Mu Xi did her best to maintain a shy expression, moving her hands slowly, following Ye Lan’s instructions, but she felt a strange sensation.
Her heart pounded like thunder, her mind grew slightly feverish, and deep inside, waves of emotion surged violently.
Ye Lan’s gaze was like a flame, intensely fixed upon her, as if savoring the control of this moment.
“Very good, keep going.” Ye Lan’s voice was low and magnetic, carrying a note of undeniable command.
Mu Xi’s hands trembled slightly.
In her heart, she wondered what exactly she was doing.
Ye Lan watched Mu Xi’s movements with satisfaction, the corner of her lips lifting into a cold smile, as though appreciating a beautiful painting.
Her fingers moved ever so slightly, and in an instant, Mu Xi’s gaze locked firmly onto Ye Lan.
There was something in those eyes that couldn’t be described, but above all, it was filled with endurance and torment.
“So, does it feel good?” Ye Lan’s voice was laced with teasing, her eyes glimmering with dangerous light.
Mu Xi’s heart tightened.
Although she wanted to resist, her body betrayed her—an uncontrollable wave of hatred surged into her mind.
“I… I…” Mu Xi’s voice was faint, almost suppressed in her throat.
Her cheeks grew even more flushed, her heart a tangle of complicated emotions.
Was it humiliation, or something else?
Even she couldn’t tell.
“Don’t be shy. Enjoy it.” Ye Lan leaned closer, whispering into her ear, her tone tinged with expectation.
Mu Xi’s heartbeat sped up, her body’s reactions filling her with guilt, yet she couldn’t deny that strange sensation.
“I… I don’t know.” Mu Xi finally mustered the courage to reply in a soft voice, as thin as a mosquito’s buzz.
Ye Lan gently stroked Mu Xi’s soft silver hair, her eyes shimmering with dangerous allure.
Her red lips parted slightly: “Today, you need to get used to it for a day. But remember, you must keep it with you at all times. Tomorrow night…”
She paused meaningfully, her fingers gently lifting Mu Xi’s delicate chin, “In front of the staff, you must play the piano and sing at the same time. Of course, it will be with you, too.”
Mu Xi’s face, half-hidden under her silver hair, turned bright red with shame and anger.
Her pale arms trembled as she pleaded softly, “Master, it’ll be hard to control…”
Ye Lan sneered, leaning forward, her warm breath brushing Mu Xi’s ear: “Remember, you must not expose it. You can’t let outsiders discover our little secret—only then is it a success. Otherwise…”
She didn’t need to finish; Mu Xi could already imagine the cruel punishment.
“Do you understand, little pet?” Ye Lan’s finger hovered dangerously over that device.
Mu Xi lowered her lashes, sighing inwardly.
Ye Lan’s games never ceased, always catching her off guard.
Today it was this; tomorrow it might be something even more excessive.
Day after day, with no end in sight.
“I’ll do my best, Master.” Mu Xi bit her lower lip, her voice barely audible.
She dared not promise she could succeed.
This thing was simply too much—she could only try and see.
A flicker of satisfaction appeared in Ye Lan’s eyes, quickly twisting into malicious mockery.
She flicked her finger lightly on the device.
Mu Xi coughed twice immediately, staring at Ye Lan again.
“Cough!”
Biting her teeth in hatred, Mu Xi’s legs nearly gave out, but she managed to steady herself against the nearby Noblewoman’s Couch just in time.
She could feel her soul and emotions battling between two extremes, but her strong willpower kept her from showing any weakness.
“Looks like you still need more practice.” Ye Lan admired Mu Xi’s struggles with satisfaction, her eyes glinting like a predator’s.
Mu Xi’s cheeks were flushed, her breathing erratic, and her eyes were misted with tears.
She was surprised to find her body gradually adapting to the torment.
But perhaps this was a good thing—it meant her endurance was increasing.
At the same time, the reactions of this female body felt both unfamiliar and terrifying.
