After practice ended, Li Xin came over as usual, gently lifting Mu Xi into her arms.
Mu Xi’s body felt light as she was held steadily by Li Xin, leaving the Practice Room.
Back in her room, Mu Xi lay alone on the soft, large bed, her tense nerves finally loosening a little.
She exhaled deeply, her chest rising and falling as she savored the relief of having narrowly escaped disaster.
Today, once again, she had walked on the edge of a blade; a single misstep could have meant endless ruin.
‘Was Ling Yue friend or foe?’
‘How much of her words were true, and how much were lies?’
Mu Xi’s heart was filled with questions, but no answers could be found.
All she could do was wait quietly—for Ling Yue’s next move.
The night deepened, the dusk thick and ink-like, gradually spreading, swallowing the last faint light from the sky.
In the room, Mu Xi still lay on the bed, her silver hair spilling over the dark green silk sheets like moonlight pouring down.
She stared out at the Gothic Spire Window, where the manor’s view blurred into the night, her thoughts drifting restlessly.
Suddenly, a soft knock shattered the room’s silence.
Li Xin immediately stood, walking to the door and swiftly opening it.
Outside stood several Maids in matching uniforms, their expressions respectful as they carried delicate Toolboxes, the metal clasps gleaming coldly under the dim corridor lights.
“Good evening, Miss Mu Xi,” the lead Maid nodded slightly, her voice soft but tinged with professional detachment.
“By Master Ye Lan’s orders, we are here to provide foot care for Miss Mu Xi.”
Li Xin’s face remained expressionless as she glanced over them, her gaze settling on the Toolboxes, where the outlines of various metal instruments could be seen.
She knew that Miss Ye Lan was meticulous about every inch of Mu Xi’s body; such detailed “care” was routine.
“Come in.” Li Xin’s tone was cold as she stepped aside to let them enter.
The Maids filed in one after another, moving with practiced grace and silence, as if afraid to disturb the person resting on the bed.
They placed the Toolboxes on a small table in the corner, then waited quietly for Li Xin’s command.
Li Xin stayed, walking to the bed and looking calmly at Mu Xi, as if seeking her consent.
Mu Xi felt Li Xin’s gaze and understood the unspoken question: did she accept the foot care?
She nodded slightly, indicating her agreement.
Only after Mu Xi’s permission did Li Xin turn to the Maids, her eyes carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible scrutiny.
“Begin.”
The Maids immediately set to work, opening their Toolboxes and taking out various exquisite tools and bottles.
A faint herbal fragrance filled the room—the scent of the foot bath liquid.
One Maid brought over a delicate ceramic basin, already filled with warm Medicine Bath water, dotted with a few floating petals, pleasing to the eye.
They gently set the basin on a low stool by the bed, then carefully helped Mu Xi lift her feet to soak in the warm Medicine Bath.
Mu Xi’s feet were fair and delicate, her toes rounded and charming, like finely carved artwork.
When her feet dipped into the warm water, she sighed softly, the tension in her nerves seeming to ease.
Li Xin stood nearby, her gaze focused on the Maids as they tended to Mu Xi’s feet.
Her eyes were calm and cold, but only she knew the storm hidden beneath that quiet exterior.
Since accidentally drinking the water from Mu Xi’s Medicine Bath, her obsession had grown uncontrollably.
Now, watching the Maids’ careful touch on Mu Xi’s skin, an indescribable, strange emotion rose in her—a complex mix of jealousy and secret longing.
The Maids worked with skill and care, first thoroughly cleaning Mu Xi’s feet, then drying them with soft towels.
They proceeded to trim her nails, remove calluses; every motion gentle and professional, as if handling a fragile treasure.
Mu Xi quietly enjoyed the foot care, closing her eyes to savor the warmth of the water and the tender massage.
Fatigue gradually melted away from her body.
She knew Li Xin was watching from the side, and this feeling of being observed stirred a complicated sensation in her heart.
She needed Li Xin’s help to escape this place, so she had to carefully maintain their relationship—not too distant, nor too close.
Everything had to be just right.
The room was silent except for the steam rising from the Medicine Bath and the occasional faint sounds from the Maids.
Li Xin remained motionless like a statue, her gaze never leaving Mu Xi.
The air was thick with the sweet scents of cream and milk, mingled with subtle herbal notes, creating an oddly alluring atmosphere.
When the foot care finished, quiet returned to the room, leaving only Mu Xi and Li Xin.
The Maids, trained to perfection, left without a single unnecessary sound, as if their presence had been a fleeting illusion.
Mu Xi wiggled her toes, feeling the silky smooth skin of her soles.
The warmth of the Medicine Bath still lingered at the bottom of her feet, soothing and comfortable.
She lifted her foot to examine it carefully—her fair foot looked like a finely crafted jade sculpture, the nails trimmed round and full, glowing with healthy luster.
There was no denying that Miss Ye Lan had taken these details to the extreme.
This kind of lavish indulgence, if not for the prison she was trapped in, would be intoxicating.
“Seems like it really works a bit,” Mu Xi murmured, her tone carrying a faint teasing hint.
She looked up at Li Xin standing by the bed.
Li Xin had been watching Mu Xi closely and only nodded slightly when she heard her speak.
“Master Ye Lan values your body greatly.” Her voice remained steady, emotionless, but her eyes softened slightly compared to usual.
Mu Xi smiled, a careless edge to it.
“Oh? I thought she was just worried my feet aren’t pretty enough to satisfy her honored guests.”
Li Xin fell silent for a moment, her sharp gaze scanning Mu Xi’s face as if trying to see through the smile to her true thoughts.
After a moment, she spoke again, her tone still cold, “You are very beautiful, Miss Mu Xi.”
Mu Xi raised her brow with interest—she caught a subtle difference in Li Xin’s tone.
Since the Medicine Bath incident, Li Xin’s attitude toward her had shifted in subtle ways.
Still cold, but occasionally revealing hard-to-read emotions.
“Is that so? Thank you for the compliment,” Mu Xi’s lips curved slightly, her voice probing, “But what good is being beautiful? I’m still trapped here like a Golden Canary, only able to sing and dance to please others.”