Chapter 61: Cultivating the Sound Path

Breakfast was a refined but tasteless Western meal, arranged on pink plates that did nothing to stir the appetite.

Mu Xi ate in silence, finding each bite as bland as chewing wax.

As always, the daily Throat Lozenges arrived on schedule. 

Hidden beneath their cloying sweetness was a subtle note she’d come to recognize—Chun Medicine. 

Ye Lan never tired of watching the effects the drug had on her.

Pushing open the thick, soundproofed door of the Practice Room felt like stepping into another world.

The pink bubbles of the outside vanished in an instant, replaced by a professional, cold musical atmosphere.

The vast space was empty and silent. 

Only the Steinway grand piano reflected the stained glass window’s light, casting a chill, metallic sheen.

Instruments were arranged quietly along the walls, like soldiers awaiting inspection.

Ling Yue was already there, still dressed in her signature violet qipao, posture tall and straight as a pine.

At the sound of the door, she turned, her gaze sweeping over Mu Xi with a cold, mechanical precision, as if scanning her with no trace of emotion.

“Today, we start choosing instruments.”

Ling Yue’s voice was crisp, like ice beads falling onto a jade plate—clear, yet carrying a chill that kept others at a distance. 

“You’ll be performing at the banquet next month. You need to master at least one instrument. Interest is the best teacher, so pick the one you like.”

Mu Xi looked around, her gaze finally settling on the black Steinway grand piano.

The piano—the king of instruments, and the best at expressing both skill and emotion.

In her past life, she had also dreamed of performing on stage, but fate had other plans.

“Piano.” Mu Xi walked to the instrument, letting her fingertips gently trace the cold keys, as if touching a long-lost dream.

Ling Yue raised an eyebrow, seeming a little surprised.

“The piano? That’s not easy. Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” Mu Xi lifted her head, her gaze steady.

She knew there was no way back for her. 

She had to seize every chance to grow stronger, even if it was just learning an instrument.

Ling Yue said nothing more, simply moving to the piano and motioning for Mu Xi to sit.

“Start with the scales.”

Mu Xi took a deep breath. 

Her slender fingers fell onto the keys, playing the most basic C Major Scale.

The notes echoed through the empty Practice Room, a bit raw, yet carrying the boldness of a newborn calf unafraid of the tiger.

Ling Yue listened in silence, her face as expressionless as a statue.

But Mu Xi could sense her gaze growing more focused, as if she were examining a precise instrument.

When the scale ended, Ling Yue signaled for her to stop.

“Again. Pay attention to fingering and rhythm.”

Mu Xi followed her instruction. 

This time, her playing was much smoother, the rhythm more stable.

Though she had never formally studied piano in her past life, her musical talent was evident. 

Combined with her mature soul and understanding, she learned far quicker than most.

As the lesson continued, Ling Yue began to teach her some basic fingering and music theory. 

Mu Xi picked things up almost instantly.

The surprise in Ling Yue’s eyes grew stronger, and her gaze toward Mu Xi took on a hint of curiosity.

Even through the lunch break, Ling Yue didn’t stop observing her.

She watched Mu Xi’s agile fingers dance over the keys, playing a simple practice piece with ease, her heart filled with doubt.

‘How could this little girl, kept as a pet by Ye Lan, possess such astonishing talent for learning?’

‘Was her previous frailty all an act?’

“Take a break.” Ling Yue suddenly spoke, breaking the silence of the Practice Room.

Mu Xi stopped playing and looked up at Ling Yue, her eyes clear and calm. 

“Thank you, Teacher.”

Ling Yue walked over, the violet qipao tracing an elegant arc with her steps.

“Your progress is very fast—beyond my expectations.”

“It’s because Teacher teaches well.” Mu Xi smiled sweetly, her expression harmless as a little white rabbit.

Ling Yue stared at her, trying to read something from those clear eyes, but found nothing.

This girl was a riddle—the more you observed, the harder she was to understand.

“We’ll continue practicing this afternoon. Before the banquet, I hope you can perform a complete piece.”

With that, Ling Yue turned and left the Practice Room, leaving Mu Xi alone with the piano, her gaze flickering with complex emotions.

***

At noon, the Maid appeared right on time, breaking the Practice Room’s musical spell.

“Miss Mu Xi, lunch is ready. Please come to the Rest Room.”

Mu Xi lifted her fingers, and the music ceased abruptly.

Her fingertips tingled, her palms damp with sweat.

She stood and followed the Maid out of the Practice Room.

The Rest Room was next door. 

Opening the door, she was greeted by a wave of luxury.

A massive European-style bed dominated the center, its white sheets perfectly smooth.

A crystal chandelier cast a gentle glow over the leather sofa and rosewood bookshelf.

The air was scented faintly with white roses. 

Unlike the cold emptiness of the Practice Room, this place felt like a carefully crafted cage—delicate, yet inescapable.

Ye Lan was already seated on the sofa, her long legs crossed, the black leather bodysuit accentuating every curve.

She looked up, her phoenix eyes sweeping over Mu Xi, lips curling in a subtle, elusive smile.

“Come here, Little Cat.”

Mu Xi walked over and sat beside Ye Lan, obediently.

She noticed the table was set with exquisite dishes—everything she liked—though she had little appetite now.

Ye Lan picked up a small cake and held it to Mu Xi’s lips.

“You’ve practiced all morning. Hungry, aren’t you? Open up.”

Mu Xi hesitated, but still opened her mouth and took the cake.

The sweet cream spread across her tongue, but couldn’t mask the bitterness in her heart.

Ye Lan watched her with great interest, her fingertip gently wiping the cream from Mu Xi’s lips.

“You really do look like a little hamster.”

Mu Xi lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Ye Lan seemed to relish this sense of control. 

She picked up a sandwich, holding it out, but stopped halfway, a teasing glint in her eye.

“Call me Master.”

Mu Xi’s lashes trembled. 

In the end, she whispered, “Master.”

Her voice was barely audible, carrying a subtle trace of resistance.

Only then did Ye Lan smile with satisfaction, feeding her the sandwich with a gentle hand and a gaze that was impossible to read.

“Good girl.” She paused, her tone suddenly turning ambiguous. 

“This afternoon, do you want to keep practicing piano… or do something else?”

Mu Xi’s heart clenched. 

She looked up at Ye Lan, but saw only mockery and amusement in her eyes.

She knew all too well what Ye Lan’s “something else” meant—those humiliating lessons in submission.

Forcing herself to remain calm, she replied evenly, “I want to keep practicing piano.”

Ye Lan raised an eyebrow, unsurprised by her answer.

“That’s fine. The banquet performance is important. My Little Cat can’t embarrass me.” 

As she spoke, her fingertip traced lightly over Mu Xi’s cheek, the touch was cold as ice. 

“But rest time shouldn’t be wasted either.”

Suddenly, Ye Lan leaned in close, her breath warm against Mu Xi’s ear, voice low and bewitching. 

“Why don’t we play a little game?”