On ordinary days, Xiao Xun'er was meticulous with herself.
Even a speck of dust on her robes was intolerable, and she would change her clothes several times a day to remain spotless.
But now, after last night's entanglement, her delicate skin carried the faint sheen of sweat and the lingering heat of his touch.
It made her feel uncomfortable, as though countless tiny ants were crawling over her body. She wanted nothing more than to cleanse herself.
"Come on," Ye Chen's voice broke her thoughts, calm yet commanding. "Take off your clothes."
Her lashes trembled, and her face burned crimson.
His hand moved before she could even think, tugging lightly at the ribbon around her waist.
With a practiced pull, the knot slipped loose, and her purple skirt sagged dangerously.
Xun'er's breath caught. She clutched at the fabric with both hands, heart racing. "M-Master… I can do it myself."
Her voice was soft, lacking strength. She wanted to resist, yet the memory of his body pressed against hers last night left her helplessly flustered.
Ye Chen gave her a half-smile, his tone teasing. "Why bother? Last night, I didn't just see....you let me touch everything."
Her face flamed even redder. The memory of his hands roaming her skin, the heat of his breath, the weight of his presence...it all returned vividly.
Her knees pressed tightly together beneath the folds of her skirt.
Ye Chen's fingers brushed along her waist as he loosened the silk. The smooth fabric slid down her legs in a whisper, pooling silently at her feet.
The girl bit her lip, turning her head aside. The air of the room caressed her exposed skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
One by one, he removed the rest of her garments. Pale, jade-like skin emerged, gleaming faintly under the lantern light.
Her collarbone, elegant and fragile; the curve of her shoulders, soft and delicate; the faint rise and fall of her chest..mall were revealed beneath his steady, unblinking gaze.
When the final layer fell, Ye Chen's expression deepened. The marks of last night still lingered faintly across her body, reminders of their intimacy.
For a long moment, he only looked at her, and she, with trembling hands, tried futilely to shield herself.
"Get in," he finally said, voice low and steady.
Xun'er hesitated, then nodded lightly. Stepping into the steaming bathtub, she sank slowly into the water.
Ripples spread outward as the warmth enveloped her, easing her tense muscles. Her long dark hair floated on the surface like strands of silk ink brushed across parchment.
Ye Chen crouched by the edge, his eyes never leaving her. "Do you want me to join you?"
Her body tensed. She curled her arms around her knees beneath the water. "No…" The word was barely audible, trembling like a string plucked too hard.
His smirk returned. "Then… should I help you wash?"
Again, her head shook quickly. "No…"
The water swirled as she sank deeper, but her smooth shoulders and back remained exposed, glistening in the steam.
Her attempts at hiding only highlighted her beauty.
Ye Chen chuckled, his voice carrying a lazy warmth. "After last night, is it really necessary to act this shy?"
The steam filled the air, wrapping the room in a hazy veil.
Xun'er leaned against the tub, her damp hair clinging to her collarbone, her eyes shining like stars through the mist.
She pressed her arms to her chest, trying to shield herself, but the faint movements only emphasized her delicate curves.
So smooth. So flawless.
Ye Chen's gaze lingered. He couldn't look away.
Finally, Xun'er whimpered softly, her voice breaking the silence. "Master… please…"
That pitiful tone struck him harder than he expected. Ye Chen blinked and forced himself to turn aside. "All right."
As he shifted his gaze, his eyes caught the faint red mark still on her cheek.
The sight made his chest tighten slightly.
After a pause, he reached into his spatial ring and withdrew a small jade bottle.
Uncorking it, he poured a few drops of shimmering liquid into the water. The surface hissed softly, releasing a rich, refreshing fragrance that spread with the steam.
Xun'er tilted her head, suspicion flickering across her delicate features. "Master… what is that?"
"Don't be nervous." Ye Chen's tone was calm. "It's Purple Jade Spiritual Liquid. It will heal your wounds and soothe your body."
The look he gave her carried a hint of mockery, as if to say: What did you think I was adding....some kind of drug?
Her face burned hotter. Lowering her gaze, she whispered, "I… I'm sorry, Master…" Her voice trembled with guilt, the tips of her ears scarlet.
Ye Chen exhaled, his voice softer this time. "Enough. Just bathe in peace. I won't disturb you further."
He moved to a nearby couch, leaning back as the faint herbal fragrance filled the chamber.
"Thank you, Master…" Xun'er murmured, her words so light they almost vanished into the steam.
Her voice was filled with guilt, with tenderness, with something she herself couldn't name.
Seeing that Ye Chen wasn't angry, Xiao Xun'er finally felt a trace of relief in her chest.
Perhaps it was because she had grown used to his frequent roughness over the past days that the sudden display of restraint and gentleness now felt almost… foreign.
And yet..against her will...it stirred something strange in her heart.
Her gaze lingered on his back. Maybe… Master isn't always cruel.
At that moment, Ye Chen suddenly retrieved something large from his spatial ring. With a soft thump, a spacious, plush bed appeared, its sheets pristine and inviting.
"Put your change of clothes on the bed," he said casually.
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