Xiao Yue’s slap came quite suddenly. Mu Anxiao remained frozen on the spot, still not having reacted. As for why she was smiling, even she didn’t know.
Seeing Mu Anxiao smiling for no apparent reason, Xiao Yue couldn’t help but frown, "What's wrong with you?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao gradually came back to her senses. She then wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, stood up, and turned to look at Xiao Yue standing opposite her, saying, "Nothing much, it's just," her voice was thick with a nasal sound, "it's just a bit sudden." As she spoke, she sniffled.
Xiao Yue: "Aren't you angry?" She hadn't felt anything at first, but hearing Mu Anxiao suddenly speak up like this, she suddenly felt remorseful.
Mu Anxiao raised her hand, wiping away tears, and said, "Of course I'm angry, but what can I do to you?" As she spoke, she smiled again, but her smile was filled with bitterness.
Feng Qishi stood far away, watching Mu Anxiao being hit innocently, and clenched his fists. However, this was a matter between women, and it wasn't appropriate for him to intervene. There was nothing he could do but continue to stand there, waiting for an opportunity.
Xiao Yue was stunned. She hadn't expected Mu Anxiao to be so direct.
Mu Anxiao took a deep breath and said, "Where were we just now? I'm a bit confused." As she spoke, she recalled what Xiao Yue had said after hitting her. "Oh, I remember. You asked if I was awake, right?" Her tone was no longer as gentle as before.
"..." Xiao Yue avoided her gaze.
Mu Anxiao smiled faintly, "I've been awake the whole time." Saying this, she suppressed the sudden aversion she felt towards Xiao Yue and looked at the second maid.
The second maid looked guilty but didn't know what to say.
Mu Anxiao smiled at the second maid, "I'm sorry, I scared you just now." As she spoke, she knew clearly that no matter what she did, Xiao Yue wouldn't understand her meaning. Even if she continued to speak, it would be useless.
Rather than that, it would be better to let Xiao Yue think about it herself.
She would try to avoid the topic as much as possible, lest she say the wrong thing and get slapped again, which wouldn't be worth it.
Seeing Mu Anxiao's sudden change in attitude, the second maid was startled. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, it's just a slap," Mu Anxiao said, looking at the maids who were afraid she would ask for her money back. "Just remember what you said. I won't take the money, don't worry." As she spoke, she raised her hand and rubbed her face.
Seeing that Mu Anxiao was ignoring her, Xiao Yue softly said, "I'm sorry."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao turned back to look at Xiao Yue and smiled, "It's fine."
"I was just afraid you'd strangle her," Xiao Yue said properly.
Mu Anxiao, hearing Xiao Yue's deeply repentant tone, instantly felt less angry. "I wouldn't be so foolish." As she spoke, she glanced at A Ju. "If I give you money, will you stop making things difficult for her?" She glanced at the second maid.
A Ju: "Give me four taels of silver, and I won't."
"Three taels of silver, otherwise," Mu Anxiao had completely forgotten about Xiao Yue, "I'll treat you the same way." As she spoke, she stared coldly at A Ju.
A Ju was instantly startled by Mu Anxiao's gaze.
Immediately, Mu Anxiao casually took out three taels of silver from her purse and threw them to A Ju.
The next second, as the silver landed at A Ju's feet, Mu Anxiao looked back at Xiao Yue. "Since they won't say anything anymore, I don't have to marry you, right?"
Xiao Yue's eyes darkened, and she wanted to cry.
Mu Anxiao saw that Xiao Yue was still feeling guilty. In reality, she and Xiao Yue had hardly interacted. If it were any other time, after something like this happened, she would definitely not bother with the person who hit her again.
However, what was most important to her now was to learn about Shu'er's life before her death. Therefore, she put aside her prejudice against Xiao Yue and said, "Don't you cry, it makes it seem like I'm bullying you."
"It was wrong of me to hit you, but your sarcasm really makes me feel very uncomfortable."
Mu Anxiao sneered.
Seeing this, Xiao Yue's tears immediately streamed down.
At this moment, Mu Anxiao genuinely didn't want to speak kindly to Xiao Yue, not for any other reason than that sudden slap. She thought about how she had worked hard to solve all sorts of problems for Xiao Yue, yet Xiao Yue stubbornly distrusted her. That was bad enough, but then she had also given her a slap.
Moreover, what she hated most was when people caught her off guard. When dealing with demon souls before, she also disliked them the most. Whenever she encountered such demon souls, she would show no mercy in the end.
Now, facing a person, she truly didn't know what to do.
Therefore, she could only choose to escape without harming the other party.
Who knew that her escape would be met with Xiao Yue's grievance.
Looking at Xiao Yue, she also wanted to cry, but she couldn't. There was nothing she could do but comfort Xiao Yue.
"I have emotions too, can you give me a moment to collect myself?" As she spoke, she reached out her hand, but just as she was about to pat Xiao Yue's shoulder, she suddenly remembered the reason for Xiao Yue's persistence, and thus she withdrew her hand.
Xiao Yue cried and said, "I've already apologized to you."
"I..."
"What do I need to do for you to forgive me?" Xiao Yue sobbed.
Mu Anxiao's emotions came and went. Forgiveness was another matter; she was the type of person whose emotions would pass, and then the matter would be over. As for forgiveness, she couldn't forgive someone when her emotions hadn't subsided.
However, Xiao Yue was so persistent that if she didn't say she forgave her, Xiao Yue would definitely continue like this.
Therefore, while calming her own emotions, she thought for a moment and said, "Just tell me about Shu'er, and I'll forgive you." She felt that this was the most effective way to soothe her inner dissatisfaction.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yue became excited. "Really?"
"Really, as long as you tell me, I won't be angry anymore," Mu Anxiao said, a glimmer of hope appearing in her heart.
Seeing Mu Anxiao like this, Xiao Yue readily agreed, "Okay."
Mu Anxiao felt relieved and asked, "I don't have to marry you anymore, right?"
Xiao Yue thought for a moment and said, "No."
"Really?" Mu Anxiao's heart completely relaxed.
Xiao Yue: "You've already spent money for me. If I were to force you again, it would be my fault." She had come to this realization after giving Mu Anxiao the slap.
Mu Anxiao was overjoyed. "It's fine, I forgive you." She was suddenly enlightened.
Xiao Yue lowered her head.
Subsequently, Mu Anxiao looked at the group of maids who were watching the commotion and said, "You can all leave."
The maids had not left because they were afraid to.
So, hearing Mu Anxiao's words, they each said, "Okay," and left.
Then, only A Ju remained.
Mu Anxiao looked at A Ju, who wasn't leaving, and asked suspiciously, "What are you doing here?"