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Translatorâs notes:
Iâm going to be nice and not leave you hanging on the previous cliff. The sponsored chapter bar isnât quite filled up all the way, but I will adjust the goal this time and release it early as appreciation to everyone who donated while the bar was full in the past. Also in appreciation of everyoneâs kind comments. Although I limit replies to questions and suggestions regarding the translation, I read every one of your comments, and they (as the author likes to say) âmake my heart blossom in happinessâ. Thank you to Insomnia and Yannieee for sponsoring this chapter.
Also, trigger warning for this chapter. Please check the tags on Novel Updates for this book.
**********
The heavy curtains surrounded the bed in its own little space. Under these circumstances, Xiao Hua inexplicably felt very panicked in her heart.
Focusing on her worries made her hands stop moving.
A muffled and somewhat hoarse voice sounded, âDonât stop.â
Only then did Xiao Hua realize the prince was actually still awake. She could only continue massaging the Jing Prince. Due to the chaos in her heart, her hands were no longer as focused.
The air was filled with an indescribable scent. It wasnât incense, but Xiao Hua could small a rich fragrance. Under her hands was a firm back. The clothes were very thin, as though they werenât there.
Badump badump badump badumpâŠ..
Whose heartbeat was this? Was it hers? Or was it the Jing Princeâs?
At this moment, her mind actually went completely blank.
Suddenly the heavens and earth overturned, and when Xiao Hua came back to her senses she was already lying on the bed.
Above her were the pair of long and slender apathetic eyes. A sudden misstep and one would be sucked into them as though falling into a whirlpool, unable to free oneself. When Xiao Hua came back to herself once again, a pair of hands were unbuttoning her clothes.
What should she do? What should she do? What should she do?
Although she had known in her heart Eunuch Fuâs intentions, after such a long time and seeing the Jing Princeâs apathy and disinterest in women, Xiao Hua had already forgotten the implications.
This sudden turn of events however instantly threw her mind into chaos.
To refuse, she definitely didnât dare refuse, and didnât dare think of the consequences of such a refusal. He was the master, and she was the servant. She was already scared of Eunuch Fu, let alone Eunuch Fuâs master his highness the Jing Prince.
The hands unbuttoning her clothes continued to do so.
She should reach out and grab his hands, preventing him from doing so. But she was shaking all over and didnât dare resist.
In that instant Xiao Hua thought about many things. She thought about all the implications in Eunuch Fuâs actions, including his favorable treatment and his taking advantage of the situation. She also thought of Xiu Yun who was beaten to death, and thought of her past life.
So be it, so be it. She was a servant after all, no matter how she tried she couldnât escape from her lot in lifeâŠa servant never had any so-called innocence to speak of, why still care about her body?
At this moment, Xiao Hua even remembered her initial suspicions regarding whether the Jing Prince was a man or not, and inexplicably found it to be rather amusingâŠ.
*******
The silhouettes of two evil spirits slowly retreated outside the inner hallâs doors.
A voice quiet as a mosquito sounded out, âMaster, did we succeed?â
Eunuch Fuâs heart was almost happy to the point of blooming, but didnât know how to express the joy in his heart. He could only rub his fingers vigorously while maintaining a profound appearance on the outside.
He didnât know that this appearance was vulgar no matter how one looked. An Chen just didnât dare to say so.
âYou sure have a lot to say you brat.â Right after speaking, Eunuch Fu started laughing mischievously while suppressing his voice, and along with the pitch black night, he gave off an incomparably weird feeling.
âYou keep watch over here, your master is going to go rest. Listen closely to the happenings inside, make sure you hear everything. Thoroughly report back to me tomorrow.â After speaking, Eunuch Fu smiled mysteriously, patted An Chenâs shoulder and walked away with large strides.
An Chen made a bitter face, shrunk his neck down and stood outside the door.
Master was really inhumane. Running off by himself and forcing him to remain and eavesdrop. He definitely planned to ask a bunch of vulgar questions afterwards as well. But as a subordinate, since his master had spoken he might as well stand obediently.
An Chen thought bitterly in his heart, but still perked up his ears and listened in on the movements inside. Although he complained, he didnât dare ignore his masterâs orders.
***
Xiao Hua carefully moved a little, looking at the Jing Prince who was next to her.
Seeing him fast asleep, she grabbed her clothes and carefully got off the bed. Unfortunately her legs didnât have any strength left to stand and her body was sore all over, falling all at once to sit on the soft carpet.
