The door opened with a click, and Li Xin stood outside as usual, wearing her signature black uniform, impeccable as ever.
“Miss Mu Xi, you’re awake.”
“Hm, I’m hungry. Have the kitchen send some food up,” Mu Xi said lightly, her tone carrying an air of unquestionable command.
“Understood, please wait a moment.” Li Xin turned and left.
A short while later, she personally brought in the tray.
The clinking of knife and fork rang out crisp and clear.
Li Xin placed the tray on the table, her gaze settling on Mu Xi with a barely perceptible gentleness.
“Miss Mu Xi, please enjoy your meal.”
Mu Xi walked to the table and sat down, picking up her knife and fork, methodically cutting the food on her plate.
Her mind, however, was not on the meal but on how to make the most of the upcoming time to smoothly reach the Banquet Hall.
“Li Xin, last night’s banquet seemed quite lively,” she said casually, eyes subtly watching Li Xin’s reaction.
Li Xin nodded slightly by saying, “Yes.”
“After eating, I’d like to take a walk in the Garden, if that’s alright?” Mu Xi continued to probe, her tone tinged with a hint of coquettishness.
Li Xin hesitated for a moment.
Usually, as long as Mu Xi’s requests weren’t excessive, she did her best to accommodate them.
Besides, she enjoyed spending time with Mu Xi, even if it was just quietly watching her.
“That’s fine, but let’s talk about it after you finish eating.” Li Xin finally agreed, her tone noticeably softer.
Mu Xi’s heart leapt in secret; her plan was halfway to success.
She quickened her pace eating, eager to get downstairs to the Garden and then seize the opportunity to head to the Banquet Hall.
Li Xin stood silently nearby, watching Mu Xi eat with a gentle, focused gaze, as if admiring a precious work of art.
She had no idea that during the meal, Mu Xi had quietly concealed the knife and fork in her sleeves.
The cold metal pressed against her skin, giving Mu Xi a secret sense of security.
This was the weapon she had prepared for herself—crude, but it might come in handy in a critical moment.
After finishing her meal, Mu Xi rose eagerly and said, “Li Xin, let’s go.”
Li Xin nodded and followed behind Mu Xi; the two walked out of the room, one ahead and one behind.
As they walked, Mu Xi casually chatted with Li Xin, the topics ranging from the Manor’s scenery to the banquet guests, then to trivial matters.
She used a light tone to mask her inner nervousness and excitement, diverting Li Xin’s attention.
“By the way, Li Xin, don’t you think the moon is especially full tonight?” Mu Xi suddenly stopped, looking up at the sky with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Li Xin blinked, also glancing up.
The moon was indeed very round and bright today, but why bring it up now?
“It’s alright,” Li Xin replied lightly, a trace of puzzlement in her voice.
“Oh, don’t you think so? The moon is so beautiful tonight, like a big silver plate hanging in the sky, illuminating the entire Manor.”
Mu Xi kept talking to herself, pointing toward the sky, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Li Xin watched Mu Xi’s childish antics and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
The coldness in her eyes softened slightly.
She knew Mu Xi loved such romantic things—just like the scent she wore, sweet and tempting, always easily tugging at her heartstrings.
Mu Xi continued her monologue about the moon, but her eyes furtively scanned the surroundings, searching for an opening to the Banquet Hall.
She could feel Li Xin’s attention had been successfully diverted—this was a perfect chance.
Mu Xi’s eyes flicked with cunning.
In a sweet voice, she said, “Li Xin, the flowers in the Garden must be beautiful. Why don’t you pick a few for me? I want to match them with today’s outfit.”
She deliberately emphasized “match with my outfit,” as if she were just a young girl struck by a sudden whim to add some charm to her attire.
The Garden was already shrouded in nightfall; though the moonlight and lamps sprinkled some illumination, visibility was far from as clear as during the day.
This was Mu Xi’s subtle intention—she wanted to use this chance to send Li Xin away, as far as possible.
Originally, Mu Xi had planned to rely on Li Xin to take her to the Banquet Hall, but Tuesday’s appearance had given her plan a new turning point.
Rather than have Li Xin risk danger, it was safer for Mu Xi to act on her own.
Li Xin did not detect the slightest abnormality in Mu Xi’s words.
Her feelings for Mu Xi had long surpassed reason; in her eyes, Mu Xi’s needs and demands were like imperial edicts—beyond question.
She softly replied, “Alright, Miss Mu Xi. Please wait a moment. I’ll go at once.”
Mu Xi watched Li Xin turn and walk toward the Garden, a secret joy swelling in her chest.
The plan was proceeding smoothly.
She saw Li Xin disappear into the night and, once certain she was far enough away, quickly turned and hurried toward the Manor’s main building.
The gilded elevator waited silently.
Mu Xi stepped inside without hesitation and pressed the button for the sixth floor.
The elevator ascended slowly, and Mu Xi’s heartbeat quickened along with it.
Banquet Hall, Tuesday—she hoped everything would go smoothly.
When the elevator doors opened, the luxurious Banquet Hall came into view—but it was deserted, with only a few Crystal Lamps tirelessly casting a harsh glow, adding to the loneliness.
Occasionally, a handful of elegantly dressed guests whispered quietly, drifting like ghosts through the empty hall.
More often, staff in uniform silently tidied up the remnants of the event.
Mu Xi scanned every corner of the Banquet Hall anxiously, desperately searching for Tuesday’s figure.
The huge circular stage was empty and cold; the scarlet velvet carpet still faintly bore the marks of last night’s revelry.
Those bizarrely shaped seats—the velvet sofas, the beast-skin chairs, even the Skull Throne—now all seemed hollow and oppressive.
‘Where could Tuesday be?’
Mu Xi’s heart tightened, unease spreading through her chest.
Her gaze searched frantically, fearing to miss the slightest clue.
Suddenly, a light tap landed on her shoulder.
Mu Xi jumped, spinning around so quickly that the knife and fork hidden in her sleeves nearly slipped out.
Only when she saw it was Tuesday did she breathe a small sigh of relief, though her nerves remained taut.
“What are you doing here?” Mu Xi whispered, her eyes wary.
Tuesday had already changed into the Manor servant’s uniform; the dark clothing made his skin appear even darker.
The gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose added an unfamiliar sharpness to his usually simple demeanor.
He gestured for silence with a finger to his lips, then pointed toward the corridor leading to the back door of the Banquet Hall, signaling for her to follow.
“There’s no time to chat. Come with me,” Tuesday said softly, urgency lacing his voice.
Mu Xi hesitated briefly but chose to trust Tuesday.
After all, he was her only hope for now.
She carefully followed behind him; the two walked one after the other, avoiding the occasional staff members in the corridor.
Instead of taking the gilded elevator, they opted for the stairs.
Mu Xi sensed that Tuesday was very familiar with the Manor’s layout; he skillfully avoided the surveillance cameras, leading her through corridors and halls.
From the sixth floor down to the first, the stairs seemed endless.
With each step down, Mu Xi’s heart pounded faster.
She could hear her own rapid breaths and Tuesday’s steady footsteps.
The stairwell was eerily silent, their footsteps echoing in the vast space, heightening the Manor’s emptiness and stillness.
Finally, they reached the first floor, but instead of heading directly for the Manor’s main entrance, they turned into the side door leading to the Garden.
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