TGPSAC – Chapter 83

Before night had even fallen, Chi Wan and Yu Jiuzhou returned to their room.

Chun Gui and Xia Qu were shocked by this, and the two couldn’t help but huddle together to whisper.

Xia Qu: “What happened at Xuanyang Temple? Why are Her Highness and the Fuma sleeping together?”

Chun Gui: “They just went in like that? Into one room?”

Neither of them knew what had transpired. How could a single trip to Xuanyang Temple result in the two of them sharing a room so naturally?

One had followed along briskly, and the other had said nothing, clearly giving her tacit approval.

Xia Qu shook her head. “Strange. Very strange indeed.”

Chun Gui nodded. “It is strange.”

Suddenly, a head popped up between them. “Why is it strange? Her Highness asked the Fuma to help her with an essential oil back rub.”

Chun Gui and Xia Qu were first startled by Dong Ying’s head, then they exchanged a look.

Xia Qu, being impatient and forgetting her fear of Dong Ying for a moment, hurriedly asked, “Really?”

“Of course.” Dong Ying looked at the two of them, perplexed. “It’s just a massage. Why are you acting like this?”

Xia Qu shot her a disdainful look. “You don’t understand. We’re about to have a little master.”

Dong Ying: “?”

A little master? What little master?

Then it dawned on her. “Are you saying?”

“What else?” Xia Qu had finally found an area where she had the upper hand. She was constantly being scorned by Chun Gui or lectured by Dong Ying; now was her time to shine.

With great confidence, Xia Qu huffed. “You don’t know what an ‘essential oil back rub’ is. If you did, you’d know why I said that.”

Dong Ying gave her a cold look. “Tell me.”

Xia Qu: “If you’re going to ask for a favor, you should have the right attitude.”

“Xia Qu!”

Dong Ying merely called her name, and Xia Qu immediately behaved.

“First, you have to take off your clothes…”

“That’s enough.”

Before Xia Qu could finish, Dong Ying interrupted her. “We must not discuss Her Highness’s affairs.”

“You were the one who asked.”

Xia Qu muttered, but ultimately didn’t dare say more.

Just as she had said, Chi Wan and Yu Jiuzhou were currently at a standstill.

An essential oil back rub was just that—a back rub. Thankfully, ancient undergarments weren’t like modern bras with clasps. The ancient equivalent was called a dudou, and even the aloof Grand Princess had to wear one.

Unlike the commonly known red ones, these were beautifully colored and patterned, all handmade. Yu Jiuzhou had many in various colors, most embroidered with peonies and the like.

Today’s white peony was very beautiful, Chi Wan thought, closing her eyes.

That was because Yu Jiuzhou wouldn’t let her open them. She had said that if Chi Wan dared to open her eyes, she would have them gouged out.

Of course, Chi Wan didn’t believe her, but to prevent a certain someone from flying into a rage out of embarrassment, it was better to obediently keep her eyes shut.

Her eyes were closed, but her ears could hear a rustling sound—the sound of Yu Jiuzhou arranging the quilt.

She felt an agony that made each second feel like a year. No, each second felt like an eternity.

This prompted her to ask, “Your Highness, may your subject open her eyes now?”

Perhaps it was nervousness, or perhaps the change in atmosphere, but her tone had become formal.

Yu Jiuzhou: “…”

At that moment, Yu Jiuzhou felt as if she had lost her mind. How had it come to an essential oil back rub?

She desperately wanted to ask why a massage required removing one’s clothes.

Fortunately, the ties of her inner garment were at her lower back, so she didn’t have to take it off completely. Otherwise, she couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t change her mind at the last second.

In two lifetimes, this was the first time Yu Jiuzhou had, while fully conscious, voluntarily disrobed in front of another person.

After waiting a while and hearing no reply from Yu Jiuzhou, nor any further movement, Chi Wan didn’t overthink it and opened her eyes.

Yu Jiuzhou was already lying face down in the bed, the quilt pulled up so tightly that only her head was showing.

Seeing this, Chi Wan couldn’t help but smile. If she weren’t worried about angering Yu Jiuzhou, she would have laughed out loud.

She suppressed her laughter and said, “What scent does Your Highness prefer?”

Yu Jiuzhou paused. She didn’t even know what scents were available. “You choose.”

She didn’t even feel like opening her mouth right now. Her crimson face was buried in the soft pillow. It was a good thing she didn’t like jade pillows, or there would be nowhere to hide her face.

She worried that if she spoke, she would betray her shyness, so she could only feign indifference.

