Ancient oil paintings hung on both sides of the corridor, depicting unknown landscapes and figures.
Each piece radiated a classical beauty, yet faintly carried an eerie atmosphere.
It felt as if the people within the paintings could open their eyes at any moment and watch the passersby.
Just as they were about to reach the archway leading to the Garden, a young woman dressed in a black-and-white maid uniform hurried over.
She stopped in front of Mu Xi, bowed slightly, and her eyes held a trace of respect.
“Miss, Teacher Ling Yue is waiting for you in the Practice Room on the fifth floor.”
The maid spoke softly yet clearly, her hands neatly folded in front of her.
Mu Xi was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.
Her silver hair shimmered with scattered light in the morning sun as she blinked those beautiful eyes, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings.
Surprise was clearly etched across her face.
“Hasn’t Ling Yue already left?” she asked, her voice tinged with confusion and a deeply hidden hope, her heart involuntarily pounding faster.
The maid maintained her respectful posture and replied, “Yes, but she’s returned and is currently waiting for you.”
Mu Xi said nothing more, only nodding silently to signal the maid to step back.
Then she turned and headed toward the elevator, with Little An following closely behind.
Countless possibilities flashed through her mind, but none could explain why Ling Yue had suddenly come back.
Taking the retro gilded elevator up to the fifth floor, Mu Xi’s heartbeat quickened, her palms beginning to sweat.
She didn’t know how to face Ling Yue—the noble woman who had once promised to help her escape from here.
The elevator doors slowly slid open.
Mu Xi took a deep breath and stepped out, crossing the spacious corridor to the familiar heavy door of the Practice Room.
The exquisite carvings on the door appeared especially three-dimensional under the light.
She gently pushed the door open; the thick, soundproof panel slid silently aside.
A spacious and luxurious room unfolded before her eyes.
The walls were lined with soft sound-absorbing materials, and the thick velvet carpet muffled every step.
A figure sat at the piano, focused on playing a beautiful melody.
The tune flowed like water, clear and pure, yet deep as a mountain stream.
Ling Yue was poised before the piano, wearing a pale white qipao that outlined her graceful curves.
Her glossy black hair was pinned into an exquisite bun at the back, revealing the elegant lines of her neck.
Her entire presence emanated a cold and refined aura.
Hearing the door open, Ling Yue paused her playing and slowly turned around.
Her stunning face bore a faint, elusive smile.
Her brows were like distant mountains shaded with ink, eyes shimmering like autumn waters, and her delicate features resembled a finely painted artwork, yet with a sharp, heroic spirit.
“You’re here.” She spoke softly, her voice smooth like the finest silk, yet carrying an undeniable authority.
Ling Yue beckoned Mu Xi over with a wave of her hand.
Mu Xi’s heart was tangled with emotions—joy at seeing Ling Yue, confusion over her sudden return, and anxiety about her own predicament.
These feelings intertwined, causing her steps to falter, but she ultimately moved toward the piano.
Ling Yue rose gracefully, the qipao gleaming softly in the light.
Her gaze lingered on Mu Xi for a moment, as if appraising her, before briefly furrowing her brow, then quickly returning to a calm demeanor.
“Your performance at the last banquet was unsatisfactory.”
Ling Yue said sternly, her fingers gliding over the piano’s smooth surface.
“So I decided to come back and continue guiding your vocal training.”
Mu Xi lowered her head, feigning shame over her performance, though inwardly she pondered the true meaning behind Ling Yue’s words.
She remembered Ling Yue once promising to help her leave this place—had she truly returned to fulfill that promise?
As if reading Mu Xi’s thoughts, Ling Yue glanced around to ensure only the three of them were present, then lowered her voice.
“In fact, I came back to take you away from here.”
Mu Xi suddenly looked up, eyes flashing with surprise and disbelief.
She instinctively glanced toward the ceiling and walls—places where countless listening devices were hidden, as Ling Yue had previously told her.
“Aren’t there listening devices in the Practice Room?” Mu Xi whispered, her voice barely audible.
Her heart pounded fiercely with nervousness and fear, afraid that the Nightfall Guards were eavesdropping on their conversation.
Ling Yue smiled confidently, a sly gleam in her eyes.
She pulled out a small metallic device from her pocket and pressed a button.
A faint blue indicator light illuminated.
“I brought an electronic jammer with me,” Ling Yue explained, her voice returning to normal volume, tinged with pride.
“The Nightfall’s subordinates can’t hear us. This device only blocks our voices, leaving other noises unaffected, so they won’t realize they’re being jammed.”
Mu Xi exhaled deeply, her tense body finally relaxing.
“I’ve invited a troupe to perform at the Manor next month.”
Ling Yue continued, lightly tapping the piano keys to produce scattered notes.
“After the performance, I will take you and sneak out with the troupe.”
“Sister, thank you for risking everything to come back and save me.”
Tears shimmered in Mu Xi’s eyes as she spoke, her voice full of sincere gratitude.
She almost stepped forward to embrace Ling Yue but restrained herself out of habit and etiquette.
Ling Yue’s expression softened slightly, a flicker of tenderness flashing in her eyes before returning to her usual cold elegance.
She shook her head gently and said, “I just don’t want your musical talent to be buried here.”
Though Ling Yue spoke casually, Mu Xi saw something deeper in her gaze—complex emotions that might be pity, admiration, or something even more profound.
At this moment, that was enough to give Mu Xi hope of escape.
That night, back in her room, Mu Xi’s thoughts grew restless, and a daring idea surfaced in her mind.
Why not take this chance to kill Ye Lan?
Previously, she had refused to collaborate with He Yi, mainly because she feared that if He Yi and Ye Lan perished together, she would lose all her escape routes.
But now, with Ling Yue as an ally willing to help her flee, Mu Xi felt bold enough to consider a more aggressive plan.
Still, she decided against working with He Yi, for no one could be certain of the mysterious woman’s true identity or intentions.
Perhaps she was just a pawn sent by Ye Lan to test her—such a risk Mu Xi was unwilling to take.
If she were to kill Ye Lan, Mu Xi already had a plan.
Using Ye Lan’s own poison, the Tears of Oblivion, would be the fastest and safest method.
This colorless, tasteless toxin only required a few drops to bring a person to a painful death.
Unfortunately, the poison was closely guarded by Ye Lan herself, and Mu Xi had yet to conceive of any way to obtain it without arousing suspicion.
As she was immersed in this plan, the door suddenly opened with a slight click, interrupting her thoughts.
Ye Lan’s tall and elegant figure appeared in the doorway, wearing a black silk gown that accentuated her snow-white skin.
Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her deep phoenix eyes sparkled with a dangerous yet enchanting light.
Mu Xi’s body involuntarily trembled, her heart racing.
She quickly composed her expression, forcing a sweet smile and softly calling out, “Master, you’re here.”