“Just take good care of the Little Prince. If you earn the Prince’s approval and recognition, no one will dare do anything to you! ” Xiyu quietly reminded Lianxiang.
Before leaving, her cousin had given her the same advice. Only by serving the Little Prince well could she speak on her cousin’s behalf before Nanny and the Prince and ask the Prince to bring her cousin back to the manor sooner.
Lianxiang had never been someone who fought for attention or status, but this time, for her cousin’s sake, she nodded lightly and secretly made up her mind.
They did not arrive at the hot spring villa until nightfall.
Throughout the journey, the Little Prince was very excited, but he behaved well and hardly fussed. After eating, he slept. When he woke up, he played by himself on the soft, warm cushions spread inside the carriage. After playing for a while, he would lean against the cushions and fall asleep again.
During one of the breaks on the road, the Prince came to check on him. Nanny Zhao and Nanny Qian both rushed forward to accompany the Little Prince and play with him.
Nanny Li, however, suffered from motion sickness and had moved to another carriage.
Lianxiang had originally been playing with the Little Prince, but the two nannies squeezed her into a corner of the carriage. Nanny Qian’s large frame even blocked her from view.
Yun Suiwu glanced around the spacious carriage. Seeing that the Little Prince showed no discomfort despite traveling for so long, he ordered the carriage curtain lowered and left.
After they arrived at the hot spring villa, Nanny Qian immediately took the initiative and carried the Little Prince out of the carriage. Having failed to get him first, Nanny Zhao could only pout and follow behind.
As soon as the Little Prince was brought into Pear Blossom Courtyard, he woke up.
Facing the new surroundings, his bright black eyes rolled around curiously. He refused to stay in bed and insisted on being carried around to look everywhere.
Even though the Little Prince’s carriage had been spacious and comfortable, sitting in a carriage for an entire day was exhausting. Everyone felt stiff and sore.
Since it was already late and the Prince would soon be resting, Nanny Zhao and Nanny Qian simply arranged for Lianxiang and Nanny Li to take the night shift.
After the maids finished bringing all of the Little Prince’s belongings inside, the two nannies informed Nanny and returned to their rooms to rest.
Nanny Li was still suffering badly from motion sickness and had not recovered, so she asked Lianxiang to take the first half of the night shift while she covered the second half.
“Sigh, you’re too honest. The Little Prince slept for so long in the carriage that he’s full of energy now. He may not even sleep until after midnight,” Xiyu said as she finished making the bed and walked over.
Lianxiang pursed her lips and smiled.
“It’s fine. Since my cousin isn’t here, I naturally need to take good care of the Little Prince.”
She then carried the Little Prince and walked around the room with him.
“The Little Prince is awake? ” Aunt Pei entered and immediately saw the lively child. He was babbling happily and constantly pointing, directing Lianxiang where to walk.
A warm smile appeared on her face. She stepped forward and looked at the Little Prince’s clever, adorable face, which closely resembled the Emperor’s. Her heart nearly melted.
“Since the Little Prince is awake, shall this servant take you to soak in the hot spring and play in the water? ”
The Little Prince clearly understood the words “play in the water.” He immediately turned his head, let out an excited sound, and his dark eyes sparkled as drool dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Aunt Pei ordered the maids to prepare some clothes for the Little Prince and then brought Lianxiang and the child to the bathhouse.
Because the hot spring villa had been built directly above the spring source, the temperature inside the villa was much warmer than outside.
Green grass even grew along the corners of the bathhouse walls, adding touches of color to the cold winter landscape.
As soon as they entered the bathhouse, it felt like spring. A faint smell of sulfur lingered in the warm air.
Aunt Pei pushed open a door.
Before them was a floor paved with clean, smooth stone slabs, while the sound of flowing water echoed nearby.
“Take off your shoes and socks,” she instructed.
The moment the Little Prince heard the water, he became extremely excited. His eyes searched everywhere, trying to find where the sound was coming from.
After passing a rosewood screen embroidered with birds and flowers, a square hot spring pool appeared before them.
Mist floated gently above the water’s surface. Warm spring water continuously poured from the mouths of several stone beast sculptures.
“Oh! Oh!” the Little Prince cried excitedly.
He twisted and squirmed in Lianxiang’s arms, looking as if he wanted to leap directly into the hot spring.
“Look how happy the Little Prince is,” Aunt Pei laughed.
She instructed Xiyu and Xixue to remove the Little Prince’s clothes before placing the naked child into the pool.
The moment he touched the water, he became like a little fish, splashing water everywhere. He stirred up the entire pool as if Nezha himself were causing chaos in the sea.
Water splashed all over Lianxiang, Xiyu, and Xixue, soaking their padded jackets.
The pool appeared to have been specially built for the Little Prince by the Prince himself.
It was quite large and divided into two levels.
The inner section was shaped like a lotus flower and was very shallow. When the Little Prince sat inside, the water only reached his stomach.
On the stone walls within his reach were carvings of little ducks, rabbits, piglets, and other animals for him to hold and play with.
The Little Prince grabbed one in each hand and played happily, his clear laughter ringing through the room.
This made things much easier for Lianxiang, Xiyu, and Xixue.
Bathing the Little Prince had always been one of the hardest tasks, often leaving them drenched from head to toe.
Now all they needed to do was remove their outer jackets, roll up their sleeves and pant legs, and play with him.
Just as they were scooping warm spring water and pouring it over the Little Prince’s chubby body—
Aunt Pei quickly bent down and greeted someone.
“Your Highness…”
The three women were startled.
Turning around, they saw the Prince.
He wore a simple moon-white robe woven from fine cloud-patterned silk. His black hair was tied high, and his face was as handsome as carved jade.
Standing barefoot upon a smooth stone beside the pool, shrouded in thin mist, he looked breathtakingly elegant, otherworldly, and strikingly beautiful.
The sight was enough to leave people speechless and forget how to breathe.
Lianxiang and the others immediately knelt to pay their respects.
With one hand behind his back, Yun Suiwu walked straight toward them.
His robes fluttered lightly as he moved.
Lianxiang noticed his long, fair feet step across the stone directly in front of her.
Then he stopped right before her.
At once, Lianxiang became nervous and awkward. Her face flushed bright red, as if brushed with rouge.
She suddenly had no idea where to put her hands or feet.
Only then did she realize that her sleeves and pant legs were still rolled up.
Her slender, fair calves were exposed, and her delicate jade-like feet were completely uncovered.
Her face burned with embarrassment.
She felt as though she had been stripped naked and thrown into the street for everyone to stare at.
Panicking, she hurriedly pulled down her pant legs, trying to hide her exposed feet.
Yet Xiyu and Xixue showed no reaction at all, remaining respectfully kneeling where they were.