Chi Wan was long accustomed to her fluctuating moods and didn’t react to her sudden coldness. Instead, she carefully selected an essential oil.

The oils had all been made in the winter, so the selection was limited. In the end, she decided on plum blossom.

The cool fragrance of plum blossoms suited Yu Jiuzhou well.

Chi Wan considered that for an essential oil back rub, she would have to kneel on Yu Jiuzhou. She had heard that members of the imperial family disliked having others above them.

With that thought, she lifted the quilt. The sight before her brought a line of poetry to mind, and she recited it unconsciously, “A creamy back and shoulders of polished jade, a light red silk covering a white lotus.”

A poem by a certain Han of the Tang dynasty. It was truly vivid.

The fair, tender beauty before her could only be described by poetry.

However, the line Chi Wan recited made Yu Jiuzhou’s entire body flush. Her fair skin turned a delicate pink, making it almost impossible to look away.

Chi Wan gave herself a mental shake, chanting inwardly: Stay calm.

She was a professional when it came to Chinese massage. Even if it was a piece of fine jade, she had to treat it like a pig’s back. She absolutely could not let her resolve waver.

She began to get serious. The appropriate essential oil was chosen, towels and other items were at hand, and the room temperature was perfect. All preparations were complete.

Step one: wipe the back with a hot towel. This was not only for cleaning but also to open up the pores.

Although Chi Wan had looked closely, one couldn’t see the fine, downy hairs on this jade-like back without getting very near.

Just this first step, the touch of a hand on her skin, was enough to make Yu Jiuzhou reach for the quilt, pulling it up higher to hide her hands underneath.

She clutched the quilt, her body involuntarily tensing up.

Feeling the tension in the person beneath her hands, Chi Wan quickly said, “Your Highness, relax.”

A normal massage, an essential oil massage, didn’t require such nervousness. However, many people in the modern era got massages regularly, and modern bathhouses were especially popular, but it was different in ancient times.

Yu Jiuzhou was clearly a bit uncomfortable. Even though she had mentally prepared herself, when it actually began, she couldn’t help but feel ill at ease.

The next step was to apply the essential oil. Chi Wan dripped a suitable amount into her palm, infused her palm with internal energy, then rubbed her hands together to warm them before placing them on Yu Jiuzhou’s back.

The warm hands covered Yu Jiuzhou’s back, and the massage officially began.

Yu Jiuzhou’s taut body became almost rigid. She didn’t move a muscle, her entire focus drawn to the warmth on her back, unable to think of anything else.

So this was an essential oil massage.

When Chi Wan had demonstrated on the pig, she had only glanced at it, thinking it was similar to the massages the imperial physicians usually performed, which focused on the neck and shoulders.

But an essential oil massage covered the neck and shoulders, as well as both sides of the spine all the way down to the waist. Everything had to be attended to.

Opening the back, pushing strokes across the back, kneading acupoints, relaxing the muscles.

After a short while, Chi Wan got into the rhythm. Her movements were skilled, the pressure just right—not too light, not too heavy, but very comfortable.

Yu Jiuzhou nearly closed her eyes in bliss. She felt as if the other’s fingertips were like feathers, each stroke bringing a trace of pleasant soreness. She could clearly feel the gentleness on her skin.

It was clearly a very proper massage, but for some reason, when the cool essential oil was once again poured onto her back, Yu Jiuzhou couldn’t help but tremble.

She didn’t know if it was the oil that was too cold, or if Chi Wan’s hands possessed some magic, a gentleness that made her heart tremble along with them.

Yu Jiuzhou’s heartstrings were being plucked.

Meanwhile, the one performing the massage, Chi Wan, was silently chanting in her heart: I am a physician. No matter who I’m giving an essential oil massage to, I must treat them as either a piglet or a large radish.

Next came the acupoint massage. The back contained the spine, so Chi Wan was extremely careful. This was a vulnerable area. For a normal massage, one would definitely need to go to a reputable place; otherwise, it could be quite dangerous.

She channeled her internal energy to her palms, pressing the acupoints with care and precision. The pressure went from shallow to deep. Her strength and technique in every aspect demonstrated her professionalism.

But Yu Jiuzhou’s experience was completely different. She gripped the bedsheet, suppressing the strange sensation in her throat. For some reason, she had the urge to call a halt to it, but she worried that if she opened her mouth, an unspeakable, coquettish sound might escape.

Yu Jiuzhou’s breathing became uneven, something Chi Wan, who was massaging her, could clearly feel.

Thus, Chi Wan gave a very serious reminder, “Your Highness, please relax.”

Yu Jiuzhou didn’t speak, silently letting her shoulders sink.