Memories of her past life as a man stood in stark contrast to her current predicament, leaving her profoundly confused.
She couldn’t tell whether it was humiliation or something else tangled deep in her heart.
She did her best to steady her breath.
“If you perform well tomorrow, maybe I’ll let you see Li Xin.” Ye Lan suddenly dangled the bait, her eyes sharply observing Mu Xi’s subtle changes in expression.
Mu Xi’s heart leapt.
The name Li Xin ignited a faint hope within her.
But she knew better than to fully trust Ye Lan’s words—this was likely just another trick.
“Thank you, Master.” She replied softly, forcing herself to remain calm despite the ongoing torment inside.
Ye Lan smiled, pacing to the window to gaze over the vast scenery of the Manor.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow night’s performance. But for now, let me see how long you can endure.”
With that, she increased the difficulty, then sat on a chair to the side, watching Mu Xi’s struggles as if admiring a piece of art.
Mu Xi could only grit her teeth and bear the painful torment, silently planning how to avoid losing composure—and avoid angering her dangerous Master—during tomorrow’s performance.
For the rest of the night, that wretched game of torment did not stop.
Mu Xi struggled at the edge of helplessness and pain, her silver hair spread across the pillow, her slender body tensing up from time to time.
Several times, she thought she could adapt to the pain, but Ye Lan seemed to anticipate it, constantly increasing or decreasing the difficulty, never letting her get used to it.
At some point, exhaustion finally overcame her body’s responses, and Mu Xi fell into a shallow sleep.
She vaguely guessed that maybe Ye Lan herself had grown tired and finally let her catch her breath.
Morning light streamed through the stained glass window, casting a faint golden glow over the dark green sheets.
Mu Xi slowly opened her eyes, exhaustion heavy in her gaze.
Ye Lan’s command from the night before instantly flashed through her mind.
Tonight, she would have to perform piano and sing in front of the staff—and that damned thing would continue to torment her.
“Damn it…” she cursed softly, struggling to get out of bed.
Every movement tugged at her sore body, reminding her of all she had endured the night before.
In her hurried bath, warm water washed over her petite frame, and the bright red heart tattoo on her lower abdomen appeared even more alluring in the glimmering water.
Mu Xi looked down at the mark, a complex emotion welling up within her.
Recalling her previous life, she was no longer sure whether she was a man or a woman.
Even eating had become a torment.
Every bite of food seemed to stick in her throat.
She knew she had no time to rest today—she must go to the Practice Room to prepare for tonight’s performance.
She changed into the light blue dress Ye Lan had prepared for her, its hem falling just to her knees, exposing her slender, pale legs.
Forcing herself to ignore the discomfort, Mu Xi left her prison and walked toward the Practice Room on the fifth floor of the Manor.
In the cold corridor, several female Guards stood at attention, their eyes straight ahead, but their invisible surveillance weighed heavily on her.
There were Ye Lan’s eyes everywhere in this Manor—nowhere was truly safe.
Pushing open the thick, soundproof door of the Practice Room, Mu Xi found Ling Yue already waiting inside.
She wore a black qipao, her hair perfectly styled in a bun, as dignified and cold as a noble ice sculpture.
Seeing Mu Xi, Ling Yue frowned slightly, her sharp gaze sweeping quickly over Mu Xi’s weary face.
“Ye Lan’s up to her tricks again?” Ling Yue’s tone was cold, but her displeasure was obvious.
Mu Xi avoided her eyes and nodded lightly.
Ling Yue snorted, “That woman’s perverse games have no end.”
She tapped the edge of the piano with her long fingers and said, “So I hear you’ll be performing in front of those staff tonight? And Ye Lan still plans to torment you?”
“Yes, Teacher.” Mu Xi replied softly.
Ling Yue’s gaze softened a little as she paced to Mu Xi’s side, “Well then, are you alright? And did it affect you?”
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