Chapter 34: A Chance Encounter with a Bathing Beauty

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“What was that sound?”

Shen Xianyue paused mid-step and glanced back.

“Nothing. Probably the chickens flapping around.”

The man was clearly even more nervous now. He slammed the door shut and hurried inside.

“Miss, don’t you think that man is acting strangely?”

“He is rather strange. Come on, let’s go back first!”

After returning to the residence, Shen Xianyue thought it over again and again. She had to find someone to investigate. Mr. Dou was her teacher; she could not simply ignore the matter if something had truly happened to him.

She ran through everyone she could use in her mind, only to realize that, apart from Yingxia, there was no one at her disposal.

Unfortunately, Yingxia was incapable of handling an investigation.

“Come on. We’re going to find the Marquis Champion.”

Shen Xianyue decided to shamelessly trouble him once more. Since she already owed him a favor, owing him two would make little difference. When one had too many lice, there was no point worrying about the itch.

The courtyard outside remained bleak and desolate. Shen Xianyue glanced into the yard and said to Yingxia, “Wait here and keep an eye on things. I’m going to discuss something with the marquis.”

Yingxia nodded and resumed her seat beside the same table as before, keeping watch for Shen Xianyue.

Preoccupied with her thoughts, Shen Xianyue walked absentmindedly to the door and gave a soft knock.

“Come in.”

Only after receiving permission did Shen Xianyue push open the door and enter. But why was the room filled with swirling steam?

And why was it so hot?

She cautiously took a few steps forward when a voice came from behind the folding screen.

“Where is the hot water? Why haven’t you brought it in yet?”

Clang!

Startled, Shen Xianyue knocked the clothes draped over the screen to the floor. Only after hearing those words did she belatedly realize that Xiao Tuy u was taking a bath!

In broad daylight, he was actually bathing!

And she had somehow barged in by mistake.

What was she supposed to do now? If Xiao Tuy u saw her, would he think she had deliberately come to take advantage of him?

Although he was extraordinarily handsome, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist—

Bah, bah, bah! Shen Xianyue, where had her thoughts wandered? She had come to ask him for help!

“Why are you dawdling? Hurry up and bring it over!”

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Xiao Tuy u had already called out impatiently, but Shen Xianyue was on the verge of tears. How was she supposed to get out now? In this situation, leaving would only make her even harder to explain!

Perhaps she should simply sneak away and pretend she had never entered?

Yes. That was the way.

Having made up her mind, Shen Xianyue bent low and tiptoed toward the door. The steam made her cheeks burn scarlet. Had there been a mirror in the room, she would have seen that her face was so red it looked ready to drip blood.

“Xuanqing?”

Xiao Tuy u spoke again, making Shen Xianyue shudder.

This was bad—terribly bad! She absolutely could not let him see her!

She quickened her pace. She was almost at the door when a furious shout suddenly rang out behind her.

“How dare you, thief! How dare you commit murder in broad daylight!”

With a crash, the folding screen toppled to the floor. Xiao Tuy u stood there in nothing but a pair of shorts, his upper body bare. His long black hair was wet and hung down his back, while a long sword in his hand pointed straight at Shen Xianyue.

Droplets of water clung to his honey-colored chest, sliding along the contours of his muscles before disappearing beneath his clothing.

In this supremely awkward atmosphere, Shen Xianyue’s first thought was actually: The Marquis Champion certainly has an impressive physique!

“Xianyue?”

Realizing that she had been openly staring at his body, Shen Xianyue hurriedly lowered her head. Her face felt as though it were about to catch fire. Her lips moved, but she had no idea what to say.

Xiao Tuy u also realized that his current appearance was not exactly suitable for conversation. He used his sword to lift the clothes scattered across the floor, then swiftly turned around and put them on before facing her again.

“I wasn’t doing it on purpose. I knocked, and you told me to come in, so I did.”

Shen Xianyue’s voice was barely louder than a mosquito’s. She kept her head lowered, not daring to look at him.

“I thought… I thought Xuanqing had brought in the hot water!”

The moment she finished speaking, Xuanqing threw open the door and entered.

“My lord, the hot water is ready. I—”

Upon seeing the chaotic scene inside, he swallowed the rest of his sentence.

“I’ll go check again. It seems it isn’t hot enough yet.”

He even considerately closed the door behind him and said to Yingxia, who was standing guard outside, “I have something else to attend to. Guard the room well.”

Yingxia had no idea what had happened inside. Puffing out her chest, she declared with absolute confidence, “Don’t worry. With me here, not even a fly will get inside!”

Shen Xianyue covered her face. Her maid was loyal, certainly, but she was not exactly clever.

Thanks to Xuanqing’s interruption, the awkwardness in the room finally eased a little. Shen Xianyue cleared her throat.

“I came to ask the marquis for help, but I didn’t realize you were bathing.”

Then she added under her breath, “I had no idea anyone bathed in broad daylight.”

Xiao Tuy u’s ears burned fiercely, and his throat tightened. Even his voice sounded different when he spoke.

“I had just finished practicing my punches and was covered in sweat.”

“Oh.”

“Actually, I bathe at this hour every day!”

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The instant he said it, Xiao Tuy u wanted to slap himself twice. He could have simply explained the situation. Why had he said that? He was only making things sound more suspicious.

“You… sit down. Sit down and tell me what happened. What do you need my help with?”

But when he turned around, he saw the state of the room. The enormous folding screen lay overturned on the floor, and a considerable amount of water had splashed out of the tub. The floor was soaked, and even the chairs were dotted with droplets.

Xiao Tuy u picked up one of his discarded garments, quickly wiped the water away, and laid it before Shen Xianyue.

Then he set the fallen screen back in place.

“It’s like this. I’d like to ask the marquis to investigate someone.”

“Investigate someone? Has that person bullied you?”

“No, no. It’s one of my teachers. We haven’t seen her in a long time, and her family seems rather strange. I want someone to check whether she is at home.”

“All right. I’ll have Xuanqing look into it shortly and tell you later.”

Shen Xianyue nodded hastily. The atmosphere was far too awkward. If she stayed any longer, she had no idea how red her face might become. It would be better to leave as soon as possible.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Shen Xianyue rose to go, but Xiao Tuy u called after her.

“You haven’t told me where your teacher lives.”

Shen Xianyue inwardly cursed herself. Because she was so nervous, she had actually forgotten something so important.

“She lives at the very end of the third alley on East Street. It’s the house on the right.”

With that, Shen Xianyue gathered up her skirts and hurried out the door. Watching her flee, Xiao Tuy u’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“Miss, why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?”

“Don’t say another word. Hurry up and go!”

The voices of mistress and maid gradually faded into the distance. Xuanqing waited until they had left the courtyard before daring to enter. The moment he stepped inside, he saw his normally stern master with slightly flushed cheeks and a trace of sweetness in his smile.

For a moment, Xuanqing genuinely did not know whether he should go in.

Would he be punished for interrupting his master’s romantic moment?

“What are you standing at the door for? Come in.”

With the order given, Xuanqing immediately entered, smiling with an almost ingratiating air.

“This truly wasn’t intentional on my part. I had no idea Miss Shen had come. If I had known…”

“All right. That isn’t important. There is something else I need you to do.”