"Yes." Seeing her assertiveness, Shouyue stopped insisting and immediately went downstairs.
Ji Wushang, despite the discomfort in his chest, slowly walked around, surveying the entire massive inner hall, from the beams to the floor, making sure no one was around before returning to the bathing area.
At the poolside, she slowly untied her belt, then took off her gauze dress, leaving her only in a peony-patterned bodice and white underpants.
At this moment, Ji Wushang was covered in cold sweat. She put her jade-like feet into the water, where the temperature was just right, and then she slowly walked in.
With her jade-like skin half-exposed to the air, Ji Wushang took a deep breath and slowly walked towards the bath, where she happened to see the stone bench on the other side.
Ji Wushang felt tired, so he sat down, his smooth back against the pool wall, and at that moment the water just reached his collarbone, enveloping the pool in spring colors.
Ji Wushang looked at the floating medicinal herbs and the pink Ashoka flowers in front of him, and couldn't help but reach out to touch them and grab them.
Pink Ashoka flowers!
Ji Wushang smiled slightly, holding the Worry-Free Flower in his hand, as if he had returned to the Worry-Free Garden, where Nan Xuzong sat under the tree watching him dance.
“Cong…” she called Nan Xu Cong’s name softly.
She splashed some water, sat on the stone bench, and stretched her arms.
I'm exhausted, really exhausted.
Moreover, the medicinal herbs clearly contained some hypnotic ingredients, and the Worry-Free Flower was even more relaxing and relieved people's pain. Therefore, Ji Wushang felt sleepy and slowly leaned against the pool wall to fall asleep.
In my dream, there was the fragrance of flowers, beautiful butterflies, and the sound of a flute—it was Nan Xuzong playing. There was dance, and it was myself dancing.
A faint smile appeared on Ji Wushang's lips, as delicate as a beautiful cloud in the sky.
Tuoba Heyan returned to the imperial study from outside and immediately began reviewing documents at his desk. Sometimes he didn't even know why, it was just a habit: after finishing court or discussing matters with his ministers, he would always return to the imperial study.
He had just finished reviewing the papers with a vermilion pen in one hand when he remembered what had happened that day.
He had already warned the Empress Dowager that if she dared to interfere in his affairs again, she would turn against him! He, Tuoba Heyan, had grown up and was no longer a boy who could be molded by a woman! He, Tuoba Heyan, ascended the throne at the age of twelve but did not take power until he was twenty, with the Empress Dowager ruling from behind the curtain for eight years! This had always left a deep psychological scar on him—or rather, a shadow!
He's actually the same little kid he used to be!
How can we let her make decisions for us!
As for Consort Yehe and Consort Ansu, Tuoba Heyan had already sent people to monitor and warn them. The palace maids who were present at the time were all secretly dealt with.
Tuoba Heyan quickly reviewed some memorials, but he was extremely worried. "I wonder if she has taken the medicinal bath? No, I must go and see her. That's a matter of life and death; if it's not thorough, she might suffer long-term health problems." Tuoba Heyan put the memorials away and immediately went out.
The palace was very quiet at this time, but the night pearls and candlelight illuminated everything.
Tuoba Heyan was highly skilled in martial arts, so he walked silently. When he entered the palace, the palace maids were guarding outside.
"Where is Princess Wushang?" Tuoba Heyan asked in a deep voice.
Shouyue immediately stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, Princess Wushang is currently taking a medicinal bath inside."
"Oh?" Tuoba Heyan's eyes darkened. "I ordered you to serve her, so why are you all outside the palace?"
“This servant deserves to die!” Shouyue and several palace maids immediately knelt down. “It was Princess Wushang who said she was not used to being served by us, so she came out to wait for her.”
"Get out!" Tuoba Heyan coldly rebuked, pushed open the door and entered, then waved his hand to close the palace doors.
The surrounding palace maids all withdrew, not daring to disturb them.
The curtains remained the same, but a delicate, refreshing fragrance filled the air, which made Tuoba Heyan feel very comfortable.
Tuoba Heyan silently walked inside. He stood in front of the golden and jade door, hesitating for a moment. Should he go in and take a look? This refers to a medicinal bath of about an hour and a half. It was only early Hai Shi (9 pm Beijing time).
