Chapter Thirty-Two: Such a Realm

Xu You sighed inwardly. Though he was reluctant to see something so beautiful tainted by the filth of the mortal world, that was simply the way of human nature. There was no such thing as true, unblemished purity; the reason one perceived white was merely because the soiled side had yet to be revealed.

But what mattered most at this moment was not to dwell on why Yuan Qingqi had chosen such cruel means, but rather how to dissolve the threat posed by Lushuang before it could take shape. Thoughts flashed through Xu You’s mind like lightning, and then, putting on a serious face, he said, “No need. According to our customs in Yixing, bathing two or three times a month is quite enough! Especially for someone like me who doesn’t care for water—I bathe only two or three times a year. Let me think, the last time was during the Dragon Boat Festival…”

Qiufen blinked, seemingly unable to grasp Xu You’s meaning at first. Only two or three times a year? He must bathe at least once a day—how could she not know, having cared for him all this time? Still, after the ordeal of that night, she had grown in ways unseen and trusted Xu You implicitly. So though she knew he was lying, she simply smiled quietly at his side, saying nothing.

Lushuang was caught off guard, her lovely face paling as she unconsciously backed away two steps. The fifth day of the fifth month? It was already October! Moreover, Xu You had been traveling restlessly these past days and nights, and indeed, there was a faint scent about him that made the ladies keep their distance, which indirectly confirmed his claim.

People of their time adored beauty, especially the noblemen, who delighted in dressing in women’s clothing, painting their faces, and taking Five-Stone Powder to make their skin as fair as jade—they spared no effort in the pursuit of beauty. Who could imagine a rarity like Xu You, who bathed only once every few months?

Hesitation flickered in Lushuang’s eyes as an internal struggle played out within her. At last, she gritted her teeth, her slender waist swaying almost imperceptibly, enough to make the room’s temperature rise sharply. Her bright eyes darted a quick glance at Xu You, and a blush spread from her ears down her fair neck. The mixture of shyness and a hint of longing in her manner was enough to make even a sage break his vows. She said, “It’s been several months since the Dragon Boat Festival. Young Master, isn’t it time for another bath? Besides, our Yuan Manor is renowned for its ingenuity—the bathhouse in this elegant residence is unlike any other. Don’t you wish to see it for yourself?”

The habit of bathing traced back to ancient times. Even in the Shang Dynasty, the characters for “washing” and “bathing” appeared in oracle bone inscriptions. The earliest known bathtubs, like the “Pan of Lord Guo” from the Zhou Dynasty and the “Twin Dragon Basin” from the Warring States period, had been recorded. By the Qin and Han Dynasties, luxurious bathhouses reserved for the nobility began to emerge. The Book of Rites first called them “bi,” but perhaps finding the character inelegant, it was later simply called a bathhouse. These often featured advanced systems for water supply, drainage, and heating, and were constructed with great care.

“Oh, is that so?” Xu You stroked his beardless chin, his eyes shining with a feigned, smoldering desire. “Now that you mention it, I do feel a bit itchy…”

A faint, almost undetectable cold smile touched Lushuang’s lips, but she hid it well by lowering her head. “Then, please follow me, Young Master. The bathhouse is just behind us.”

Xu You nodded, feigning eagerness as he stood up. Turning to Qiufen, he said, “You’ve been busy all day and must be tired. Go rest for now.”

Qiufen obediently agreed, watching as Xu You and Lushuang disappeared through a side door toward the rear of the residence. She returned to her bedchamber, hugging her knees as she sat on the couch.

Outside, moonlight poured over the courtyard, making the bamboo-surrounded abode appear like a scene from a fairyland.

And yet—

Without her young master’s return, she simply could not fall asleep, no matter how she tried!

Passing through several winding corridors, they arrived before a circular chamber built entirely of stone. Lushuang looked back and smiled, “We’re here. This is the Gentleman’s Pool.”