But in the next second, Chi Wan’s hand movements changed from pressing to gentle kneading. This step in a massage was called muscle relaxation.

It was more suitable for relaxing calf muscles after hiking up and down a mountain.

Chi Wan first helped Yu Jiuzhou relax her neck and shoulders. Soon, her body gradually loosened, sinking into this captivating gentleness.

The fragrance of the essential oil filled the small inner chamber, just like the atmosphere, which was gradually growing warmer and more ambiguous.

Perhaps only Yu Jiuzhou felt this way, but at this moment, the scent of plum blossom essential oil lingered around both their noses. Just as Yu Jiuzhou sensed the ambiguous atmosphere, her body gradually heated up.

The scent of plum blossoms in the air grew stronger, just like that ambiguous atmosphere.

Time passed, minute by minute, but neither of them could feel its passage. In a daze, it felt as if this moment had frozen, that time had stopped changing altogether.

After Yu Jiuzhou’s face went from slightly red to beet red and then slowly calmed down, it didn’t take long for it to turn beet red again.

It was as if Chi Wan had mastered the switch to make her blush, able to do so anytime, anywhere.

Most surprisingly, when Yu Jiuzhou blushed, her skin would turn the same color as her face. It was truly magical.

During the essential oil massage, Chi Wan had to observe Yu Jiuzhou’s expression from time to time. But with her face buried in the pillow, she couldn’t see clearly. She could only wonder if the woman was suffocating.

She was. Fortunately, her voice was also muffled, so no strange sounds escaped.

Whether she hadn’t moaned at all, or if her moans were blocked by the pillow, only Yu Jiuzhou knew.

Towards the end of the massage, Chi Wan leaned over and tilted her head, trying to get a clear look at Yu Jiuzhou’s expression. Not only did she fail to see her expression, but an enchanting fragrance rushed into her nostrils, making her want to get even closer.

She didn’t know what kind of hair oil Yu Jiuzhou used, but it smelled wonderful.

Chi Wan shook her head and struggled to her feet.

Actually, an essential oil massage was a full-body massage. When she was studying it, her teacher had said that the pressure on the back and buttocks could be stronger, while the pressure on the shoulders, neck, arms, legs, and abdomen should be even.

The entire massage process usually took about an hour, but since she was only doing the back, it was over in half an hour, and that was only because she had deliberately prolonged it.

Should she massage other places?

Chi Wan was conflicted. If she lifted the quilt, would she get beaten up?

Yu Jiuzhou was so comfortable she was about to doze off. She had been breathing secretly; she definitely wasn’t a little dazed from being smothered.

Feeling the movements on her back stop, she snapped awake. Why had she stopped?

She had never imagined that an essential oil massage would be just a massage, with no extra moves.

Shoulders, neck, back… and that was it.

This block of wood.

Yu Jiuzhou felt helpless. She suppressed her shyness and spoke, “What is it?”

The sound startled Chi Wan, who had been lost in a daze. She suddenly realized that if Yu Jiuzhou hadn’t spoken, she might have leaned in to smell her hair.

Her self-control had always been good. It seemed now that she just hadn’t met someone who could truly captivate her.

If she was attracted by Yu Jiuzhou’s beauty, she wouldn’t mind experiencing the pleasure of being King Zhou.

Startled awake by Yu Jiuzhou, she quickly sat up straight. “Your Highness, the massage is finished.”

“Hm?” Yu Jiuzhou fell silent.

So soon? And she only massaged her back? This block of wood. She had already disrobed, and Chi Woodhead still didn’t know what she meant?

Chi Wan looked awkward. She had almost done something presumptuous. If she had really kissed her, she seriously suspected Yu Jiuzhou would have kicked her off the bed.

Although they had decided to consummate their marriage, they hadn’t said it would be today. She still had to abide by the rules.

Yu Jiuzhou thought that this person was usually quite clever. How could she be such a blockhead when it came to this?

She pulled the quilt around herself and sat up. “The Fuma is truly dedicated.”

That’s it? She felt like she had been casting flirtatious glances at a blind person.

Although she knew that Chi Wan was playful with her words but always proper in her actions, she couldn’t help but wish Chi Wan would be impulsive just once.

Yu Jiuzhou’s brows furrowed slightly, her gaze tinged with dissatisfaction.

Chi Wan felt that although the words sounded like praise, they were laced with discontent, especially with those eyes that seemed to hold an accusation.

“Is Your Highness not satisfied?”

Yu Jiuzhou huffed lightly. “I am satisfied.”

If she was satisfied, why did she huff?