The fall made the grievance in her heart spill out, and she couldnât stop herself from hugging her clothes and crying.
She had already tried her best to control her movements, but underestimated the alertness of the man on the bed.
Actually the Jing Prince had awoken when Xiao Hua got off the bed. Just as he was wondering what she was up to, he saw her fall clumsily onto the floor and, perhaps due to the pain of the fall, actually started crying while hugging her clothes.
He half-squinted his eyes and lay on the bed, looking at the delicate silhouette on the floor. Compared to his normal appearance, the alcohol gave him a hint of unbridled demonic charm.
Xiao Huaâs heart was in disorder and she cried for a spell on the floor. When she was finally done crying, she planned on putting on her clothes and leaving, but the moment she raised her head she met the pitch-black apathetic eyes and tranquil expression of the Jing Prince.
At this moment she was a mess of tears, her eyes and nose were both red, her eyes damp. In contrast, the Jing Prince lying on the bed somehow looked a little reprehensible.
Xiao Hua dared to be angry but didnât dare speak.
The surroundings were extremely quiet and she didnât know what to say. She wanted to put on her clothes, but since there was someone else present she could only blankly sit there hugging her clothes, her face extremely red.
It was the Jing Princeâs voice that broke the silence.
âWhy cry?â
 Xiao Hua gave him a look of disbelief. The princeâs expression was as calm and unmoved as ever, and there were no fluctuations in his gaze.
He actually asked what she was crying about. She had just lost her innocence in such a baffling manner, how could she not be crying?
But on second thoughts, when masters slept with their servants thatâs how it usually happens. Thinking further about the Jing Princeâs status, Xiao Hua became silent.
âIt, it hurts.â She could only put it this way.
He saw the marks on the low-ranked palace maidâs shoulders. Were those made by him? Unlike his usual self, the prince knitted his brows. After some thought, he spoke: âPrepare water.â
His voice wasnât loud, but a voice sounded quickly from outside the curtains.
âYes.â
Xiao Hua was afraid someone would come in and see her sorry appearance, and wanted to drape the clothes over herself, but they ended up falling off again due to her trembling. She felt very pitiful, there simply wasnât anyone more tragic than her.
Luckily the person outside didnât enter. She only heard footsteps outside the curtain and after a moment heard the voice once more: âYour highness, the water is prepared. Is this servantâs service needed?â
âNo need.â
Hearing the footsteps leave, Xiao Hua turned her back and swiftly put on her blouse. Unfortunately it was too short to cover her lower half. She struggled to put on her skirt without revealing anything. Her body was curled up like a meatball, and would occasionally roll over here and there. The Jing Prince watched with a sort of very incredulous feeling. He didnât understand what this low-ranked palace maid was doing.
Could it be that she was shy? But, what was there to be shy about?
The Jing Prince put on his underwear and got off the bed, walking barefoot towards the bathroom.
âFollow.â
Xiao Hua had a face full of astonishment. Was this person even human? She was hurting all over and he still wanted her to bathe him?
Despite thinking this, she still stood up silently, randomly tying her dress on her body and followed him with shaking legs.
After entering the bathroom, Xiao Hua saw that it was lavishly arranged. There wasnât a bathtub like those she had seen in the past. Instead there was a pool made of white marble.
The pool was around two square zhang, with steps on either side leading into the water. There was a copper beast-head fountain in the middle where warm water flowed out slowly. Streams of steam filled the room, making it seem like the island of immortals.
The Jing Prince entered the pool and sat down against the side. Xiao Hua held the rest of her clothes in hand and stood there foolishly.
The Jing Prince glanced at her expressionlessly, âBathe.â
Xiao Hua hesitantly looked at the water in the pool, and then at herself. After thinking for a while, she still put her clothes to the side and entered the pool.
The water temperature was just right, not too cold and not too warm. Xiao Hua had felt numb, stiff and a little cold, and immediately felt many times more comfortable and warm. But she didnât dare delay and hurriedly walked over.
She had never served a man in the bath before. Her only experience was when serving the 4<sup>th</sup> young master in her past life, so she did her best to remember what she had done then. She saw a tray by the pool containing soap and towel, and quickly grabbed it over to help the prince scrub his back.
The Jing Prince lay spread out against the side, watching the busy low-ranked palace maid next to him.
What was her name again? Xiao Hua.
