, so there's no need to see a doctor. It's too much trouble."
"You..."
"Alright, I'm really fine," Mu Anxiao said, enduring the pain behind her and smiling at her. "Speaking of which, why did you come this way?"
"I was just passing by and saw you. Are you really alright?" Liu Ye was still concerned about Mu Anxiao's injury.
Mu Anxiao had never been cared for by a girl like this before. Being suddenly cared for by Liu Ye made her feel uncomfortable. "I'm really fine. Um, you should go back to your work. I'm waiting for that steward, and I have other things to do later." She now just wanted Liu Ye to leave quickly because things were chaotic enough, and she really didn't want to drag Liu Ye into Ouyang Ye's affairs.
Liu Ye hesitated when she heard Mu Anxiao urging her to leave. "Alright then. If you feel unwell, come find me."
"As a grown man, it's probably not appropriate for me to come to you for an injury like this. In any case, don't worry, I'll be fine. Let's go." Mu Anxiao waved her hand.
Then, Liu Ye left after looking back a few times.
Just then, a voice reached Mu Anxiao's ears. "You're here." Hearing the voice, her nerves tensed. The moment she turned her head towards the direction of the sound, she frowned deeply.