Ye Lan let out a soft laugh and said nothing more.
She merely patted Mu Xi’s back, her tone gentle with comfort, yet laced with a barely perceptible threat:
“All right, stop crying. I know you’re scared, it’s fine—just get used to it slowly. Remember Mu Xi in this Manor only the strong survive. You need to learn the rules here and become stronger, or you’ll be bullied.”
She paused, then pointed at the two cold iron beds inside the cell, her voice icy and cruel:
“I hope you never have to lie on beds like those, beaten up like them. So, you’d better behave, understand?”
Mu Xi sobbed even harder at Ye Lan’s words, her face smeared with tears and snot, but she still nodded desperately, like a chick pecking at rice, choking out her promise:
“I…I understand, Master…I’ll be good…I don’t want to be beaten…wuwu…”
But her heart grew colder with every word.
This was no comfort—it was a naked warning and threat.
After Ye Lan left, she had Li Xin escort Mu Xi back to her room.
When the door opened, a sweet, cloying pink scent greeted her.
Lace, gauzy curtains, Porcelain Dolls…everything looked like the Princess’s Boudoir straight out of a fairy tale.
Only the dense Forest outside the window reminded Mu Xi that this was nothing but a delicate cage.
“Miss Mu Xi, please change your clothes and prepare for the Medicine Bath.”
Li Xin stood at the doorway, her voice as cold and stiff as ever, but when she said “change,” she couldn’t help but avert her gaze.
A sly smile played on Mu Xi’s lips.
She deliberately slowed her movements as she undressed, letting her silk nightgown slide down to reveal snowy skin and the bright red heart tattoo on her lower abdomen.
“Li Xin, turn around.”
Li Xin’s body tensed, but she obediently turned her back, the tips of her ears quietly turning red.
“What’s wrong, afraid you’ll see something you shouldn’t?”
Mu Xi’s voice teased, light as a feather brushing across Li Xin’s heart.
“Miss Mu Xi, you’re joking.” Li Xin tried to keep her voice calm, but the slight tremor at the end still betrayed her.
Mu Xi chuckled softly and stepped into the wooden tub already prepared.
The warm Medicine Bath enveloped her body, the faint herbal fragrance mingling with her own sweet milky scent, drifting through the air.
Li Xin turned around and began to tend to Mu Xi.
She picked up a soft towel and gently wiped Mu Xi’s back, her movements tender, as if afraid to hurt her.
As the Medicine Bath neared its end, Mu Xi suddenly spoke: “Li Xin, do you still want to drink my bathwater?”
Li Xin’s hand paused, towel in midair.
She lifted her head to meet Mu Xi’s clear eyes, which glimmered with a sly light.
Her throat bobbed unconsciously.
“I…” Li Xin hesitated.
Reason told her she shouldn’t but a deep and uncontrollable longing welled up inside.
Ever since she’d tasted Mu Xi’s fragrant Medicine Bath water last time she could never forget that flavor.
“If you want it, just say so. I won’t laugh at you.” Mu Xi’s voice was bewitching, like a siren luring someone into temptation.
Li Xin lowered her head, her reply barely audible: “I want to…”
Mu Xi smiled, cupping some Medicine Bath water in her hand and holding it to Li Xin’s lips: “Drink.”
Li Xin looked at those slender, pale hands, at the clear water in her palm, and could no longer restrain herself.
She leaned forward and gently took Mu Xi’s fingers into her mouth.
The warm liquid slid over her tongue, carrying Mu Xi’s unique sweetness.
But it wasn’t enough.
Li Xin felt that drinking like this was far too tame.
Like a docile puppy, she brought her face to the surface of the water, stuck out her tongue, and began lapping greedily.
Droplets splashed, wetting her cheeks and lashes, adding a different kind of allure.
Mu Xi watched Li Xin’s behavior, a surge of pride welling up inside.
She knew—no one could resist her charm.
The Medicine Bath ended.
The maids came in to tidy up, and Mu Xi changed into clean pajamas, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Li Xin leaned against the wall, asking softly, “Miss Mu Xi, do you have any other instructions?”
But Mu Xi’s demeanor suddenly turned cold.
She lifted her eyelids, giving Li Xin a distant glance: “No. You can leave.”
Li Xin froze, confused about what she’d done to upset Mu Xi.
Just now…why did her face change all of a sudden?
She opened her mouth as if to ask, but seeing Mu Xi’s indifferent expression, in the end, she said nothing and quietly left.
As the door closed, a wave of disappointment washed over Li Xin.
She just couldn’t fathom Mu Xi’s thoughts—they were as unfathomable as a needle at the bottom of the sea.
Inside the room, Mu Xi looked at the tightly shut door, a triumphant smile curving her lips.
That’s how people should be kept—holding them at arm’s length, playing hard to get, so they’ll become utterly devoted.
In her previous life, she’d been toyed with by a woman just like this.
Now, the tables have turned.
It was her turn to take control.
***
The next day, Mu Xi went to the Practice Room on the fifth floor of the Manor.
She sat down at the Steinway Piano, her slender fingers brushing over the black and white keys, testing a few notes.
The crisp, pleasant sounds echoed through the empty room.
Ling Yue stood to the side and signaled her to begin.
Mu Xi took a deep breath.
Her fingers danced across the keys, letting the melody flow smoothly—like a mountain spring, like pearls falling on jade.
She played while softly harmonizing with Ling Yue’s singing.
Ling Yue’s voice was ethereal and clear, weaving together with the piano like a song from heaven.
She patiently guided Mu Xi on how to play and sing at the same time, how to multitask so that the notes at her fingertips and the melody from her lips blended seamlessly.
Mu Xi’s musical talent quickly became apparent, and she mastered the techniques in no time.
Their coordination grew more natural, piano and voice shining together in near-perfect harmony.
When the song ended, the room fell silent, the lingering melody hanging in the air.
A look of admiration flickered in Ling Yue’s eyes, and her lips curved into a smile: “Very good, Miss Mu Xi. You’re very talented.”
Mu Xi smiled shyly, her delicate face even more radiant in the sunlight: “Thank you for the compliment, Sister Ling Yue. And thank you for teaching me.”
During a short break, Ling Yue walked to the window, turning her back to Mu Xi.
Suddenly, she asked out of nowhere, “Do you want to leave?”
Mu Xi’s fingers froze on the keys, her heart skipping a beat.
‘Leave?’
‘Leave this place?’
That thought had circled in her mind countless times, but she’d never dared to truly consider it.
She looked up, watching Ling Yue’s back cautiously, unable to guess what she meant.
Was this Ling Yue’s own idea, or a test from Ye Lan?
Thinking of the horrors she’d seen in the dungeon last night, Mu Xi shivered, growing even more wary.
She bit her lip and didn’t answer right away, falling silent.
Ling Yue seemed to expect this reaction.
She turned, her gaze calm and with a trace of subtle pity she said, “Don’t be afraid, Mu Xi. Once the lessons are over, I’ll be leaving the Manor.”
She paused, her tone softening, as if stating something utterly ordinary, “When the time comes, I can take you with me.”