After thinking for a moment, Tuoba Heyan stepped forward, gently pushed open the golden door, entered, and closed it.
The surroundings were shrouded in mist, which added to the heat, but the presence of a beautiful woman, as lovely as a fairy, made the mist even more tranquil.
Tuoba Heyan felt extremely happy, a feeling he had never experienced before!
He went inside, gently lifted the layers of beaded curtains, and finally saw the bathtub.
What kind of scene was that?
Amidst the swirling mist, she sat on the stone bench, her delicate face flushed slightly, her cherry lips pursed, her brows furrowed, her bright eyes closed, yet her eyelashes added to her allure. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, with some strands falling into the water and drifting gently. Her dark hair, along with some pink ashoka flowers, obscured her beauty, making her delicate body appear and disappear in the water.
With his profound martial arts skills, he could naturally see what kind of beauty was underwater, and the peony-patterned bodice and white underpants were even more alluring to him.
His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
However, he dared not move.
I have never seen such a beautiful scene.
To be honest, there were quite a few men and women performing live sex acts in front of him in his study, all of them his concubines and guards, but he never felt any pleasure from them, let alone any interest!
The so-called favoritism towards concubines was nothing more than a way to silence the eunuchs, the empress dowager, the ministers, and so on!
He was born with a dislike for women, sometimes even wanting to strangle any woman who approached him! However, he knew that sometimes he needed women to play a role! So he controlled himself, and forbearance and pretense were his best weapons!
But this time was different. When she approached, it was a comforting, warm feeling! Unprecedented! This woman, Tuoba Heyan desperately wanted to hold onto her! But, damn it, why? She had already been married once! And had a son! What was even more infuriating was that she couldn't forget her deceased husband! Tuoba Heyan wished he could crack open her head and erase all her memories of her past!
He saw her taking off the gauze dress that had been placed to the side. He bent down, picked it up, and smelled it. A smile appeared on his face, and his gaze returned to the woman in the water.
Ji Wushang was so drowsy that he didn't even realize he was asleep, especially since the water was warm. However, people tend to forget their surroundings when they're asleep. Without realizing it, he started to slide into the water.
Tuoba Heyan looked on in surprise and exclaimed, "Not good!" He immediately put down his gauze robe, pulled off his belt, and quickly took off his clothes before stepping into the water.
Who would have thought that before he even reached Ji Wushang's side, Ji Wushang had already slipped into the water and was immediately choked awake by the water!
In an instant, Ji Wushang woke up completely, and as soon as he opened his eyes, he stood up straight.
"Cough, cough." Ji Wushang coughed twice, barely managing to catch his breath, but only then did he realize that something was different!
Ji Wushang suddenly looked up and stared ahead!
"Ah!" Ji Wushang exclaimed in surprise, immediately covering his chest with his hand and quickly backing away. "You, you! When did you get here!"
"A long time." Those two simple words were enough to shock Ji Wushang once again!
Tuoba Heyan stood in the water, and due to the height difference, his half-naked chest was exposed, with half of his muscular chest above and half below the water!
But Ji Wushang had no time to care about any of that! If anyone was interested in looking, it was Nan Xuzong! She'd already seen him no less than a hundred times! She had no interest in looking at other men!
"Don't come any closer!" Ji Wushang panicked and immediately turned around, walking towards the edge of the pool.
But I'm not wearing any clothes! Damn it!
"Tuoba Heyan, don't you know how to avoid me?" Ji Wushang looked at him with even greater fear now that he was in front of him.
"What I need to know is whether you are fully recovered," he said in a deep voice. A slight, handsome smile curved his thin lips beneath the golden mask.
Ji Wushang felt a chill run from her feet all the way to her heart. "I'm already fine, thank you!" She immediately walked in another direction.
Tuoba Heyan looked at her and suddenly said, "Why are you avoiding me?"
Ji Wushang didn't answer, but ran straight up. Just as he reached the edge of the pool, he was grabbed by the person behind him!
His powerful strength actually locked Ji Wushang's waist from behind!
