You take on two husbands, I'll turn around and marry the tyrant and rule the world.

Even as the sun set and night fell, Duanmu Qingyu still did not appear.

Chu Nianci felt somewhat discouraged.

This young emperor doesn't play by the rules, and his actions are even more unpredictable; sometimes it's truly impossible to guess what he's thinking.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside.

"Reunion, who's outside?" she called out impatiently.

As soon as the curtain moved, a group of palace maids filed in, carrying bathing creams, clothes, and makeup boxes.

She turned her head and saw that the person leading the group was an old acquaintance, Aunt Lan.

Chu Nianci was both surprised and delighted, and blurted out, "Aunt Lan, what brings you here?"

Although Aunt Lan's face still maintained its usual seriousness, her eyes were full of smiles.

She led everyone in kneeling and bowing respectfully: "Greetings to Consort Hui."

Chu Nianci quickly stepped forward and helped her up.

Aunt Lan then smiled and whispered, "Congratulations, Your Highness. His Majesty has specially arranged to spend the night with you at Tangquan Palace tonight, wanting to give you a surprise. That's why he instructed us to keep it a secret for now and have me help you wash and change."

Chu Nianci was taken aback at first, then a surge of joy welled up in her heart.

He was granted a bath at the Hot Spring Palace.

She had seen this place from afar when she entered the palace; it was located atop Mount Li in the rear garden and was magnificent.

I heard that it was built by the founding emperor of the previous dynasty and has been continuously repaired over the centuries, making it a very special place in the palace.

To be granted a bath here is an immense favor.

So he was also thinking of giving himself a surprise... What a coincidence!

She was delighted inside, but pretended to be shy and lowered her head.

Aunt Lan pretended not to see it and said gently, "This servant will help Your Highness change your clothes."

After saying that, he and Tuanyuan helped her up on either side, helped her change into a light gauze dress woven from silkworm silk, and then redid her hair and makeup.

When Aunt Lan saw that her skin was as white as jade, she thought of applying a light layer of makeup. Chu Nianci shook her head. Since she had to get into the water for the bath anyway, she went out with her face bare, completely clean, and naturally beautiful.

With everything in order, Chu Nianci boarded the Phoenix Spring Grace Carriage and headed towards the Hot Spring Palace.

It was the coldest time of the year, and the nights were bitterly cold.

As the car passed Meiwu, she couldn't help but lift the curtain to look... Tangquan Palace was at the edge of her vision, built against the steep mountain wall, its eaves like outstretched wings, disappearing into the hazy night.

The white jade covered bridge appears and disappears, connecting several palaces and pavilions. Nothing can be seen clearly except that the palace lanterns illuminate the rising wisps of warm smoke, like soft clouds. In the night, the palace lanterns light up one after another, and the golden light ripples in the misty water vapor, making it seem like a jade palace in the heavens.

We switched to a palanquin and slowly ascended the mountain path. The night breeze gently caressed our faces through the thin curtains.

Before she could take a good look at the surrounding scenery, the palanquin had come to a steady stop.

We've arrived at Tangquan Palace.

The uniform white marble railings, reflecting the palace lanterns, made the palace even more magnificent.

Chu Nianci lowered his head slightly and walked into the hall.

Inside the hall, there was only a single plain lamp. Deep within layers of curtains, there was a natural hot spring, with steam rising and the air warm as spring.

It is said that this spring water contains a secret medicine, and regular bathing can nourish the skin, cure diseases, and even prolong life, hence it is called "Holy Soup".

Chu Nianci gently sniffed the air and understood that it was just that the spring water had dissolved many beneficial medicinal herbs.

This place was once a favorite spot of the favored concubines of the previous dynasty, but in the last dynasty, it became evidence of Emperor Ai's tyranny because he favored Consort Wan and allowed her exclusive access to the hot spring.

Since the founding of this dynasty, apart from those who came before and after, she is probably the only concubine who has been granted the privilege of bathing here.

The pool was divided into three sections, one for the emperor, one for the empress, and one for the concubines.

Aunt Lan led her toward the "Jade Soup" reserved for imperial concubines.

Three jade phoenixes stand at the water inlet, and hot spring water is slowly flowing into the pool from their beaks.

Three jade phoenixes stand at the water's entrance, with hot spring water slowly flowing into the pool from their beaks.

Inside the hall, calming incense burned, its white smoke like mist, creating a tranquil atmosphere, with only the soft sound of rippling water to be heard.

