At this very moment, Mu Anxiao paid no mind to the Madam’s attitude. Instead, she intended to provoke the Madam directly. Only then could she expose the Madam’s true colors. “Madam, why does your complexion seem a little off?” she said deliberately.
Mai Liang and Mai Xia were thoroughly worried about Mu Anxiao’s safety.
Shen Lü watched Mu Anxiao’s deliberate provocation of the Madam with a calm expression, sighing, “That’s enough.”
However, Mu Anxiao never expected Shen Lü to suddenly interject. Now, hearing his voice, her expression immediately soured. “This is my family matter, it has nothing to do with you.” She turned to look at Shen Lü, intending to remind him.
Shen Lü frowned slightly. “This is the First Madam, and you acting like this…”
“You come out with me.” Mu Anxiao interrupted in a low voice, glanced at the Madam, and turned to leave first.
Shen Lü’s body stiffened. He inadvertently looked at the Madam, who was staring at him, and was about to speak when the Madam said, “General, that girl is so impolite. I beg your pardon.” She nodded slightly.
Upon hearing the Madam’s clearly provocative words, Jia snorted and walked away, a step ahead of Shen Lü.
Afterward, Shen Lü looked at the Madam’s gentle side and was somewhat moved. “Understood, Madam.”
“Thank you, General.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. I will discipline her for you,” Shen Lü said, cupping his fist, and went out.
After they left, the Madam rolled her eyes and looked at Hong’er, who was gazing at her with a pitiful expression. She snorted, “You little vixen, you truly have a face that evokes pity.”
“Madam…”
“At first, I didn’t notice how pretty you were. But now, looking at you,” the Madam stepped forward and squatted in front of Hong’er, “you are truly exquisite, aren’t you, Master?” She didn’t turn her head, reaching out to lift Hong’er’s chin.
Hong’er’s face was filled with terror, and she still denied, “Madam, I have been framed.”
“Framed? Oh, you mean my ears are not working well and I can’t hear anything.” The Madam said, removing her hand from Hong’er’s chin and gently slapping Hong’er’s face twice. “Your mouth, however, knows how to protect itself.”
“Madam…”
“Xiang’er, she admitted it herself, didn’t she?” the Madam said, standing up.
Xiang’er replied, “Yes.”
“Did she also threaten you?” the Madam continued.
Upon hearing this, Xiang’er replied again, “Yes.”
Listening to Xiang’er’s repeated responses, the Madam’s lips curved into a slight arc. “Xiang’er has been by my side for longer than you have. Since Xiang’er has explained things so clearly, then,” she said, and looked down at Hong’er again, “you shall receive your punishment.”
“Madam…” Hong’er was startled, quickly looked up at the Madam, “Madam, your servant is innocent. Your servant and Master, not at all…”
“You are quibbling.” the Madam roared, her eyes wide.
Mu Gui, seeing the Madam’s fury, lowered his head in fear.
Subsequently, Hong’er trembled her shoulders twice in fear, then quickly shifted her gaze back to Mu Gui, calling out, “Master, save me.”
“The original form is revealed.” the Madam said with an evil smile, turning sideways to look at Mu Gui, who had already stood up.
“Madam, let her go.” Mu Gui felt sorry for Hong’er.
Hearing Mu Gui plead for her, Hong’er’s eyes were filled with hope, and her lips also curved into a slight arc as she said, “Madam, I beg you.”
“Shut up.” the Madam roared, glaring intently at Mu Gui. “You promised me that you would only love me in this life. But in the end, it’s either Mai Xia or this little vixen. Mu Gui, you are letting me down like this, and it will do you no good.”
“Madam, I have been an official for many years. My colleagues all have three wives and four concubines. If you don’t let me have them, fine,” Mu Gui said, feeling wronged, “I’ll listen to you and not take concubines, but then…”
“You said you would only love me in this life.” the Madam roared.
“Madam, we are both getting on in years. Can we not say such… shameless things?” Mu Gui tried to save face.
Outside the reception hall.
Mu Anxiao leaned against a pillar, listening to the argument between Mu Gui and the Madam inside, and chuckled secretly. Then she looked up at Shen Lü, whom she had pulled out, and put on a stern face. “What are you looking at me for?”
“Why did you pull me out?”
“You…” Uttering a single word, Mu Anxiao, worried about eavesdroppers, slightly turned her face and said in a low voice, “You’d better keep your mouth shut.” As she spoke, she handed the sack in her hand to Shen Lü.
Shen Lü was unconvinced. “Why are you giving this to me?”
“Take it.” Mu Anxiao said sternly.
Shen Lü remained unconvinced. “Why should I hold this for you? Don’t push your luck.”
“It is you who is pushing your luck. You’d better keep your mouth shut. This is between her and me, it has nothing to do with you.”
“You…”
“If you say one more word, I’ll leave right now.” Mu Anxiao interrupted.
Hearing this, Shen Lü thought about his actions inside and said righteously, “I was helping you. Can’t you see that?”
“When I speak with her, it’s not your place to interject. Even if your senior brother were here, he wouldn’t have the right. In short,” Mu Anxiao forcefully stuffed the sack into Shen Lü’s hand, “hold this properly and stop talking nonsense.” After saying that, she patted Shen Lü’s shoulder forcefully and went inside.
Shen Lü cast a wronged glance at Jia, and then followed Jia inside.
In the reception hall, after Mu Gui’s sentence, the Madam began to cry profusely.
Seeing his wife like this, Mu Gui no longer wanted to speak.
Subsequently, Mu Anxiao, seeing the Madam like this, returned to Mai Liang’s side with a sly smile.
Shen Lü, maintaining his image, held the sack behind his back and moved to Mu Anxiao’s side, asking in a low voice, “What’s going on?” He glanced at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao, with her arms crossed, stared at the Madam, who was crying without regard for her image, and at Hong’er, who was secretly gloating. She said disdainfully, “How would I know?”
“Aren’t you quite intelligent?” Shen Lü said, slightly leaning his body to the side as if nothing were amiss.
“Among us, the smartest person is you. So,” Mu Anxiao said, looking up at Shen Lü’s face, “it’s better if you say less.”
At the same time, Shen Lü met Mu Anxiao’s eyes. “I like hearing you say that.” He then straightened his body.
Mu Anxiao gave Shen Lü a look of deep disdain and turned her gaze to the Madam, who was incessantly wiping her tears with a handkerchief. She yawned and was about to look at Mai Xia when the Madam suddenly turned to look at her. Their gazes met again, “…” Her mouth twitched twice.
The Madam said, “Come here.”
Mu Anxiao, not understanding her intention, pointed at herself.
The Madam nodded. “It’s you. Come here.” As she spoke, she beckoned.