Chapter 12 – Bath Service

Inside the Imperial Study, Yan Feng was, for some reason, fretful as he confronted the mountain of after-court reports on his desk.

Today in the court, many of the submitted reports were signed jointly by external local officials and high-ranking officials in the court to impeach Bulwark Grand General Chiyun Yuexuan.

The reports listed a slew of bad deeds performed by Chiyun Yuexuan. According to them, he relied on his favored older sister’s name to arrogantly disregard the law and discipline, demanding exorbitant bribes from local officials as well as well-known squires. Those who didn’t comply were all met with cruel persecutions; anyone who displayed the slightest sign of discontent were killed in front of the others per his order. Unable to stand this, many court-appointed local officials committed suicide, which then aroused cries of complaints in the several districts surrounding Fuling Pass. The civilians jointly petitioned to condemn him, but Chiyun Yuexuan brought his troops to squelch them only to escalate the petition into an uprising. One after another, various court officials requested Yan Feng to reclaim Chiyun Yuexuan’s right to military leadership and also impose a severe punishment.

Yan Feng was well aware how headstrong Chiyun Yuexuan was. The man once used “a faraway general does not have to obey all imperial orders ” as the excuse to go beyond his authority and execute local officials, giving Yan Feng an endless headache. While results from later investigation proved that those officials had indeed bent laws and received bribes, the fact that Chiyun Yuexuan acted without orders made Yan Feng extremely displeased. Yan Feng worried that one day, he would refuse to comply with orders with the high power in his hand.

Reflecting back upon their long-standing friendship, plus the meritorious deeds that Chiyun Yuexuan had accomplished at the border, Yan Feng knitted his brows, feeling deeply troubled. Normally, if it was just Chiyun Yuexuan killing several people without justification, Yan Feng could still think of a way to cover for him. However, the matter had spun out of control this time. A revolt broke out, and many people had died. If this couldn’t be handled properly, it would affect the stability of the entire Huayan area.

Murong Zhining entered with the tea. Seeing Yan Feing seem weighted down by something, she asked, “Is something troubling Your Majesty?”

Yan Feng knitted his brows and related in detail his relationship with Chiyun Yuexuan as well as what had happened in the court today to Murong Zhining. People said the Chiyun family’s meteoric rise was all thanks to Chiyun Ping’s being favored in the harem, but only Yan Feng knew that he married Chiyun Ping because of his friendship with Chiyun Yuexuan. He gave her more favor than anyone else because he felt guilty towards the brother and sister pair.

Murong Zhining’s bright eyes swirled around, as if pondering. “When I was serving in the Zhuang Estate, I heard other people talk about him. They said Grand General Chiyun had ugly looks and a wild personality, and that he killed without batting an eyelash, refused to obey orders, that even Your Majesty was helpless against him. Your Majesty, there is nothing wrong with treasuring your friendship, but it is irrational to keep conniving at his outrages. It would be better if Your Majesty finds a reason to summon General Chiyun back to the capital, you can first strip him of his right to military leadership, then thoroughly investigate this matter after that.”

Yan Feng silently mused for a moment, then said, “Actually, he’s not as unbearable as the story says, he’s just a bit unruly and likes to act without thinking about the consequences. But you are right, I happen to hold the same idea. I also plan to summon him back before having this investigated as a justification for the officials. If it is truly as the reports say, then even I cannot be lenient with him.”

At his words, Murong Zhining nodded approvingly.

Yan Feng gently gazed at Murong Zhining. “Say, do I take you in as my beloved consort? Or should I make you my female official to especially help me in coming up with ideas?”

Murong Zhining pouted. “Your Majesty is wise, it would be most appropriate if you expel me from the palace.”

“You…” Yan Feng was caught between laughter and tears.

Nighttime in Wan’an Palace, Yan Feng relaxed his spirit as he leaned back in the hot spring with his eyes closed. The hot spring was at the west side of the sleeping chamber, where it was in an independent building connected to the sleeping chamber through a winding corridor so as to make it convenient for the emperor to take a bath. Outside the door hung a sign board, the two letters on which were written personally by Yan Feng: “Exhaustion Cleanse,” as in cleansing away the exhaustion. Inside the building, there was a huge marble water pool. At the four corners of the pool were four vivid and lifelike beast heads intricately sculpted from marble. From the beasts’ open mouths, the water from a hot spring in the back mountain was channeled into the pool.