The pool walls were carved with layers of begonia flower patterns from flawless jade, and the pool was even scattered with bright red peony petals. The blue water reflected the beauty of the entire pool, making it extremely luxurious.

Chu Nianci smiled slightly... Sure enough, the one who knows best how to enjoy worldly riches is still the young emperor.

She removed her outer robe and stepped barefoot onto the smooth white marble edge of the pool.

The spring water flowed over her ankles, warm and soothing, and the bright red petals made her skin appear even whiter and more like jade.

She slowly stepped into the pool, letting the warm current envelop her entire body.

The rising heat felt like a pair of gentle hands caressing my cheeks, permeating my soul.

She let out a soft, comfortable sigh.

Just as she was about to close her eyes, she caught a glimpse of a bright yellow figure, faintly reflected outside the draped soft curtains.

Outside the curtain, Aunt Lan and the palace maids had already quietly retreated.

Who else but Duanmu Qingyu could enter so silently?

Chu Nianci lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, gently moving her arms as she swam towards the figure.

She waited quietly in the pool for a moment, and when he still did not come in, she raised her voice and said, "Is Your Majesty trying to emulate Emperor Ai? I would never dare to be like Consort Wan."

The curtain was lifted, and Duanmu Qingyu stood alone by the pool with his hands behind his back. Hearing this, he chuckled, then put on a stern face and pretended to be angry, saying, "How dare you compare me to Emperor Ai again."

Chu Nianci was not afraid, and replied in a sweet voice: "Your Majesty is wise and insightful. How can the Emperor Ai compare? I'm afraid even the founding emperor of the previous dynasty would admit his inferiority upon seeing you."

Her words were a clever compliment... Duanmu Qingyu's greatest admiration was for the wise and powerful founding emperor of the previous dynasty.

Seeing him standing there neatly dressed, Chu Nianci deliberately muttered, "Your Majesty, if you don't come down soon, I'm going to get up."

"You may get up." Duanmu Qingyu said indifferently, but Chu Nianci noticed that the tips of his ears were slightly red.

"Your Majesty," she said with a laugh, "the Book of Songs says, 'A jade body lies across the city wall,' have you not yet seen it?"

She didn't dare to directly point out his inexperience in sexual matters... After all, the matter of the love potion in the peach blossom wine was something she shouldn't know. If he found out, she might offend him.

"Stop talking nonsense," Duanmu Qingyu said sternly, his tone revealing a hint of bluff, "How...how do you know about my private affairs in bed?"

After saying that, he turned around.

Seeing that he stood still, Chu Nianci added softly, "Your Majesty, I naturally do not know. However, if one day the Empress Dowager cares about the imperial offspring and sends a sensible palace maid like Xia Dong to 'instruct' Your Majesty, but Your Majesty is completely unfamiliar with matters of the bedchamber... how do you intend to explain this?"

The Empress Dowager did indeed have the right to bestow palace maids upon her, ostensibly to serve her, but in reality to investigate and guide her.

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Qingyu's ears burned even hotter.

Upon reflection, this statement does make sense. Since I currently rely on the Illusion Flower to manage the harem, if I were completely ignorant of matters between men and women, I would easily expose my weaknesses.

He walked to the edge of the pool, reaching out to test the water temperature, as if testing whether it was hot or cold, but his gaze involuntarily fell on the water... In the misty steam, the girl quietly immersed herself in the water, her long, ink-black hair spreading out and swaying gently with the ripples, like soft water plants in a deep pool. A few strands of hair clung to her smooth shoulders and neck, and water droplets slowly dripped down the ends of her hair.

His throat tightened slightly.

Suddenly, he smiled and said, "You're being stubborn now, but you'll have to beg for mercy soon..."

Before he finished speaking, he waved his long sleeves, and the only candle in the hall went out.

In the hazy light, Chu Nianci saw a pair of slender legs stepping onto the jade steps by the pool.

She smiled and sank into the water, her figure appearing and disappearing in the mist.

Duanmu Qingyu squinted and saw her exquisite curves swaying in the water.

To be fair, he wasn't some abstinent monk; how could he possibly resist seeing the person he admired in such a state?

Besides, if I really don't go down, it would seem like I'm afraid of her.

Thinking of this, Duanmu Qingyu gave a soft snort, turned around, and flicked his sleeves to take off his outer robe...