Chapter 90: Pointed Confrontation

Her heart raced, a chill crawling up from the soles of her feet.

If it hadn’t been a trick of her eyes just now, if she truly saw Wuhen, then what did that mean?

Wuhen wasn’t dead?

Instinctively, she wanted to tell Li Xin, ask if she had noticed anyone suspicious, but the words caught in her throat and were swallowed back.

Something was off—terribly off.

If Wuhen really was alive, and appeared inside the Manor, it definitely wasn’t a coincidence.

Unless… unless Wuhen never actually died, or rather, there was more to the story of her death.

And the most crucial part was that the one who shot Wuhen was Li Xin.

If Wuhen wasn’t dead, then what was going on with that shot fired by Li Xin?

Could Li Xin be hiding something?

Once that thought emerged, it spread wildly in Mu Xi’s mind like a weed, uncontrollable.

The more she thought, the colder her back became, her whole body stiffening.

Had she been deceived from the very beginning?

Li Xin outwardly appeared loyal to Ye Lan, caring deeply for her, but in reality, did she have other motives?

Or perhaps, she was in cahoots with Wuhen?

Mu Xi’s face instantly paled, the lightness she had felt vanished completely, replaced by deep fear and unease.

She quietly observed Li Xin, who was holding her.

Li Xin’s expression remained emotionless, her gaze calm, as if nothing had happened.

Mu Xi’s heart sank to the bottom of a valley.

If Li Xin really had a problem, then what was she supposed to do?

Could the escape plan still go on?

Could she still trust Li Xin?

A flood of questions overwhelmed her, giving her a splitting headache and making it hard to breathe.

Li Xin keenly noticed Mu Xi’s unusual state.

She stopped walking and looked at Mu Xi with her dark, bright eyes.

Her voice was low, carrying a hint of inquiry: “Miss Mu Xi, what’s wrong? You don’t look well.”

Mu Xi’s heart skipped a beat, as if her secret had been seen through.

A chill shot up her spine.

She forced down the storm raging inside and tried to pull off a smile, but it was stiff and forced.

“N-nothing.”

She mumbled vaguely, eyes flickering, avoiding Li Xin’s gaze.

“Maybe just a bit tired. I want to go rest.”

The feeble excuse sounded weak even to herself.

Li Xin’s eyebrows twitched slightly, clearly unconvinced.

But she didn’t press further.

Calmly, she said, “I’ll take you back.”

Mu Xi breathed a sigh of relief but felt even more uneasy.

Li Xin’s silence was oppressive, as if she had already seen through Mu Xi’s nervousness and was just waiting for her to confess.

Mu Xi furtively observed Li Xin, trying to catch any crack in her calm facade, but found nothing.

Li Xin was still that cold, distant figure, her eyes as placid as deep water, unreadable to the core.

Back in the room, dark green velvet curtains blocked most of the light, casting the room in shadows.

Mu Xi sat on the soft, large bed.

The silk sheets felt cold to the touch but couldn’t dispel the heat and unease burning inside her.

Her mind was a tangled mess, all sorts of guesses and doubts intertwining, giving her a pounding headache.

Was Wuhen really dead?

The bloody scene, Li Xin’s cold eyes—they were all vivid and unmistakably real, not fake.

But how to explain that fleeting glimpse just now?

Had she really imagined it?

Or was this just a play staged by Ye Lan and Li Xin?

To test something?

Or… to hide something?

The more Mu Xi thought, the more her skin crawled.

If Wuhen wasn’t dead, if Li Xin really had problems, then wasn’t she trapped in a den of dragons and tigers?

She had always thought Li Xin was the key to escaping the Manor, a breakthrough she could rely on.

But now, it seemed this very breakthrough might become a fatal trap.

She couldn’t help but look at Li Xin again.

Li Xin was standing by the window, back turned to her, posture straight as pine.

The black uniform made her appear even colder and more mysterious.

Mu Xi’s heart pounded wildly, an inexplicable fear surging up.

She suddenly realized she knew nothing about Li Xin.

Was this seemingly loyal bodyguard really as simple as she appeared?

Or was she hiding even deeper secrets, even… threats?

Mu Xi took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

Now was not the time for wild speculation.

She needed to sort her thoughts out.

For now, she’d just take one step at a time, never rushing.

***

In the afternoon, Li Xin carried Mu Xi to the Practice Room.

Ling Yue was already there, wearing a purple cheongsam that accentuated her poised figure, like a proud plum blossom blooming through snow—cold and untouchable.

“Let’s begin.” Ling Yue’s voice remained emotionless, her gaze landing on Mu Xi, signaling her to approach the piano.

Today’s lesson combined piano and vocal training, with difficulty higher than before.

Ling Yue’s demands grew stricter.

Even a single wrong note or finger placement would be mercilessly interrupted and corrected repeatedly.

Mu Xi tensed every nerve, fully focused on the practice, afraid of making any mistakes that might displease Ling Yue.

Li Xin stood silently by the side, watching Mu Xi.

The Practice Room was spacious and bright.

The Steinway Piano reflected the light from the stained glass windows.

Mu Xi sat on the bench, her silver-white hair cascading down like a delicate porcelain doll, swaying gently with the music.

Li Xin’s gaze was sharp and persistent, as if trying to imprint Mu Xi’s figure deeply into her mind.

It had to be admitted, under Ling Yue’s rigorous guidance, Mu Xi’s progress was remarkable.

From clumsy and awkward at first, she could now play complex pieces fluently, and her singing grew steadier and more emotive.

Li Xin saw all of this, a mix of emotions swirling inside her.

She was happy for Mu Xi’s improvement, but a subtle unease lingered.

She felt Mu Xi slipping further away, like a delicate bird whose wings were growing stronger, destined one day to fly out of her grasp.

***

Break time came.

Ling Yue raised her hand to signal a pause, then looked at Li Xin with a tone laced with command: “Li Xin, go make two cups of tea.”

Li Xin’s brow twitched, her eyes instantly sharp, voice cold and firm in refusal: “No. I must stay by Miss Mu Xi’s side at all times to ensure her safety.”

Ling Yue chuckled lightly, her tone filled with disdain and dominance: “Safety? In this Manor, who could possibly threaten her? Or do you think I would harm her?”

Li Xin remained silent, but her eyes showed no sign of lowering her guard.

Of course, she didn’t believe Ling Yue would harm Mu Xi, but she simply refused to leave her side even for a second.

It was her duty, but also an uncontrollable possessiveness deep within her.

Seeing Li Xin so stubborn, Ling Yue’s expression darkened, and her tone hardened further:

“Li Xin, don’t forget who you are. This is the Manor, not a place where you can act recklessly. I am the Teacher invited by Miss Ye Lan, not a mere employee. You’d better show some respect. Besides, I need to tutor Mu Xi alone. You’re just in the way here.”