Ji Wushang was surprised. "Let me go!" She tried to pry open the large hand that was holding her waist, hitting, pinching and squeezing, but he didn't budge and turned her around in one go.
Ji Wushang gritted her teeth and glared at him angrily, "What are you going to do!"
"What do you think?" Tuoba Heyan looked at her. "Aren't you trying to seduce me by dressing so provocatively?"
"Damn it, you ordered us to take a medicinal bath!" Ji Wushang shouted, and immediately, without waiting for a response, began pounding his chest with both hands. "Get out of my way!"
"...It seems so." He said three words calmly, and was stunned for a moment, but his iron arm would not allow her to leave. Those pink fists were just a tickle!
"If that's the case, then let me go! You have three thousand concubines, losing me won't kill you!" Ji Wushang resisted, using her teeth and other means to bite the arm that was holding her captive!
Tuoba Heyan immediately cried out in pain and released his grip, "You! You actually bit me, the King?"
"Hmph!" Ji Wushang snorted coldly, scooped up water with both hands, and splashed it at Tuoba Heyan!
Tuoba Heyan never expected Ji Wushang to do this. He was caught off guard and had water splashed all over his golden mask! Some of the water even seeped into the mask!
Ji Wushang dared not linger. He immediately went ashore, picked up the gauze robe and hurriedly put it on, then quickly ran outside!
That damned Tuoba Heyan! Running into him is never a good thing!
Ji Wushang ran out in a panic, but Tuoba Heyan was already standing in front of her!
He wore only simple white trousers on his lower body, revealing a rough, bare chest. At that moment, he was wiping the water from his forehead.
"I've truly forgotten that you're from the wildcat world!" Tuoba Heyan stepped forward. Ji Wushang panicked, quickly putting on her clothes and fastening her belt, but she was intimidated by his aura. As he approached, she retreated. "Please... Your Majesty, have some self-respect. I should go back and see Nianlang! Nianlang is waiting for me!"
"Self-respect? Princess Wushang... no, Consort Ji!" Tuoba Heyan stared coldly at Ji Wushang. Didn't she know that what she hated most was having water splashed in her face? "Shouldn't you apologize?"
"Apologize?" Ji Wushang was surprised, but seeing his expression, he immediately bowed and said, "I'm sorry!"
Tuoba Heyan's eyes darkened, but he still stepped forward!
"Stop!" Ji Wushang had been forced back to the edge of the pool, which made her even more panicked!
He stopped.
Ji Wushang gasped for breath, "Prince Qingzhao, please spare me, thank you!" Ji Wushang tried hard not to let his voice tremble.
"What?" Tuoba Heyan's voice was hoarse and extremely cold as he stepped forward!
Ji Wushang stumbled backward, but his foot slipped and he lost his footing!
"Ah!" Ji Wushang screamed. Tuoba Heyan was surprised and took a step forward, intending to grab her, but with a "hiss", he tore her gauze dress!
Ji Wushang fell into the pool!
Tuoba Heyan was completely stunned. It seemed like there had been a scene before, where a woman jumped into the steaming pool in front of him! Tuoba Heyan panicked and immediately walked into the pool. "Princess Wushang! Princess Wushang!" He looked around, poking at the floating herbs and petals, and walked into the middle.
I turned around, but she was gone. I turned around again, but she was still gone!
"Princess Wushang!" he cried out, his mind in turmoil. Was this the end for him? No, he couldn't accept this! He hadn't even won her over yet, how could he lose her so soon!
Tuoba Heyan called out several more times, but still saw no one, so he had no choice but to immediately dive into the water.
He was extremely impatient, and the golden mask was in the water, so he ripped it off. With a "clang," the golden mask flew out and landed on the floor.
Tuoba Heyan searched for Ji Wushang in the water and finally saw what appeared to be a black mass not far away.
He was overjoyed and immediately swam over.
But just as he was about to touch it, when he grasped that black mass, it was empty!
At the same time, he felt a thin needle piercing his neck!
With a "whoosh," Ji Wushang emerged from behind him, while Tuoba Heyan, who had just gotten up in pain, felt his whole body go numb as he stood up and was about to turn around!
Ji Wushang was breathing heavily; she was right behind him.