Chapter 95: Hand Control

Mu Xi actually took the initiative to let her go to the Rest Room?

Could it be… Mu Xi was worried that she would have a conflict with Teacher Ling Yue, making things difficult for her?

That thought flashed through Li Xin’s mind, and the tension in her body eased slightly.

She looked at Mu Xi deeply, her expression complex and hard to read. 

Finally, she nodded and softened her tone considerably, “Then… Miss Mu Xi, I’ll wait for you in the Rest Room next door. If you need anything, just call me anytime.”

After saying that, she shot a sharp glare at Ling Yue, as if warning her not to do anything against Mu Xi, before turning around and leaving the Practice Room with a hint of reluctance.

Watching Li Xin’s departing figure, Mu Xi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Though Li Xin left obediently, that one glance she gave before leaving stirred a sense of unease within Mu Xi.

This woman’s possessiveness over her seemed even stronger than she had imagined.

But, isn’t that exactly what she wanted to see?

Only by making Li Xin develop deeper feelings for her would she have a chance to manipulate her.

Inside the Practice Room, the lesson continued.

Ling Yue guided Mu Xi as she practiced the piano, focusing meticulously on finger techniques, strength, and emotional expression—every detail was handled with utmost precision.

Mu Xi’s learning speed was astonishing. 

She had long since mastered the previous lessons and was now delving into more advanced techniques.

The more Ling Yue taught, the more amazed she became. 

Mu Xi’s musical talent was simply innate; any technique, with just a little guidance, she could grasp quickly and apply by analogy.

If cultivated carefully, her future would be limitless.

Unfortunately, this Manor kept Mu Xi’s talent tightly bound.

The thought only intensified Ling Yue’s desire to take Mu Xi away from here.

She looked at Mu Xi’s focused profile and, besides admiration, her gaze carried a hint of complicated emotion, like a dark, deep pool quietly stirring a certain longing.

The brief rest period ended, and the music abruptly stopped.

Ling Yue rose and sat down opposite Mu Xi, motioning for her to extend her hand.

Mu Xi was slightly puzzled but obediently stretched out her hand.

Ling Yue’s fingertips lightly brushed over the back of Mu Xi’s hand. 

The skin was delicate and smooth, like the finest silk.

She slowly clasped Mu Xi’s hand, her fingertips gently caressing and playing over it, as if appreciating a finely crafted work of art.

Mu Xi felt a bit uneasy; Ling Yue’s sudden intimacy left her confused.

She covertly glanced at Ling Yue’s expression and saw that her face remained calm, the coolness in her eyes faintly softened by an almost imperceptible tenderness.

Just as Mu Xi was bewildered, Ling Yue suddenly brought her hand close to her nose, inhaled softly, then quickly flicked her tongue across the back of Mu Xi’s hand.

The tingling sensation instantly spread from her hand throughout her body. 

Mu Xi jerked back as if struck by electricity, her face instantly flushed with shock and confusion.

What was Teacher Ling Yue doing…?

She couldn’t understand Ling Yue’s actions at all.

Ling Yue watched Mu Xi’s panicked reaction and slowly curved a meaningful smile at the corner of her mouth, her eyes growing deeper.

She said nothing, offered no explanation, merely gazing quietly at Mu Xi, as if savoring her response.

Throughout the whole exchange, the two maintained a tacit silence.

They both knew well that this Practice Room was filled with monitoring devices; any spoken words might be overheard and twisted.

Silent ambiguity quietly spread in the tranquil space, the air thick with an unusual atmosphere.

The break ended, and they returned to the Steinway Piano.

This time, Ling Yue said she would personally demonstrate a new piece for Mu Xi to learn. 

Mu Xi didn’t think much of it, assuming it was just a normal part of the lesson.

The music began—flowing like clouds and water, fingers dancing across the black and white keys, every note full of emotion, mournful yet carrying a subtle intensity.

Mu Xi immersed herself in the beautiful melody, listening intently, hoping to grasp the techniques and feelings Ling Yue wished to convey.

However, halfway through the piece, Ling Yue’s body leaned slightly toward Mu Xi’s ear. 

In a low, rapid whisper, she said, “I’ll say it again—I will take you away from here. I’ll find a way to change your identity into that of a noble’s daughter, so you can become a true performer and Tour the World.”

The music continued, beautiful and moving, but Mu Xi’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Teacher Ling Yue had brought up this topic again, and this time she was more specific, even laying out a future path.

Her mind raced, struggling to process the information Ling Yue had just shared.

‘Noble?’

‘Performer?’

‘Tour the World?’

These words felt like a distant dream to someone who had been imprisoned in the Manor all her life.

“What do the nobles outside mean… exactly?” Mu Xi lowered her voice to almost a whisper, her gaze still fixed on Ling Yue’s fingers as if simply asking about the fingering of the piece.

Ling Yue’s voice remained gentle but carried a hint of subtle seriousness. 

“The outside world is divided into nobles and commoners. The distinguished guests that Miss Ye Lan invites are all nobles. They possess unimaginable power, able to decide the lives and deaths of commoners with ease.”

Mu Xi’s heart jolted. 

Nobles held such great power?

She had always thought Miss Ye Lan was powerful enough, but she hadn’t realized there were even more awe-inspiring forces above her.

“Is this country… also modernized?” Mu Xi asked further, wanting to understand the outside world as much as possible.

“It is modernized,” Ling Yue replied, “but it’s a clan system. Each noble family controls a city or street, with their own territory and sphere of influence.”

“What about Miss Ye Lan? Is she also a noble?” Mu Xi probed cautiously.

Ling Yue’s playing hesitated for a moment before resuming smoothly. 

She whispered, “Miss Ye Lan is not a noble; she is of common birth.”

Mu Xi’s heart shook again, unable to contain her surprise.

‘Ye Lan was a commoner?’

The one who controlled such a vast Manor, with countless wealth and power—she was a commoner?

This information upended Mu Xi’s previous understanding, deepening her curiosity about Ye Lan’s identity and background.

The beautiful piano music echoed in the Practice Room, masking their low voices.

Outwardly, Mu Xi continued to study the piano seriously, but her mind churned with turbulent waves.

Ling Yue’s words were like a stone dropped into a still lake, stirring ripples that made her re-examine the world she lived in and the possibilities for her future.

However, Mu Xi did not immediately accept Ling Yue’s offer.

She constantly reminded herself to be cautious in this Manor, especially around others.

She chose to refuse.

In her heart, she was playing a high-stakes gamble.

If Ling Yue truly meant what she showed—that she genuinely wanted to help her escape—then one refusal wouldn’t make her give up.

Someone who sincerely wants to help wouldn’t retreat after a single rejection; there would surely be follow-up actions.

Conversely, if Ling Yue was sent by Ye Lan to test her, then her refusal became a shield for survival.

If she agreed too easily, once Ye Lan discovered her desire to escape, the consequences would be unimaginable—likely triggering even more ruthless punishment.

Hearing Mu Xi’s refusal, Ling Yue’s face showed no sign of disappointment. 

Instead, as if nothing had happened, she continued playing the piano.

The music remained smooth and flowing, as though the whispered conversation had never taken place.