In Mu An Xiao's memory, the last time she saw Feng Qi Shi was on the day she died.
When she woke up again, she was already in the Mu Manor. The first person she saw was Zhang Yan.
As for Feng Qi Shi, given the old gentleman's temperament, she assumed he had already taken Feng Qi Shi back to heaven. Thus, she had never worried about Feng Qi Shi, and even thought it was a good thing for Feng Qi Shi to leave her.
But now, looking at the man on the horse, her thoughts became a mess. "What's your name?" she couldn't believe there would be anyone in this world who looked exactly like Feng Qi Shi.
"Move aside," the man said coldly.
Mu An Xiao frowned. "Tell me your name, and I'll move aside." She completely ignored the rest of the entourage and slowly stood up.
Seeing Mu An Xiao's actions, the man drew the long sword from his waist and pointed it at her. "Move aside."
"What's your name?" Mu An Xiao insisted, taking a step forward, intending to face the sword.
Immediately, the man's eyes widened. He used the sword to flick away the veil from Mu An Xiao's face and said coldly, "So ugly, yet you want to talk to this general. Overestimating yourself." With that, her veil fell to the ground.
Mu An Xiao glared fiercely at the man, bent down to pick up her veil, took a few steps back, and then turned to look at the Mu Manor master on the horse behind her, thinking, it's over.
Seeing Mu An Xiao retreat, the man sheathed his sword, pulled the reins, and continued forward.
Mu An Xiao lowered her head.
The Mu Manor master shot her a fierce glare as he passed.
Immediately after, as Mu An Xiao looked back at the Mu Manor master's retreating back, she suddenly smelled a demonic aura. Her eyes widened, and she immediately turned to look at the 'luxurious' carriage passing before her, murmuring, "There's a demon soul in this carriage?" She glanced at the departing entourage and decided to enter the palace to investigate.
At the same time, the noodle shop owner walked up to Mu An Xiao. "It's ready."
Hearing this, Mu An Xiao snapped back to attention, nodded, walked around the noodle shop owner, and headed into the shop.
Half an hour later.
Mu An Xiao stopped before the gates of the Mu Manor, looking up at the plaque that read 'Mu Manor'. She pondered the return time of the Mu Manor master and muttered, "This third young lady of the Mu Manor has three days each month to enter the palace. If I can successfully lodge a complaint here and take her opportunity, I can enter the palace to capture the demon soul. This way, I'll have had my revenge." With a smile, she pulled up her long skirt and started up the steps. The guard at the gate rushed forward to block her. She scoffed, "What are you doing? Move aside, this young lady needs to enter."
"Miss, you cannot go this way," the guard said, his tone still somewhat gentle.
Mu An Xiao replied, "I know. My father said I can't use the main gate, only the back. That's the rule. But," she looked to the sides, "this time, they threw me off a cliff. I managed to roll and avoid the fall, and thankfully branches caught me. Otherwise, I would have met my doom."
"..." The guard dared not speak.
Mu An Xiao continued, "My leg was injured when I climbed back up, so I can't climb the wall anymore. And that crazy old woman guarding the back gate never treats me well and never opens the door for me. So," she smiled, "please, I need to enter through here."
"Miss, the master and madam have ordered that you are not allowed to use the main gate."
"I'm not allowed to use the main gate, but I remember my master who brought me back told me," Mu An Xiao stared at the guard's face, "when I was sent back, I entered through the main gate."
"Your master is a celestial being highly valued by King Jin. We dare not disobey, so we... opened the gate."
"Celestial being?"
"Yes, it's said he was highly valued by the previous King Jin and then went traveling. He returned about a year ago."
"A year ago... Where is he now?" Mu An Xiao's perception of Zhang Yan's abilities gained a new dimension.
She thought that if he lived without worry for food and lodging in the mortal world, it would be the same here. At this moment, she suddenly felt that this master was quite useful.
"It's said he went traveling again."
"Again..." Mu An Xiao repeated the words, then sneered, "It's because he went traveling that you bully me. Fine, when he returns, I will definitely report you." While speaking, she thought that the master should be back by now.
"Xiao..."
"Report? Who are you going to report to?"
Hearing this, Mu An Xiao smiled faintly, slowly turned around, and looked at the Mu Manor master dismounting from his horse, along with the others following him. She cupped her fists in a salute. "Greetings, Father." She put on a wronged expression.
"..." The Mu Manor master looked at Mu An Xiao's gesture and then at the guards who were also cupping their fists. "Mu Xiao, are you male or female? Don't you have any sense of yourself?"
"I am female," Mu An Xiao lowered her hands and adopted a nonchalant expression.
The Mu Manor master was angered. "Since you know you are a woman, then..."
"Father, since I am a woman," Mu An Xiao interrupted, looking at everyone present, and continued, "it wouldn't be appropriate for me to climb over the wall to return to the manor, would it?"
"What do you mean by that?" the Mu Manor master asked.
Mu An Xiao smiled. "My daughter means..." She gestured to the main gate. "To enter through here."
"Do you deserve it?"
The Mu Manor master had always turned a blind eye to the bullying she endured from the manor's staff. Mu An Xiao had never openly complained before.
This time, for the mission, she was going all out and would complain here.
"Daughter does not deserve it, but my heart is filled with bitterness," Mu An Xiao said, beginning to cry. "Daughter knows that I was found and brought back, with low status. My mother was just one of your concubines, but they can't bully me like this. Before, they put me in a sack and dumped me in the woods outside the city, in ruined temples, fields, and other places. I won't even mention those. Do you know where they threw me last night?" She feigned crying. "They threw me off a cliff! If I hadn't been lucky, I would have died. Do you know? Fortunately, the branches below caught me, otherwise, you wouldn't see me now."
The Mu Manor master's eyes darkened. He looked at the people on either side and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Let's go."
"Go..." Mu An Xiao sobbed. "Father, where do you want me to go? My leg is broken, and I can't climb the wall. Besides, the people at the back gate are all madam's people; they won't open the door for me. Father, do you want to see your daughter destitute on the streets?"
"..." The Mu Manor master frowned.
Seeing this, Mu An Xiao continued to feign crying.
The others all cast their gazes towards Mu An Xiao.
The moment Mu An Xiao sensed their stares, she amplified her cries.
Just then, the general, who looked just like Feng Qi Shi, walked up behind the Mu Manor master with his men and asked, "What is it, my lord!" He glanced at Mu An Xiao.