The pool was shallow on the outer sides and slightly deep at the center so that the emperor could easily lean back inside to rest. Near the pool, there was a bed covered in a fur blanket. When the emperor was done taking a bath, he could lie down on the bed and enjoy a specialist’s massage. Next to the bed was a little wooden table set with pastries, fruits and tea.

Yan Feng dismissed the palace maids serving his bath and ordered Qi Shangming to call Murong Zhining to serve him instead. The corner of lips curved up into a smile as he closed his eyes and imagined Murong Zhining’s embarrassed and angry face. Entertained by his own thoughts, Yan Feng couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

With a burning red face, Murong Zhining entered the bath chamber with her head hanging down. The girl’s beautiful almond eyes were fixed on the ground as she didn’t dare to look at Yan Feng. She walked to the spot behind Yan Feng and squatted down. After sinking her hands into the pond to wet them, she began to gently rubbed Yan Feng’s bare shoulders.

Yan Feng tried his best to refrain from laughing. “How will you help me wash my body like that? Take off your outer garment.”

Murong Zhining sulkily mumbled, “Doesn’t Your Majesty have people to especially serve you as you bathe? I am too clumsy, I’m scared that I won’t be able to serve you properly.”

Yan Feng pretended to stand up in anger. Murong Zhining covered her mouth and yelped, so startled that she retreated two steps. Then, utterly unwillingly, she took off the green top and walked forth in the pure white silk robe, then dawdled as she was too shy to get into the water.

Yan Feng stood up. He grabbed Murong Zhining’s hand and pulled her over, then lifted her into the pool. The emperor grumpily complained, “Alright, you little girl. Are you making me serve you instead?”

Frightened, Murong Zhining exclaimed in a small voice and sealed her eyes shut. When she timidly opened them a little to sneak a peek, greeting her was a pair of squinted eyes and slightly quirked lips. The emperor’s handsome face was so close that it nearly pressed against hers. Murong Zhining covered her reddened face with one hand and pressed against Yan Feng’s shoulder with the other, her head drooping. She dared not look into his eyes.

In an abrupt move, Yan Feng pulled her close to his body, his thin lips practically glued to her ear, “Murong Zhining, where’s that big gut of yours? You used to be able to confront my eyes before, no? How come you’re so timid now? You’re shy, hmm?”

Yan Feng’s hot and dangerous breath drifted about by her ears. Murong Zhining was so flustered, she was at a loss of what to do. In the end, she weakly pleaded, “I didn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth back then and offended Your Majesty, but I’m correcting myself now. I ask of Your Majesty, please don’t make it hard on me.”

Yan Feng was pleased. He let go of Murong Zhining and leaned back in the pond, closing his eyes with a smile. His deep voice then resounded in a manner that disallowed opposition, “Serve me.”

Murong Zhining blushed again. She reached out, wanting to fish up the towel, yet unexpectedly pulled off the fabric wrapping around Yan Feng’s waist. Yan Feng tried to hold off his laugh and glared. “How can you be so bold? What are you trying to do to me?”

Murong Zhining panicked even more at that. “I’m so sorry, I… I didn’t mean to.”

Yan Feng pretended to be angry. “Come here and put it back on.”

Murong Zhining’s hands trembled from nervousness. She held the fabric and put it around his waist. To tie it at his back, she had to press herself onto him.

Yan Feng sniffed her hair and dropped kisses on her neck. Startled, Murong Zhining’s hand trembled again and her feet slipped. Her entire body fell on Yan Feng’s. The latter took the chance to hug her tightly. “Are you throwing yourself in my arms or something? I’m telling you, I’m a chivalrous man.”

Murong Zhining was so mortified that tears uncontrollably fell. “Please forgive my offense, Your Majesty. I didn’t do it on purpose.”

Yan Feng couldn’t bring himself to tease her again. He wrapped the fabric around his waist himself and said, “Continue and serve me as I bathe.”

Murong Zhining carefully fished up the towel in the pond and began to wash and rub Yan Feng’s shoulders. The emperor snatched the towel from her, displeased. “Use your hands. And don’t just clean my shoulders, take care of the other areas as well.”

