He Yi smiled, and that smile appeared especially eerie on the face disguised as Wuhen.
“The interesting thing is, that traitor is actually very loyal to Ye Lan.”
She looked at Mu Xi with meaningful eyes and said, “The reason he wants to kill you is also related to Ye Lan.”
“What do you mean?” Mu Xi frowned.
“Think about it. Who would want to kill you because of loyalty to Ye Lan?” He Yi retorted, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.
“Who would think your existence threatens Ye Lan?”
Several possible candidates flashed through Mu Xi’s mind, but none seemed quite right.
She was just about to speak when footsteps echoed in the distance.
“Someone’s coming.” He Yi quickly resumed her Wuhen persona, shrinking into a corner.
“You’d better leave now.”
Mu Xi nodded and turned to leave, but stopped in her tracks.
“Why are you telling me all this?”
He Yi didn’t answer, just closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.
The footsteps drew nearer and nearer.
Mu Xi dared not linger and quietly left the Dungeon.
***
Back in her room, Mu Xi sat by the window, gazing at the distant Forest.
He Yi’s words echoed in her mind—the real traitor was still in the Manor, and was fiercely loyal to Ye Lan.
Who did this clue point to?
Who would want to kill her out of loyalty to Ye Lan?
Outside the window, dark clouds covered the moonlight, plunging the entire Manor into an even deeper darkness.
The next morning, Mu Xi entered the Practice Room, golden waves of sunlight streaming through the window and spilling across the Steinway Piano.
She gently ran her hand over the lid, feeling the cool, smooth surface beneath her fingertips.
He Yi’s words still reverberated in her mind.
Ling Yue was already waiting in the room, dressed in a form-fitting qipao, her hair perfectly styled.
When she saw Mu Xi enter, she nodded slightly, “I heard someone tried to assassinate you?”
Ling Yue’s voice was icy, but there was a glimmer of concern in her eyes.
“Are you hurt?”
“My body’s fine,” Mu Xi sat by the piano, shaking her head with a wry smile, “but there’s always a stone hanging over my heart. The one who truly wants me dead is still lurking in the shadows, ready to strike again at any moment.”
Ling Yue came closer, her fingertips brushing the piano keys, playing a string of melodious notes.
“Don’t worry. Since Ye Lan only killed a scapegoat, the real traitor is now too afraid to act rashly.”
“Why?”
“Successfully framing someone means she’s scared,” Ling Yue’s gaze was sharp.
“If she tries anything against you now, not only would all her efforts go to waste, but she’d be putting herself in even greater danger. The clever know when to lie low.”
Mu Xi thought it over for a moment, her shoulders unconsciously relaxing, her tightly wound nerves finally able to take a short breath.
“Try this melody.” Ling Yue demonstrated a complex scale exercise on the piano.
Mu Xi followed along, her fingers dancing nimbly across the black and white keys.
In the small Practice Room, the sound of the piano flowed like spring water, as if it could wash away the gloom in her heart.
“Your technique is improving quickly,” Ling Yue commented, “but your emotional expression still isn’t deep enough. Music needs soul, just as people need freedom.”
The last word made Mu Xi’s fingers pause, the music halting abruptly.
“Speaking of freedom,” Mu Xi lowered her voice, “how are the arrangements with the dance troupe?”
Ling Yue walked to the window, making sure no one was nearby before replying softly, “The plan for the end of the month has been postponed. Ye Lan has tightened security recently—there are a lot more guards in the Manor, and outsiders are strictly forbidden to enter or leave.”
A wave of disappointment washed over Mu Xi, but then she remembered He Yi’s hint—there was still an unknown danger inside the Manor.
Perhaps delaying their escape was actually the wisest choice.
“I understand.” Mu Xi raised her head and looked straight into Ling Yue’s cool eyes.
“Good things are worth waiting for. I still have that much patience.”
Ling Yue’s lips curved faintly, her gaze lingering on Mu Xi’s face, as if she wanted to say something, but then she turned back to the piano keys.
“Let’s try it again. This time, pay attention to the staccato.”
Mu Xi took a deep breath, pressing her fingertips to the keys once more.
The music started up again, reverberating against the soundproof walls, like a caged bird longing to fly.
During a break in practice, Ling Yue casually mentioned, “You know, sometimes the most dangerous people aren’t the enemies you see, but those who think they’re protecting you.”
Mu Xi’s heart trembled, and she couldn’t help but remember He Yi’s words: “Someone loyal to Ye Lan who wants to kill you.”
She looked at Ling Yue, but the other woman had already turned away to adjust the sheet music, as if the previous words had been a casual remark.
Outside the window, shadows shifted across the clouds, and the Forest around the Manor swayed gently in the breeze.
After night fell, Ye Lan left the Manor and never returned.
Seizing the opportunity, Mu Xi once again sneaked into the Dungeon, her heart pounding with anxiety.
She found He Yi, who was moving corpses, and a jumble of complicated feelings rose within her.
“What do you want from me?” He Yi wiped the sweat from her forehead, a hint of wariness in her eyes.
Mu Xi took a deep breath and spoke firmly, “I’ve figured it out. The real assassin must be a member of Ye Lan’s Escort Team.”
He Yi was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.
“Well, the Escort Team is absolutely loyal to Ye Lan. They’re the most likely to do something crazy for her.”
Mu Xi’s heart tightened as she went on, “No matter what grudges I had with Ye Lan in the past, there’s always someone remembering them in secret—someone who believes I must die for Ye Lan’s sake.”
He Yi pondered for a while, a look of agreement flashing in her eyes: “You’re right. The Escort Team’s training and experience are leagues beyond ordinary people. That flying dagger that tried to kill you that night was obviously their handiwork.”
A wave of unease washed over Mu Xi as she recalled the moment the dagger sliced through the air, the sound still ringing in her ears.
She asked, “What are you going to do?”
He Yi replied without hesitation, “I’ve decided to join the Escort Team as Wuhen and find out who it is.”
Mu Xi’s heart jolted and she asked, “Why are you helping me?”
He Yi smiled faintly, her tone tinged with playfulness, “I’m not helping you. I just need to get rid of that unstable element in the team first, so it won’t mess up my plans.”
Mu Xi nodded gratefully, a warmth rising in her heart, “Thank you, He Yi.”
He Yi waved her hand lightly and laughed, “No need to thank me. I don’t want to be dragged down by them either.”
The atmosphere between the two eased a bit.
Mu Xi found herself thinking that perhaps He Yi wasn’t as cold and heartless as she’d imagined.
Maybe her help could give them the upper hand in this turbulent struggle.
Just then, He Yi’s gaze sharpened.
She suddenly reached out and pinched Mu Xi’s cheek—not hard, but firm enough that Mu Xi couldn’t break free.
“Wait, why didn’t I realize it sooner?”
He Yi narrowed her eyes, her voice filled with undisguised astonishment.
“Mu Xi… this name has always sounded familiar to me. You’re the daughter of the Noble Household of Wu City, the noble heiress!”
Mu Xi felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, a chill racing up her spine.
“What are you talking about?” She instinctively stepped back, her voice trembling.
“I don’t understand.”
Memories shattered like broken glass.
Mu Xi tried to piece them together, but all she could see were blurry fragments.
The medicine Li Xin gave her seemed to have only restored part of her memories—much of her past was still shrouded in fog.
He Yi let go, her eyes flickering with a complex emotion.
“How interesting. You really don’t remember?” she said softly, her tone playful.
“Wu City was once a powerful fief—not the strongest, but respected for its tradition and virtue.”
A dull ache throbbed in Mu Xi’s temples.
“What happened after that?” she couldn’t help but ask.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.