Chapter 496: Hot Spring Bath

Chapter 496 Soaking in the Hot Springs

Xingxing arrived, and Daxisipo complained she was ruining her peace, asking why she had come.

But Daxisipo’s actions spoke louder than words—she quickly got everything ready for Xingxing.

This time, Xingxing wasn’t alone; she had brought Huya along.

Huya was the leader of Yu Yongbai’s merchant caravan. She had fought her way up through countless battles, leaving her body riddled with old scars.

On their way back to the capital, Huya’s caravan had rescued a scholar on his way to take the imperial exams. Along the journey, the two developed feelings for each other.

The scholar knelt and proposed to Huya, promising to marry her properly with all the traditional rites.

Huya initially refused but eventually found her heart swayed by his sincerity.

She went to Yu Yongbai, took out the thirty thousand taels she’d saved over the years in his caravan, and planned to buy property in the capital. She intended to marry the scholar after he finished the metropolitan civil service exams.

There was one more thing—every woman dreamed of wearing a phoenix coronet and bridal robes to marry the one she loved. But Huya’s back was covered in scars, and it made her self-conscious, wanting to lighten them before the wedding.

So this time, Huya accompanied Xingxing to seek Daxisipo’s help.

As Daxisipo mixed her potions, she scoffed, "Those scars are badges of your past battles. If my granddaughter had suffered like this, who’d dare judge her? But I get it—you young girls all want to look beautiful on your wedding day."

Huya was a delicate beauty but had a reserved personality. At these words, she dipped her head with a small smile, saying nothing.

The scars on Huya’s back were old and deep. To remove them, a harsh treatment was needed—first eating away at the scar tissue, then allowing new flesh to grow before applying healing ointments. This would make the new scars much lighter than before.

The process was clearly excruciating, but Huya showed no hesitation, agreeing without blinking.

That night, when Xingxing applied the first round of medicine, Huya lay face down on the bed, biting down hard and not making a sound. By the time Xingxing finished, Huya’s sweat had soaked through the bedding.

Even so, Huya managed a pale smile, her voice trembling weakly, "Thank you, miss."

Xingxing was heartbroken, nearly in tears.

She had already given Huya pain-relieving medicine beforehand, but the pain of having her flesh eaten away was beyond what the medicine could suppress.

Daxisipo tsked. "You can still back out now."

Huya stayed silent, and Daxisipo understood her resolve. Calling her a "stubborn thing," she gave up trying to persuade her and simply went to the kitchen to whip up a sleeping draught to help Huya sleep.

The logic was simple—if she was unconscious, she wouldn’t feel the pain.

For three days straight, Huya endured excruciating pain as the harsh medicine ate away at the scars like centipede tracks on her back, leaving gaping, bloody wounds.

Next came the healing ointments.

Before applying them, Daxisipo instructed Xingxing to take Huya to the mountain hot springs for a soak.

"Those springs have medicinal properties. They’ll take the edge off for our stubborn girl," Daxisipo said with a yawn.

She had been poisoned before, and though it hadn’t caused lasting harm, she still tired easily. She wouldn’t be joining them for the hot spring.

So Xingxing took Huya to the springs.

The medicinal hot springs were naturally formed. As the water flowed underground through certain mineral deposits, it absorbed healing properties beneficial for wounds.

Above ground, the springs formed a small, natural soaking pool.

Yu Yongbai's people had also made some small improvements to this hot spring. The surrounding pines and cypresses formed a natural barrier, making it more comfortable to soak while preserving the wild charm.

Located deep in the mountains, there was no worry of unexpected guests.

Huya removed her clothes but, unaccustomed to being naked outdoors, she put on a special bathing garment for the hot spring before slowly immersing herself in the pool.

The sulfur-infused spring water seeped into her wounds, causing Huya to shiver slightly in pain.

Yet, knowing the water was beneficial for her injuries, Huya remained silent, clenching her teeth and bearing it.

Xingxing, who had to watch over Huya, didn’t enter the spring herself and instead sat by the edge, absentmindedly splashing the water.

However, only about half an hour later, Xingxing heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

Her eyes went wide—how could anyone be out here in such a remote, uninhabited mountain?

She quickly stood up and called out, "Sister Huya!"

The scar-healing soak had sapped Huya’s strength, and she was half-asleep in the warm water. But her alertness remained, and she woke immediately at Xingxing’s call. "What’s wrong—?"

Their movements, however, had already drawn the attention of the newcomers.

—"Hold on, was that talking?"

—"I thought no one came out this far?"

Xingxing stiffened upon hearing the voices.

Wait—could that be Yu Mingzhu and Wei Shuangyan?

There were also a few other chattering voices she didn’t recognize.

Soon, the group emerged into view.

It turned out to be several elegantly dressed noble ladies, surrounded by their maids.

The maids carried baskets containing light bathrobes, clearly here for a soak.

Both Xingxing and the newcomers were frozen in surprise at the sight of each other.

Yu Mingzhu’s face twitched slightly.

Wei Shuangyan was the first to exclaim in recognition: "Lady of Blessed Peace? What are you doing here?"

Xingxing explained, "Obviously, to soak in the spring."

Yu Mingzhu chuckled lightly. "What a coincidence."

Wei Shuangyan fell silent.

Another noble lady, bright-eyed and poised, looked Xingxing over carefully before smiling sweetly. "Lady of Blessed Peace, we finally meet."

She introduced herself cheerfully, "I am Qing'an. I sent you an invite recently, asking you to visit my residence in a few days."

Xingxing realized—Qing'an, Princess Qing'an?

Wasn’t she the princess from the Ying household, the one who, along with her mother the Ying Princess Consort, had discovered her donation in the charity ledger and helped her earn the title of Township Lady?

Xingxing curtsied and said, "My respects, Your Highness."

Princess Qing'an stepped forward warmly to take Xingxing’s hand, saying, "Oh, there's no need to be so formal."

Princess Qing'an appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old—spirited but poised, and she seemed very easy to get along with.

Clearly, Princess Qing'an held the highest status among the noble ladies, including Yu Mingzhu.

Since the princess showed great interest in Xingxing, Yu Mingzhu and the others couldn’t very well protest.

"The fabled healing spring in these remote mountains was actually recommended to me by our palace's physician. We got bored with the hot springs at the estate, so we thought of trying this one in the mountains," Princess Qing'an explained cheerfully and amiably to Xingxing.