Chapter 355: [Advance] (Lower)

Ji Feihua's clear eyes swept over him, her face devoid of any smile, and she softly said, "Eunuch Rong, you're not attending the Emperor—why are you here?"

Rong Baoxing said, "Reporting to Commander Ji, the Emperor tonight turned over the Talented Person's plaque, so..." His expression clearly showed some apprehension.

Ji Feihua said, "Talented Person? I haven't even seen the Zajia yet." He flicked his fur collar back and stepped toward Muyun Pavilion. Rong Baoxing hurriedly followed, not daring to stop Ji Feihua. Hu Xiaotian felt not anger but delight, thinking Ji Feihua's appearance was almost certainly to stir things up; if she disrupted the Emperor's affair, it would cost him nothing, so this guy tugged at Rong Baoxing's sleeve, signaling him to speak.

Rong Baoxing had been hesitating, but with Hu Xiaotian's prompting he finally couldn't help saying, "Commander Ji, the Talented Person is still bathing; entering now would be improper."

Ji Feihua stopped, suddenly turned, her phoenix eyes shooting out a piercing cold light like two swords aimed at Rong Baoxing, frightening him into slack-jawed silence. She coldly snorted, "What's improper about the Zajia attending the Talented Person?" After saying that, she continued walking inside.

Rong Baoxing dared not speak up to stop her, so he could only follow her inside; Hu Xiaotian also entered with the crowd, partly out of concern and partly to watch the spectacle, not knowing how Ji Feihua would treat Wen Ya.

Mist curled over the Lotus Pond; Wen Ya, like a lotus rising from water, bathed in the pond's center. The noisy footsteps did not startle her; she remained seated calmly in the water. Two palace maids were frightened by the scene, and the hand washing her hair paused.

Ji Feihua stood by the pond, smiled, and said, "Palace Attendant Bureau's Ji Feihua pays respects to the Talented Person!"

Wen Ya replied, "No need for formalities!" Her voice was calm and unruffled like an ancient well, showing not a trace of fear.

Hu Xiaotian could now be certain that Wen Ya was not Le Yao; a mere widow certainly lacked the composure of someone unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed before her.

One palace maid, perhaps from excessive fear, dropped the ladle she was using to rinse water onto the floor.

Ji Feihua's gaze fell on the two panicked palace maids. She coldly huffed, "Servants, is this how you attend the Talented Person? Get out now!"

The two palace maids, frightened, forgot about Wen Ya, rose, bowed apologetically, and fled, showing just how arrogant and domineering Ji Feihua had become in the inner palace.

Wen Ya softly sighed, "They're just ignorant children; Eunuch Ji, why be so harsh with them?"

A strange light flickered in Ji Feihua's eyes; facing this newly arrived Talented Person, she showed no trace of timidity, still able to keep her composure—truly extraordinary. No wonder that old thing Wen Chenghuan had high hopes for her.

Ji Feihua stepped forward and said, "What status does a Talented Person have? How could such clumsy servants attend her, or should the Zajia personally attend?" He repeatedly called her Talented Person while referring to himself as the Zajia, clearly showing he didn't regard this newcomer at all.

Hu Xiaotian secretly worried for Wen Ya; given Ji Feihua's ruthless nature, she could easily snap Wen Ya's neck. In today's imperial palace, she can turn clouds and rain—who would dare say no?

Wen Ya said, "I wouldn't dare trouble Eunuch Ji; Little Beard, you come—you've always attended me."

All eyes gathered on Hu Xiaotian; if Wen Ya hadn't mentioned him, he would have remained overlooked all day. Hu Xiaotian felt his scalp tighten—Wen Ya, Wen Ya, you're trying to drag me into this!

Ji Feihua's phoenix eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian, a hint of smile at her lips: "Little Beard, didn't you hear the Talented Person's words?"

"Yes!" Hu Xiaotian could only walk over, first washing his hands in the basin beside the bath, then approaching Wen Ya.

Wen Ya said, "Little Beard, fetch the robe for me."

"Yes!"

Ji Feihua, however, said, "The Talented Person hasn't washed her hair yet." He gave Hu Xiaotian a look; Hu Xiaotian reluctantly picked up the ladle from the floor, came to Wen Ya's side, Wen Ya lifted her head, black hair like clouds, disheveled at the pond's edge, Hu Xiaotian scooped a spoonful of clear water and slowly rinsed Wen Ya's hair. Wen Ya closed her beautiful eyes; amid the rising steam she was breathtakingly beautiful. If yesterday Hu Xiaotian had only seen a vague back view, today he got a close, clear look—a true marvel, indeed a marvel! Emerging from the mire unstained, washed in clear ripples not alluring, every strand of hair, every inch of skin radiated a beauty that moved the heart.

Speaking of clumsiness, Hu Xiaotian takes the cake; although he's been in the palace a while, he's never personally attended anyone, so washing Wen Ya's hair is just going through the motions—he himself doesn't even know his own weight.

