Regarding Feng Qishi's temporary arrangements, Mu Anxiao was also quite astonished, as were Mu Gui and his wife.
"General, this is a family matter. If..."
"If no lives were involved, then this would indeed be your family matter, and I would naturally have no right to interfere. However," Feng Qishi interrupted Mu Gui, his expression filled with seriousness, "this has clearly involved a life, and I do not believe what this boy is saying." With that, he glanced at the first servant.
Upon hearing this, the first servant was genuinely intimidated by Feng Qishi's increasingly serious demeanor and dared not speak.
The second servant, who had been following the first servant's line of thought, was also at a loss for how to respond when the first servant showed such an expression. He instinctively lowered his head, silently praying that their attention would not shift to him.
Mu Anxiao had not intended to interject. She even thought that if Mai Xia were present in the mansion, it would be easier. Mu Gui would surely have spared Mai Xia, considering their many years of friendship.
Unexpectedly, Feng Qishi had suddenly stepped into the matter. Looking at him, she frowned slightly and said, "The matter has not yet been clarified, and you are arresting someone like this. Isn't that too hasty?" She stepped forward.
Hearing this, Feng Qishi finally looked at Mu Anxiao and said, "How am I being hasty?"
"You ask how you are being hasty! As a general, you listen to this boy's one-sided account and arrest people indiscriminately," Mu Anxiao said, enduring the pain in her hand and pulling aside Mu Hua. "Enough is enough!"
"This is none of your business," Mu Hua grumbled.
"As the saying goes," Mu Anxiao wished to not involve Mai Xia, so she deliberately ignored Mu Hua and said earnestly, "One's first impression is often more accurate than subsequent ones. This boy's first accusation was against me, so naturally, my suspicion is the greatest. Therefore, arrest me."
She needed to enter the palace. From one perspective, she was already guaranteed safety. Moreover, she wouldn't die; even if arrested, she wouldn't face significant trouble. But Mai Xia was different; Mai Xia was an ordinary person. If she were truly falsely accused, Mai Xia's fate would be sealed.
Therefore, she was willing to take all the blame upon herself.
Hearing Mu Anxiao's words, the Madame began to recall King Jin's instructions to Feng Qishi before his departure. She thought that if Mu Anxiao were arrested, King Jin would surely intervene.
At that time, the Mu Mansion would be thoroughly investigated. To prevent such a situation from occurring, she said, "This matter has nothing to do with you."
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao's brow furrowed, and she slowly turned her head to look at the Madame who had suddenly spoken those words, remaining silent.
Seeing Mu Anxiao looking at her, the Madame stated firmly, "It has nothing to do with you."
"Since it has nothing to do with me, then it has nothing to do with my mother either," Mu Anxiao declared resolutely.
The Madame's eyes darted away. Just as she was about to speak, Mu Hua interjected, "Mother, why are you covering up her crime? It's clearly her!" She saw this as a perfect opportunity to harm Mu Anxiao.
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao looked at Mu Hua, who was clearly harboring ill intentions towards her. After a moment's thought, she deliberately said, "This matter is quite peculiar."
"..." Mu Hua frowned, suddenly having a bad premonition.
Seeing Mu Hua remain silent, Mu Anxiao continued, "This maid..." She glanced down at the maid. "...is your person, and the place where she died is precisely outside the Madame's room. If I recall correctly, this maid... seems to have stayed by your side the entire time, never leaving. And these two servants are also your servants. In that case, you are also inextricably linked to this matter, are you not?"
Mu Hua was stunned.
The Madame's expression stiffened, and she forced a smile, saying, "Mu Xiao, what you are saying is quite serious."
"How is it serious?" Mu Anxiao had intended to accept defeat and go to prison, but since the Madame insisted on preventing her, she could only seize control of the narrative. "Given this boy's three lies, the maid's death naturally becomes a mystery. If we are to speak of suspicion, I believe... everyone in this mansion is a suspect, including Father." She glanced at Mu Gui.
Mu Gui's eyes widened upon hearing this, "Mu Xiao, do not speak nonsense." After saying that, he couldn't help but glance at Feng Qishi again.
Feng Qishi, listening to Mu Anxiao's words, crossed his arms.
Mu Anxiao glanced at Feng Qishi, who stood quietly in place, and smiled, "Including this General Shen, there is suspicion."
"What do you mean by that?" Feng Qishi wore an expression of disdain.
Mu Anxiao's lips curled, and she fixed her gaze on Feng Qishi's face. "General Shen, if I recall correctly, you and these two individuals were together the entire time."
"..." Feng Qishi glanced at the two servants and said coldly, "What's wrong with me being with them?" He suddenly became curious about what Mu Anxiao would say.
Mu Anxiao: "You're asking me what's wrong? At this late hour, three men lurking around a dead maid would make anyone suspicious." She tilted her chin up.
Feng Qishi: "You don't need to be so indirect; just get to the point."
"Alright," Mu Anxiao nodded, taking a deep breath. "I was passing by and happened to see you and this deceased maid. My mother stays in her room all day long. Of course, she only leaves her room when the Madame calls. And this servant initially shifted all the blame to me, and now to my mother. Don't you find this matter peculiar?"
"..." Feng Qishi's gaze shifted to the first servant.
Seeing Feng Qishi look at him, the first servant lowered his head.
Feng Qishi stated directly, "Why the guilty conscience?"
Hearing this, the first servant slowly lifted his head to look at Feng Qishi and gave a wry smile, "General, I am not guilty."
"Not guilty..." Feng Qishi said, glancing at Mu Anxiao, and continued, "She didn't say it, but your words almost led me astray. If I recall correctly, when you, I, and he met not far from the Madame's room, you seemed to say that *you* killed the person. But after Mu Xiao passed by, you said it was her. Now, upon seeing your master and madame, you claim it was Mu Xiao's mother. May I ask, which of your statements is true, and which is false?"
Feng Qishi knew that as an outsider, it was not appropriate to directly handle matters within the Mu Mansion.
Therefore, he decided to act opportunistically, finding a chance to investigate them and avoid lingering here any longer.
Following their exchange, he decided to take Mai Xia away first, to prevent them from making a move and eliminating Mai Xia.
Who would have known... that Mu Anxiao would become anxious at the very end.
Thus, he once again changed his mind, using Mu Anxiao's words to utter this statement.
The first servant was stunned after hearing Feng Qishi's series of words.