“Oh? Is there perhaps a Knave’s Pool as well?”

“You jest, Young Master.” Lushuang covered her mouth with a laugh, her bosom quivering gently. “The Gentleman’s Pool takes its name from the poem ‘The Gentleman Shines.’ The bathing pools in the other twenty-three guest rooms are named after verses like ‘Gathering Vetch,’ ‘Clear Men,’ ‘Wind and Rain,’ ‘Blue Collar,’ ‘Southern Hills,’ and ‘Reeds,’ but none are named for knaves… A Knave’s Pool, truly!”

“My mistake, then,” Xu You replied, his face solemn as ever—which, with his humor, made it all the more effective. “It is said, ‘Only women and petty men are hard to deal with.’ Since there is no Women’s Pool, naturally there would be no Knave’s Pool either!”

Lushuang could not restrain herself and laughed so hard she had to steady herself on the doorframe. Her wide sleeve fell away, revealing skin as smooth and delicate as lotus root, which glimmered in the moonlight, dazzling to behold. Her supple waist swayed forward, and her skirt arched, accentuating her rounded hips. With her back to Xu You, the sight was temptingly inviting.

Were this body still that of the former Seventh Son of the Xu family, by now he would have pounced upon her like a starving tiger, forgoing the bath altogether and pulling Lushuang into the most intimate of acts right then and there. But the present Xu You, having wandered through countless gardens in his past life, possessed a willpower rivaling that of the most devout monk. Had Lushuang turned to look at that moment, she would have seen only clarity and an icy resolve in his eyes, utterly lacking the confusion or lust she expected.

After a while, Lushuang straightened and said, “Please, Young Master, come in and take a look.”

The bathhouse was a classic example of Persian style—a circular ceiling divided by four beams stretching to the walls, with intricate reliefs and colored decorations making the room a marvel to behold. At the center stood a three-tiered lotus stone basin, exquisitely carved, with three outlets shaped like tortoises, from which pure water gushed into the pool. Steps descended into the pool, which was deep enough at its center to cover one’s forehead. A furnace beneath the pool kept the water at a pleasant temperature. Ceramic drains were set around the edges, along with stone couches for resting. Dozens of candles, made from some unknown material, flickered like neon lights, casting a hazy, ambiguous glow over the scene.

Xu You suddenly recalled that such candles were mentioned in “The Tang Stories of the Kaiyuan and Tianbao Era.” It was said that Prince Ning loved music and beauty, and someone once presented him with a hundred candles—at night, he would invite courtesans to sit with him, drinking wildly; the candles would dim, cloaking the room in shadow, then brighten again when the revels ceased. Candles were a luxury in ancient times, and in the homes of the wealthy, their quality and effect surpassed anything an ordinary household could hope for.

“What flower does Young Master favor?”

Still examining the bathhouse, Xu You replied casually, “Chrysanthemums, I suppose. ‘Of all the flowers, I favor the chrysanthemum most; when it has bloomed, no others remain.’”

A look of astonishment flickered across Lushuang’s face. She gazed silently at Xu You’s tall, straight back for a long while, then bowed her head and moved to the side, her steps unconsciously growing slower and heavier.

She selected a basket from a row of bamboo containers, brought it to the pool, and scattered its contents into the water. Instantly, a faint scent of chrysanthemums filled the room.

After all, Xu You was a scion of the Xu family of Yixing, well-traveled and knowledgeable. He recognized this as a secret Yuan family blend—its ingredients, process, and method of preservation closely guarded secrets, known only to a chosen few within the household. Such secrecy was necessary, for the great clans were constantly competing in displays of wealth in every aspect of life. Bathing fragrances were a particular status symbol, appearing in such contests far more often than other items. If a family could produce a unique blend, they could immediately outshine their rivals.

“What a lovely scent!” Xu You stepped behind Lushuang, leaned in, and inhaled softly. “But tell me, is it the water in the pool that smells so sweet, or is it your own fragrance?”

