In the next moment, he saw Teng Yu’yi leave her seat with her maidservant.
Lin Chengyou pondered for a moment and decided to wait and observe. He called for someone to bring the gilt wild goose silver basin to wash his hands before peeling walnuts for Azhi.
Just then, several servants hurriedly approached from outside. Some went directly to the Baocui Pavilion to find the Prince of Chun’an, while others came looking for Lin Chengyou.
Lin Chengyou noticed they were the regular attendants of several Imperial Uncles and frowned. “What has happened?”
The leader, named Baozhong, who had always been the most capable steward of the Liu household, now wore an extremely strange expression. He leaned in close to Lin Chengyou’s ear and said: “Early this evening, by order of the Imperial Uncle, this humble one went to receive Prince Gu Xian of Nanzhao and the womenfolk of several officials from other regions. We happened to meet them halfway, so we led the way. However, when passing through a grove, the ox carts at the back suddenly disappeared. Prince Gu Xian, fearing some ghostly mischief, stayed behind with his guards to search while sending this humble one to quickly find Your Highness and the Prince.”
Lin Chengyou was puzzled. This place was where the Imperial Uncle and Aunt made their royal visits, and every year Buddhist monks and Taoist priests would accompany them. There was even an imperial temple built nearby with constant Buddhist chanting. Even if ghosts were wandering about, they would typically stay far away. Moreover, when he came earlier, he had noticed the surrounding area was very “clean” – how could ghosts suddenly appear?
He stood up abruptly. “Where are they?”
Azhi asked curiously, “Brother, what’s happened?”
Lin Chengyou patted Azhi’s head. “Someone is looking for Brother up front. Brother will go take a look.”
***
Teng Yu’yi returned to Yueminglu and told Madam Du what had happened.
Though Madam Du found it utterly absurd, it was true that the Little Cliff Sword was far less radiant than when it was at Purple Cloud Tower. She had witnessed the sword’s power in slaying demons and evil spirits before and knew that Yu’er couldn’t be without this sword. She immediately began discussing with Teng Yu’yi – if they were to ask a man for his bath water claiming it was for a lady’s items, not only would her husband disagree, but the Prince of Chun’an would also feel offended.
So she had someone relay a message to her husband, saying only that a certain relative of Wet Nurse Gui was gravely ill and asked her husband to help request some bath water from the Prince of Chun’an as medicine.
In the streets, people often did strange things to cure illnesses – some cut off their ears as medicine, and others drank horse urine. Compared to such absurd remedies, a pot of bath water was nothing.
When Du Yuzhi heard this, he indeed believed it without doubt. He replied that since it was to save a life, he would ask His Highness the Prince for it as soon as the feast ended.
Only when Teng Yu’yi heard this response did she feel relieved. Madam Du pulled Teng Yu’yi into her embrace, secretly sighing – Yu’er must have been frightened recently. Finally having a protective sword, she naturally treasured it deeply and feared something would go wrong. Since this child became sensible, no matter what she encountered, she was always used to handling things alone. Growing up to this age, this was the first time she had ever asked her aunt and uncle for help.
Her heart melted completely. Stroking Teng Yu’yi’s black hair, she said: “Now you can rest easy, leave everything to your aunt and uncle. After we get the bath water, I’ll explain everything to your uncle. He cares for you deeply and won’t blame us for deceiving him. Tonight with Princess Changyi and Princess Azhi present, along with young ladies from various households, you’ve been away from your seat for too long which might seem discourteous. Return to your seat first.”
Teng Yu’yi lingered in her aunt’s embrace for a while before reluctantly leaving. When she returned to the waterfall, the Prince of Chun’an was no longer at Baocui Pavilion. Surprised, she looked around with her eyes, finding that not only was the Prince of Chun’an gone, but Lin Chengyou had disappeared as well.
She quietly asked Du Tinglan about it. Du Tinglan shook his head: “Something must have happened in the front courtyard. His Highness the Prince and Lin Chengyou were called away.”
Suddenly there was a clamor of wind instruments and drums as the first round of drinking games began. After playing for over an hour, not only had Lin Chengyou and the Prince of Chun’an not returned, but the womenfolk of those officials from other regions had also not yet arrived to take their seats.
