Never a person nobler than she cared for her genuinely, even if it was just a simple concern.

“What’s the matter with you? Is it still painful? How about drinking some water first?” Mo Xiaofei looked at Axiu in surprise. He frowned when she looked at her with some absent-minded gaze at this time. In his perception, Axiu was very strong.

Sure enough, it is because of the family punishment that is too painful, right? Women’s ability to resist the pain is feeble.

The water he brought was the canteen he wore with him – a bamboo tube.

Unplugging the plug and sending it to Axiu, Mo Xiaofei smiled slightly and said, “Drink some. I noticed you sweat a lot.”

This was indeed an immense temptation. Axiu, who was already ready to endure the hunger and thirst, was unable to resist the clear water’s temptation in front of her.

“Thank you…” Axiu lowered her head with her face flushed.

This was what she looked like after taking a few sips of water quickly.

Mo Xiaofei nodded and then directly sat on the ground. He looked at Axiu while thinking about all the information he had asked from Axiu in the past.

The two did not speak and remained silent.

Mo Xiaofei suddenly asked, “Have you ever thought of leaving this place?”

Axiu’s shoulders trembled slightly with a sad face, giving Mo Xiaofei a bitter smile. She finally shook her head and gave her answer.

“Why?”

“If Axiu leaves here, there is nowhere to go.” Axiu whispered, “I can’t leave here either. I can’t survive in the outside world either.”

“Why can’t you survive? As long as you still have both of your hands [1]…” Mo Xiaofei shook his head, but he knew that that curse lie harmed almost all the young women in this village.

If this lie was shattered, would she believe it?

Even if she believed it, could she accept it? After all, she had been through her life like this. Mo Xiaofei believes that Axiu might go to the underground palace several times.

How does she face all these?

Looking at the woman who pretended to be strong, Mo Xiaofei couldn’t help but sigh again. The cruelty of the reality would shatter all her defenses directly, right?

This sinful Nagato family…Such a scourge shouldn’t exist. A hint of coldness quietly appeared in Mo Xiaofei’s eyes.

Axiu shrank her body subconsciously, looking horrified again.

Mo Xiaofei found something amiss, frowned, and said, “What’s wrong? It hurts again?”

“No, no, it’s just sir. You just… just now…” Axiu hesitated but somehow got the courage to say, “It’s a bit scary…”

“Me?” Mo Xiaofei was taken aback and touched his face subconsciously, “Why?”

Axiu shook her head and hesitated, “Axiu doesn’t know. It’s just kind of like when the master is angry.”

“Hmph! Don’t let me compare with that kind of filthy animal!” Mo Xiaofei lowered his voice subconsciously, like a roaring beast.

“Yes! I’m sorry!” Axiu was shivering in fear, shrinking her body a little bit tighter, but surprisingly seemed to be a little angry, “Please don’t say that, sir. He is a good man…for us…”

Powerless and desolate.

Mo Xiaofei squeezed his fists, knowing all the truth but having no way to tell it. How similar is this feeling of powerlessness to the previous weak me?

He could only suppress the anger in his heart so that he did not lose his mind, “Let’s not talk about this. Let’s talk about you.”

“Me?” Axiu was startled and confused, “Axiu?”

This ‘sir’ from the Kondo family only came here on the first day. He did not know me before. Why did he suddenly become interested in me? Could it be because…?

Suddenly, her heartbeat accelerated. However, having been reminded that her body was no longer ‘pure,’ she felt bitter in her heart, so she could only lower her head, “Axiu is just an ordinary servant, nothing special.”

“I heard that you are Miss Tsuruko’s handmaid, right?”

“En.” Axiu blinked. It was not surprising that he would know this – it wasn’t a secret at all.

Thinking of Chizuko Nagato, Axiu’s face glowed with a slight smile, “Master Saburo’s wife passed away early. Axius has been taking care of Miss Tsuruko since she was a child.”

“Oh?” Mo Xiaofei nodded and asked abruptly, “Then, is there anything special with Miss Tsuruko?”

“Huh?” Axiu looked puzzled.

Mo Xiaofei did not want to explain too much, “I mean, do you feel that Chizuko Nagato is different from others?”

“Miss Tsuruko has been sensible since young.” Axiu said subconsciously and then looked a little nervous. “Sir… Why did you ask about Miss Tsuruko?”

After the nervousness, it seemed that there was a trace of vigilance.

Mo Xiaofei casually fabricated the reason, “I think Miss Tsuruko’s complexion seems a little bad. I feel that there may be something wrong with her body, so I asked curiously.”

Anyway, if he could not solve the mystery of the loop reset, Axiu would forget it after today. Mo Xiaofei just lied without holding back.

“Ah!” Unexpectedly, these words made Axiu uneasy. She subconsciously grasped Mo Xiaofei’s arm tightly, “My lord, what is wrong with Miss Tsuruko?”

This works? Or is this handmaid too caring for her lady?

“Answer me first, yes or no,” asked Mo Xiaofei calmly.

Axiu lowered her head, contemplating. She then suddenly raised her head as if she had made some decision, “My lord, you are the first to say that Miss Tsuruko has a problem.”

“Is that so?” Mo Xiaofei showed a surprised expression.

Axiu hesitated again for a moment at this time, “There is one thing that the madam told me before she passed away. Can I trust you? Sir?”

Trust...

My answer could be serious. How should I respond to it?

In the end, Mo Xiaofei nodded.

“The madam said that Miss Tsuruko should not be allowed to look at the full moon no matter what!” Axiu looked solemn.

[1] A figurative speaking. Having both hands available to work will be sufficient for one’s survival.