Ji Feihua secretly amused by Hu Xiaotian's clumsy hair-washing, then saw Wen Ya's brows slightly furrow—obviously he'd tugged her hair painfully. Ji Feihua asked, "Are you still accustomed to life in this palace, Talented Person?"

Wen Ya still kept her eyes closed, softly saying, "Thanks to Eunuch Ji's favor, everything has been arranged properly and thoroughly."

Ji Feihua said, "If anything is lacking, just speak up; the Emperor cares deeply for the Talented Person, and if he knew we were neglectful, His Majesty would certainly be displeased."

Wen Ya said, "Thank you, Eunuch Ji; when I see the Emperor, I will surely tell him all your kindness toward me."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't resist tugging a lock of her hair; Wen Ya winced, biting her lip. Actually Hu Xiaotian meant well, intending to remind her to speak politely before Ji Feihua, lest she provoke him and end up with blood staining the lotus pond.

In Ji Feihua's view, Hu Xiaotian pulling Wen Ya's hair was just him venting his own frustration, and he felt great. He drawled, "Then the Zajia still owes the Talented Person thanks."

Wen Ya was about to retort, but Hu Xiaotian then scooped a spoonful of water and drenched her head and face, leaving her unable to breathe, let alone speak a word.

Ji Feihua said, "After serving long by the Emperor's side, you'll know what to say and what not to say; never speak recklessly, or you'll make the Emperor unhappy, and if the Emperor is unhappy we servants will be unhappy too—how could the Emperor then have the heart to manage state affairs? If the Emperor neglects governance, Dakang's affairs will fall into ruin, and ultimately the myriad common people will suffer."

Wen Ya began, "Your Majesty—" she had wanted to say that as the palace she dare not meddle in state affairs, but having uttered just those two characters, Hu Xiaotian doused her with another spoonful of water, his intent clear: he didn't want her to speak at all.

Ji Feihua bent down, her scallion-like fingers resting on Wen Ya's wet black hair; she spread her fingers through the strands, feeling the moisture in the hair, which felt slightly rough when wet, and each movement of her fingers caused Wen Ya's scalp to ache.

Hu Xiaotian watched Ji Feihua's move with secret alarm, hoping she wouldn't resort to violent cruelty. Ji Feihua's fingers finally landed on Wen Ya's shoulder, fingertips touching her silk-smooth skin, her phoenix eyes flashing with envy that turned to jealousy and hatred; her slender fingers extended, index finger lifting Wen Ya's chin, pinky's sharp tip pressing against her throat.

Wen Ya could clearly feel the fingertip gliding over her throat, icy and sharp like a dagger, and her delicate smooth skin broke out in gooseflesh.

Hu Xiaotian seemed to see Ji Feihua's finger stab into Wen Ya's throat, almost smelling blood, and saw the pond water turn red. He blinked—it was no illusion; a trace of red truly floated on the water.

Wen Ya, neither early nor late, unexpectedly had her period at this moment.

Ji Feihua obviously noticed the change in the water, frowned slightly in disgust, released Wen Ya's throat, stood up, and told Hu Xiaotian, "Little Beard, escort the Talented Person back to the palace."

"Yes!"

Wen Ya also hadn't expected to get her period then, and though she remained composed, before the crowd she couldn't help but blush crimson, biting her lip, and softly urged Hu Xiaotian to fetch her robe.

Ji Feihua waved her hand; the entourage of eunuchs and palace maids withdrew. Hu Xiaotian took the robe, attended Wen Ya as she stepped from the pond, and draped it over her. He felt a fire surge in his lower abdomen, forcibly suppressing his urge, averting his gaze from Wen Ya. After helping her wipe clean, Wen Ya tidied herself, dressed, and only then gradually calmed from her mortification.

Hu Xiaotian pretended to be an honest child, but his mind was full of lewd thoughts—not to mention a bit of secret glee—since Wen Ya's period meant she couldn't share the Emperor's bed tonight; bodily inconvenience aside, the imperial house places great importance on such matters, and of course he didn't want her to affect the Emperor's fortune.

When Wen Ya had finished and stepped outside, she found the other palace maids and eunuchs already gone, only Hu Xiaotian waiting for her, and a sudden indescribable feeling welled up in her heart.

Hu Xiaotian respectfully said, "Talented Person, let's return to the palace."

Wen Ya nodded, reached out a hand, Hu Xiaotian raised his right arm for her to rest upon, and holding a lantern he led her out of Muyun Pavilion. Night had fully fallen, snow began to drift down from the heavens, landing on their heads and bodies; Hu Xiaotian thoughtfully helped Wen Ya pull her cloak up to cover her still-damp hair. Wen Ya said, "It's snowing."

Hu Xiaotian grunted, then asked, "Back in Xichuan, have you ever seen snow?"

Wen Ya halted, her beautiful eyes cold: "I've told you before, I've never been to Xichuan!" This was the first time she referred to herself as "this palace" in front of Hu Xiaotian. (To be continued~^~)