Chapter Nine: The Rising Heartbeat
Li Bao'er looked down at her wrinkled clothes, the same clothes that had been covered in blood and mud from rolling around in the mass grave, only now the bloodstains had been hastily wiped clean.
She couldn't help but sigh and rub her forehead.
These past few days have been truly bizarre!
The location doesn't randomly refresh while you're unconscious; it goes from a mass grave to a military tent to a prince's mansion.
It's like waking up to find yourself being choked, stabbed, and doused with cold water by different people.
Is there any hope for this time-traveling life?!
Li Bao'er rubbed her throbbing temples. "Miao Qing, I want to take a bath."
"Yes, Miss." Miao Qing bowed and hurriedly left.
When Miao Qing found the housekeeper, the old housekeeper was holding an account book and checking the warehouse.
"Steward Wang, Miss wishes to take a bath, but there are no women's clothes in the manor," Miao Qing said hesitantly.
"We can't expect our distinguished guests to wear the coarse clothes of maids, can we?"
Upon hearing this, the old butler didn't even raise his head, but slowly took out a copper key from his sleeve.
"It's all ready."
He led Miao Qing toward the west wing storeroom, and the moment he pushed open the carved wooden door...
Three rows of sandalwood wardrobes were prominently displayed, their silks and satins gleaming like flowing water in the sunlight.
On the vermilion tray at the very center, a set of moon-white soft silk skirts was neatly stacked, with fine intertwined floral patterns embroidered in silver thread on the collar, which was the most fashionable style among noble ladies in the capital at the time.
Miao Qing's eyes widened: "This...?"
"His Highness ordered preparations yesterday," the old steward said, stroking his beard.
From inner garment to outer garment.
Unable to contain her gossip, Miao Qing asked in a low voice, "Butler Wang, which noble family does Miss belong to?"
Butler Wang simply smiled and shook his head without responding.
When Miao Qing returned with the clothes, Li Bao'er was staring blankly at herself in the bronze mirror.
The person in the mirror had disheveled hair, a face as pale as paper, and two dark circles under their eyes, looking just like a raccoon that had been struck by lightning.
"..."
Very well, this is yet another record of the most pathetic image I've ever portrayed.
"Miss, the clothes are ready," Miao Qing said softly.
"Fragrant flowers have been added to the bath."
Li Bao'er glanced at the dresses on the tray and raised an eyebrow: "Does the Prince's residence usually keep women's clothing?"
"It's Your Highness..." Miao Qing stopped abruptly before speaking, lowering her head and changing her words.
"It was prepared in advance by the housekeeper."
Li Bao'er squinted.
Could this clothing belong to the "old friend" Xiao Yizhi mentioned?
Xiao Yizhi's cold sarcasm suddenly flashed into her mind: "You only look a bit like an old friend, so you dare to be so presumptuous?"
"..."
Discomfort.
"Thank you, Miao Qing. Please put the clothes down first."
Miao Qing hesitated for a moment, but eventually put down the clothes and left the room with the others.
Miao Qing led the way, with Li Bao'er following behind, both silently observing this rumored ominous place.
It was completely different from what she had imagined.
There were no sinister instruments of torture or mottled bloodstains, only well-arranged pavilions and towers with upturned eaves.
The corridor is lined with ink bamboo, and when a breeze blows, the bamboo leaves rustle, revealing a touch of cool elegance.
“The Prince’s residence is quite particular,” Li Bao’er said in a low voice.
Miao Qing smiled and said, "The prince dislikes extravagance, but he values grandeur and scale."
She pointed to a secluded courtyard with black tiles and white walls in the distance: "That's the prince's study. No one is allowed to enter except Commander Xiao."
He then pointed to a dark garden on the west side: "It's full of medicinal herbs, which the prince personally tends to."
Li Bao'er raised an eyebrow.
This lunatic has the leisure to grow flowers and plants?
After passing through the triple hanging flower gate, a bright and open space suddenly appeared before me.
A white marble bathtub is embedded in the center of the courtyard, with bronze animal heads at the four corners spouting hot spring water.
"Miss, this is it. I'll go get you some perfume." Miao Qing curtsied.