This was what Eunuch Fu had told him last time. The name was really unsophisticated.
The steam brought out the delicate colors under her fair skin. Her clothes were already soaked by the water, and like a lotus flower blooming on the water surface, she seemed even more tender and beautiful.
Eunuch Fu really knew how to pick people, the Jing Prince thought silently.
Because Xiao Hua was inexperienced, the bath naturally took a long time. However, the Jing Prince didnât hurry her so she took it slowly. There was to some extent some resentment in her heart. She even thought that it would be best if he got angry and threw her far away. That way, there wouldnât be anything else in the future.
But unexpectedly the Jing Prince didnât say anything, only sweeping his gaze over her body, making the hairs on her body inexplicably stand up.
Looking at the slender waist beneath the surface of the water, the limbs and the faintly discernible scene, the Jing Prince started to heat up again.
He felt a little jittery in his heart since he never felt this way before. He was never someone who focused on such things. But thinking of this low palace maid who was crying and begging underneath him earlier, his body actually started to have a reaction again.
The Jing Prince was a simple person. Although he was now sober, the alcohol still stimulated his brain, making his actions rather unbridled. Therefore he listened to his desires, and with a grab of his large hands, pulled her over. Although she pleaded for mercy with her red rimmed eyes, he still went for another round.
Afterwards, perhaps because the Jing Prince was feeling comfortable, he opened his mouth in a rare occasion and spoke quite a few words.
âThis humble prince shall have Eunuch Fu arrange a pavilion in the back for you to live in.â The western three pavilions were located behind the Hall of Splendor, and this was what he meant by âin the backâ.
This was Xiao Huaâs first time hearing the prince say so many words, but he ended up saying this.
âNo, no need,â She reflexively shook her hand, saying quietly: âThis servant is doing quite well working here.â
Xiao Hua had an extremely bad impression towards the words ârear courtâ. The places that held harems made her think of some experiences in her past life.
The Jing Princeâs expression didnât change. He stood up and walked out of the pool.
Xiao Hua thought her words had angered him so she shrunk her neck and didnât dare raise her head though her heart was extremely disordered.
After an unknown amount of time passed, a voice suddenly rang out by her ear.
âBig sis Xiao Hua.â
Xiao Hua raised her head and saw Chun Cao standing by the pool. She hurriedly wiped away her tears and asked: âChun Cao, why are you here?â
âEunuch An had me come bathe you.â After speaking, Chun Cao crouched down and slowly helped Xiao Hua scrub her body. As though not noticing the irregularities on her body, her face didnât show any strange expressions.
This made Xiao Hua feel a lot better in her heart, though she knew it was just an act.
Chun Cao had even brought over a set of Xiao Huaâs clothing. After finishing up, she carefully helped the shaky Xiao Hua put them on, and supported her out of the hall.
On the way back to the palace maidsâ room, Xiao Hua felt uncomfortably stuffy in her heart, wanting to cry but unable to do so.
Back at the room, she lay in bed and covered herself with her blankets. It was already very late at night.
The lights were blown out and the room was plunged into darkness.
Xiao Hua wanted to have a good cry but was afraid Chun Cao would hear and think she was unreasonable.
She knew many palace maids would think this way. The moment one ascended to the skies, there was no need to worry about riches and status anymore. But she truly had never wanted this.
She had wanted to be released at twenty-five, but this seems to be a little difficult now. It wasnât known if a palace maid who had served the Jing Prince without any status would still be released once they reached the age.
She didnât regret refusing a pavilion in the western three pavilions. She knew her vision wasnât broad enough. She wasnât even able to win against the bunch of girls in the Jingyang Marquis Estate. If she went to the Jing Princeâs rear court, there most likely wouldnât be anything left of her.
Most importantly, she hated that sort of life. The life of having to struggle against others every waking moment.
She spent the night wide awake, her mind full of various thoughts. Only when the sky started getting bright did she fall deeply asleep.
Translatorâs notes part 2:
This wasnât quite the order of progression I had expected and seemed a little out of character for the prince. I hope you guys arenât too disappointed. However, considering the difference in their status, his inexperience in interacting with women, his unfortunate ending in his past life, and what was common in ancient times, perhaps this was the fastest and most realistic way for things to progress. I viewed bed scenes as the final goal of their relationship, but it seems that itâs actually just a means for their relationship to begin. I think this novel will be focusing on the blockhead princeâs transformation into someone caring.