Her knees slowly bent, her proud body sinking inch by inch, as if every movement was tearing her dignity apart.
First she went to one knee, then she squatted, and finally, she had to crawl on the ground like a tamed beast, moving closer to Li Xin’s toes.
“Hurry up.” Mu Xi’s voice was gentle yet brooked no refusal.
A sour stench wafted toward her, and Ye Lan’s stomach cramped instantly.
It was the smell of decay emanating from feet that had been wrapped for a long time and left unwashed—a result she had brought upon herself.
Her throat constricted uncontrollably, and her vision flickered with darkness.
“If I really do it,” Ye Lan looked up, the last glimmer of hope shimmering in her phoenix eyes, “will you really forgive me?”
Her voice trembled; the voice that once gave commands now sounded as if it had been scraped by sandpaper.
Mu Xi looked down at her, an imperceptible sneer hanging on the corners of her lips, while her eyes were like the waters of a dead, still lake.
“I said, only a little bit, but I keep my word.”
These words were like a life-saving straw that Ye Lan gripped tightly.
She took a deep breath and nodded, humiliation and determination intertwining in her eyes.
“Fine. Even if it is only a little bit, I am willing.” Her voice was low and firm.
“As long as you are happy, I will do anything.”
These words echoed in the mine, sounding like an oath and a sigh.
Ye Lan closed her eyes, trying to block out reality.
The tip of her tongue lightly touched Li Xin’s toe, a mere sampling.
A sour, tart taste immediately assailed her taste buds.
She almost vomited, but she endured it for that tiny possibility of forgiveness.
“Not enough.” Little An sneered from the side, a vengeful pleasure glinting in her eyes.
“Why is the Master being so cautious now? Didn’t you used to love making people eat big mouthfuls?” Her voice carried the delight of a former victim.
Ye Lan snapped her head up, a sharp light erupting from her phoenix eyes as if she wanted to burn right through Little An.
For that moment, she returned to her identity as the high-and-mighty queen.
Little An instinctively took a half-step back, her throat bobbing as a trace of fear replaced the provocation in her eyes.
Even in this state, Ye Lan’s pressure still made her feel an instinctive dread.
“Listen to Little An.” Mu Xi’s voice broke the silent standoff between the two.
Her fingers lightly brushed against Ye Lan’s cheek like a caress, yet it made Ye Lan’s skin sting.
“Take a big mouthful. I want to see how wide your mouth can open.”
These words pierced precisely through Ye Lan’s final shred of dignity.
A flash of pain crossed her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
For Mu Xi, for that tiny bit of possible forgiveness, she was willing to give everything.
Ye Lan lowered her head again.
This time, she opened her mouth and took Li Xin’s toe inside.
The sour stench exploded in her mouth.
Her stomach contracted violently, and a nearly inaudible whimper escaped from the depths of her throat.
Li Xin’s body trembled slightly, a complex light shimmering in her eyes.
As a former victim, seeing the high-and-mighty Ye Lan so lowly brought a surge of twisted pleasure to her heart.
But at the same time, she also felt a strange pity, for she knew just how lowly a person could become for the sake of love.
“Deeper.” Mu Xi’s voice seemed to come from afar, cold and cruel.
“Let me see how much you love me.”
Ye Lan’s tears fell, mixing with sweat and dust to carve dirty streaks down her face.
Her lips trembled, yet she still obeyed Mu Xi’s order, taking Li Xin’s toe even deeper.
Little An watched from the side, dumbfounded.
She never thought she would see Ye Lan in such a pathetic state.
The woman who once terrified her was now lying on the ground like a dog, licking someone else’s toes.
This intense contrast stirred an indescribable feeling in her heart—a mixture of gratification and a hint of unease.
“Enough.” Mu Xi suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a tremor she hadn’t even noticed herself.
Seeing Ye Lan so debased, the flames of revenge in her heart seemed to be partially extinguished by a strange emotion.
Ye Lan immediately raised her head, hope shining in her eyes.
Crystal-clear fluid still hung from the corner of her mouth; she was a complete mess, yet she carried a bizarre kind of dignity.
“Little Xi…” Her voice was hoarse, sounding as if it had been burned by fire.
“I said I would forgive you a little bit,” Mu Xi’s voice regained its composure, “but only a little bit.”
She turned and walked toward The Exit of the mine, her silver hair shining like a ghostly light in the dimness.
Ye Lan knelt where she was, watching Mu Xi’s back as the light in her eyes gradually dimmed.
She knew this was only the beginning of a long revenge, but for Mu Xi, she was willing to endure everything.
“Honestly,” Little An hesitated for a moment before handing Ye Lan a wet cloth.
“Wipe yourself off.”
Ye Lan took the wet cloth and wiped the corners of her mouth with slow, mechanical movements.
Her gaze was hollow, as if her soul had already left her body.
“Did you know,” Li Xin suddenly spoke, her voice weak but carrying a hint of irony, “I once thought you were the strongest person in this world. Now it seems you are actually nothing.”
Ye Lan did not answer.
She merely watched the direction Mu Xi had left in silence, tears glistening under the lights.
No matter what Mu Xi wanted her to do, she would do it, because behind that cold revenge, she could still see the shadow of the Mu Xi who once loved her.
“Let’s go,” Little An helped Li Xin up and said, “Little Master is waiting.”
Ye Lan remained alone in the mine, kneeling on the cold ground.
The sour stench in her mouth wouldn’t go away, just like the pain in her heart.
Only for Mu Xi, she was willing to descend into an even deeper hell.
***
When Mu Xi stepped into the main mine, the air was thick with the scent of sweat and dust.
Most people were sitting or lying around listlessly, their spirits so withered it looked as if they were about to be buried.
She stopped at the entrance, her silver hair shimmering with a cold light under the lamps, her slender figure casting a long shadow.
“Snap out of it!” Mu Xi’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was like a sharp sword cutting through the noise of the mine.
The crowd looked up one by one, confusion and vigilance flickering in their eyes.
They immediately recognized this petite figure.
Boss Ye Lan’s “pet.”
Some put down their tools, while others hesitated, unsure if they should obey this little girl’s order.
Mu Xi looked around, a cold smile curling on her lips as she said, “Everyone, stand up and line up.”
Her voice rose several decibels, “Every one of you must slap Ye Lan. Whoever doesn’t will die.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the mine instantly erupted into chaos.
The Miners looked at each other, the sound of whispering rising and falling.
Several Imperial Guard dressed in purple uniforms quickly surrounded her.
One tall woman grabbed Mu Xi’s slender arm.
“Presumptuous! What do you think you are, daring to give us The Order like this?” The woman’s fingers sank deep into Mu Xi’s skin, leaving red marks.
Mu Xi didn’t struggle.
Instead, she looked up and stared straight into the other’s eyes.
There was no fear in her gaze, only a nearly pathological calm.
“You’d better let go of me now, otherwise…”
“Otherwise what?” The woman sneered, increasing the strength in her grip.
“Otherwise, I will make you wish you were dead.” Mu Xi’s voice was gentle, yet it made the surrounding temperature seem to plummet.
Just then, a familiar voice came from the depths of the mine: “Stop! Let her go immediately!”