Soaking in the wooden tub, the warm Herbal Bath instantly enveloped Mu Xi’s entire body, and she let out a contented sigh, finally allowing her taut nerves to relax just a little.
The Herbal Bath was thick with the scent of herbs, steam swirling, making her cheeks flush with a rosy hue.
A tingling sensation started from her toes, spreading upward like countless tiny currents running beneath her skin, stimulating every inch of her senses.
She couldn’t help but gently sway her body, letting the Herbal Bath soak deeper into her skin, easing the fatigue of the day.
When her fingertips brushed the inside of her thigh, Mu Xi’s movements paused for a moment, as an indescribable itch rose from deep within her heart.
She bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then slowly slid down.
Her fingertips gently rubbed the skin on her inner thigh, and the tingling sensation grew even stronger, as if little bugs were nibbling away at her sanity.
Her breathing quickened, and her body began to tremble slightly.
Just as Mu Xi was about to lose herself in that strange pleasure, the bathroom door opened silently.
Ye Lan walked in.
She wore not a single thread, her fair skin glowing faintly under the steam, her long black hair draped carelessly over her shoulders, highlighting her exquisitely beautiful features—so breathtaking it was almost unreal.
Yet this beauty carried a hint of icy aggression, like a poisonous poppy—dangerous and deadly.
Ye Lan walked to the edge of the wooden tub, looking down at Mu Xi from above, the corners of her lips curving in an amused arc.
“Enjoying yourself?”
Mu Xi snapped awake in an instant, hurriedly withdrawing her hand, her cheeks reddening like a ripe apple.
She lowered her head in a panic, not daring to meet Ye Lan’s gaze, her voice barely louder than a mosquito’s, “Master…”
Ye Lan reached out her slender fingers, gently caressing Mu Xi’s burning cheek, her touch carrying a coolness, slick and cold as a snake’s tongue.
“Be careful, little kitten.” Her voice was low and sultry, laced with teasing.
“Don’t get too rough. If you end up peeing at the peak, the Herbal Bath will be wasted.”
Mu Xi’s body stiffened, shame flooding her like a tide, almost drowning her.
She bit her lower lip tightly, nodding with all her might, terrified of making any inappropriate sound.
Ye Lan smiled in satisfaction, her gaze lingering on Mu Xi’s flushed face for a moment before slowly drifting down, finally resting on her trembling fingertips.
That look was full of amusement, as if admiring a fine work of art, yet also like a butcher scrutinizing a lamb awaiting slaughter.
Mu Xi felt a chill run through her entire body, as if she’d been targeted by a venomous snake—every pore screaming with fear and unease.
She forced herself to squeeze out a smile, her voice sweet as syrup, “Thank you for your concern, Master. I’ll be careful.”
Yet she couldn’t stop a wave of cold dread from rising in her heart.
This woman was rotten to the core.
Mu Xi took a deep breath, forcing herself to ignore Ye Lan’s oppressive gaze, and tried to refocus on the sensations in her body.
The tingling sensation continued to spread, growing ever stronger, as if something within her was stirring, eager to burst forth.
She knew this was the medicine’s effect, and also the “perfect state” that Ye Lan wanted to see.
When the Medicine Bath ended, the Maids filed in, quietly carrying away the massive wooden tub.
The steam in the room gradually dissipated, leaving behind only the sweet scent and Mu Xi and Ye Lan.
Mu Xi wrapped herself in a soft pink bathrobe, sitting on the thickly blanketed princess bed.
Yet the plush comfort did nothing to ease her nervousness.
Ye Lan circled behind Mu Xi, her fingers scented with herbs as she placed them on Mu Xi’s shoulders and neck, gently kneading.
Mu Xi’s body went stiff in an instant.
“Relax, little kitten.” Ye Lan’s voice was languid, gliding past Mu Xi’s ear like silk, yet making her even more wary.
“Master…” Mu Xi’s voice was barely audible, carrying a hint of subtle resistance.
Ye Lan’s fingers slid down to her chest, pressing lightly through the bathrobe.
“Daily Medicine Baths—they’re working quite well.” She commented offhandedly, but her fingertips pressed with undeniable firmness, beginning to massage.
Mu Xi’s cheeks flushed bright red, embarrassment and shame twining around her like vines.
She squirmed uneasily, trying to dodge Ye Lan’s touch, “Master, I can do it myself…”
“You?” Ye Lan chuckled, her tone openly mocking.
“Do you think your technique is better than mine? I’m a professional, you know.”
“Professional?” Mu Xi was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding what Ye Lan meant by “professional.”
Ye Lan seemed to see through her confusion, her lips curling in a meaningful smile as she leaned in close to Mu Xi’s ear and whispered, “Of course—professional in serving ‘pets.'”
Mu Xi’s body stiffened again, a chill shooting straight up her spine.
Only then did she realize just how sinister Ye Lan’s so-called “professional” really was.
She bit her lip, forcing a smile, “Thank you for your concern, Master.”
Ye Lan seemed very pleased with her reaction, her fingers pressing even harder, hinting at something ambiguous.
“No need to thank me. After all, your body is my ‘toy.’ Of course I need to take good care of it.”
Mu Xi’s smile froze on her face, the chill in her heart growing ever stronger.
“It hurts…” she couldn’t help but cry out softly—Ye Lan’s grip was truly strong, pinching her enough to hurt.
“It hurts?” Ye Lan raised her eyebrows, but her fingers didn’t relax at all.
“You can’t even stand this little bit of pain? How will you serve the distinguished guests in the future?”
“Distinguished guests?” Mu Xi’s heart plummeted, instantly understanding the meaning behind Ye Lan’s words.
Those so-called “distinguished guests” were probably anything but good people.
Just thinking about being handed over to those people made Mu Xi feel sick to her stomach, waves of nausea churning inside her.
“Don’t put on that half-dead look.” Ye Lan seemed very displeased with her reaction, her tone turning cold.
“Remember your place. You’re just my pet. Pleasing me is the only value you have.”
Mu Xi’s eyes spun, and she immediately put on a pitiful expression, her big eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Ye Lan, her voice soft and plaintive, tinged with a hint of sobbing:
“Master, it hurts so much… Does Master not like Little Xi anymore? Otherwise, how could you bear to pinch Little Xi so hard…”
As she spoke, she carefully nuzzled Ye Lan’s arm, just like a wounded kitten seeking its master’s affection.
Sure enough, Ye Lan fell for it.
Her previously icy expression melted away under Mu Xi’s delicate act, like snow thawing in the sun.
The corners of her lips curled in a helpless yet doting smile, and her fingers, which had been pinching Mu Xi’s shoulders, relaxed, turning into a gentle caress.
“Little kitten, what nonsense are you saying now?” Ye Lan’s voice softened considerably, indulgent.
“How could I not like you? I can’t get enough of you.”
As she spoke, her fingers slid to Mu Xi’s cheek, pinching her baby-soft face with a teasing tone, “It’s just that my little kitten seems a bit too delicate. I barely used any strength, and you’re already crying out in pain.”
Seeing her act work, Mu Xi was secretly delighted, but outwardly she looked even more aggrieved, pouting as she complained, “It wasn’t just a little bit! Master was really rough, Little Xi thought her bones were going to break…”
As she spoke, she deliberately rubbed her shoulder, making a pained face, while her eyes secretly watched Ye Lan’s reaction.