Chi Wan knelt before Yu Jiuzhou, shuffling forward a small step on her knees to get closer. “Your Highness.”

She called out once and then said no more.

Yu Jiuzhou was wrapped in the quilt, her fragrant shoulder peeking out unintentionally, making Chi Wan’s eyes burn a little.

After waiting a moment and hearing nothing more, Yu Jiuzhou raised an eyebrow. “Why did you call for Us?”

Chi Wan lowered her eyes and chuckled softly. “Your Highness, in ancient times, Daji seduced King Zhou. Today, the Grand Princess seduces the Fuma.”

She could say playful things, but she wouldn’t make a single move.

Yu Jiuzhou rolled her eyes at her. “Then have I seduced you?”

“Of course. Your subject’s body and soul both bow before Your Highness.”

Chi Wan tried to use glib words to cover her own discomfort. In such an ambiguous atmosphere, she was finding it very difficult to control herself.

Perhaps she should go outside for some fresh air?

Chi Wan honestly told Yu Jiuzhou that she was captivated. She had to acknowledge the other’s charm, but she also had to maintain propriety.

Until she received permission, she had to be well-behaved.

But she also didn’t ask if she could.

Yu Jiuzhou lowered her eyes, barely able to hide the smug satisfaction in them. See? Chi Wan couldn’t resist her charm.

“So what do you plan to do?”

Chi Wan thought seriously for a moment, deciding she couldn’t frighten her princess. “How about… I go outside for some fresh air?”

Yu Jiuzhou was so angry she laughed. “Chi Wan!”

“Your Highness.”

Chi Wan answered obediently, the sincerity in her eyes as captivating as stars, making one want to drown in them.

Yu Jiuzhou shook her head slightly. “It’s nothing.”

She wanted to say something, but she couldn’t very well say: We want you to consummate the marriage with Us.

Although she hadn’t planned on consummating it today—of course, her goal wasn’t really the essential oil massage either—she just wanted the two of them to be closer.

In other words, to cultivate their feelings, so it wouldn’t be too awkward when they did consummate the marriage.

One of them didn’t want to say it directly, and the other insisted on waiting for a clear agreement before doing anything.

Chi Wan wasn’t an indecisive person. She just felt that the lofty Grand Princess had to be held, cherished, and treasured in her arms, protected from even the slightest fright.

She was always extremely cautious about the matter of consummation. If Yu Jiuzhou were to regret it, there would be no turning back.

After all, their goal was to have children. Once there were children, it would be too late for regrets.

It wasn’t that Chi Wan didn’t know that Yu Jiuzhou suggesting an essential oil massage was her way of indicating that they could consummate the marriage today. She had restrained herself.

Not because she didn’t want to, but because she couldn’t, under these circumstances, do something with no room for retreat.

For both Yu Jiuzhou and herself, this matter had to be handled with the utmost caution.

They absolutely could not consummate their marriage on a whim. It had to be a dual decision of both emotion and reason.

Yu Jiuzhou’s eyes grew cold. She hadn’t thought of consummating the marriage today, but she couldn’t stand being rejected either.

“You may go.”

Just as Chi Wan was about to walk out of the room, a thought suddenly struck her. Yu Jiuzhou had said, “You may go,” not just agreed to let her get some fresh air.

The difference between the two was significant. The former implied anger, the latter, disappointment.

She certainly couldn’t let her princess be angry or disappointed.

For the lofty Grand Princess to make such a decision, her resolve must have been even greater than her own.

Chi Wan felt that Yu Jiuzhou must have mentally prepared herself over and over again before deciding to use the essential oil massage as a pretext for a natural consummation.

Given Yu Jiuzhou’s personality, she would never say something like: Go wash up. We are consummating the marriage today.

Just thinking about it, she knew Yu Jiuzhou would never say such a thing.

Chi Wan spun around abruptly and strode to the bedside. “Your Highness, I will carry you to wash up.”

Yu Jiuzhou: “?”

She didn’t dare look at Yu Jiuzhou’s expression, afraid of seeing a cold face. She thought, if she was rejected, would that mean she was rejecting the consummation?

Thus, Chi Wan began to make excuses for herself. “After a massage, soaking in water with medicinal herbs is good for the body.”

Yu Jiuzhou sized her up. “Didn’t the Fuma want to get some fresh air?”

“Your subject just feels that taking Your Highness for a bath is more important.”

Chi Wan smiled fawningly, like a puppy that had angered its master and was trying to win back favor.

However, Yu Jiuzhou wasn’t buying it. “We wouldn’t want to trouble the Fuma.”

