Ye Lan’s voice carried a clear tone of restrained anger, her icy gaze sweeping over the surrounding maids before finally resting on Mu Xi’s foot, as if examining a precious and fragile item for damage.
The maids fell silent like cicadas in winter, not daring to utter a word, lowering their heads in fear of drawing trouble.
Mu Xi glanced at Ye Lan, then lowered her eyes again, speaking calmly, “I accidentally twisted it.”
“Accidentally?” Ye Lan’s tone was laced with obvious doubt.
She stepped beside Mu Xi, crouched down, and gently cupped Mu Xi’s ankle, her fingertips softly touching the swollen, reddened area.
Yet her eyes grew colder by the moment.
“I don’t like hearing lies, Mu Xi.”
Mu Xi was silent for a moment, knowing she couldn’t hide the truth from Ye Lan.
She lowered her voice, “It was Little An… she accidentally hit it.”
Ye Lan’s gaze instantly sharpened, the pressure around her dropping suddenly like the calm before a storm.
“Little An? The one Lady Karin brought?”
Mu Xi nodded.
Ye Lan slowly stood up, scanning the room before commanding coldly, “Bring Little An here.”
The maids immediately obeyed, retreating hastily as if granted a great pardon.
It wasn’t long before Little An was brought to the pavilion.
She had somehow changed into an ill-fitting servant uniform, making her look even smaller.
Her face was filled with terror and unease, her body trembling slightly.
“Master…” Little An knelt on the ground, her voice barely audible like a mosquito’s hum, not daring to lift her head.
Ye Lan stood before her, looking down coldly, devoid of any emotion as if gazing upon a lifeless object.
“Did you injure Mu Xi’s foot?”
Little An shivered in fear, immediately kowtowing and babbling, “N-no, it wasn’t on purpose, Master. I really didn’t mean to… I’m just clumsy. Please, Master, have mercy…”
Ye Lan ignored Little An’s desperate explanations.
What she hated most was anyone harming Mu Xi, even the slightest injury.
“Do you even understand how important Mu Xi’s foot is? It’s an art piece to be admired, not something for trash like you to damage!”
Her words were sharp and cutting, striking straight at Little An’s heart.
The girl’s trembling worsened, tears threatening to fall.
Mu Xi watched Little An, trembling on the floor, a complex emotion swelling in her chest.
She had expected Ye Lan to be angry, that Little An would be punished, but not such an extreme reaction.
“Master…” Mu Xi gently tugged at Ye Lan’s sleeve, whispering, “It’s really nothing serious, just a bump. A few days’ rest will fix it.”
Ye Lan turned to look at Mu Xi, the ice in her gaze softening slightly but still tinged with anger.
“You’re too kindhearted, always pleading for these careless fools.”
Mu Xi forced a smile but said nothing.
Ye Lan then faced Little An again, her tone still cold but less murderous.
“This time, I’ll spare you because Mu Xi pleaded for you. But don’t think you’re off the hook. From now on, you will work five hours more every day and fast for three days as punishment.”
Hearing this, Little An breathed a sigh of relief and quickly kowtowed, thanking, “Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master. Thank you, Miss Mu Xi…”
Ye Lan frowned in disgust and waved to signal the guards to take Little An away.
With Little An dealt with, Ye Lan’s gaze returned to Mu Xi, her tone softening considerably but still carrying an undeniable authority.
“Your foot is injured, so don’t walk for the next few days. To better care for your feet, from now on, whenever you want to go somewhere, you’ll be carried.”
Mu Xi nearly rolled her eyes at Ye Lan’s decree.
What kind of nonsense was this?
Treating her like a fragile porcelain doll?
Being carried around?
Ridiculous!
“Master, this… isn’t really appropriate, is it?” Mu Xi tried to refuse gently.
She didn’t want to be carried around like a baby—it was far too humiliating.
“What’s inappropriate about it?”
Ye Lan raised an eyebrow, speaking matter-of-factly.
“Your feet are so delicate. How can you just walk around freely? What if you get hurt again? Besides, wouldn’t being carried be more comfortable?”
Ye Lan spoke so confidently that Mu Xi had no room to argue.
“As for who will carry you…” Ye Lan smiled meaningfully, turning to the silent Li Xin nearby, “Li Xin will be responsible. She’s agile and attentive—she’ll take great care of you.”
Li Xin’s expression, usually as calm as a still pond, finally showed a crack.
A flash of joy appeared in her eyes before she quickly suppressed it, returning to a calm demeanor.
She stepped forward and bowed slightly to Ye Lan, her voice steady, “Yes, Master. Li Xin will take full responsibility and ensure Miss Mu Xi’s safety and comfort.”
Li Xin’s tone remained cold, but only she knew that inside, waves of excitement churned almost uncontrollably.
Carrying Miss Mu Xi every day… it was a dream come true!
Mu Xi looked at Li Xin’s serious face, then at Ye Lan’s playful smile, feeling a mix of amusement and disbelief.
She finally understood—Ye Lan wasn’t really concerned about her foot.
She was just finding ways to torment her, while at the same time… giving Li Xin an opportunity?
How outrageous.
Mu Xi sighed silently but could only force a helpless smile, saying dryly, “Then… thank you, Li Xin.”
In the following days, Mu Xi almost completely lost control over her own feet.
Li Xin stayed by her side without leaving, carrying her everywhere—from the bedroom to the Practice Room, from the Dining Hall to the Garden, even to the restroom, like a princess cradled in her arms.
At first, Mu Xi felt awkward and stiff, like a wooden doll, always sensing the maids and guards secretly watching her, making her want to disappear.
Especially when going to the restroom, being carried in and out by Li Xin felt like a massive social humiliation.
But gradually, she began to get used to this “special treatment.”
After all, she had already lost face; losing a bit more didn’t matter.
Besides, Li Xin held her firmly and comfortably, like holding a lightweight doll, with no sign of strain.
Li Xin’s footsteps were steady and deliberate, her pace slowed intentionally to avoid jostling Mu Xi.
Being held in Li Xin’s arms was unexpectedly reassuring.
One day, Mu Xi expressed a wish to visit the Garden.
Though she said she wanted to “walk,” she was still carried by Li Xin.
Passing the second-floor corridor, Mu Xi glanced out the window casually, her gaze accidentally sweeping across a corner of the Garden.
In that instant, she thought she saw a familiar figure flash by.
The figure’s clothes were tattered, hair messy, but the silhouette… It resembled Wuhen.
Mu Xi’s breath caught sharply.
Was she seeing things?
Hadn’t Wuhen already been shot in the head by Li Xin?
She had witnessed Wuhen fall, blood pooling beneath her.
How could she still be alive?
Blinking, Mu Xi tried to look again, but the rockery blocked her view of the Garden’s corner.
Nothing was visible.
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