The Bath and the Tease

“Go take a bath.”

Yesterday evening, Yu Lian hadn’t taken a bath because she wasn’t in the mood. She also hadn’t asked the maid outside if she could go to the bathroom. Now, she felt a sticky sensation on her body and decided it was necessary to have a good wash.

“Does Miss Yu want to take a bath? It’s possible, but the Second Miss instructed that it can only be done with our accompaniment. I wonder…”

When Yu Lian asked the maid outside, the girl quickly responded. Yu Lian could easily discern the surveillance intent behind the requirement for accompaniment. Nodding, she agreed, “Yes, please guide me there.”

“Not at all, not at all.”

The maid was flustered, waving her hands. She couldn’t bear Miss Yu’s courtesy; she was merely a servant.

Yu Lian took a step, and the maid followed suit. Finding it amusing, Yu Lian quickened her pace before slowing down again. The ever-present maid beside her seemed exhausted, wondering why Miss Yu was acting like a playful child.

This wasn’t Yu Lian’s fault; she had been confined to her room for too long. Now that she could finally step out, her gloomy mood lifted significantly.

****

Arriving at the bathroom.

The maids stationed outside were the same ones Yu Lian had seen before, responsible for guarding the area. Upon seeing her, they bowed respectfully and greeted her.

It seemed that Lingyi’s words from last time had taken effect.

Unlike her first visit, Yu Lian was no longer awkward. She smiled and nodded at them. After all, she was now one of the Second Miss’s concubines, and to live peacefully, she needed to adapt to this identity.

Under the maids’ accompaniment, she entered the bathroom.

“Miss Yu, please lift your arms.”

As before, maids came to help Yu Lian undress. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her arms, no longer resisting.

‘It’s normal, Yu Lian. This is just the maids’ duty. Let them undress you; don’t make things difficult for them.’

She mentally prepared herself.

A maid untied the dress, and another helped her slowly remove the silver-white gown.

Her body felt lighter.

The removed dress was held by a maid. Yu Lian instinctively covered her lower abdomen, where the heart-shaped mark was located. She had forgotten about its existence. Looking around, it seemed the maids were unfazed, exiting respectfully without attempting to remove her underwear.

Yu Lian touched her cheek, wondering how the maids seemed to know the situation. Her remaining “clothes” were outlined by the mark; she had been ready to explain and stop them, but they had already turned away.

‘It must have been the Second Miss’s instructions.’

‘It saves me the trouble of explaining.’

Yu Lian stepped into the pool, submerging her body in the water. As for the two small pieces of clothing on her, she had no choice but to keep them on while bathing.

Just as she was thinking this, the mark began to glow slightly, and a small tube emerged, startling Yu Lian just as she was starting to enjoy her bath.

“Not again! I didn’t mean to…”

Fortunately, it was just a prank. The tube quickly retracted, and the two small pieces of clothing vanished back into the mark.

“You little brat, messing with me even when you’re not here! When you return, I’ll give you a few slaps on the butt!”

Yu Lian splashed the water, her face flushed with anger. She had feared she would end up like Lingyi, frightened by the experience.

****

Somewhere in a small town, Bai Muya was strolling through the night market, humming happily. She had sensed the warmth of the bathwater and knew that Yu Lian was taking a bath. Playfully, she had decided to tease her.

“She’s probably cursing me right now.”

Muya covered her mouth, laughing softly.

Lingyi, walking beside her and holding Muya’s arm, looked on curiously. “Second Miss, why are you laughing? You seem very happy.”

“It’s nothing important; I won’t tell you.”

“Then I won’t ask further.”

“Lingyi, could you let go? You’ve been holding my arm the whole way; it’s tiring.”

“I’m not tired.”

“I am!”

“But Lingyi must ensure the Second Miss’s safety. Holding the Second Miss’s arm is to protect her in case of any sudden incidents. So, even if the Second Miss orders me, I won’t let go.”

Muya rolled her eyes, knowing Lingyi’s true intentions. “Protecting me” was just an excuse; she was taking advantage of the situation. Sighing inwardly, Muya knew Lingyi’s feelings, but it couldn’t be; they were mistress and servant, and in a year… sigh.

“Second Miss, look at that girl over there. She’s quite pretty; does she suit your taste?”

“Average. Not as good as the ones I’ve already chosen…”

“Second Miss, Second Miss, look to the left! The girl in the plain clothes—she’s quite attractive. Should we…”

“Ugly. Not even close to my concubines.”

“…”

Over the past few days, Lingyi had suggested countless suitable candidates to Muya, but they were all rejected. Lingyi was curious about what kind of person could meet the Second Miss’s standards.

Did they have to be as beautiful as Yu Lian, or even more beautiful? That would be difficult.

Lingyi could confirm that no one in the Bai Prefecture could match Yu Lian’s beauty. Although Yu Lian lacked some elegance, her natural allure was unmatched, making even Lingyi and the others seem dull in comparison.

“Second Miss, at this rate, we’ll return empty-handed in two days, wasting three days of our time.”

“Wasting is wasting; don’t you think it’s nice to get out and about? It’s good for people to travel and see the beautiful, vast world.”

There seemed to be a deeper meaning to her words.

Lingyi’s expression darkened, her heart aching.

“Yes, Second Miss is right. Even without any gains, coming out like this is a blessing. What does the Second Miss plan to do next? I’ll accompany you wherever you go.”

The street was bustling with people. Muya seemed lost in thought, a faint smile on her lips. “I don’t have any plans; I’ve always taken things one step at a time. Like collecting beautiful women—it was just a sudden whim. Maybe one day, when I’m tired, I’ll suddenly stop.”

Her eyes were filled with melancholy and despair.

The future…

How many “futures” did she have left?

****

In the bathroom, Yu Lian’s head felt dizzy. How long had she been in the pool? She didn’t remember, only that after washing, she hadn’t moved, leaving her entire body except her head submerged in the water, feeling warm and relaxed.

Creak—

The bathroom door opened slightly, and someone peeked in.

“Miss Yixiya, Miss Yu is still inside…”

“Of course I know she’s in there; why else would I be here? Enough, you’re in the way. I need to wash up too. Warn the others not to peek; my body is for Ya’er’s eyes only!”