Lushuang’s pretty face flushed again. Whether it was genuine or not, her ability to blush so instantly was something Xu You had never seen before. Sensing his advance, her delicate shoulders shrank away, and her cheeks reddened as if painted with rouge.

Xu You chuckled, moving closer, and reached out to lift a lock of her hair. “To love but not to see, scratching one’s head in longing?”

There has long been debate among scholars as to whether the Book of Songs is a collection of erotic poetry—opinions are divided. Some see in “The Odes of Qi” tales of secret trysts, and in “The Odes of Zheng” hints of wild encounters. Xu You’s line, from “The Quiet Maiden,” is simple in meaning: a young man and woman secretly meet, but the girl hides herself, leaving the boy to scratch his head in frustration. Used here and now, Xu You seemed to be teasing Lushuang for her coyness, as if she were purposely keeping him at arm’s length, making him burn with longing. In this moment, the playful flirtation of youth transformed into the subtle ambiguity of adult passion.

This was seduction in its highest form.

With a soft moan, Lushuang seemed utterly undone by his words. Her jade-like back leaned against his firm chest, as if she’d been burned by fire. Suddenly, she darted away, turned to face him, and stood there gracefully, her eyes brimming with tears—half in entreaty, half in invitation. “Young Master, would you allow me to help you undress and bathe?”

Xu You nodded eagerly. “Of course, but this pool is so large—how will you manage to serve me?”

Lushuang shot him a look, biting her lip. “How do the maids of the Xu household attend to their young master?”

“Why, they simply undress and join me in the pool, obediently!”

Lushuang stamped her foot, feigning indignation. “Young Master is teasing me!”

Her charm nearly overcame even Xu You’s formidable restraint. He silently recited a mantra against feminine wiles and said, “Not willing? Then I’ll leave…”

He turned as if to go. Lushuang hurriedly called, “Young Master, wait!”

Xu You stopped, grinning wickedly. “Will you undress or not?”

Lushuang protested, “I thought you, with your eloquence and learning, were a refined man—but you’re no different from other men!” Even as she spoke, she untied her sash and slowly slipped off her outer dress, revealing white undergarments beneath.

These “stockings” were not the socks of later eras, but rather the name for women’s underclothes at the time. During the Southern Dynasties, a poet named Liu Huan wrote, “The small stockings suit her waist,” and there was also a kind of jeweled stocking used to bind the chest, showing that the shaping effect of underwear was already understood then.

Xu You was stunned for a moment, then found himself stepping forward, hands already on his robe as if to undress. Lushuang, blushing fiercely, stared at his hands, her heart pounding wildly.

Suddenly, Xu You clutched his stomach and groaned, “Ah, what misfortune! At a time like this, my belly aches… You go ahead into the water and wait for me. I’ll return after a quick visit to the privy.”

Not forgetting to snatch up Lushuang’s discarded dress as he left, he put on the look of someone afraid she’d run away. “Remember, you mustn’t leave. If you do, I’ll report you to Lord Yuan for disrespect! But with such delicate flesh, how could I bear to part with you?”

With that, he left the bathhouse holding his stomach, locked the door from outside, then returned to the residence and summoned a maid. “Who is in charge of tending the fire under the bathhouse?”

The maid named two women. Xu You scolded, “You can’t even manage such a small task. The water inside is so hot you could cook rice in it! Go tell them to stop the fire—there’s no need to keep it going tonight. And as for the rest of you, stay in your rooms unless I summon you. If anyone disturbs me and Lushuang while we bathe, I will not forgive it lightly.”

The maid, trembling with fear, hurried away to recall the women watching the fire, then obediently joined the other maids in their quarters. Xu You, still worried they might sneak back, bolted the small door that led to the bathhouse corridor. Only after settling everything did he return to his room, grinning mischievously at his own success.