She could hear that Yu Jiuzhou was unhappy. She quickly waved her hands. “No trouble, no trouble at all. It is your subject’s duty to serve Your Highness.”

“Hmph.”

Yu Jiuzhou huffed lightly, reaching for the silk cloak by the bed to wrap around herself, preparing to walk out of the inner chamber for her bath.

The authority of the Grand Princess was not something anyone could refuse.

Chi Wan reached out and took hold of Yu Jiuzhou. “Your Highness, would you be willing to bathe with your subject?”

Yu Jiuzhou suddenly felt an unprecedented heat erupt through her body. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Everyone bathes together in hot springs.”

Chi Wan explained with a straight face, then asked, “What did Your Highness think I meant?”

Yu Jiuzhou habitually tapped her on the forehead. “We thought the Princess’s Residence didn’t even have anyone to draw a bath for the Fuma.”

“Uh…”

Chi Wan slowly drew closer. “Is Your Highness unhappy?”

“Why should We be happy?”

Yu Jiuzhou had discovered that one had to be a bit firm with this person; otherwise, she was prone to retreating.

She had to squeeze Chi Wan’s room for retreat until there was none left. That way, Chi Wan would hit rock bottom and bounce back.

She really was unhappy. Chi Wan tugged at her sleeve and shook it. “Your Highness~”

She had no other choice. Since she couldn’t bring the matter out into the open, she thought she would try acting cute to win the princess’s pity.

Yu Jiuzhou was quite receptive to her coquetry, and her mood improved considerably. “Let’s go.”

“Alright~” Chi Wan immediately broke into a smile. Her princess was still easy to coax.

“The hot spring pool is ready. Your Highness, please proceed.”

Chi Wan pretended to be a sycophantic guide, which made Yu Jiuzhou laugh.

Wait, Yu Jiuzhou realized something. “The hot spring pool is ready?”

How could it be so fast? Preparing a hot spring pool for a soak required at least an hour. Without prior arrangements, how could there be a hot spring ready at a moment’s notice?

Chi Wan gave a dry laugh. “Your subject was thinking that Your Highness must be so tired today, so a soak in the hot spring would be perfect. And it wouldn’t be too much to include your subject, would it?”

So, even if Yu Jiuzhou hadn’t mentioned the essential oil back rub, she would have created an opportunity for them to bathe in the hot spring together.

At this thought, Yu Jiuzhou’s mood improved significantly. It turned out she wasn’t the only one taking the initiative.

“Is the Fuma plotting against Us?”

Arriving at the hot spring pool in the heated chamber, Yu Jiuzhou looked at the flower petals and medicinal herbs floating in the water, a hint of a smile appearing in her eyes.

Hmph, you dog. In the end, you still want to have Us.

Chi Wan didn’t know what Yu Jiuzhou was thinking. Both of them were wrapped in matching silk bathrobes. She entered the hot spring pool first, then extended a hand and answered the question, “Why would Your Highness say such a thing?”

“Your subject is completely loyal to Your Highness. Heaven and Earth can bear witness.”

Yu Jiuzhou accepted her support and entered the pool. “Hmph, you know what We are talking about.”

The plotting she was talking about was not the same as the plotting Chi Wan was answering to.

Chi Wan lowered her head and smiled. “Your subject is not as clever as Your Highness.”

“Chi Wan!!!”

As Yu Jiuzhou called her name again, Chi Wan immediately became serious. “Your Highness is right. I am plotting against Your Highness. But what about Your Highness’s feelings for your subject? Have you not thought of eating me up and leaving nothing behind?”

Yu Jiuzhou: “…” Who was eating whom, exactly?

“Chi Xiaowan, were you ever married?” she suddenly wanted to know.

They both knew the other was reborn. From the looks of it, Chi Wan knew a fair amount about her, while she knew nothing about Chi Wan’s past life.

If Chi Wan had been married before, did she still have feelings for that wife? These were all things she didn’t know.

Chi Wan suppressed a laugh. “Is Your Highness worried that I will go find my former wife?”

She was really married?

Yu Jiuzhou’s smile vanished instantly, a pang of sadness in her heart.

But she quickly thought it through. “You are Our Fuma. If you wish to find your former wife, We will find an opportunity to grant you a divorce.”

“We are the Grand Princess of Great Zhou. We will never steal another’s partner.”

Seeing that Yu Jiuzhou was serious, Chi Wan quickly said, “I have never taken a wife, nor have I ever been married. If I must say, I have only one wife, and that is Your Highness.”

Then, she added shyly in a small voice, “I just don’t know if Your Highness is willing to be my wife.”

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