Now not only did Teng Yu’yi find it strange, but even Du Tinglan was somewhat surprised. Du Shaotang left his seat among the men and sat beside his two sisters, saying puzzledly: “It’s already halfway through the Xu hour (7-9 PM). Any later and the feast should end.”
Teng Yu’yi had Chunrong go find Duan Fu to inquire what had happened, but Duan Fu returned saying he only knew that Lin Chengyou and the Prince of Chun’an had left the mansion, accompanied by several Imperial Uncles, but he didn’t know what exactly had occurred.
Changyi and Azhi, missing their brother and imperial uncle’s company, became somewhat listless. After playing a while longer, they wearily ordered the feast to end.
The noble ladies, hearing this, had no choice but to return to their respective courtyards to rest.
Du Shaotang escorted his two sisters back to Yueminglu, but being unable to enter the inner courtyard, he only saw them at the courtyard gate before leaving. When they went upstairs, Madam Du had not yet retired and came out to meet them: “Finally the feast has ended. Your uncle hasn’t gone to sleep yet, I’ll have Wet Nurse Gui relay the message right away.”
Teng Yu’yi shook her head: “The Prince of Chun’an was called away and hasn’t returned yet, I heard.”
Madam Du paused: “When will he return? It’s so late already… if your uncle goes to pay respects in the middle of the night, it would be too abrupt.”
Teng Yu’yi’s heart was burning with anxiety. After Little Cliff’s outburst of temper, there had been no further movement. Occasionally when she knocked on the sword hilt, the blade would only warm briefly before cooling again. By the looks of it, Little Cliff might not be able to wait.
In the past, she would never have sat idle in such a situation, but Little Cliff didn’t want anything else… if the other party refused to bathe, even immortals couldn’t obtain bath water.
She wracked her brain thinking of strategies, and because she was too lost in thought, she failed to steady the sugarcane juice Chunrong handed her, causing the sweet liquid in the cup to spill onto herself.
“Ah!”
Du Tinglan startled: “Be careful not to get it on your legs, quickly take off your clothes.”
Madam Du said: “We won’t be going out again tonight, just change directly into sleeping clothes.”
But Teng Yu’yi was worried about whether they could successfully obtain the bath water: “I still need to wait for news, just get me a clean dress to change into.”
Biluo went to the luggage and casually grabbed one, but it turned out to be the lotus-white dress that Teng Yu’yi had just changed out of at noon.
“Why this one again? Quickly get something else.”
“Tomorrow is the formal birthday feast, and your servant only pressed a few of your clothes this evening. Since you won’t wear this one tomorrow anyway, make do with it for now.”
Teng Yu’yi had no choice but to accept and put on the dress. Lin Chengyou had already changed his clothes when they were stained by the grape wine, and besides, it was already late at night – surely no one would notice this dress being worn.
While the room was still in chaos, sudden commotion arose from the courtyard below. Wet Nurse Gui went to inquire, and after a while returned to report: “Several madams and young ladies have arrived downstairs… I heard they are the womenfolk of those officials from other regions, and they will also be staying at Yueminglu tonight.”
Teng Yu’yi brightened – by this account, perhaps the Prince of Chun’an and Lin Chengyou had returned as well.
She quickly ordered Chunrong to go to the front to gather news. Madam Du inserted her hairpins back into her bun: “The Imperial Uncle’s mansion shows such regard for these ladies, they must be wives and daughters of important court officials. Our room still has lights on – it would be somewhat discourteous not to go pay our respects. Come, let’s go take a look.”
She looked over her daughter and Teng Yu’yi, and fortunately both their attire was proper. The three went downstairs to find the reception hall lit as bright as day.
Several ladies were seated on the couch, and when Teng Yu’yi looked up, she found she didn’t recognize most of them.
On the left sat a madam and a pair of twin sisters. The madam appeared to be in her thirties with a stern countenance and slim figure.
The twin sisters strongly resembled their mother, though their figures were considerably fuller and fairer than their mother’s. Combined with their round faces like silver plates and long phoenix eyes, they appeared more dignified than their mother. The two looked about fifteen or sixteen years old and were dressed identically.
