Da Li Temple - Chapter 50

Chapter 50 (1)
Hot Spring

The morning mists dispersed, leaving a flavor in the air left by the night rain. It was wet and sticky, like Lin Wanqing’s mood. She leaned back slightly, leaning against the wall of the swaying carriage, and swept her gaze around, seemingly unintentionally peeking over the person sitting face-to-face with her. Sharing a carriage with Lord Su, who was silent and dark-faced, was boring. He didn’t seem to lose his temper. It’s been three days since the last time they quarreled, and Su Moyi not only had a cold face every time he saw her, but he also stayed elsewhere for several days in a row. Not knowing what he said to Official Zhang, now even he knows about their argument and tries to create conditions for them to make up repeatedly.
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For example, when Su Moyi went to the mine this time, he initially intended to avoid bringing her. Official Zhang, however, specially arranged a day trip to the mountains to let Su Moyi take her out for a stroll. The feeling of the enemy trying to set them up made Lin Wanqing feel weird.
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The carriage curtains shook, and the early sunlight outside drifted in, falling onto Su Moyi’s closed eyelids and overlaying his thick eyelashes with a layer of warm sunlight. Lin Wanqing somehow always feels that today’s Lord Su is more eye-catching. Is it possible he was eating and sleeping well when he was not around for these few days, so he nourished his skin?
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Thinking about this, she pouted, turned around, and lifted the curtain on her side, resting her chin on the edge of the window, looking at the scenery in boredom. However, when Su Moyi saw her turn around, he only felt a tightness in his chest, so suffocated that a breath would be unable to come up. She wouldn’t know that for this morning’s ride, he woke up just after dawn to freshen up. He just changed his jade crown, wore her favorite moon-white robe, and intentionally tied the belt tighter to make him appear even more handsome and upright.
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But —
She preferred to twist her head to look at the scenery. Su Moyi felt sour and helpless and secretly loosened the tight belt to smoothen his breathing. The carriage reeled, and the two people were mindful of their own business.
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After having lunch and traveling for a while, they finally stayed in a private house at the foot of the mountain. This place was supposedly Official Zhang’s private property. It was not far from the mines and was used for entertaining the dignitaries from Sheng City. Since the purpose was like this, the compound was luxurious, surrounded by mountains and water, flowers and trees, and water flowing through the courtyard, which was exquisite and unique. It was like a house built on a spring, with people walking in a painting.
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After putting the belongings in the room, Lin Wanqing and Su Moyi followed the group to a garden surrounded by trees.
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Lin Wanqing wondered what this would be when she heard the maid at her side say in a low voice: “This slave will serve Madam and Lord to wash.”
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Lin Wanqing: “……” Official Zhang seemed to like soaking in hot springs; not only did he soak himself, but he also had to drag the two of them along. But then again, after rushing on the road all morning, she was indeed tired and dusty. Even if she didn’t soak in a hot spring, she still needs to bathe and change clothes.
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Seeing Su Moyi’s face as usual as she followed the maid in, she had nothing to squirm about. After all, he has seen what should be seen and done what shouldn’t.

The hot springs here differed from those in the Zhang Mansion; they weren’t attached to a room but were several small pools in an open courtyard. One can bathe together or separately.
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Su Moyi looked like he was still angry, and Lin Wanqing didn’t intend to provoke him again actively. Therefore, after he chose a small pool, she chose another one.
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The maid changed out of her dusty servant’s dress and found the most ordinary plain white robe to put on. Lin Wanqing put her long hair behind her head, then barefooted out of the changing room.
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The moment she walked out, she was still dumbfounded. She thought she could take a bath in peace, but she never thought that Official Zhang, a corrupt official who was both corrupt and lewd, could come up with such a dirty way to curry favor with the rich and powerful.
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Those small pools from the outside look independently divided, but once inside, you will find that the distance between the pools is not far and only separated by a cloud-embroidered thin screen. Such a screen is not soundproof; it cannot block sight of vision.
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Within the steamy air, one could see the movements of the small pools in the distance. A few mine officials who came together were already playing; one can vaguely discern the figure of men and women overlapping, carrying unceasing obscene sounds and dirty language.
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Lin Wanqing tightens the corners of her mouth and turns around to leave, but she sees a few maids behind her looking at her strangely as if she is the strange one.
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Right, I almost forgot. Zhou Yipu’s concubine came from a brothel, so she should have seen these scenes before. So she could only pretend to order the maid to prepare some fruit and wine before ordering everyone to wait outside.
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The afternoon was hot, but the water temperature was just right. The shadows of the trees cast dapples on the pool; Lin Wanqing leaned against the pool wall and leisurely drank the fruit wine. She tore two pieces of rags from the corners of her robe, plugged her ears up, and didn’t remove her robe.

Actually, if you can’t hear the movement of those men and women having fun, looking at the blurred living spring palace in the distance, and sipping wine in the refreshing water with such a bright sun, it is not a bad thing. She thought so; her eyes could not help but browse around, and she soon realized that this pool should be the largest one in the courtyard because a screen separated it in the middle. Amidst the clutter of spring colors, at the other end of the screen, a figure dressed in white robes just like her abruptly came into her eyes.
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Lin Wanqing’s temples jumped once again – Su Moyi. Her hand shook, and the fruit wine cup fell into the sink. However, she didn’t even bother to fish it out but quickly became uneasy. One must know that Official Zhang had tried to bring Su Moyi to her side several times before. Although she always had confidence in Lord Su’s self-control, his performance in bed that night —
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Could it be that Su Moyi’s previous abstinent was because he didn’t know what it was like, and now that he understands what it’s like, coupled with the excitement of the lewd voices and the living palace all around him, he will ……?
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Lin Wanqing suddenly felt some discomfort in her heart. She fiercely inhaled a breath of air, headfirst dove into the water, and silently swam towards that screen.