Chapter 115 Bathing
Preparations for the war at Weiyang Palace were in full swing. The rich, almost tangible fragrance of flowers and the frequent sounds of bathing water could not be kept secret forever.
Within the inner palace, countless eyes were watching, especially those in Chang Le Palace, who never relaxed their vigilance for a moment.
Consort Jia leaned against the chaise longue, listening to her trusted maid Lan's report.
"Your Majesty, I have heard the truth. The one in Weiyang Palace has been acting like she's possessed these days. She's been cooking some unknown stuff in the small kitchen day and night, and the aroma is so strong that even the people on duty outside are sneezing. She also soaks in the bath every day for most of the day, and when she comes out, she applies that sticky white ointment, saying... saying it's for skin care."
Lan Wei's tone carried a hint of incomprehension and disdain, "What's even stranger is that he's still a virgin."
Upon hearing this, Consort Jia sat up abruptly, her eyes sharp as knives, staring intently at Lan Wei.
"What did you say? A virgin?"
Her voice rose sharply with extreme shock and indescribable ecstasy, cracking with a shrill quality.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lan Wei was startled by her reaction and quickly said, "This servant specially took the nanny to check it secretly, there is absolutely no mistake."
Consort Jia was stunned at first, then burst into a low, suppressed laugh.
"Hahaha, good, good Jiang Huan. I thought she was so capable that she bewitched the Emperor and even dared to wear the dragon robe. Turns out she's just a pretty face with no substance, not even good enough to serve him in bed."
She stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, her eyes flashing with resentment and scheming.
"The Emperor cares so much for her, yet he hasn't favored her... What does this mean?"
Consort Jia's lips curled into a cold smile. "Either the Emperor has no interest in her at all, or she has used some seductive tricks to keep the Emperor on his toes."
Either way, it would be enough for her to make a good impression on the Empress Dowager.
"Prepare the carriage." A glint of light flashed in Consort Jia's eyes.
"I am going to Cining Palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. How can I not let the Empress Dowager know about such an important matter? A concubine who cannot serve the emperor but still monopolizes his favor is simply a joke in the harem."
Soon, Consort Jia hurriedly arrived at Cining Palace.
With a perfectly measured expression of worry, Consort Jia reported the unusual events at Weiyang Palace to the Empress Dowager, embellishing the story.
"Your Majesty, it is not that I am being nosy, but this matter concerns the imperial system and, more importantly, the continuation of the imperial line."
Consort Jia spoke with great emotion, “Consort Zhuang’s behavior is such that she cannot serve His Majesty, yet she monopolizes His Majesty’s favor, causing widespread resentment in the harem. If this continues, His Majesty will be left without children, and the court and the people will be in turmoil. I am truly worried.”
The Empress Dowager sat back in her chair, a cold glint in her eyes.
What use is a concubine who cannot serve the emperor, no matter how much he is favored?
Meanwhile, at Weiyang Palace.
In a few days, it will be Jiang Huan's birthday.
But those relatives and friends who knew her birthday are in another world, so it would be a lie to say she wasn't lonely.
Sigh, being a concubine in the harem is actually worse than being a beast of burden at the office.
At least the traitors wouldn't poison your wine or hire assassins; they'd be thinking of killing you!
But... there are also people in this world of the book who are reluctant to leave.
"Xiao Zhao," Jiang Huan instructed softly, "go and fetch a pot of wine."
Her mind was a bit of a mess, and she wanted to be alone for a while.
Xiao Zhao glanced at Jiang Huan with concern, but ultimately didn't ask any more questions. She quickly brought out a small pot of sweet plum wine, which was fragrant and sweet.
Jiang Huan dismissed all the palace servants, leaving only Xiao Zhao to guard outside the palace.
She pushed her wheelchair alone, slowly gliding towards the bathtub.
Inside the bath, steam rose, filling the air with a rich and intoxicating floral fragrance—the scent of her carefully blended essence.
Jiang Huan took off her clothes and carefully slid into the water.
The warm water enveloped her body, and the fragrance of flowers soothed her soul, gradually relaxing her tense nerves.
She picked up the jade cup placed by the pool, poured some plum wine, and sipped it slowly.
One cup after another, I don't know how many I drank.
The sweet liquid slid down my throat, carrying a slightly burning warmth that slowly spread throughout my body.
The tense preparations of the past few days, the anxiety about the unknown, and the longing for loved ones from past lives all gradually melted away in the intoxication.
Two bright red blushes quickly rose on her cheeks, and her eyes gradually became misty, glistening with a watery sheen.
Jiang Huan leaned against the smooth pool wall, her eyes closed, letting the warm water gently patter against her skin. Tiny water droplets condensed on her long eyelashes, trembling slightly with her breath.
It's a bit lonely, I guess.
But it doesn't matter, she has Huo Lin now.
My slightly tipsy thoughts came in fits and starts, tinged with a hint of melancholy and a touch of sweet dependence.
Just then, the heavy, carved wooden door of the bathhouse was gently pushed open by a hand.
After finishing his official duties, Huo Lin was still thinking about Jiang Huan.
She seemed unusually busy and wary of him these past few days, which allowed his suppressed desires and barely perceptible grievances to quietly surface.
He thought that if he came earlier today, he might be able to have dinner with her and chat.
He waved away Xiao Zhao, who was standing outside the hall hesitant to speak, and then quietly walked in.
The sound of water and the rich, intoxicating fragrance of flowers from the direction of the bathhouse caught Huo Lin's attention.
He assumed Jiang Huan was still undergoing her mysterious bathing and beauty regimen, and intended to wait in the outer room, but the sound of the water seemed to possess some kind of magic...
As if possessed, he walked over.
Huo Lin's gaze pierced through the misty water and landed on the figure in the pool.
One glance was enough to make him stop breathing.
Jiang Huan was leaning against the pool wall, her long, black hair wet and draped over her shoulders, with a few strands clinging to her alluring pink cheeks.
The petals floating on the water surrounded her, obscuring the underwater scenery, but highlighting the breathtaking full curves that were faintly visible in the ripples.
She was clearly a little drunk; her red lips were slightly parted, her eyes were closed, and her long eyelashes were lowered.
Something seemed to explode in Huo Lin's mind, shattering all his thoughts in an instant.
So beautiful...
"No, no, no, Huo Lin, you shouldn't look at things that are improper. Get out of here immediately."
But my legs... I can't move my legs...
Huo Lin stood frozen at the doorway, as if under a spell.
His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, and his mouth felt dry.
That deeply shocked sentiment was clearly conveyed to Jiang Huan's ears.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Through the misty air, she saw the tall figure standing at the door, frozen in place.
Is it Huo Lin?
How did he end up here?
Jiang Huan's consciousness was somewhat dulled by the alcohol, and her reaction was a beat slower.
Instead of panicking and hiding, she recognized him, and the subconscious preparation she had been building up over the past few days took over.
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