Teng Yu’yi then looked at the mother and daughter pair on the right. The girl wore a water-colored cape, with a faint glimpse of an egg-yellow dress underneath. She had pink flower ornaments on her forehead and two dots of red rouge at the corners of her mouth, and was exceptionally beautiful, far surpassing the twin sisters in looks.
The more Teng Yu’yi looked at this young lady, the more familiar she seemed. Li Huaigu?
Li Huaigu was leaning in her mother’s embrace with tears still in her eyes. When she looked up and saw Teng Yu’yi, she first froze, then broke into a delighted smile: “Yu’er.”
Teng Yu’yi was surprised: “Third Lady Li. Long time no see.”
“Mother, it’s General Teng’s daughter.” Li Huaigu excitedly helped her mother up, then happily said to Teng Yu’yi, “I thought you wouldn’t recognize me.”
Teng Yu’yi bowed to Madam Li: “How could I not recognize you? It’s only been four or five years, you look almost the same as when you were little.”
Li Huaigu held Teng Yu’yi’s hand and looked her over carefully, then looked down at the dress she was wearing, nodding repeatedly in admiration: “This dress is so beautiful. I’ve been wanting to find you, but I just arrived in Chang’an and spent the whole day traveling. On the way, I was wondering if I would be able to see you at the birthday feast, and to think I did see you.”
Madam Li exchanged greetings with Madam Du, then gazed at Teng Yu’yi with a smile: “This child has grown more and more beautiful. How is your father? How is everyone at home?”
Teng Yu’yi answered each question in turn.
Madam Li compared her daughter with Teng Yu’yi, sighing with a smile: “In comparison, Yu’er is still a bit better.”
Li Huaigu smiled slightly and asked Du Tinglan with dignity: “Sister Lan, did you not recognize me?”
Du Tinglan burst out laughing: “I recognized you long ago. I remember you have a small cinnabar mole under your eye – look, it’s still here.”
She gently touched Li Huaigu’s cheek as she spoke. Li Huaigu’s eyes rippled with laughter as she took hold of both Teng Yu’yi and Du Tinglan’s hands: “I’m so happy today. Which room are you staying in? Let me stay with you.”
Du Tinglan hesitated for a moment, but Teng Yu’yi said apologetically: “Oh dear, I’m afraid that won’t work. There are only three beds in the room, and it’s so late now, it wouldn’t be convenient for Aunt to move the bedding…”
Madam Du and Madam Li shook their heads with a smile: “It’s too late today, whatever you have to say can wait until another day. These children, once they meet they stick together.”
Madam Li then led them to the couch and pointed to the slim madam: “This is Madam Peng, wife of General Peng, the Military Governor of Huaixi. These are the Peng family’s First Miss and Second Miss.”
Teng Yu’yi’s smile froze slightly. Earlier at the feast she hadn’t listened carefully because she was preoccupied with Little Cliff’s matter, but it turned out that among the late-arriving ladies were the wife and daughters of the Military Governor of Huaixi.
She had never interacted with the Peng family ladies in her previous life. Now as she carefully examined Mother Peng and her daughters, it was as if a dusty cloth had been lifted from her mind, suddenly flooding her with many long-forgotten fragments.
She remembered that in her previous life, the famous general Peng Sishun had been stationed in Huaixi. After Peng Sishun’s death, his eldest son Peng Zhen had taken control of the military power. Peng Zhen had wild ambitions, and not long after, he had gathered neighboring foreign territories to launch a rebellion.
The reason her father had led troops to battle in her previous life was precisely to suppress the Huaixi rebellion.
…But… something seemed not quite right. According to her previous life’s timeline, Peng Sishun passed away last year, and by the time her father went to battle, Huaixi, Ziqing, and Southern Shandong had already been in rebellion for over half a year, showing signs of escalating further.
But she hadn’t heard anything about a Huaixi rebellion recently, and judging from Madam Peng and the young misses’ attire, they didn’t appear to be in deep mourning.
Could Peng Sishun still be alive?
Teng Yu’yi’s thoughts became chaotic. Could it be that her memories were wrong? Otherwise, why were there so many differences from her previous life?
Madam Peng said to Madam Du: “…This is our First Miss, named Huayue, and Second Miss, named Jinxiu.”
