No, she shouldn’t feel disappointed.
She shook her head, dispelling that strange flicker of emotion.
Ye Lan hadn’t come in, which meant her tactic had worked.
She was safe for now, and that was what mattered most.
A growl echoed from her stomach, reminding her that she was indeed hungry.
She threw off the covers, stepped barefoot onto the slightly cool floor, and walked over to the door.
First, she pressed her ear against it, listening for any movement outside.
It was quiet, with only the faint sound of breathing.
Then, she began the laborious task of moving the chair and nightstand that were wedged against the door.
These pieces of furniture were reinforced and quite heavy, a considerable struggle for her petite frame.
After dismantling her “defensive fortifications,” she took a deep breath, turned the doorknob, and pulled the door open a crack.
Outside, two maids in matching gray uniforms stood at attention, holding a tray covered with a silver dome.
Seeing the door open, they immediately bowed: “Miss Mu Xi.”
Mu Xi was still half-asleep, her eyes slightly hazy.
She nodded and stepped aside: “Come in.”
The two maids lowered their heads and carefully carried the tray into the room.
Their movements were gentle, trying not to make any unnecessary noise.
Mu Xi followed behind them, letting out a small yawn and rubbing her eyes.
She was wearing a soft, comfortable set of cotton pajamas, a light pink that made her skin look even fairer.
Her long silver hair was slightly disheveled from sleep, with a few stubborn strands sticking up.
Far from detracting from her beauty, it added a touch of lazy charm.
Just woken up, her little face was still flushed with sleepiness, her eyes moist, like black gemstones veiled in mist, and her long eyelashes fluttered like little fans.
She wasn’t wearing shoes, her bare, delicate feet stepping on the cold, hard floor, her toes curling slightly at the chill.
When she looked up at the two maids with a hint of curiosity and scrutiny, both women, who had seen many things in their line of work, felt their breath catch involuntarily.
So… so beautiful!
At that moment, in the soft morning light, seeing Mu Xi up close—freshly awake, without a speck of makeup, radiating a natural, innocent charm—they were utterly stunned.
That face was as exquisite as if it were the gods’ most perfect creation, every feature in its proper place.
Especially those eyes, clear yet with a hint of naivety.
When she looked at them, it made one’s heart soften by half.
Her figure was small and delicate, and the slightly loose pajamas made her look even more slender and fragile, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.
So this was the person the Sovereign would stop at nothing to possess?
At that moment, any lingering complaints from being “scolded” by Mu Xi earlier instantly evaporated.
Forget the Sovereign—even they, looking at a face like that, a person like that, couldn’t possibly muster any anger.
No wonder… no wonder the Sovereign was so infatuated.
They had privately speculated before about what kind of person could make a cold, domineering, all-controlling stronghold like Lord Ye Lan lose composure so completely, even going so far as to advance the plan to seize power early just to protect her.
Now, seeing her in person, it all made sense.
This kind of extreme, pure, fragile beauty was itself a deadly weapon.
Combined with her delicate aura, it could stir the most primal protective and possessive instincts in anyone.
No wonder the Sovereign loved her to the point of madness.
With that face, that figure, that temperament, calling her the pinnacle of the loli archetype—the absolute top tier—was no exaggeration at all!
One of the maids quickly snapped back to attention, placed the tray on the room’s only small table, and respectfully lifted the lid: “Miss Mu Xi, this is your breakfast. There’s hot milk, oatmeal porridge, and some pastries, all freshly made by the kitchen.”
The aroma of food spread through the room, whetting Mu Xi’s appetite.
She walked over to the table, sat down, picked up a spoon, and took a bite of the warm oatmeal.
It tasted quite good, light and nutritious.
She ate in small bites while discreetly observing the two maids.
They looked young, in their early twenties, with delicate features, but their brows carried the unique toughness and vigilance of Stone City residents.
Their movements were well-trained, eyes lowered, almost devoid of expression, like machines running on pre-set programs.
‘They were Ye Lan’s people.’
This thought made Mu Xi’s heart, which had just begun to relax, tense up again.
Would they monitor her every move and report back to Ye Lan?
Very likely.
She lowered her gaze and continued eating in small bites, masking the wariness that flashed through her eyes.
The food was delicious, carrying a warm, home-cooked flavor she hadn’t tasted in a long time.
She remembered the days of running for her life—just being full was good enough, let alone worrying about taste.
But now, even though she was in a more dangerous, more unsettling place, someone was taking such meticulous care of her daily needs.
It was a strange feeling.
Like a sugar coating wrapped around poison, letting her enjoy a moment of ease while constantly reminding herself that behind it all was Ye Lan’s control.
After finishing the last bite of pastry, Mu Xi dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin.
“I’m done.” She set down the napkin, her voice returning to its usual softness, revealing nothing.
“Very well, Miss Mu Xi.” The older of the two maids stepped forward immediately and began clearing the dishes with practiced efficiency.
The other maid stood quietly nearby, awaiting any orders.
Mu Xi watched their busy figures, then suddenly spoke: “Where’s Ye Lan?”
She was startled by her own question.
Was it concern or was she trying to confirm that the source of danger wasn’t nearby?
Why was she asking about Ye Lan’s whereabouts?
The maid clearing the dishes paused briefly, then answered respectfully: “The Sovereign… the Sovereign went out early this morning and instructed us to take good care of you.”
‘Gone out?’
Mu Xi breathed a sigh of relief, but felt an inexplicable emptiness.
Good, she wasn’t here.
At least she could catch her breath during the day.
The chill of the floor against her bare feet made her curl her toes.
“Mm.”
She responded flatly, standing up.
She looked down at her pajamas, then at the two maids.
Going down like this?
That seemed… a bit improper?
But then again, this was Ye Lan’s territory, and she was the captive “Princess.”
Did she really need to care about such things?
Besides, hadn’t Ye Lan said he wanted to “pursue” her?
Then let him see her like this—lazy, casual, even a little sloppy.
She would use this to silently express her resistance and indifference.
Having made up her mind, Mu Xi didn’t hesitate any longer.
She headed straight for the door.
“Miss Mu Xi?” One of the maids called out in surprise, apparently not expecting her to leave in her pajamas.
Mu Xi didn’t look back.
She simply opened the door and padded out of the bedroom on bare feet, her steps making soft pattering sounds.
The two maids exchanged a glance, quickly set down their things, and hurried after her, maintaining a respectful distance.
The cold metallic corridor echoed with her light footsteps.
They were even more astonished.
This Miss Mu Xi was becoming more and more unpredictable.
The little temper when she first woke up, and now wandering around the building barefoot in her pajamas, acting completely at ease, not at all like a prisoner.
This didn’t quite match the fragile, frightened little white rabbit image they had imagined—or rather, the one the Sovereign had described?
Mu Xi ignored the followers behind her.
She reached the staircase on the second floor, gripped the cold metal railing, and made her way down step by step.