Longquanzhuang was a long way away, and the team set off early in the morning but did not arrive until nightfall.

Shen Youying was tired in the carriage and was coaxed to sleep by Xue Shen. When she opened her eyes again, she found that they were almost at Longquan Village.

As the carriage entered the valley, the temperature around her noticeably warmed up. She lifted the curtain and looked out, spotting a village half-hidden in the wisps of white mist, which she assumed must be Longquan Village.

As the carriage drew nearer, Shen Youying noticed that every household in Longquan Village was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Red lanterns swayed gently in the wind under the eaves, creating a festive New Year scene.

"The news of the battle in the north hasn't reached us yet," Xue Shen said. "The people here are still able to have a peaceful New Year."

The headman was already waiting at the entrance. When he saw the two of them come down, he quickly went forward to greet them and invited them inside.

Longquan Village used to be just an ordinary village where the villagers relied on farming for a living and lived a very difficult and impoverished life. It wasn't until later that someone discovered the wonderful uses of these hot springs, spread the word, and attracted the attention of the late emperor and empress, that the village became more famous. Merchants sensed a business opportunity and built a hot spring resort there, and only then did the villagers' lives improve.

However, these people, having once been farmers who toiled in the land, remained very simple and honest. They were unaware of the infamous King Qin in the capital, and treated the two as nobles from the city, both warmly and cautiously.

The head of the village led the way, with Shen Youying and Xue Shen following behind. She looked around at the houses with great curiosity: "Why are all the houses here stilted buildings?"

Upon hearing this, the village head explained, "There are many hot springs in this area, and the humidity is high. It's more comfortable to stay in a stilted house. We usually drink some tea to dispel dampness, which is made by ourselves from herbs picked in the mountains. Although the taste is not as good as those fine tea cakes, it is still palatable. There is also a jar in your room. If you two are tired of drinking ordinary tea cakes, you can try the wild tea made by us country folk."

Shen Youying was even more excited upon hearing this. When they arrived at their lodgings, they found that they were also staying in a stilted house, but it was more exquisite than the ordinary stilted houses in the village. It was clearly built later. With its octagonal eaves and gold-lacquered red wood, it was obvious that it had cost a lot of money.

Xue Shen said, "After the reputation of Longquan Manor spread, many officials and nobles from all over the country came here. However, the living quarters of the people in the manor were simple and the food was not exquisite. Some local merchants saw the business opportunity and negotiated with the people in the manor to set aside land and rebuild a pavilion."

Shen Youying nodded and followed him upstairs.

It was indeed very warm in the valley, so much so that there was no need to wear a cloak.

After changing into a lighter set of clothes, Shen Youying leaned over the railing and looked down.

It's getting late, but every household in the village is hanging red lanterns. From a distance, the lanterns form a line under the eaves of the houses, creating a unique and beautiful scene.

"Would you like to go for a walk?"

Xue Shen said, "I remember that a hot spring was also brought over to the backyard. It was a medicinal spring specially brought down from the mountain."

Although there are many hot springs in the mountains, they are separated by a distance, which makes them inconvenient to use.

Each pavilion has a hot spring in its backyard, so when it gets late, there's no need to go out; you can just soak in the hot spring in the backyard.

Shen Youying nodded and went downstairs with great interest.

Turning around behind the stairs, she discovered a hidden world behind the small building. From the front, it looked like an exquisite pavilion, but after going around to the back, she found a pavilion with a gauze curtain hanging on it, built right next to the hot spring, with a stone path leading directly to the center of the spring.

The deepest part of the spring, which should be in the center, is instead raised with clean pebbles, creating a depth that is just right for soaking in the hot spring.

Shen Youying had assumed that the hot spring in the backyard would be similar to the one on the estate, about the size of a pool. But now, she realized that it was more accurate to describe this hot spring as a small lake rather than a pool.

The hot spring lake is man-made and not very deep. The water is drawn down from the mountain and flows to a lower area.

Wisps of white mist drifted through the air, creating a scene reminiscent of a paradise.

Shen Youying squatted on the edge of the pavilion and reached out to brush the water's surface: "This place is just like the paradise in the storybooks."

Xue Shen suggested, "Shall we go down and give it a try?"

Shen Youying glanced at him warily, her face flushing: "Then don't do anything rash..."

This place is quite different from my own estate. Although it's called the backyard, the low fence doesn't really hide anything; it's just for decoration.

It's pretty much the same as being in the wild.

Xue Shen raised an eyebrow slightly and said meaningfully, "Well, unless Zhao Zhao takes the initiative."

Shen Youying gave him a strange look, thinking that she would never take the initiative in this open space under the open sky.

Shen Youying loosened her outer garment, wearing only her undergarments and trousers as she went into the water.

When you first get into the water, it feels a bit hot, but after you get used to it, the temperature feels just right, so comfortable that your bones feel like they're melting.

Shen Youying sat on the pebbles, gently massaging her legs and feet, which were a little sore from a day's carriage ride.

Seeing this, Xue Shen came over and offered to massage her to help her relax.

Shen Youying was initially wary, but seeing that his movements were all proper, she gradually lowered her guard and let him serve her.

She half-crouched on the edge of the rock, squinting as she sniffed the air. The spring water had a very faint fragrance, probably the scent of some medicinal herbs. As Shen Youying tried to discern the aroma, she felt a warmth spreading through her body.

Especially since Xue Shen was massaging her shoulders at that moment, his slightly rough fingertips brushing against her skin, stimulating a series of strange sensations.

Shen Youying pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and wondered if she had been soaking in the water for too long, which was why she was starting to have wild thoughts.

She buried her face in her arms, suppressing the strange feeling.

The hand on her shoulder was still kneading gently and steadily, very properly, without any hint of provocation, but Shen Youying's thoughts couldn't help but wander.

She remembered that on the way there, in the carriage, it was these same hands that brought her joy.

Xue Shen had large hands and long, slender fingers, but because of his martial arts training, he wasn't as pampered as a scholar. His knuckles were slightly protruding and a bit thicker, and his fingertips were also somewhat rough. Rubbing them against his skin would send shivers down his spine...

Shen Youying gave a soft "hmm," and then, realizing what was happening, bit her lip tightly.

Even though she had only been down there a short while, she felt hot all over, even her breathing felt hot.