After the two parties exchanged greetings, they each returned to their seats on the couch. Several madams spoke softly to comfort them: “Madam Peng, Madam Li, you must have been frightened… So you encountered ghosts on the road?”
Madam Li’s face was pale: “A strange wind suddenly blew up, and the ox carts couldn’t move. A woman was crying outside, beating on the window trying to get in. It was terrifying. Thankfully the Crown Prince of Cheng and His Highness the Prince arrived in time, otherwise, who knows what would have happened.”
Madam Peng, being from a noble family, had already regained much of her composure by now. She smiled wryly: “At the time when we saw a silver chain shoot past, we thought it was another ghost, but who knew all the ghost shadows suddenly disappeared – only then did we realize someone had come to our rescue… They say the Crown Prince of Cheng studied under Taoist Master Qingxu and learned excellent skills. Today we truly witnessed it firsthand – what exceptional martial arts that young lord has.”
Li Huaigu lowered her eyelashes, her expression serene as she seemed lost in thought. Peng Huayue and Peng Jinxiu, appearing to recall the scene, once again shrank behind their mother in fright.
As they were talking, a steward came to say that the bedding in the side rooms had been prepared, and since it was getting late, he requested the ladies of the Peng and Li families to return to their rooms to rest.
Teng Yu’yi returned to the second floor with her aunt and cousin. Biluo had already returned with news, saying that the Prince of Chun’an had just returned to the mansion, and Wet Nurse Gui had already sent someone to relay the message to Master Du.
The three of them breathed sighs of relief. Teng Yu’yi urged Madam Du and Du Tinglan to rest: “Aunt, Sister, you should sleep first. I can wait for news by myself.”
***
Lin Chengyou’s group dismounted at the front gate, tossing their riding crops to the attendants before heading straight to Feiyi Pavilion.
As Gu Xian walked and talked with the Prince of Chun’an, he happened to turn his head and saw Lin Chengyou still thoughtfully fiddling with the small sachet in his hand.
“You’ve already captured the female ghost in the sachet, what else seems wrong?”
Lin Chengyou: “I can’t shake the feeling that this ghost was placed here out of nowhere.”
Gu Xian made a sound of interest: “What do you mean by ‘out of nowhere’?”
Lin Chengyou tucked the sachet into his robes: “This ghost was incredibly vicious and must have died with extreme resentment. It’s not like ordinary wandering spirits – there should be some reason for it drifting here. But when I asked where it came from and why it was causing trouble here, it knew nothing at all, as if someone had extracted several of its hun souls, deliberately leading it here…”
The Prince of Chun’an said in surprise: “Deliberately? What would be their purpose?”
The three fell silent for a moment. Perhaps it was aimed at the ladies in those carriages – one carrying the wife and daughters of Peng Zhen, the other carrying the wife and daughters of Li Guangyuan. These two men…
One commanded a powerful frontier region, while the other was a new favorite of the emperor. It wouldn’t be strange if someone in the capital acted out of jealousy.
The Prince of Chun’an considered and said: “Fortunately, the ladies in the carriages were all from military families and weren’t too easily frightened. If they had been scared out of their wits, that would have been troublesome.”
Gu Xian thought for a moment: “Speaking of the ladies in the carriages, Miss Li was truly composed and intelligent. When Chengyou arrived and asked what had happened, most of the ladies were too frightened to speak clearly, but she alone managed to explain the situation coherently. It was quite dangerous – when the female ghost came back to attack Miss Li, it was fortunate that Chengyou had that magical weapon that could extend and contract, otherwise, we couldn’t have saved her in time.”
The rest didn’t need to be said. Tonight only Chengyou knew magical arts, so to save people he had to give chase. If he stayed out too long, it would not only damage Miss Li’s reputation but also cause trouble for Chengyou.
Just then, a steward came to greet them in the courtyard: “Your Highness has finally returned. Earlier when this humble one went out to arrange the night meal, upon returning to the room there were sachets, round fans, fragrant cakes, and poetry papers… They appear to be ladies’ items, and I’m not sure how to handle them.”
Gu Xian asked in surprise: “Could they be love tokens for the Prince?”
The steward lowered his head in silent confirmation.
Gu Xian laughed: “I didn’t expect Chang’an ladies to be as bold and direct as the girls in our Nanzhao. Chengyou, surely your room isn’t also piled high with such things?”
