Chapter Seventy-Four: Bathing

After a moment of silence, the two exchanged glances without a word, their attention wholly absorbed by the breathtaking scenery and delicious food before them.

It was not until dusk descended, and the world grew steadily dimmer, that a round moon rose in the sky, casting its gentle glow over them. A chill swept in with the evening breeze, and only then did Huarong realize how much time had passed.

“Heavens, have we really been here this long? It’s dark already and the roads are hard to see—how are we going to get back?”

Panic drained the color from Huarong’s face, the oversight suddenly striking her with a wave of regret so strong she almost wished she could slap herself. After a moment’s fluster, she took a deep breath and hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, we’d better return at once. The moon is bright tonight; perhaps we can still find our way back!”

As she spoke, Huarong staggered unsteadily to her feet, but the ground was uneven. Her foot slipped, and she nearly tumbled backward. “Ah! Ah!”

Thankfully, the man beside her caught her just in time. Amusement flickered in his eyes at her clumsy urgency. “In such a lovely setting, with a gifted scholar and a fair lady alone together, don’t you feel the least bit tempted to linger?”

The question rendered her speechless. Huarong rolled her eyes at him and muttered with a pout, “Your Majesty, you’re certainly at ease. Don’t you have morning court tomorrow?”

Unlike herself—a leisurely consort—he was the ruler of the nation, burdened with far greater responsibilities. More importantly, they had left without informing anyone. If word spread or people misunderstood, thinking something had happened to them, it would surely cause an uproar.

No matter what, they could not spend the night here, or her reputation would be lost beyond repair!

“Enough, my dear. I told you before, there are cottages here for us to stay in. You needn’t worry about having nowhere to sleep.”

As he spoke, Jun Yeli placed a hand on Huarong’s shoulder, their closeness resembling that of an old married couple. But was she truly worried about lodging?

“No, Your Majesty, you’ve misunderstood—let me explain!” Huarong waved her hands anxiously, but he gave her no chance.

Just then, the clouds thickened, and the wind grew colder, shrouding the moon at the horizon and plunging everything into sudden darkness. The night was vast and the cicadas’ cries sounded as harsh as ravens’ caws, heightening her unease.

“What’s happening? Why did the wind pick up all of a sudden—is it going to rain?”

Huarong instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, shivering as anxiety crept into her heart. No sooner had she spoken than fat raindrops splattered onto her forehead, stinging slightly.

“It’s really raining?!”

Amazed, Huarong tentatively reached out her hand. Almost at once, the fine white skin was soaked through as the rain grew heavier.

Seeing this, Jun Yeli couldn’t help but tease her in a low voice, “Perhaps you were a crow spirit in your past life—your words are all too prophetic. Quick, get inside before you’re drenched and become a burden to me.”

Without another word, he threw a cloak over her head, covering her tightly to protect her from the rain. Then, with a swift motion, he swept her into his arms and sprinted toward a small wooden cabin in the distance.

The rain fell in sheets, and though it was only a short dash, by the time they reached the shelter and looked back, the world outside was already shrouded in misty rain.

Everything was enveloped by the downpour, the darkness now absolute, swallowing all color.

“Good thing we hurried, or we’d both be soaked through,” Jun Yeli sighed in relief, glancing down at the anxious Huarong in his arms.

Her cheeks, still round with a hint of baby fat, were all the more endearing for their worried expression; her eyes, wide and moist, reminded him of a newborn, stirring a surge of emotion he could barely contain.

“Tell me, don’t I look like I’m holding a child?”

The thought slipped out before he could stop it. In the next instant, however, Jun Yeli noticed a new problem, and with a nod of certainty, he added, “You’re already of age, but you’re so light—like a child. It’s not really appropriate.”

Whatever he was muttering, Huarong didn’t quite understand. She only felt the pose was awkward and embarrassing.

She wriggled slightly to draw his attention, finally speaking up with a hint of shyness, “Your Majesty, could you perhaps put me down now?”

Prompted by her words, Jun Yeli finally set her down by the bed upon entering the room.

He noticed several patches of dampness on Huarong, her hair clinging to her skin in a way that was far from flattering.

“You’re wet. Go take a bath. I’ll fetch you some hot water.”

Before Huarong could react, he’d already turned away, filling several buckets of steaming water and carrying them toward the bathtub.

“Hot water ready on demand… Was this all prearranged?” Huarong couldn’t help but feel something was off, as if she’d walked right into a trap.

She looked around the empty room, just the two of them alone—man and woman, sharing a secluded space.

There was no time to linger on the thought. Jun Yeli’s long strides brought him swiftly back, and seeing Huarong still standing motionless, he frowned, “Why are you still here? Are you waiting to get sick and regret it? Hurry and get undressed.”

Coming from a man, these words sounded terribly forward, almost roguish. Huarong was taken aback, her eyes darting nervously.

“Even though we’re married, I’m rather shy… Could you step outside for a moment?” she stammered, clutching her clothes tightly as if afraid he might pounce at any moment.

After all, alone together like this, it was like dry wood meeting a blazing flame—anything could happen.

Jun Yeli’s brow furrowed at her words. “Is there anything I haven’t seen?”

The teasing in his voice, accompanied by his slow approach, made Huarong shrink back in discomfort.

Seeing her so uneasy, Jun Yeli finally sighed. “Never mind. We’re husband and wife, and the days ahead are long. There will be plenty of time together. Go bathe.”

Were he not worried she’d catch a chill if she stayed like this, he would not have given in so easily.

With a wave of his sleeve, he turned and left. Only when his figure disappeared from sight did Huarong finally breathe a sigh of relief. “At last, he’s gone.”