It was already early summer. Even the bedchamber, cold and secluded to its very bones, could not escape the rising heat. The maidservants bustling to and fro had therefore changed into fashionable palace gowns.
Some timidly cinched their waists tight, while others boldly wrapped their breasts and hips. One raised her hair with delicate hands, exposing a stretch of jade-like, lotus-root-pale arm; another smiled softly with lowered head, revealing two patches of fair, voluptuous skin. Though not a single man could be found nearby, they still refused to yield an inch in charm and grace.
The only exception was likely the Crown Princess, sitting alone by the window with her gaze fixed beyond the railing.
Since Zou Qingyun had gone to the West Wing Courtyard on orders to deliver a message, a palace maid outside chose her moment and carried in a pot of freshly brewed Almond Tea.
After silently replacing the old tea, the maid was about to bow and withdraw when the corner of her eye caught the fine sweat on the Crown Princess's forehead, making her stop in her tracks.
Biting her somewhat plump lower lip, she hesitated for a long while before finally asking, "Imperial Concubine, shall this servant fetch some hot water and help you wash up?"
At first, the Crown Princess did not react. Only after a moment did she come back to herself, but then a rosy flush suddenly spread across her cheeks. She rose from the spring bench in a fluster, shaking her head like a rattle-drum. "N-No need! No need, no need!"
Only after repeating it several times did she realize she had lost her composure. She hurriedly tried to calm the turmoil in her heart and said softly, "You may leave first. If I wish to wash up, I will