Wen Shuyu was stunned.
When she came back to her senses, she blinked, her tone filled with innocent concern. “Crown Prince Brother, do you need help bathing?”
“How can you bathe without anyone attending to you? That won’t do.”
“I’ve reflected deeply on what happened at the brothel last time—it was all my fault. I sincerely repent. To make up for it, I can serve you today and act as a maid to assist you in bathing.”
“I hope Crown Prince Brother will give me a chance to atone.”
As she spoke, she walked forward, about to reach the edge of the white jade pool, but Xiao Jingchen stopped her.
“Wait outside. I don’t need your help. I’m finished—I’m about to get dressed.”
“How can that be?” The moment she heard the words “finished bathing,” her eyes dimmed, but then suddenly lit up again. “Then I can help you dress.”
“I’ll fetch your clothes right away.”
She stepped forward to grab the garments from the rack, but whether from eagerness or something else, she accidentally stepped on the water splashed beside the pool and slipped.
“Ah! I lost my footing!”
With a loud splash, water surged everywhere as she fell in.
Ripples spread across the pool, mist swirling around. Wen Shuyu was already stunningly beautiful, and now, with the warm steam tinting her porcelain skin a soft blush, her long dark hair cascading loose, her already striking features became even more exquisite.
Her brows were like painted peaks, her lips a vivid red. Her eyes shimmered with allure, and her half-soaked clothes clung faintly to her figure, outlining graceful curves through the hazy mist—like a celestial being fallen into the pool.
Yet she seemed completely unaware of her disheveled state, leaning closer toward Xiao Jingchen inch by inch.
“Crown Prince Brother, I think I twisted my ankle. It hurts a little—I need to lean on your shoulder.”
Xiao Jingchen’s fingers twitched slightly, his gaze hidden beneath his lashes, dark and unfathomable.
While Wen Shuyu busied herself with her deliberate coyness, his eyes drifted from her ankle beneath the water’s reflection, to her loosened collar, and finally settled on her soft, glistening lips.
They drew closer and closer, nearly touching.
The darkness in Xiao Jingchen’s eyes deepened. Beneath the water, his hand trembled slightly as it clenched into a fist.
The moment Wen Shuyu reached out—
With a loud crash, water exploded outward, splashing everywhere and obscuring her view.
By the time she reacted, Xiao Jingchen had already risen in the blink of an eye, using spiritual power to pull a robe over himself, and moved into the side hall.
Wen Shuyu: “…”
She gritted her teeth, took several deep breaths, and told herself to stay calm. It was fine—she could keep trying.
But the duck that had been right at her lips had flown away. She felt utterly miserable.
That damned Xiao Jingchen—was he even capable? In such a setting, with such an atmosphere, he could still remain unmoved?
Wen Shuyu laughed in frustration.
No matter. She still had “Strategy One.”
Only after Xiao Jingchen instructed several palace maids to bring fresh clothes and help her change did Wen Shuyu force a stiff smile and head to the side hall to see him again.
Inside, sandalwood incense drifted through the air. Xiao Jingchen sat at a table in a pale moon-white robe, slender fingers holding a teacup as he drank.
Wen Shuyu walked over and noticed he was drinking cup after cup, completely unlike his usual restrained sips. Curious, she wondered—was this tea really that good?
Just as Xiao Jingchen poured himself another cup, she swiftly snatched it and drank it in one go.
Even the place where her lips touched the rim perfectly overlapped with his—no different from a kiss.
“Wen Shuyu.” Xiao Jingchen frowned slightly, his voice low as he spoke her name, tinged with displeasure.
Wen Shuyu winced as the icy tea hit her mouth. “Ah! Why is this tea so cold? Are you drinking ice water? When did you develop this habit?”
She quickly set the cup down, refilled it, and pushed it back toward him. “Here, you drink it. I won’t steal it again, alright? Don’t be angry.”
“I don’t even like it anyway—it nearly froze my teeth off.”
Xiao Jingchen didn’t drink again. Instead, he lifted his gaze and looked at her calmly.
“I’ll say this one more time. Stop causing trouble. Stop coming to provoke me. Otherwise—”
Before he could finish, Wen Shuyu mimicked his tone and cut in:
“Otherwise, I won’t let you off again.”
“Wen Shuyu, you’ve overstepped again. You’re being unruly, Wen Shuyu. Go back and reflect. Stop following me. You’re absurd. Have you no shame, Wen Shuyu? Leave. Stop talking. Ridiculous. You’ve gone too far.”
She scratched her ear, her tone full of disdain. “Can you change up your wording? I’ve memorized all of it. After three years, my ears are practically calloused from hearing it.”
“It’s like you’re chanting a spell.”
Xiao Jingchen pressed his temple and took a deep breath, ignoring her. He picked up another cup, poured himself more cold tea, and drank it in one go.
Wen Shuyu tilted her head. “Is it really that good?”
Xiao Jingchen enunciated each word, “To cool the fire.”
Somehow, she could hear a hint of gritted teeth in his tone.
Was he angry?
Her eyes curved with amusement. Smiling, she reached out with both hands and straightened his head, bringing their faces close until they were inches apart, their gazes locked.
“Oh, don’t be angry, Crown Prince Brother. I actually came today for something important—I want you to teach me how to draw talismans.”
Xiao Jingchen raised a finger and pressed it lightly against her forehead, pushing her back to create distance.
“Men and women should keep proper boundaries.”
But Wen Shuyu leaned closer again—so close it seemed that in the next moment, she might kiss him…