The concept of sparrows as messengers was something Fengqishi had heard from his master, but in his memory, his master had said that only celestials with profound spiritual energy could use this sorcery. Yet now, Mu Anxiao was employing it. This made Fengqishi review everything that had happened since meeting Mu Anxiao, and then… considering the message Mu Anxiao had sent him via sparrow, he finally understood why Mu Anxiao had been so insistent on entering the palace at first. It turned out this was also one of her missions.
Thinking this, he glanced back at Shen Lü, who was staring at him, and said, “King Jin sent you out of the palace to investigate.”
Shen Lü snapped out of his reverie, setting aside his grief, and his face immediately turned serious. “Yes, King Jin wanted me to find out the situation here.”
“Can he detect demonic energy?” Fengqishi asked, his mind already considering starting with Consort Miao.
“News of matters outside the palace has been circulating widely within. Besides, Senior Brother, you know very well that King Jin is good friends with Mu Anxiao’s master. Naturally, he would be very concerned about the situation outside,” Shen Lü said with a hint of exasperation towards Fengqishi.
Hearing this, Fengqishi realized his question was indeed rather foolish. He glanced outside and said, “Alright, go and see if the demonic energy outside has dispersed.”
“What about you?”
“I,” Fengqishi pointed to himself, then thought for a moment, “will go see Bing’er.”
“Mu Anxiao has also gone to find Bing’er with Gu Yan,” Shen Lü stated calmly.
“How do you know?”
“I overheard their conversation just now. If you go now,” Shen Lü said, forcing a dry laugh, “it might be rather inappropriate.”
“You have a point. Then I’ll enter the palace,” Fengqishi said, taking a step forward.
Shen Lü immediately realized something was amiss and quickly followed Fengqishi’s footsteps. “Senior Brother, don’t go into the palace yet. Come outside with me first, lest you don’t know how to account for yourself to King Jin when you enter later.”
“What did King Jin say to you?” Fengqishi asked as they walked.
Then, Shen Lü began to narrate his experiences entering the palace one by one to Fengqishi.
At the woodshed, Mu Anxiao and Gu Yan stopped outside. Gu Yan had not said a single word to Mu Anxiao along the way. This made Mu Anxiao suddenly curious about what Gu Yan wanted to tell her.
Just as Gu Yan opened the door to enter, Mu Anxiao reached out and grabbed her arm. “Wait.”
Gu Yan froze and immediately turned to look at Mu Anxiao, who had called her to a halt with both words and actions. “What do you want?”
“I don’t want anything. Didn’t you have something to tell me?” Mu Anxiao tilted her chin. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
“After this is…”
“I know saving Bing’er is not easy. So, you should say what you want to say first, in case I don’t hear it and then you…”
“I won’t die,” Gu Yan growled. She felt Mu Anxiao was cursing her.
Mu Anxiao was speechless for a few seconds, then she chuckled. “I didn’t say you were going to die. I just meant that if you faint, when you wake up, it will be too late to say those things.” She smiled wryly.
Mu Anxiao’s words held some logic for Gu Yan. She glanced back and said, “Xie Shou is trapped outside the city by a soul spirit. I’m worried he’s in danger, and I hope you can save him.”
“You’re still considering Xie Shou?” Mu Anxiao was surprised.
Gu Yan gave Mu Anxiao a sidelong glance. “Since you’ve decided to marry Master, I must listen to you. So, please go quickly. You can leave this place to me, don’t worry.” She then looked down at Mu Anxiao’s hand.
Conversely, Mu Anxiao revealed a mysterious smile.
Seeing this, Gu Yan looked puzzled. “What do you mean by that?”
“Save Bing’er first. As for Xie Shou… there’s no rush.” After the incident with Gu Yan, Mu Anxiao had warned herself not to trust them blindly.
“You don’t trust me,” Gu Yan said, disliking the feeling of distrust.
“For you, and for Ouyang Ye, trust and distrust are probably the same thing,” Mu Anxiao said provocatively.
“If something happens to Xie Shou…”
“My relationship with Ouyang Ye is already established. What, if something happens to Xie Shou, are you going to kill me?” Mu Anxiao asked coldly.
Gu Yan was momentarily speechless. “I won’t kill you. I’ll make your life in the demon realm worse than death. I believe Master will soon grow weary of you.” With that, she glared at Mu Anxiao and pushed the door open, walking in.
Mu Anxiao’s eyes darkened, and she turned to follow her.
In the room, Xiaoyue, Amei, and the coachman all stood up as Gu Yan pushed the door open. The coachman knew Gu Yan was the demon who had harmed his daughter. As Gu Yan approached them, he quickly stepped in front to block her.
Xiaoyue and Amei, separating from the coachman, positioned themselves in front of the bed.
Mu Anxiao followed Gu Yan, watching the three of them acting in such concert. The corners of her mouth curved slightly upwards. “Don’t be so nervous,” she said. She moved past Gu Yan and stood in front of the coachman.
Upon seeing Mu Anxiao, the coachman’s eyes lit up. “Mu Xiao.”
“She’s here to save Bing’er,” Mu Anxiao said calmly, reaching out to support the coachman’s raised arm. “Don’t be nervous.”
“Really? Bing’er can be saved?” The coachman’s eyes welled up with tears as he glanced at Gu Yan, who stood behind Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao nodded.
Seeing this, the coachman quickly looked at Gu Yan and asked, “Are you really going to save my Bing’er?”
“She’s no longer of any use. Actually, if she died…”
“Enough nonsense. Go,” Mu Anxiao interrupted Gu Yan, worried that her words would create a rift with the coachman and delay Bing’er’s treatment.
Hearing this, Gu Yan looked at Mu Anxiao and said, “If it weren’t for Master, I wouldn’t help you at all.”
“I know. Hurry up and go,” Mu Anxiao said, glaring at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan let out a cold snort and looked back at the coachman blocking her way, saying coldly, “Move aside.”
“She can do it,” Mu Anxiao said calmly.
The coachman trusted Mu Anxiao. He glanced at Gu Yan and stepped aside. Xiaoyue and Amei had both suffered at Gu Yan’s hands and were naturally wary of her. However, since Mu Anxiao had said this, if they didn’t move aside and delayed Bing’er’s treatment, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Reluctantly, they both moved aside.
Following this, Gu Yan walked gracefully to the bedside, looked down at Bing’er, who was sweating profusely, and a smile curved her lips. “I didn’t expect you little fellow to have such a tenacious will to live.” As she spoke, she bent down and grabbed Bing’er’s arm.
Bing’er trembled slightly.