Just as Lin Chengyou was about to respond, the steward added: “Scholar Du from the Imperial Academy seeks an audience on an urgent matter. Should Your Highness receive him or not?”
The Prince of Chun’an was startled – if it weren’t urgent, he wouldn’t come calling so late. He nodded and said: “Quickly invite Scholar Du in.”
Gu Xian retired to his side room, and Lin Chengyou was about to return to his room when, after a moment’s thought, he suddenly clasped his hands behind his back and followed the Prince of Chun’an.
The Prince of Chun’an asked curiously: “Aren’t you going back to rest?”
Lin Chengyou followed him into the room, went straight to a couch at the side, lifted his robes, and sat down, smiling: “I’m hungry. I came to Uncle Prince’s place to beg for some night snacks.”
Soon Du Yuzhi entered with a servant. After brief pleasantries, he straightforwardly stated his purpose.
The Prince of Chun’an was utterly bewildered, but thinking it through, Du Yuzhi had always been the most upright and proudest civil official in the capital. If it weren’t urgently needed to save a life, he would never have the thick skin to come asking for bath water in the middle of the night.
After a moment of shock, he coughed twice and said: “Since it’s to save someone, Master Du need not feel embarrassed. I was just about to bathe and burn incense. Master Du, please wait here for a moment.”
Du Yuzhi was endlessly grateful.
Once the Prince of Chun’an left, only Lin Chengyou and Du Yuzhi remained in the room.
Du Yuzhi nervously took a sip of tea, and when he happened to look up, he saw Lin Chengyou watching him with an ambiguous smile.
Du Yuzhi had long known of Lin Chengyou’s mischievous and unrestrained nature. He immediately gave him a couple of wary glances, and only after confirming that he didn’t seem intent on making things difficult did he sit up straight again.
But just then, Lin Chengyou unexpectedly spoke: “May I ask Master Du, did your household’s elderly servant’s relative fall suddenly ill?”
Du Yuzhi pondered in confusion – he hadn’t heard of this before coming, only receiving his wife’s sudden message in the evening. Hmm, it must have been a sudden illness indeed.
“In response to Your Highness, yes, it was a sudden attack of illness.”
Lin Chengyou: “This is the first time I’ve heard of using bath water as medicine. Might I know which physician prescribed this remedy?”
Du Yuzhi shook his head: “This… I don’t know either, only that it’s urgently needed to save a life.”
Lin Chengyou smiled slightly and didn’t pursue the questioning further.
Du Yuzhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, the door to the side room opened – the Prince of Chun’an, seemingly afraid of keeping Du Yuzhi waiting too long, had quickly finished his bath and emerged, handing a water skin to Du Yuzhi while saying seriously: “I’m not sure if this is enough. I’ve had someone watching over the bath vessel – if it’s not enough, Master Du need only send word.”
Du Yuzhi solemnly accepted the bath water, expressing thousands of thanks before taking his leave.
At this time, the steward led people in with night snacks. The Prince of Chun’an had the steward go next door to invite Gu Xian, then said to Lin Chengyou: “Didn’t you say earlier you were hungry? Now you don’t seem interested.”
Lin Chengyou set his teacup back on the table and smiled: “Can’t stay – I just remembered I have something to tell Azhi’s attendants. I need to go out again. Uncle Prince, you all eat, don’t wait for me. I’ll rest when I return.”
***
Teng Yu’yi waited in the room for a while, but still, no word came from her uncle. She simply sat at the table, took an ivory chopstick from the openwork holder, dipped it in water, and began writing and drawing.
Du Tinglan had removed her hairpins at the dressing table and came over to look: “What are you writing?”
Teng Yu’yi thoughtfully erased the character for “three” and propped her chin up with a sigh: “Seeing Li Huaigu today made me remember quite a lot from childhood.”
Du Tinglan, always attentive to detail, sat down pensively: “I remember Li Huaigu was much more shy as a child. Seeing how she speaks today, she’s become much more composed than before. I heard her father is now an important official, so she must have gained quite a bit of experience at her father’s side these past few years.”