Li Bao'er was unaware that this bathhouse was a forbidden area of the Prince Jing's mansion.
From the moment Mu Cen was conferred the title of king, an ironclad rule was established here: no one but him was allowed to set foot here.
A maid once strayed into the area and was exiled to the frontier that very night.
But how could Miao Qing dare to say it outright?
Miao Qing considered Li Bao'er to be the prince's darling, so naturally she should be given the best.
Li Bao'er nodded, reached out to test the water temperature, and found it to be just the right warmth, with a few calming herbs floating in the water.
She thought casually: It seems the Prince's mansion treats its guests quite well.
As Li Bao'er stepped into the water, the warmth instantly enveloped her entire body. She let out a long sigh of relief, as if the fatigue of the past few days had been soothed.
After taking a bath, she immediately returned to her residence.
This place is terrifying; I feel uneasy staying here even for a moment longer.
Inside the study of the Prince's Mansion.
Mu Cenlin was opening the secret letter when he suddenly felt sharp, stabbing pains all over his body.
The empathy flared up again.
Mu Cenlin frowned, displeased.
He was all too familiar with this pain; it would come every time Li Bao'er's wound got wet.
"Your Highness?" Zhao Zhong sensed something was amiss.
Mu Cenlin stood up with a cold expression. "Where is she?"
Zhao Cheng felt a chill run down his spine: "I'll go and inquire right away."
A moment later, Zhao Cheng returned, trembling with fear, and said, "That girl Miao Qing doesn't know any manners; she actually took Miss Li to the bathhouse."
"I'll go stop them right away!"
"No need."
Mu Cenlin picked up the wound medicine on the table, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.
"I'll go!"
This woman is constantly injured and restless.
Mu Cenlin felt irritable, thinking of what the imperial physician had said when Li Bao'er was unconscious: that there were toxins remaining in her body.
That frail body of hers will eventually be destroyed by her own actions.
*
In the bathtub, Li Bao'er scooped up a handful of water and splashed it on her face, the water droplets rolling down her eyelashes.
In the hazy mist, her skin flushed a light red from the steam, and her long, ink-black hair spread out and floated on the water.
She stared at her dirty clothes on the screen, torn between her inner turmoil and her own conscience.
Wear it? The thought that these might be clothes worn by other women made me feel uncomfortable.
Not wear it? Are you really going to go back to the mansion wrapped in dirty, blood-stained clothes?
"Fine, let it be dirty!"
Li Bao'er gritted her teeth, stood up from the water with a splash, and reached for the old clothes hanging on the screen.
"Squeak"
The carved wooden door of the bathhouse was suddenly pushed open.
The moment the cold wind swept in, Li Bao'er felt a chill run down her spine!
She turned around abruptly and met a pair of deep, dark phoenix eyes.
Mu Cenlin stood at the door, his black hair tied up with a jade crown, revealing a face that could bewitch the court.
His eyebrows were like swords reaching his temples, his nose was like a hanging gall bladder, and his lips were thin as a knife. The scar at the corner of his right eye was faintly visible in the mist.
Their eyes met.
The air condensed.
"Your Highness?!" Li Bao'er's voice changed.
Mu Cenlin's gaze slowly moved downwards.
Water droplets rolled down her snow-white shoulders and neck, her wet hair clung to the hollows of her collarbone, and her fair body was vaguely visible in the misty air.
The air was filled with the calming scent of herbs, mixed with a faint sweetness, her unique fragrance, like a green pear after the rain.
Mu Cenlin's eyes darkened.
"ah!"
In a panic, Li Bao'er retreated haphazardly, only to slip and fall.
"Thump!!"
Water splashed everywhere.
She fell back into the bathtub, choking on a mouthful of water.
Bubbling water rose from the surface. When Li Bao'er struggled to the surface, she found Mu Cenlin still standing there, his eyes filled with a terrifying depth.
Mu Cenlin spoke slowly and deliberately, "Miss Li, I had no idea you had a penchant for bathing in other people's residences?"
Li Bao'er suddenly trembled.
She could clearly feel that Mu Cenlin's heart was beating incredibly fast at that moment.
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