The scent of perfume grew stronger under the heat of the sunlight, as if a silent invitation.
She obediently lay back onto the soft silk bed, feeling an indescribable restlessness stirring within her.
Ye Lan’s weight pressed down on her body, the silk robe rubbing against her almost bare skin.
“You’re much more obedient than yesterday.” Ye Lan whispered by her ear, her breath hot, “Looks like the training is working.”
Ye Lan’s lips trailed from her earlobe down along the side of her neck, lingering at the collarbone.
Mu Xi bit her lower lip, holding back any sound.
She hated this feeling of being controlled, yet she couldn’t deny her body’s reaction—this body had been trained to respond reflexively to Ye Lan’s touch.
Mu Xi closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting toward the window outside.
“What are you thinking about?” Ye Lan’s fingers suddenly gripped her chin, forcing her to look into those dangerous eyes.
“No daydreaming in front of me.”
“Nothing, Master.” Mu Xi replied softly, inwardly mocking her own weakness.
Ye Lan smiled with satisfaction, her fingers sliding over Mu Xi’s lower abdomen.
“I like it when you call me Master, especially when your eyes are still resisting.”
Outside the window, a bird flew by, its freedom heartbreakingly pure.
Mu Xi felt Ye Lan’s weight and warmth, unable to resist yet still building a wall deep within her heart.
Ye Lan pressed Mu Xi’s hands above her head, leaning down to press closer.
The strap of the nightgown had already slipped off, revealing a large expanse of pale skin.
Mu Xi turned her head, trying to escape the burning gaze, but Ye Lan gently pinched her chin and forced her back.
“Look at me.” Ye Lan commanded, her voice low and intoxicating.
“I want to look into your eyes.”
Mu Xi reluctantly met those dangerous eyes, the desire burning within them making her heart race.
Ye Lan’s fingers roamed over Mu Xi’s body, each touch sending a jolt like electricity through her.
“So beautiful.” Ye Lan whispered, “Like a work of art made just for me.”
Mu Xi bit her lips, filled with resistance, but her body involuntarily responded to every touch.
The daily Medicine Baths and Throat Lozenges had already made her body unusually sensitive.
“Don’t hold back.” Ye Lan’s hand slid to more interesting places.
“I want to hear your voice.”
A soft moan escaped uncontrollably from Mu Xi’s mouth, and she immediately bit her lips, shame flooding her entire being.
“Good girl.” Ye Lan laughed.
Mu Xi closed her eyes, the pleasure of her body tangled with the resistance in her soul.
The breathing control she had learned in music class was now put to use; she tried to breathe rhythmically to distract herself, but Ye Lan noticed.
“Daydreaming?” Ye Lan’s movements suddenly intensified.
“Looks like I have to try harder.”
Mu Xi lost control completely, her high-pitched voice echoing throughout the room.
She hated her own weakness, hated this body that had been thoroughly trained.
Ye Lan pressed her lips close to Mu Xi’s ear and said, “Your voice is more beautiful than any song you learned from Ling Yue.”
Tears welled in Mu Xi’s eyes, her mind drifting back to those moments of fleeting freedom in music class.
The piano keys, the vibration of singing—it was the only way she could express herself.
Ye Lan’s rhythm grew more intense, Mu Xi’s breathing became rapid and erratic, her body responding involuntarily.
She stared at the ornate ceiling, feeling the waves rising inside her, struggling on the edge between shame and pleasure.
“Enjoy it, my little pet.” Ye Lan’s voice was like a spell.
“Your body has already told me the truth.”
Mu Xi’s resistance dissolved in wave after wave of pleasure, her voice no longer under her control, uttering unfamiliar words of love.
The dark green silk beneath her rippled like ocean waves, and she was just a drifting leaf among them.
When it was all over, Mu Xi gasped for breath, her eyes following Ye Lan as she rose to prepare for a bath.
Suddenly, she noticed several very professional cameras placed by the bedside, their arrival unnoticed before.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, “What are these for?”
Ye Lan turned with an amused expression and asked, “You’ve never seen a camera before?”
Mu Xi tapped her lips, her tone tinged with irritation and embarrassment.
“Did you record what just happened?”
Ye Lan nodded, her voice gentle yet full of implication.
“Of course. Something this important has to be recorded so I can watch it anytime.”
Mu Xi sighed, knowing she had no way to stop it.
All she could do was silently accept it all.
Turning away, Mu Xi walked to the window and drew back the curtains, letting the sunlight flood the room.
Her gaze drifted toward the vast view outside.
The distant woods formed a natural barrier, isolating the entire Manor from the outside world.
This imprisoned life was a fate she knew all too well.
When Ye Lan emerged from the bathroom, steam still clinging to her body, water droplets hanging from the tips of her hair.
She wrapped herself in a bathrobe, her expression lazy but her eyes flashing with danger.
“Your turn.” She tilted her head toward Mu Xi, indicating the bathroom.
Mu Xi rose and lowered her head as she entered.
The warm water flowed over her body.
She closed her eyes, savoring this brief moment of solitude.
This was one of the few moments she could escape those eyes.
After bathing, Mu Xi wrapped herself in a towel and stepped out, only to find Ye Lan holding a white nightgown for her.
“Put this on.” Ye Lan handed her the nightgown, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
Mu Xi took the nightgown, its texture light as a feather.
Unfolding it, she saw it was almost transparent.
The sunlight streaming through the window shone through it, barely looking like clothing at all.
“This…” Mu Xi’s eyes widened.
“What? Don’t like it?” Ye Lan stepped closer, her fingers playing with Mu Xi’s damp silver-white hair.
“I’m taking you to the Dining Hall for dinner.”
“Dining Hall?” Mu Xi looked up in surprise.
“Dressed like this?”
She hesitantly put on the nightgown and walked over to the mirror.
Sure enough, the reflection revealed every curve, the bright red heart-shaped tattoo on her lower abdomen clearly visible, and even the tips of her budding breasts faintly outlined.
Wearing this nightgown or not made almost no difference; it was just an extra layer of fabric as thin as cicada wings.
“You… you always liked having me all to yourself, didn’t you?”
Mu Xi turned to face Ye Lan, trying to find a way out.
“Wearing this out, everyone will see my body.”
Ye Lan approached from behind, her hands resting on Mu Xi’s shoulders.
Their silhouettes merged in the mirror.
She leaned close and whispered into Mu Xi’s ear, “I was a bit selfish before. But ever since you tried to run away last time, I’ve thought it through.”
Her fingers slowly traced down Mu Xi’s spine.
“Beautiful things should be admired by more people, shouldn’t they? In life, you have to learn generosity. Don’t you agree?”
Mu Xi heard the threat beneath those words—it was punishment for her failed escape.
“Fine, if you want it, then so do I.” She responded softly, a flash of humiliation in her eyes.
Together, they stepped out the door.
In the corridor, two female Guards stood at attention.
Their eyes flickered when they saw Mu Xi’s outfit, but they quickly regained their professionalism.
Inside the elevator, Mu Xi curled up as much as she could.
The gilded elevator walls reflected her embarrassed expression, while Ye Lan remained composed.
A Maid walking toward them visibly froze when she saw Mu Xi, then quickly lowered her head and hurried away, unable to hide her curiosity and surprise.
“Relax. You’re beautiful.” Ye Lan’s hand rested on Mu Xi’s waist, both comforting and possessive.
Mu Xi’s ears burned red.
She felt every gaze piercing her like a blade.
The corridor seemed endless.