398 Indulge (1/2)

After Li Xueyue finished her meal, it was time for her morning bath. Surprisingly enough, Xu Jiaqi was more patient this time.

”Hmm, nevermind,” Li Xueyue suddenly said as Xu Jiaqi entered the room with the hot water. All of a sudden, she felt queasy and touched her mouth.

She blamed it on the nauseating sight of Xu Jiaqi's irritable face and presence.

”I'd like to take a dip in the bathhouse,” Li Xueyue stated. She could practically feel the irritation radiating off of Xu Jiaqi. By now, the lady-in-waiting could burn a hole through the ground.

”But, Princess, I specifically drew this water—”

Li Xueyue brushed past Xu Jiaqi. She sauntered out of the estate without another word, as maidservants hurriedly rushed after her.

She refused to be burned by the boiling water again.

Li Xueyue was certain that no amount of training would prevent this mischievous woman from playing dirty tricks. She turned her chin and saw Xu Jiaqi was pitifully trailing behind the group of servants.

Soon enough, they reached the enormous doors of the bathhouse. The doors were pushed open for her, as familiar steam rushed over them.

There was a woody scent in the air. It smelled like a forest, the day after it rained. The scent was quite musky… enough for her to feel the same urge to throw up her breakfast.

Li Xueyue didn't know why. She suppressed the sensation and tried to focus on something else.

”Princess, please allow me to check the temperature,” a maidservant quietly said.

Li Xueyue nodded her head as the doors closed behind her.

She allowed another maidservant to help her undress.

”Hmm, the water is colder than usual, Princess. If you don't mind, the temperature must be adjusted,” the same maidservant reported back.

”Very well.” Li Xueyue only wore a thin layer of linen.

Li Xueyue hugged her body and curiously peered around the room, wondering how the system worked. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the maidservants were gathered around a long, heavy rope.

It took more than one person to organize everything.

She watched in amazement as a slot in the wall suddenly opened, revealing a square. Water gushed from it, so warm that there were wisps accompanying it.

But from the corner of her eye, she saw Xu Jiaqi with a woven basket.

”What are you doing?” Li Xueyue demanded as Xu Jiaqi began to sprinkle something into the water.

Without warning, she was overcome with a surprising wave of rage. Her fingers itched to snatch the basket out of Xu Jiaqi's hands just to personally examine it.

But then Li Xueyue blinked, and she was back to normal.

”This is lavender, Princess. It is supposed to help relieve stress and tension,” Xu Jiaqi patiently explained as she held up the beautiful violet flower. Not a second later, she placed it into the water.

Li Xueyue felt as if her worries were unwarranted. Nonetheless, she reached into the woven basket where three glass bottles could be found.

”That is lavender oil, to enhance the scent,” Xu Jiaqi coyly said as the bottles were uncapped. Her lips twitched in amusement. How uncultured was the Princess to not know what the bottle contained?

”And that is peppermint oil, Princess.”

Li Xueyue's brows crinkled. She felt like there was something amiss… What was it?

”Ah, how can I forget?” Xu Jiaqi perked up, reaching into the basket. ”Among the presents from Nanhui, there was a rare oil not found in Hanjian.”

Li Xueyue raised a brow. She was intrigued, for Yu Zhen didn't disclose anything about the gifts from Nanhui. Well, she didn't ask about it either, since jewels and silk never interested her.

”It is a unique blend of Jasmine and Rosemary oil. It is difficult to acquire, for the slightest mistake in temperature during production would ruin this fine bath oil, Princess.”

Li Xueyue glanced at the bottle. The design of the bottle was exactly like the ones used in Hanjian. She supposed the similarities were a result of Nanhui's influence given their close proximity.

She took the bottle from Xu Jiaqi and uncapped it. Instantly, a heavenly aroma filled the air. The scent was sweet with undernotes of warm, oaktrees.