Teng Yu’yi tilted her head in thought. Li Huaigu’s father had been promoted much faster than in her previous life. If she remembered correctly, in the year she died in her previous life, Li Guangyuan had only been the Prefect of Suzhou under her father’s jurisdiction in Huainan, not yet transferred to Zhejiang, let alone serving concurrently as the Military Commissioner of Eastern Zhejiang…
Today’s meeting revealed that Li Huaigu’s father was already an important official.
However, after several such incidents, she had grown accustomed to things in this life being different from her previous life’s memories, though deep in her heart, she still felt something wasn’t quite right…
Just then, someone suddenly knocked on the door. Teng Yu’yi couldn’t wait and went to open it herself – sure enough, it was Biluo returning.
Biluo was slightly out of breath: “It’s terrible – all the middle gates have been locked. I heard something strange happened at the Imperial Guest House, and several Imperial Uncles, fearing Princess Changyi and Princess Azhi would be frightened, ordered strict guard outside the ladies’ quarters. They chose only first-class guards and strictly prohibited visiting between courtyards. Your servant couldn’t find anyone to relay the message and doesn’t know how Master Du is faring at the front.”
Du Tinglan exclaimed: “What are we to do?”
Teng Yu’yi’s mind was in chaos. She walked to a dark corner and gently knocked on the sword hilt – the blade barely warmed for a moment before turning cold as water again.
“There’s no time left. Moreover, I had agreed with Duan Fu earlier that he would wait for news in the middle lane outside the northeastern corner wall of Yueminglu at night. Once Uncle obtained the item, Biluo would send word to Duan Fu. Now with the middle gates locked, neither side can get news. I must quickly go relay the message, lest Duan Fu and Uncle keep waiting in vain.”
As she spoke, she felt the worn brush on her bosom and casually found a cape to put on. Seeing this, Madam Du and Du Tinglan hurriedly said: “Don’t go, let Biluo and the others go.”
Teng Yu’yi said: “Biluo can’t climb walls, but I know a few tricks. Besides, there are many eyes in the courtyard, with a narrow lane between them. Duan Fu is cautious by nature – if he can’t confirm it’s me, he might not show himself. If Biluo calls out his name loudly, it will surely attract the guards, so it’s fastest if I go myself.”
Without allowing for argument, she closed the door and went downstairs to the northeastern corner. Sure enough, she saw a willow tree outside the wall and was about to quietly call for Duan Fu when coincidentally a series of orderly footsteps quickly passed through the narrow lane outside – presumably guards on patrol.
Teng Yu’yi held her breath, waiting until it was quiet again outside the wall before reaching up with both hands and quietly climbing to the top of the wall.
Ever since practicing the Peach Blossom Sword technique, her movements have become much more agile than before. After returning, she also learned many moves from Huo Qiu – climbing walls was completely trivial for her now.
Sitting upright after reaching the top of the wall, she quickly looked around and found not a single person. Could Duan Fu have hidden to avoid others?
While hesitating whether to jump down or climb back, she heard footsteps approaching from not far away – a man, and he was alone.
Teng Yu’yi was about to jump back without a word, but the person unexpectedly called out: “Young Master Wang.”
Teng Yu’yi swayed, nearly falling off – it was Lin Chengyou.
She steadied herself and turned her head to look down, seeing Lin Chengyou standing in the alley with his hands behind his back, looking up at her.
Her heart filled with uncertainty, she managed to force a slight smile: “Your Highness?”
Lin Chengyou smiled briefly: “Are you looking for Duan Fu?”
Teng Yu’yi thought for a moment, then simply jumped into the alley: “Did Your Highness see Duan Fu? I need to find him, but all the gates are locked, and my maids can’t deliver messages or climb walls, so I had to come myself.”
Lin Chengyou lazily held up an object: “You’re waiting for this, aren’t you?”
Teng Yu’yi froze. In Lin Chengyou’s hand was a water skin, and he seemed to deliberately shake it in front of her to confirm her suspicions.
Teng Yu’yi heard the water sloshing and suddenly blushed.
“You—”
“This is Uncle Prince’s bath water.” Lin Chengyou sneered, “This afternoon you had Duan Fu sneak into Feiyi Pavilion to steal bath water. Not satisfied with stealing mine, you even deceived Uncle Prince for his.”
