"Hmm?" Ham Xuexing immediately showed interest, "How so?"
"If I'm not mistaken, that woman belongs to a type with a strong need for control. Once things get out of her hands, she becomes uneasy. So, whenever she gets the chance, she will seize the initiative."
"Earlier, she deliberately stirred up male-female conflicts just to see our reactions. On one hand, she wanted to gauge how much influence she could gain and whether there were people supporting her."
"Really?" Ham Xuexing paused as he wiped the window, "That girl has such deep scheming?"
"Uncle Ham, you're older than me and have more experience in society. Why pretend to be confused in front of me," said Yan Changqing.
"Hmm..." Ham Xuexing chuckled dryly and asked, "What about Number Two?"
"She also wanted to find someone she could control quickly. By showing her dominant side, she was also testing if the female group consisted of soft targets that she could manipulate."
Yan Changqing continued mopping the floor without stopping, his movements swift and efficient as if he had done this many times before. He didn't even break a sweat.
"As a result, two out of three women opposed her. Single Lingting, being introverted and lacking social experience, was thus chosen as a roommate," said Yan Changqing.
"Your point is that she wants a follower?"
"Rather, a scapegoat." Yan Changqing continued mopping, his actions quick and efficient. "The castle is dangerous. She needs someone who can be controlled at critical moments and even distract danger on her behalf."
"If you say that way, then isn't Single Lingting quite dangerous?" Ham Xuexing sucked in a cold breath. Actually, when Yan Changqing mentioned it, he could think of all the twists and turns. Human nature is inherently selfish, but once placed in a dangerous situation, the risk factor would multiply.
He felt a chill down his spine. A question he had always been reluctant to think about was finally brought up. For the first time, he realized they weren't just facing dangers from the castle; there were also rivalries among their companions.
"That's not necessarily true," Yan Changqing wrung out the dirty water from the mop and put it back in the bucket. "Sometimes forcing an introverted person into a corner can unleash far greater power than someone who is usually dominant."
"So you just let it be?"
"Uncle Ham, I'm just an ordinary person with limited abilities," said Yan Changqing.
"What if it was Ning Xiaona?"
Yan Changqing paused slightly and stopped working. His gaze towards Ham Xuexing was peculiar.
"I don't know if you misunderstood something or want to probe further. My answer remains the same: I'm just an ordinary person with limited abilities. I only save those I can help. Is that satisfactory for you?"
"Hmm, little brother is quite honest," Ham Xuexing relaxed his expression upon hearing this. "If you say you'll prioritize our safety no matter what, I'd feel uneasy."
"Why? Are you worried I'm some cunning person who uses you as a shield during critical moments?"
"Not exactly," Ham Xuexing shook his head and spoke softly. "It's just that in today's world, sages are too distant."
For the rest of the time, they didn't continue chatting but instead divided tasks to clean the room thoroughly. Yan Changqing checked meticulously, even examining every corner and crevice.
Soon after, there was a knock on the door.
"I am here to check if the guests have followed the master's [orders]," said the maid from the castle. Her pale face had no color, and her voice lacked any emotion.
She carefully inspected every corner of the room, including the bathroom.
Throughout this process, Yan Changqing did not take his eyes off her. After all, if the judge was cheating, there would be no game left to play.
"After inspection, I can confirm that both guests have strictly adhered to the master's [orders]," said the maid.
After confirming there were no omissions, she bowed and prepared to leave.
"I have a question," Yan Changqing called out to the maid. "Can you tell me about the history of this castle?"
"Yes," the maid did not refuse. "Over 200 years ago, a nobleman named Mossen built this castle. Their family lived here generation after generation until over time they lost their family's glory and couldn't afford to maintain it anymore, so they sold it."
"The new owner took over four years ago and renovated the entire castle, so some areas have modern features."
"Who are the new owners?"
"I apologize, but as a maid, I cannot comment on the master's household matters."
"Then rephrase your question: How is their family relationship?"
"This is also not within my purview to comment on."
Yan Changqing was slightly taken aback. Logically speaking, this question wasn't considered private unless their relationship was indeed suspicious.
"Do strangers like us often come to this castle?" He decided to ask further.
"There have been sixteen batches including guests," said the maid.
"And these guests? Have they left?"
The maid's expressionless face suddenly showed a smile, albeit stiff. She didn't speak but stared at them intently.
Yan Changqing and Ham Xuexing recalled the scene where the butler killed strangers and felt a chill down their spines. They shivered involuntarily.
After a while, she said, "They were all well-received."
Yan Changqing didn't intend to delve deeper into this issue. He could already sense that his snake-shaped pendant around his neck was heating up slightly.
He realized that the maid's answers had limits; perhaps the closer one got to the castle's secrets, the greater the threat to guests.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
"Wait." Yan Changqing called out to the maid who was preparing to leave. "Answer one last question."
The maid stopped.
"Please ask."
"When did you start working here?"
"The guest's questions are really strange."
The lights flickered suddenly without warning, making a crackling sound. Under the flashing lights, the maid's expression was inexplicably eerie.
"I've worked here since Mossen Castle was built."
The maid left, leaving Yan Changqing and Ham Xuexing sitting on the bed as if drained of energy.
"Little brother, you really aren't afraid of death," Ham Xuexing wiped his forehead with cold sweat. "I kept getting a bad feeling as I listened. I truly feared she might kill us like she did with the butler."
"Bloody hell! This castle makes even a single maid so formidable; what kind of monster are its owners?"
"There's more trouble than that," Yan Changqing was also frustrated. "If my assumptions are correct, the castle's secrets are more complex than I imagined."