The question was asked aloud, and even she found it strange.
He was the one who had imprisoned her, tortured her, and killed her parents, yet at this moment, she instinctively cared about his whereabouts.
The older servant immediately replied respectfully, “To answer Miss Xi, the Sovereign has not returned today. The Escort Team has also received no word of the Sovereign coming back.”
Mu Xi let out a soft sound, her tone unreadable. “Oh.”
That faint trace of disappointment—so weak she wouldn’t even admit it to herself—fell like a pebble into water, then quickly sank and vanished without a trace.
She lowered her head, gazing at her reflection in the water.
The ripples swayed, distorting and warping that delicate face until it was no longer clear.
She stopped talking, only idly kicking her feet in the water, sometimes hooking her toes to splash, sometimes letting them float still.
Her pale toes stretched in the warm water like several round, polished pearls.
Her movements were gentle, slow, carrying a purposeless languor, as if all her tangled emotions had been smoothed flat by the warmth of the pool.
The night deepened.
The lights on the terrace illuminated this small patch of the world, like an isolated island cut off from everything.
Below lay Stone City, sleeping in darkness. Perhaps in some hidden corner, slaughter and schemes were still unfolding.
Two worlds, separated by an invisible wall.
Mu Xi remained seated by the hot spring, her fair feet tracing soft arcs through the water. Her long hair hung down, a few strands clinging to her slightly damp neck. Her profile was etched into a perfect silhouette by the lamplight, her long silver strands swaying faintly. She tilted her head back slightly, gazing up at the deep night sky. The stars were sparse, the moonlight hazy.
I wonder what Ye Lan is doing right now?
Is she commanding another bloody purge, or plotting her next move from some hidden corner?
The pale light of early morning filtered through the terrace’s glass doors, casting faint shadows across the floor.
Mu Xi woke very early—or rather, she had never really fallen into deep sleep.
The Silent Language Building was unnaturally quiet. Aside from the occasional soft footsteps of patrolling Escort Team members, there was only the sound of her own breathing.
The older maid pushed open the bedroom door with light steps, carrying a tray with a warm towel and a glass of water. “Miss Xi, you’re awake?”
Mu Xi sat up, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. She took the glass, sipping slowly, her gaze somewhat distant.
“Mm,” she responded softly.
“Breakfast is ready. Shall I bring it to the room?”
The maid’s voice was respectful, tinged with caution.
Over the past few days, they had come to understand this Miss Xi’s habits.
She spoke little and her emotions ran calm, but she held no airs toward the servants. Still, that innate delicacy and aloofness kept them from daring any negligence.
“Bring it to the terrace. The weather looks nice today.” Mu Xi threw off the soft blanket and stepped barefoot onto the cool but clean floor.
After a simple wash-up, Mu Xi changed into a soft, comfortable white dress that trailed along the ground, making her already petite figure seem even more delicate.
On the terrace, breakfast was already laid out.
Fine white porcelain dishes held steaming food: golden, crisply toasted bread slices, fried eggs sprinkled with spices, a small bowl of thick meat porridge, and several brightly colored fresh fruits that were clearly costly.
Mu Xi sat in the familiar lounge chair by the hot spring, picked up the silver spoon, and slowly ladled porridge into her mouth.
In Stone City, where food was scarce, such a breakfast bordered on luxury. It tasted wonderful—fresh ingredients, perfectly cooked.
Ye Lan had never skimped on her comforts, going so far as to indulge her with extravagant provisions, as if trying to fill some void with material things.
She looked up. In the distance, the outline of Stone City sharpened in the morning light.
It clashed completely with the refined, tranquil Silent Language Building.
“Miss Xi… there’s still no word from the Sovereign.” Another, younger maid couldn’t help adding in a low voice, with a hint of concern on Mu Xi’s behalf.
Mu Xi’s spoon paused for a moment, then resumed its natural rhythm.
She didn’t look at the maid, merely responding with a faint “Mm.”
Again.
What in the world was that woman Ye Lan playing at?
As if she had vanished completely from Stone City.
Several days in a row—not a trace of her, not even the slightest bit of news.
Mu Xi wasn’t a fool. How could she not understand Ye Lan’s intentions?
That domineering woman had probably been angered by her words. Or maybe she was deliberately leaving her hanging, trying to make her anxious, to make her come asking, come caring.
Ye Lan was always like that—loving control, loving to watch others lose their composure over her.
Mu Xi sneered inwardly.
Want her to get anxious? Want her to worry?
Not a chance!
She set down her spoon and picked up a slice of cut honeydew melon, eating it in small bites.
The sweet juice spread through her mouth, bringing a hint of pleasure.
She would simply live happily, eat well, sleep well, and treat this place like a vacation.
Comfortable. Enough to drive that self-righteous woman mad. Ye Lan wanted to see her restless and uneasy? Well, she would deliberately live at ease.
“The sunlight is wonderful today.” Mu Xi suddenly spoke, her voice soft with a lazy satisfaction. “After breakfast, I want to soak in the hot spring.”
The two maids exchanged a glance, both catching surprise and fascination in the other’s eyes.
This Miss Xi seemed truly different from what the rumors said.
They had assumed that after how the Sovereign had treated her, being confined here, she would be mournful, fearful, or filled with hatred.
But over these past few days, aside from occasionally staring into the distance in a daze, she was calm beyond belief.
Bordering on contented.
She would spend long stretches reading books from the old era, sunbathe on the terrace, and soak in the hot spring for nearly half a day, always wearing a faint, unworldly expression.
That kind of pure beauty clashed with Stone City, yet it was damnably captivating.
“Yes, Miss Xi, we’ll prepare everything right away.” The older maid immediately responded, pulling along the still-dazed younger maid as they hurried off to ready the hot spring.
After finishing breakfast, Mu Xi didn’t head straight for the hot spring. Instead, she walked to the other side of the terrace.
There, a few lounge chairs and a small round table were set up, offering a wider view that overlooked a larger expanse of Stone City below.
Pedestrians were already on the streets—residents in simple but decent-looking clothes—along with squads of patrol soldiers moving in neat formation, well-equipped and sharp in step.
The afternoon sun was just right, warm as it spread across her skin.
Mu Xi, barefoot once more, returned to the edge of the hot spring.
Warm steam rose, blurring her vision.
She tentatively dipped a pale foot into the water. The warm touch enveloped her instantly, driving away the last trace of afternoon heat.
She drew a soft breath and slowly sank her entire body into the pool.
The water rippled, rising past her slender waist, cradling her body gently.
Her silver hair floated across the surface like a blooming sea anemone. She let out a contented sigh, leaning against the smooth pool wall, eyes closed.
Beads of water slid along the elegant curve of her neck, disappearing beneath the surface.
These past few days of leisure had indeed eased her taut nerves considerably.
No endless torture. No cold chains. Even Ye Lan’s aggressively possessive face had temporarily vanished from view.
If one ignored that this was a cage, ignored that Ye Lan was her enemy, these days could almost be called pleasant.
Just as Mu Xi was sinking into this comfort, the faint chime of a communicator broke the stillness.