“There’s no need to be shy. To a doctor, there are no distinctions of gender. If you really feel embarrassed, why not just cover your eyes?”
Nan Xing found the suggestion momentarily speechless. It was essentially the same as burying one’s head in the sand—nothing more than self-deception.
Did he really think that if he covered his eyes and couldn’t see, he wouldn’t feel someone else washing him?
“Perhaps… it is better if I do it myself,” Nan Xing insisted.
Ji Yu looked at him closely. Seeing his awkward expression and evasive eyes, it was clear he was truly bashful.
After thinking it over, she decided not to press the matter. After all, she had never bathed anyone before, let alone a grown man. If he had actually agreed, she would probably be the one feeling flustered instead.
Since that was settled, she would let him do it himself. However, considering his injuries, she couldn’t help but offer a few words of caution. “Be careful of your wounds while washing. Try not to get them wet. Finish up quickly and come out so I can change your bandages.”
Nan Xing cupped his hands in gratitude. “Understood.”
While Nan Xing went to bathe, Ji Yu busied herself preparing dinner. She walked into the kitchen to check on the goose she had locked up, intending to cook it for tonight’s meal.
She had watched videos on how to prepare it before, so she had a rough idea. The kitchen was fully stocked with spices. Even though she hadn’t actually cooked one herself, she was confident her skills were good enough that it wouldn’t turn out terrible.
“Where is my goose?”
Ji Yu stared in confusion at the empty corner where the bird had been. All that remained was a tangled mess of the red rope she had used to tie its feet.
The goose had actually escaped!
She looked around the kitchen and spotted a few scattered feathers on the floor. If she followed the trail, could she find where it had gone?
Just as she was contemplating this, she heard a sound.
*Quack! Quack!*
Her gaze snapped toward a closed door. Hearing the calls again, a smug smile spread across her face.
So it was hiding in there. Just wait until I catch you!
Rolling up her sleeves, she marched energetically toward the door and was about to push it open when the sound of splashing water came from within. She froze and stepped back.
“Oh right! Qi Yu is taking a bath in there! If I burst in now and see something I shouldn’t, it would be so awkward…”
She patted her forehead and turned to leave, but suddenly another voice came from inside—urgent and terrified.
“Ah—Get away!”
That was Qi Yu’s voice?
Startled by the outburst, Ji Yu turned back. She pressed her ear against the door, listening intently.
*Quack!*
“Get down! Get away from me!”
This was followed by the frantic flapping of wings and the loud splashing of water.
Ji Yu frowned in confusion. “What on earth is going on in there?” she muttered, peering through the crack in the doorframe.
Why was there both goose noises and Qi Yu shouting in alarm?
She tried desperately to see inside, but only a screen was visible. Everything else was hidden behind it. She stamped her foot in frustration.
That stupid bird! It actually ran into the bathroom while he was bathing! You had to hand it to the goose—it really chose the perfect hiding spot, since she couldn’t exactly walk in there casually.
Fine, it was smart this time. She’d let it off the hook for now, but next time she caught it, it was going into the stew pot! With that thought, she turned to leave.
“Miss Ji! Miss Ji, are you outside?”
The man’s voice sounded panicked, completely unlike his usual composed self. Ji Yu raised an eyebrow in surprise; she had never heard the usually elegant Qi Yu sound so flustered.
She turned back and called out, “Young Master Qi, what is the matter?”
There was a moment of silence, followed by another squawk, then his voice again.
“Miss Ji, your goose is in here. Could you please come in and get it?”
Nan Xing glared furiously at the audacious bird standing on the edge of the tub, struggling to keep his temper in check.
He had only just gotten into the water when the stupid creature had appeared out of nowhere, running around the room before hopping right onto the edge of his bath, squawking loudly at him.
When he tried to shoo it away, it wasn’t afraid in the slightest. Instead, it stared back at him defiantly and flapped its wings, splashing water right into his face.
If he hadn’t heard Ji Yu’s footsteps outside, he would have surely silenced the bird permanently right then and there.
“Is it alright if I come in?” she asked politely.
“Yes, please come in, Miss Ji.”
With permission granted, Ji Yu pushed the door open and walked past the screen. What she saw was a standoff between a man and a goose, staring each other down.
The goose stood perched on the rim of the wooden tub. Nan Xing stood beside it, partially covered by a robe, water droplets running down his face and dampening his hair. The water in the tub was still steaming and rippling, indicating he had just stood up.
Ji Yu cleared her throat and walked towards the goose, but before she could take a step, the bird seemed to sense her intent. It spread its large white wings, jumped down, and began running wildly around the room, squawking as if its life depended on it.
She glanced awkwardly back at Nan Xing. “Sorry for interrupting your bath. I’ll get this thing out of here right away.”
“Please do so as quickly as possible,” Nan Xing replied helplessly.
Ji Yu nodded determinedly and gave chase. She ran all over the room, huffing and puffing, managing to grab a handful of feathers but failing to catch the slippery bird.
For such a fat, heavy-looking creature, it was surprisingly agile and exhausting to chase.
Breathing heavily, she leaned against the screen and said to him, “Why don’t you finish your bath while I’m here? It seems too scared to come near me. Hurry up before the water gets cold.”
Receiving no answer, she looked up and met his gaze. The steam filling the room seemed to soften his usually sharp features.
He had a high bridge of nose, perfectly shaped lips, and long, thick lashes that trembled slightly. A drop of water slid down from his temple, across his cheek, past his defined Adam’s apple, and disappeared beneath the fabric covering his chest.
Ji Yu couldn’t help but swallow hard. How could someone be so handsome? He fit her ideal type perfectly. Especially his healthy, wheat-colored skin, which added a touch of wild masculinity to his delicate features.
Seeing him just standing there watching her without speaking, she gestured towards the screen. “I’ll stand behind here. I won’t peek, I promise. Just go ahead and wash.”
Without waiting for his reply, she moved behind the partition. Although she could still vaguely see his silhouette, it was blurred enough to offer some privacy.
However, Nan Xing still didn’t move. He seemed to be struggling with something internally. His body bent slightly, and she noticed he was swaying and trembling slightly. Ji Yu found this strange.
As the Third Prince, he was born into nobility, served by countless attendants. He was surely used to having people wait on him hand and foot, even for bathing and dressing. Why was he acting so shy and hesitant now?
She had even hidden behind the screen. He couldn’t still be embarrassed, could he?
She cleared her throat to signal him. Finally, Nan Xing moved. Expecting him to return to the tub, she was shocked when he walked straight towards her instead.
Before she could react, a pair of strong hands suddenly clamped around her neck. Terrified, Ji Yu looked down and found herself staring into a pair of bloodshot, crazed eyes, glaring at her with intense, murderous hatred.
Ji Yu panicked.