Mu Anxiao wasn't entirely sure what kind of person Mai Xia was, but she knew Mai Xia had always firmly believed her daughter was still alive.
However, now that Mai Xia herself had uttered such words, Mu Anxiao couldn't help but wonder if someone had said something to her.
With that thought, she fixed her gaze on Mai Xia's face.
Mai Liang immediately sensed Mu Anxiao's stare. She then glanced past Mai Xia, shifting her attention to Mu Anxiao's face.
Mu Anxiao: "Was it you?" She chose directness.
Mai Liang faltered, "You suspect me."
"I'm not suspecting, I just think it was you," Mu Anxiao stated firmly.
Upon hearing this, Mai Liang's soul shivered. "Everything requires evidence. You can't just spout nonsense."
There were many ways to harm someone.
In Mu Anxiao's opinion, those who hurt others with words, who destroyed another's vitality with words, thereby inducing suicidal thoughts in them, were all harmful.
This very thought of Mu Anxiao was precisely what Mai Liang was thinking.
At this moment, Mai Liang looked at Mu Anxiao, who was assigning all the blame to her, with a wronged expression, explaining, "I really didn't say that, I promise." She was resolute.
Mu Anxiao decided not to speak, quietly observing Mai Liang. "..."
At the same time, Mai Xia said, "She didn't say it."
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao shifted her gaze back to Mai Xia's face. "If not her, then was it you..."
"I figured it out myself."
"You..."
"Mai Liang, give it up. The palace is such a dangerous place, you shouldn't go. I've already accepted this reality. To be honest," Mai Xia glanced at Feng Qishi and the others, who had stopped ahead, seemingly unwilling to disturb them, and continued, "If this hadn't happened, I wouldn't have thought through these things."
"Sister..."
"In a sense, you are already dead. For so many years, I've steadfastly believed my Xiao'er would return. It was for her that I waited until today. Just now, I finally understood."
"Sister, I was helping you..."
"I don't want to marry Mu Gui, and Mu Gui wouldn't marry me. I know all of this. As for that woman in the palace," Mai Xia interrupted Mai Liang, "whether she's alive or dead has nothing to do with me. Since I have this opportunity, I... will seize it."
"..." Mu Anxiao stared at Mai Xia's face for a few seconds before saying, "I understand."
Mai Xia looked at Mu Anxiao.
Mai Liang wanted to cry but couldn't.
Mu Anxiao let out a cold laugh. "There are many ways to die, yet you chose this one. In other words, I just want to ask you," she said, "do you know the consequence of dying in this manner?"
"..." Mai Xia shook her head slightly and said, "I don't know, but I know I will be freed soon."
"If you die, you will be taking the blame for Madam. You will go down for her and be punished. Mu Xiao would know," Mu Anxiao thought of the countless times Mai Xia had conspired with Madam to bully her, and said flatly, "and she wouldn't forgive you either."
"I..."
"The reason Mu Xiao got lost was because of your cowardice as a mother. And now, you're going to die for Madam," Mu Anxiao sneered, "You truly live up to being Madam's dog."
"That serious?" Mai Liang exclaimed.
However, these were all words Mu Anxiao had fabricated on the spot, but she believed... Mai Xia would definitely take them seriously.
As expected, Mu Anxiao had already succeeded halfway, making Mai Liang believe her.
Thus, she intentionally avoided interacting with Mai Liang and focused on Mai Xia.
After mulling over Mu Anxiao's words, Mai Xia said, "What you're saying is true."
"Mm," Mu Anxiao nodded.
Then, Mai Xia remained silent for a few more seconds before saying, "If I don't die, then I will have to... go back."
"You don't want to go back?" Mu Anxiao asked.
Mai Xia nodded, "Mm, I don't want to go back. I also don't want..." She looked at Mai Liang, "her to enter the palace."
"Sister, I'll help you..."
"I don't want anyone close to me to have any further dealings with the Mu family, especially you. If that woman is truly a monster," Mai Xia frowned, "you'll be finished."
"Sis..."
"I can't lose you again," Mai Xia interrupted.
Mai Liang fell silent.
Just then, Feng Qishi stopped in front of them and said, "Shall we go?"
Mai Xia looked up, "Mm."
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao quickly said, "I will help you. Just don't admit to anything."
Hearing this, Mai Xia looked at Mu Anxiao and said, "Be careful when you enter the palace. Don't worry, I won't die for her."
"That's good." Mu Anxiao breathed a sigh of relief. She then looked at Feng Qishi, who was staring at her inexplicably, and asked, "What are you looking at me for?"
"Don't go."
"Why?"
"This has nothing to do with you. There's an inn over there. Wait for me there." After speaking, he glanced at Mai Xia and walked ahead.
Mai Xia: "Take good care of yourself. I'll wait for you to take me away from the Mu manor."
Hearing Mai Xia's trusting tone, Mu Anxiao graciously let go of her displeasure towards Feng Qishi and nodded, "Alright, you must wait for me."
"Mm," Mai Xia nodded and turned to leave.
Subsequently, Mu Anxiao looked at Mai Liang. "Keep a close eye on your sister. Report anything to me."
"Got it," Mai Liang nodded, then paused as if lost in thought, asking, "Say, am I still going into the palace with you?"
"..." Mu Anxiao spread her hands, indicating she didn't know.
Seeing Mu Anxiao like this, Mai Liang instantly realized that Feng Qishi was the one she had made an agreement with, and therefore, this matter was no longer within Mu Anxiao's jurisdiction.
So, she said, "Then I'll go ask General Shen."
"Go ahead," Mu Anxiao said, turning and walking away first.
Mai Liang looked at Mu Anxiao's retreating back, sighed softly, and turned to leave.
Mu Anxiao followed Feng Qishi's instructions and walked towards the inn not far away.
The next moment, Mu Anxiao stopped and looked at Jia and Xiao Fei, who were standing opposite her, frowning. "What are you doing here?"
Jia rubbed his eyes and looked up, saying, "She's looking for you." He pointed at Xiao Fei.
Xiao Fei: "Yes, I have something I want to tell you." Her demeanor was very serious.
Subsequently, Mu Anxiao suddenly remembered Mai Liang's reminder and asked, "What is your name?"
"My name is Xiao Fei."
"Xiao Fei..." Mu Anxiao repeated the name and said, "If I recall correctly, Mu Hua doesn't seem to like calling you by your name." She intended to use these trivial words to coax the truth out of Xiao Fei.
"Mm, she says it's common," Xiao Fei said in a low voice.
Mu Anxiao: "Common... I thought she treated you quite well normally." As she spoke, she gave a dry chuckle as if to ease the awkwardness.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Fei's expression suddenly turned stern.
Jia glanced at Xiao Fei, looked up at Mu Anxiao, and cleared his throat.