With an evil smile, Yan Feng closed his eyes and leaned back again. Her eyes downcast from embarrassment, Murong Zhining used her slim white hands to gently rubbed around Yan Feng’s body. His heart ran wild like a galloping horse, Yan Feng couldn’t help but sneak open one eye to look at her.

Faint mist lingered around the young girl, emphasizing the color of pink blossoms that adorned her cheeks. Her neck was slender, her white skin was like the loveliest of porcelain that emitted a pearly luster. The soak silk dress tightly clung onto her body, revealing the red wrapper that firmly stuck to those visibly mellow and full parts. Due to the movement of her hands, the girl’s slim waist above the water slightly swayed. The scene was so beautiful that Yan Feng found it hard to breathe.

Yan Feng suddenly thought of Cao Zhi’s “Ode to the Goddess of Luo River”: “From afar, as bright and clear as the rising sun. At a close distance, as beautiful as a lotus flower ascending from the clear water. Neither too fat nor too thin, neither too tall nor too short. Fine shoulders as if sculpted, graceful waist as if bound. Slender neck exposing white and fine skin, naturally beautiful that makeup couldn’t do any better.” In Yan Feng’s heart, he felt like this ode was especially composed for Murong Zhining.

Murong Zhining could feel Yan Feng’s scorching gaze. Her hands stiffened, and she protested, “Your Majesty, please be a bit more restrained. It’s not very correct to look at me like that!”

Yan Feng yanked her into his embrace. “You’re the only one who dares to criticize me like this. I should teach you a lesson, shouldn’t I?” Hugging her slim waist with one arm, Yan Feng clasped her chin with the other hand and domineeringly pressed his lips on hers.

Unable to suppress his feeling, Yan Feng sucked on Murong Zhining’s soft cherry lips, his breath frenetic. He was urgent to pry open her jaws without success. In fact, he wasn’t too experienced in this aspect.

Murong Zhining started to resist after being stunned for a moment; she angrily bit his lips. Taking the chance when he was distracted, she pushed him away and tried to escape. Yan Feng grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him. Murong Zhining’s struggling kicked up a myriad of water drops. As the two tussled back and forth, Yan Feng’s hand unintentionally touched her softness.

Yan Feng was unable to control himself for a little. He tightly held Murong Zhining whose back was facing him and whispered by her ear, “Is this how your Qin mother taught you to serve men? How about you let me teach you, hmm?”

Murong Zhining poured her strength to break out of Yan Feng’s arms and fled to another side of the pool. Watching as the girl ran like a frightened little deer, Yan Feng didn’t pull her back. He didn’t want to push her too hard.

Climbing up from another edge in a sorry state, Murong Zhining picked up her outfit and draped it on herself, then flew outside as Yan Feng’s outrageous laughter echoed behind her.

Yan Feng closed his eyes and continued to lean back in the pond. He caressed the injury on his lips where Murong Zhining bit him, his face revealed a hint of an intoxicated, even obsessed, smile. His heart seemed like it no longer belong to him; it wanted to jump out of his chest.

Under the lamplight, Murong Zhining and Cai Sang were embroidering handkerchiefs. Seeing Murong Zhining so ill at ease, Cai Sang asked, “What’s wrong? Your face is so red, you thinking of someone?”

Murong Zhining touched her face. “The weather is a bit hot.”

“You’re not good at lying, you know. When His Majesty looks at you, his eyes are as gentle as water. I’ve never seen him looking at anyone else like that. Zhining, if you can’t find your little big brother, will you be His Majesty’s woman?”

Murong Zhining was a little absent-minded. “I will find him. We will definitely leave this place. I don’t belong here. I don’t want to be tied down by the palace rules either.”

Cai Sang shook her head. “If there was no ‘little big brother,’ maybe you’d be willing to. And, some things are decided by fate. If that little big brother doesn’t appear, it means our old man the Moon Elder might have arranged for you another love.”

Murong Zhining seemed to ponder something before she declared, “What’s left of Little Big Brother in my heart is only a vague figure. Returning Biwu to him has been my cherished desire for years, what does it have to do with fate and love? For now, I only want to find him.”