Xiaoxi nodded, looking a bit puzzled. "Why does the mistress ask about this?"
Song Ruotang pulled her clothes closer, put the spoon into the bowl, gently tapped the table with her fingertips, and lowered her eyes to watch the ripples spreading in the soup in the bowl. "I once heard my mother say that taking a soak in a hot spring can drive out the dampness and cure a cold, so I'm just asking."
Xiaoxi looked confused. She frowned slightly. "This servant has never heard of such a remedy..."
"Mother shouldn't lie to me." Song Ruotang smiled. "Xiaoxi, go and prepare the things for a hot - spring bath. We'll go there later."
Although Xiaoxi had never heard of this method, since Song Ruotang had already made up her mind and even mentioned what Mrs. Song had said, as a servant, she didn't dare to say much. She could only nod and do as she was told.
Song Ruotang specifically told Xiaoxi to prepare the bathing things in the evening. Xiaoxi walked behind, holding a wooden basin. She looked up at the dark sky and tugged at her sleeve. "Mistress, it snowed last night, and the wind has started to blow in the evening. How about taking the hot - spring bath tomorrow instead?"
Song Ruotang was already ill, and Xiaoxi was afraid that if she caught cold again, her illness would get worse.
But Song Ruotang was actually planning to test Pei Zhiyan, so she was determined to take this hot - spring bath.
"Don't worry. There must be mountains surrounding the hot spring, so the wind can't get in." Song Ruotang comforted her gently.
Xiaoxi thought about it and realized that it made sense, so she stopped talking.
When they arrived at the hot - spring area in the back courtyard, it was indeed surrounded by mountains on all sides. Due to the cold winter, the warm spring water was rising with mist, making it almost impossible to see the whole picture of the hot spring.
There were several screens painted with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums placed beside the hot - spring pool. The mist was swirling, making the paintings on the screens look dreamy.
Song Ruotang was helped by the maids to untie her belt and take off her clothes. She changed into a translucent lotus - pink inner long gown and then slowly walked to the poolside.
She gently touched the surface of the pool with her toe. The warmth immediately spread from the bottom up. After getting used to it, she slowly stepped into the water along the steps at the poolside.
At first, Song Ruotang didn't feel the water was too hot, but after she was completely submerged, she found that the spring water was quite warm. The mist was thick, making her cheeks flush.
Song Ruotang lay on the poolside, closing her eyes and enjoying the gentle touch of the spring water. The rising steam made her head feel a bit dizzy.
The sound of the gurgling spring water filled her ears. Xiaoxi came over with a flower basket and gently scattered plum - blossom petals into the water.
Song Ruotang opened her eyes and looked up at the sky. She estimated that it was about the time for Pei Zhiyan to come back, so she turned to Xiaoxi and said, "I saw the master gave me a cinnamon - colored rabbit - fur long gown yesterday. Go and fetch it for me."
Xiaoxi nodded and turned to leave.
Song Ruotang lowered her eyes to look at the floating petals on her chest. She stirred the water with her hand so that the fragrance of plum blossoms would also cling to her body.
Just as Xiaoxi returned to the courtyard where Song Ruotang lived, she found the rabbit - fur long gown that Song Ruotang had mentioned among the many gorgeous clothes. When she walked out of the courtyard, she happened to meet Pei Zhiyan who was coming back.
Pei Zhiyan saw her and glanced at the clothes in her hand. "Where is the mistress?"
"Replying to the master, the mistress is at the hot - spring pool." Xiaoxi bowed and replied respectfully.
When Pei Zhiyan heard the words "hot spring", he frowned. He walked up to Xiaoxi, took the clothes from her hand, and then turned and walked straight towards the back courtyard.
When Pei Zhiyan arrived, he saw the light gauze floating beside the hot - spring pool. The warm - yellow candlelight made the pool water sparkle, and the silver light was refracted on the four screens, looking extremely dazzling.
Pei Zhiyan's gaze stopped on the screen painted with white snow and red plum blossoms. Under the competing red plum blossoms, there was a beauty lying on her side. Her elegantly curved forehead, perky nose tip, and plump lips perfectly blended with the screen.
Song Ruotang was lying on the poolside, but her shadow seemed to merge into the painting, like a beauty lying under a plum - blossom tree, with a kind of sad beauty.
Pei Zhiyan slightly lowered his eyes. The fingers holding the rabbit - fur long gown tightened for a moment. He steadied his mind and walked behind the screen.
Song Ruotang was lying on the edge of the pool. The swaying spring water pushed the plum - blossom petals onto her thin back. The willow - like scar on her shoulder seemed like a touch of spring, breaking through the slight coldness by the pool and making her look charming.
There were still water droplets on Song Ruotang's face. She closed her eyes, and her eyelashes were slightly wet. Her fair skin was pink from the hot - spring soak. The light gauze on her body was soaked by the water and clung tightly to her, while the clothes under the water were like petals swaying in the wind, revealing a hint of charm.
Pei Zhiyan shifted his gaze slightly to the sparkling water surface. He slowly stepped back behind the screen and said gently, "Ruotang, it's windy. Let's go back to the courtyard first."
His gaze was fixed on the shadow on the screen. After waiting for a while, he saw that the shadow didn't move. He couldn't help but frown and called out twice more, "Ruotang? Ruotang, are you okay?"
Song Ruotang still didn't reply. Pei Zhiyan's heart sank. Not caring about the suspicion of impropriety, he had to walk back around the screen and quickly walked up to Song Ruotang.
Song Ruotang's face was flushed, and her delicate eyebrows were slightly frowned. Pei Zhiyan reached out and shook her. The poolside was slippery, and she directly slipped into the pool.
Pei Zhiyan didn't expect this situation. He quickly jumped into the pool to fish her out. Song Ruotang choked on the water and was struggling in the water. Pei Zhiyan walked over, pulled her into his arms, and lifted her out of the water.
After he laid Song Ruotang flat on the poolside, the signs of her struggle just now disappeared. Pei Zhiyan patted her face. "Ruotang?"
Song Ruotang still didn't respond. Pei Zhiyan knew that she must have choked on the water. Without hesitation, he bent down and kissed her lips to give her air, and then pressed on her chest. After repeating this several times, Song Ruotang finally spat out the water she had choked on.
She took a few deep breaths and looked at Pei Zhiyan with a dazed look in her eyes. Her voice was weak. "Master, why are you..."
Pei Zhiyan picked her up and patted her back. "Why couldn't I wake you up just now?"
Song Ruotang reached up and rubbed her temples. Her face showed a bit of pain. "I was soaking in the hot spring just now. I just felt extremely hot and then lost consciousness. It was not until I fell into the water just now..."
Pei Zhiyan reached up and touched her forehead. His frown deepened. "You're still burning." He looked at Song Ruotang again. "Why did you think of taking a hot - spring bath? Your illness isn't cured yet. This could easily make your condition worse."
After Pei Zhiyan finished speaking, Song Ruotang's eyes were already filled with tears. She bit her lower lip tightly and hung her head, like a child who had done something wrong. Her voice was weak and hoarse. "I'm sorry, I just heard from my mother that this would be good for recovery, so I..."
Song Ruotang's clothes were thin and now completely soaked and clinging to her body, revealing a hint of charm. A gust of wind blew, and the gauze curtains around fluttered. She was shivering all over.
Water droplets were still dripping from her hair tips. She looked up, and the crystal - clear tears rolled down. Her eyes were full of pleading. "Master, I know I was wrong. Don't be angry..."