Wang Hu knew that Juan'er had always disliked Mu Anxiao. He also knew that a year ago, her enlightened advice to Ouyang Ye, her ruthlessness, was precisely to leverage Ouyang Ye's longing for Mu Anxiao to eliminate those thorns in her side one by one.
Clearly, her scheme had succeeded.
However, what she was doing to Mu Anxiao this time was beyond his understanding. "You want me to help search? I think..." He deliberately refused, glancing at Juan'er. "Let her search."
Juan'er glared at Wang Hu.
Wang Hu smiled.
Ouyang Ye followed Wang Hu's gaze and glanced at Juan'er, saying lightly, "We'll split up."
"Split up... but I don't even know what Mu Anxiao looks like." Wang Hu said this intentionally, wanting to see what Juan'er would do after she found Mu Anxiao.
"You are going against my wishes," Ouyang Ye said coldly.
Wang Hu's expression remained unchanged, and he looked at Ouyang Ye calmly, saying, "I'm just telling the truth."
"Fine," Ouyang Ye said, spreading his hand to reveal a portrait, which he handed to Wang Hu. "Take this."
"What is this?" Wang Hu hadn't reacted, but he still reached out and took the portrait of Mu Anxiao.
"Mu Anxiao."
"Mu..." Uttering the first syllable, Wang Hu suddenly realized. "You want me to search the streets and alleys with this portrait?"
"Yes."
"This is the work of mortals. As a demon... I cannot do it." Wang Hu clearly resisted.
Ouyang Ye's face darkened.
Wang Hu knew better than anyone that Ouyang Ye's expression changed faster than flipping through a book. Seeing Ouyang Ye's expression gradually change, he relented. "Alright, I'll go look now." With that, he folded the portrait and put it in his embrace.
"Go," Ouyang Ye said coldly.
Wang Hu nodded and turned to flee without another word.
The Ant Demoness watched Wang Hu run away. Then, recalling the truth uncovered by Ouyang Ye, her heart sank. She looked up and met Juan'er's gaze. "Mistress," she murmured.
"Get up," Juan'er said coldly.
Upon hearing this, the Ant Demoness was about to rise when Ouyang Ye turned to look at her. "What is your name?" he asked.
Hearing this, the Ant Demoness felt fear. She recalled the flower demon who had her name gouged out by Juan'er after reporting it. Thus, she lied, "This servant... has no name." She knelt down again.
"You are afraid to say it," Ouyang Ye said, glancing at Juan'er intentionally.
Juan'er stared at the Ant Demoness. "..."
"This servant..."
"You little ant, you have quite the methods," Juan'er suddenly interrupted.
The Ant Demoness stiffened and quickly shifted her gaze back to Juan'er's face, saying, "Mistress, I didn't..."
"Juan'er, I forgot to tell you," Ouyang Ye interrupted, turning his head to stare at Juan'er. "Mu Anxiao dislikes bloodshed."
Juan'er's expression froze, and she forced a smile. "Ye, what do you mean by that? Are you trying to tell me something, or remind me of something?"
"I just want to tell you that your status is indeed not low, and I have always been grateful to you for helping me establish this place. However, some authority," Ouyang Ye said, his face cold, "I have never granted to you."
"Such as?" Juan'er asked, her hands already clenched into fists.
Immediately, Ouyang Ye looked down at Juan'er's hands and said, "You need to change your temper."
"What are you trying to say? Oh," Juan'er nodded as if answering herself, continuing, "I understand. You're using Mu Anxiao to teach me a lesson, aren't you?"
"Suspicious," Ouyang Ye summarized lightly.
Juan'er narrowed her eyes. "Ouyang Ye... say what you want to say clearly, all at once. Don't beat around the bush like this. I, Mo Juan, detest you for it."
The Ant Demoness felt that all this trouble had started because of her. Especially hearing Juan'er harshly scold Ouyang Ye, she was utterly terrified. Lowering her head, she dug her fingers tightly into the sand to alleviate her fear.
It was at this moment that Ouyang Ye, ignoring Juan'er, looked at the Ant Demoness again. "Don't be afraid. Tell me, what is your name?"
Hearing this, the Ant Demoness was startled. Wishing not to offend either of them, she slowly raised her head to look at Ouyang Ye. "Master, my name is..." Halfway through, she noticed Juan'er's gaze and closed her mouth again.
Ouyang Ye knew what the Ant Demoness feared and said intentionally, "Don't mind her. Tell me, what is your name?"
The Ant Demoness didn't know why Ouyang Ye wanted to know her name, but since he had spoken to this extent, if she didn't reply, she would surely offend him. Similarly, she knew that the moment Ouyang Ye started asking, she had already offended Juan'er.
Therefore, to avoid offending both, after a moment's thought, she honestly replied to Ouyang Ye, "This servant's name is Xiao Yi."
"Xiao Yi," Ouyang Ye repeated, nodded, "Alright, I understand."
"Why do you need to know her name?" Juan'er asked angrily.
"You should calm your emotions before speaking," Ouyang Ye said without looking at Juan'er, pointing at Xiao Yi. "Get up."
"Master..."
"I told you to get up, so get up. Do you want to defy my orders?" Ouyang Ye said intentionally.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi completely caved. "Yes, Master," she said, standing up.
Juan'er snorted.
Ouyang Ye said, "I see you are sincere towards Juan'er."
The moment Ouyang Ye said this, Juan'er's emotions shifted, and she called out, "Ye."
Xiao Yi dared not say anything and could only hum in response. (In truth, she did not like Juan'er at all.)
"Since that is the case, from now on, you shall serve her," Ouyang Ye said lightly.
However, Xiao Yi had always thought that Ouyang Ye's persistence was because he saw her loyalty and wanted her to serve him. She never imagined... that all these fantasies would be shattered after Ouyang Ye's words. But what could she do, being of humble status, with no right to resist, no right to choose?
In the end, all she could do was speak insincerely. "Really? Master, this servant has always wanted to be by Mistress's side." She smiled.
Similarly, Juan'er had initially thought Ouyang Ye wanted to take Xiao Yi into his service, so upon hearing this, she was completely relieved. "I don't want her," she refused intentionally.
Xiao Yi nodded.
Hearing this, Ouyang Ye immediately fixed his gaze on Juan'er. "Juan'er, I've noticed you have a particular fondness for defying my orders."