“Princess Consort Su is used to being carefree outside and lacks experience in the inner quarters. She doesn’t know how to get along with people,” Aunt Sun said with a smile. “If the Empress Dowager really wants to cultivate her, there is an excellent opportunity right now, but it’s not quite in accordance with the rules.”
The Empress Dowager lay down on the pillow that Aunt Sun had laid flat, raised her eyes and said, "You mean, you want the Emperor to take the Ninth Prince and that bandit to the Summer Palace to escape the summer heat?"
“Of course, we won’t just bring the Ninth Prince and her; that would be too conspicuous. The two concubines from the Ninth Prince’s residence will also be going. I heard that the Empress and Consort Yin are close to their sisters, so they will be allowed to bring them along as well. It’ll be hot with too many people,” Aunt Sun suggested with a faint smile.
The Empress Dowager listened and thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "That is a good idea. In any case, the court officials always bring some over every year. Since the Ninth Prince is in the capital this year, he naturally cannot be left out. I will talk to the Emperor about it tomorrow."
Ji Fengyao suddenly felt a chill run down her spine, snapping her out of her trance.
The medicinal bath water had darkened in color, and a thin layer of black grime had seeped from her exposed skin. The smell was quite pungent.
Ji Fengyao quickly washed herself clean, then called the three maids outside to bring the clean water that had been prepared earlier, and bathed and scrubbed herself again with soap paste.
"This soapberry paste and the toothpaste aren't very effective either. I'll have to get some other daily necessities later," Ji Fengyao muttered as she stepped out of the bathtub again, slipped on a light blue silk nightgown, and comfortably dried her long, smooth hair with a towel.
Having just cleansed herself of impurities, her skin was even more delicate and radiant. Standing in front of the candlelight, she seemed to be glowing.
After finishing making the bed, Bai Lu turned around and was stunned for a moment. She murmured, "Your Highness, you took two baths today and you look so much more beautiful. I didn't know that taking a bath could have such a great effect?"
“Miss and I used to often dive in the river. Miss has become more beautiful, but I haven’t become more beautiful.” Xi Que rolled her eyes at Bai Lu and mercilessly retorted, “It’s clear that a naturally beautiful person will always be beautiful, and an ugly person will always be ugly.”
Bai Lu: "..."
What did she do? Why did she suddenly have to be hurt like this?
Lin Shuang smiled and stepped forward to help Ji Fengyao dry her hair, but Ji Fengyao stepped back and shook her head, saying, "It's getting late, you should all go back and rest. The prince will be here soon, I'll just dry my hair while I wait for him."
"Alright, Miss, you and your husband should get along well and not quarrel today." Xique yawned nonchalantly and took the lead in walking out of the house.
Lin Shuang and Bai Lu bowed to Ji Fengyao according to etiquette before politely withdrawing.
Knowing that Shang Xiye would be arriving soon, they didn't close the door.
As soon as the girls left, Black Owl leaped down from the roof and, with practiced ease, flipped open the back window and climbed in.
Ji Fengyao tilted her head and twisted her hair, looking at the back window and the person who had just climbed over in front of it, as well as the bathtub not far from that person. She was speechless for a while: "Brother, aren't you worried that you'll be embarrassed if you climb in one day and bump into me taking a bath?"
Black Owl scratched the back of his neck, looking like he didn't care what anyone said.
Unseen by Ji Fengyao, a patch of crimson appeared in the shadows behind his ear.
Ji Fengyao then thought that since he was so skilled, he should be able to hear her bathing from outside. People in ancient times were still quite conservative, so she didn't need to worry so much.
"I'm here to bring you good fortune today. If you don't like it, I'll just take it," Black Owl said with a roguish grin, waving a large stack of silver notes in his hand.
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