People had been arranged to clean and tidy the courtyard beforehand. Shen Youying followed Xue Shen inside and found the hall surprisingly warm, but there was no charcoal brazier. She asked in surprise, "Is there an underfloor heating system here?"
Xue Shen hummed in agreement: "The backyard also has hot spring water drawn down from the mountain. You can go and take a look later."
Shen Youying looked surprised. Xue Shen said he was going into the mountains to hunt and would stay at a manor in the mountains for a few days. She thought it was just a random manor that was better than the Shen family manor, but she didn't expect that although it was small, it had everything she needed.
She went back to the main house to change into some dry, warm clothes, and then went to the backyard to see the hot spring that Xue Shen had mentioned.
The entire backyard was filled with plum trees, and right now the red plums were in full bloom. Through the blossoms, one could vaguely see a spring in the center, its waters steaming. The hot spring pool was open-air, surrounded only by two bamboo screens and low tables and cushions, giving it a rustic charm.
Shen Youying was somewhat tempted. She stepped forward and reached out to test the temperature of the pool water; it was just right. She was about to get up and call the maid to prepare clothes for her to soak in the hot spring when a heavy, warm body pressed against her from behind: "Does Zhaozhao like it?"
Shen Youying nodded, then asked with some curiosity, "This estate looks like it took a lot of effort to find. How did Your Highness manage to find it?"
Staying in Tokyo for too long can become monotonous, so aristocratic families acquired various residences and gardens in the suburbs, staying there every few days. Residences like this, with their tranquil environment, heated floors, and access to hot springs, were truly rare finds.
Xue Shen was silent for a moment, then his lips brushed against her earlobe as he said, "This is a house my father bought. He would bring my mother here to stay when he had time. Later... he gave it to me."
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