Chapter 46 - 44: You Little Maid, Such Clumsy Hands

Minghua Palace, Wuyou Pond. White mist filled the entire room, with the Luminous Pearl casting a faint, captivating glow amidst the fog. A hot spring pool came into view, with flawless jade steps and pool walls, and two green dragons soaring in the air, spouting warm spring water continuously into the pool. Nangong Mo sat in the pool with his eyes closed, as if he were dozing. Ink-black hair cascaded down, brushing his perfectly contoured profile and neck, diving into the water along his chest. In the ethereal mist, he seemed like a deity from the nine heavens palace, with jade for bones, wind and snow for divinity, and the moon as his face. Suddenly, the man’s closed eyes opened sharply, his gaze as sharp as a blade. Feng Xuan moved, darting towards the direction of the west window. A moment later, Feng Xuan returned, looking a bit troubled, "Your Highness, it’s the Princess, she... climbed in through the window, should we... ask her to leave?" Nangong Mo closed his eyes for a moment, then shook his head with a light chuckle, a bit helpless. "Feng Xuan, you may leave now." Feng Xuan felt a bit worried inside, but he always treated Nangong Mo’s words as sacred commands, without a shred of hesitation. "Your subordinate takes leave!" After Feng Xuan left for a short while, Yun Ran tiptoed in. She pulled open layer upon layer of gauze curtains, navigating like a labyrinth, and finally managed to reach the hot spring pool. The rich scent of medicine mixed with the fragrance of flowers and grass, along with the abundant heat and waves hit her face, catching Yun Ran off guard and making her sneeze, Yun Ran: "..." Is the sky set against her? Originally, she saw Guard Feng leave, and since no one was inside, she thought she could pose as Guard Feng just in case... "Who is there?" A man’s low, cold voice echoed in the air, vaguely carrying a trace of murderous aura. Yun Ran’s eyes shifted, and she pinched her throat with one hand to reply: "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager instructed me to bring some fruits in, seeing no one guarding the door, I came in. If I have offended, I beg your forgiveness." Ha! This wicked girl, telling lies without blushing or skipping a beat. "Leave the fruits and go out." Yun Ran: What a joke! How could I leave after getting in here with such difficulty? "Your Highness, I noticed you’re sweating from the bath, let me peel an orange for you to freshen up, alright?" Unprecedentedly, the man actually gave a cold ’Hmm’ in response. Yun Ran was delighted, luckily she came well-prepared. Quickly peeling an orange, she approached and offered it to his lips, "Your Highness, please enjoy." Watching the man open his mouth and eat the orange, Yun Ran’s emotions were unexpectedly complicated. [Good for you, Nangong Mo! Eating as if you’re enjoying it!] [A little palace maid sneaking in while you’re bathing, don’t you know what she’s up to?] [With no one around, a single man and woman! Aren’t you afraid she’s spiked the orange to ruin your innocence?] Just as she was feeling righteous anger, a low and enchanting voice of the man sounded in her ears. "Tastes good, keep going." Yun Ran: "..." After eating three small oranges in a row, the man spoke lazily, "Come here, give This Prince a shoulder massage." "???" He’s even asking for a massage?! Yun Ran stood behind him, glaring at the top of his head: [Dog man! Actually taking the initiative to ask for a massage?!] [Weren’t you the one who disliked close service from maids? It turns out it was all an act!] "Sure, Your Highness." I’ll massage! I’ll massage! I’ll massage you to death! Nangong Mo felt those two small, delicate hands applying nearly all their strength, harshly kneading his shoulders, and a teasing smile involuntarily curved on his lips. "Do you even know how to massage, little palace maid? Your technique is so crude!"