Teng Yu’yi was so embarrassed she wished she could disappear into the ground. She glanced left and right, laughing awkwardly, but from her cheeks to her neck, her skin turned red almost instantly – in the moonlight, it looked as if she had applied rouge.
Lin Chengyou glanced at her several times, feeling strangely familiar – ah, the fabric she wore was identical to his afternoon robe.
He shifted his gaze: “What does a young lady want with so much men’s bath water? Don’t tell me it’s for fun. Tsk, I’m embarrassed for you.”
Teng Yu’yi had originally wanted to explain properly, but after his merciless accusations, she wished even more that she could sink into the ground. She glared at him: “Of course, it’s for a proper purpose. I already explained the reason to Your Highness this afternoon, but you didn’t believe me.”
Lin Chengyou crossed his arms: “To nourish your sword? The spirit in the sword told you this?”
Teng Yu’yi remained silent.
Lin Chengyou said mockingly: “Couldn’t you have just asked me properly instead of stealing my bath water?”
Teng Yu’yi asked curiously: “If I had asked Your Highness properly, would you have given me the bath water?”
Lin Chengyou was stumped. He had seen countless Taoist treasures but had never heard of one requiring men’s bath water as offering. If Teng Yu’yi had asked him directly, he definitely would have refused, finding it absurd.
He scoffed: “The Teng and Du families have so many men, why steal from others?”
“Because only your bath water counts as Embryonic Breath Transformation Water. Others’ bath water would damage my sword’s spiritual power.”
“Another thing the sword spirit told you?” Lin Chengyou snorted with a laugh. “Fine, since you stole mine, why seek Uncle Prince’s?”
Teng Yu’yi: “This afternoon when Your Highness bathed in the hot spring pool, the water was accidentally mixed with others’ bath water, and the spirit refused to use it.”
Lin Chengyou stroked his chin – what a fussy spirit. Thinking of how she had tricked him again, he became furious. She had pretended to stumble in front of him while secretly splashing an entire skin of grape wine on him.
Teng Yu’yi glanced at him and bowed: “I shouldn’t have had someone steal Your Highness’s bath water. That was my fault, and I willingly apologize. My sword started failing right after returning from Caifeng Tower, and things happened too suddenly. I wanted to ask Your Highness directly, but I… I… just couldn’t say it. I only resorted to this because I had no other choice.”
Lin Chengyou snorted – she certainly made herself sound pitiful.
Teng Yu’yi took out the Little Cliff Sword to show him: “Look, Your Highness, the sword spirit is about to die.”
Lin Chengyou: “Spirit weapons don’t die. At worst, their spiritual power greatly weakens.”
Teng Yu’yi was stunned – they don’t die? She said irritably: “Your Highness has countless magical weapons, losing one or two means nothing to you. But since Little Cliff has accepted me as its master, I must take good care of him. Under my care, not only must his spiritual power not be damaged, but he mustn’t even feel thirsty or tired.”
Lin Chengyou touched his ear. Since dealing with her, he had often witnessed this stubborn streak of hers – she took her relationships with people and objects very seriously, even more protectively than he did.
After saying this, Teng Yu’yi held out her hand to Lin Chengyou: “Has Your Highness finished asking? Since the Prince of Chun’an has already given the bath water to my uncle, it belongs to me now. Can Your Highness return it to me?”
Lin Chengyou remained silent. He had finished asking, and looking at the dim light of the sword in her hand, it truly couldn’t last much longer.
However, something still felt wrong to him. Teng Yu’yi had someone steal his bath water but had her uncle ask Uncle Prince directly – could she have known about Uncle Prince’s character beforehand? Was she certain he would give it?
He wanted to ask her directly what she had been thinking but felt it unnecessary.
Moreover, just thinking about Teng Yu’yi soaking her sword in Uncle Prince’s bath water gave him an indescribably strange feeling.
Never mind, save the magical weapon first – he would settle accounts about her tricking him again later.
He handed the water skin to her: “Here, take it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Teng Yu’yi happily reached out to take it, but before it reached her hands, the water skin fell to the ground. The cap loosened, and the bath water instantly spilled everywhere.
Teng Yu’yi froze, quickly crouching down to pick it up, but it was too late – only a small amount remained at the bottom of the skin.
Teng Yu’yi stared at the water skin for a moment. When she looked up again, her almond-shaped eyes were filled with tears.
“Lin Chengyou!” she ground out between clenched teeth.
Lin Chengyou stared blankly at the water skin. Who knew what he had been thinking to lose his grip on it? Seeing Teng Yu’yi suddenly cry from anger, he felt somewhat helpless. With his martial skills, if he claimed it wasn’t intentional, not only would Teng Yu’yi not believe him, but even he found it unconvincing.
Teng Yu’yi’s face had turned pale with anger. Lin Chengyou had done it on purpose – he was just angry about her tricking him in the afternoon, but if she could have asked for the bath water directly, why would she have resorted to such measures?
It seemed Little Cliff’s spiritual power couldn’t be saved. Even if the little old man lived, he would become a powerless piece of scrap. Her heart was filled with hatred – she had wrongly thought Lin Chengyou was a good person a few days ago. Wrong! This person wasn’t just arrogant, he was detestable!!!
“Lin Chengyou—” Tears welled in her eyes as her chest heaved violently. If not for her last shred of reason, she would have scratched his face.
Lin Chengyou seemed to suddenly come to his senses: “Would my bath water work?”
Teng Yu’yi’s angry expression froze, her eyelashes still wet with tears.
“I’ll make it up to you. You can’t use the hot spring pool water, only the bath vessel water, right?”
Teng Yu’yi was overjoyed, no longer caring about being angry. She quickly nodded through her tears: “Yes.”
“Wait here. I made arrangements earlier, so no one will patrol here for a short while. I’ll be back soon.” As Lin Chengyou spoke, he stepped backward several paces, and then with a flip like a swooping kite, his figure disappeared over the eaves.
Teng Yu’yi stared at the empty narrow alley, her heart racing. Would Lin Chengyou give her the bath water? Or was he planning to trick her again? Moreover, she hadn’t seen Duan Fu this whole time. Full of doubts, she waited in place for a while, then fearing discovery, climbed back over the wall into Yueminglu’s courtyard. Only when she heard footsteps again did she peek around the corner of the wall, and confirming it was Lin Chengyou, she quietly jumped down from the wall.
Lin Chengyou had changed clothes, his temples still wet, water droplets on his face, his features exquisitely beautiful. As soon as he jumped down from the eaves, he beckoned to Teng Yu’yi: “Your martial arts aren’t good enough – be careful not to spill water while climbing walls. Just make the offering here.”
Teng Yu’yi saw him holding a wine jar, easily twice the size of the Prince of Chun’an’s water skin. When she approached him, before she could speak, she smelled the elegant fragrance on him – like bamboo but not bamboo, otherworldly in its pure subtlety. Though she had encountered many precious fragrances since childhood, she had never smelled such pleasant bath beans.
Lin Chengyou lifted the jar’s lid, revealing it was indeed full of clear bath water. He gently set the jar on the ground, the water’s surface rippling in small waves from the movement.
They both stared at the bath water, feeling somewhat awkward. Finally, Lin Chengyou, being thicker-skinned, took the initiative: “Put the sword in.”
Teng Yu’yi made a sound of agreement, drew the sword from its scabbard, and carefully immersed it in the water.
After a moment, the Little Cliff Sword showed no reaction. Lin Chengyou asked suspiciously: “What did the spirit tell you? Is this how you make the offering?”
Teng Yu’yi pondered: “Little Cliff only said he needed Embryonic Breath Transformation Water to wash himself. Logically, just soaking should work.”
Before she finished speaking, the water’s surface began to ripple violently. In the blink of an eye, the little old man emerged from the sword.
“Yoho!” Little Cliff stirred the bath water excitedly. “Wawawawa! This feels amazing! The old man is alive again!”
As he spoke, he dove deep into the water, then resurfaced. His previously ashen face suddenly became red and bright.
“Heehee! Ohoho! So comfortable, how refreshing!” Little Cliff scooped up handfuls of bath water and vigorously rubbed his chest, making strange laughing sounds constantly. “This water smells so good, heeheeheehee, old man has never soaked in such authentic Embryonic Breath Transformation Water before. Lin Chengyou, you’re not bad! What powerful divine energy you have!”