"Young Master is an honored guest. This is what Qing Lin ought to do," Qing Lin said without raising her head.
Xiao Peng found a seat and sat down, watching quietly.
Qing Lin quickly finished tidying the room, then picked up a copper kettle and turned to leave. "Young Master, the bathhouse is in the west corner of the courtyard. I'll go prepare the hot water."
Xiao Peng followed her across the courtyard. The night was already deep, and the stars over Stone Desert City shone especially brightly. Their silvery glow edged the training ground's wooden posts in silver.
Qing Lin's footsteps were soft, as if afraid to disturb the stillness. Only the hem of her skirt brushing the ground produced a faint rustle of sand.
The bathhouse was a separate little wooden hut. Inside was a large stone bathtub, with clean coarse-cloth towels piled beside it.
Qing Lin poured the hot water from the copper kettle into the tub, then fetched a wooden bucket from the corner and added some cold water. She tested the temperature before softly saying, "Young Master, the temperature is just right. If it isn't hot enough, just call for me."
Xiao Peng nodded in thanks as he watched her place soap pods and a change of clothes on the wooden rack beside the tub, her movements efficient and respectful.
"Thank you for your hard work," Xiao Peng said.
Qing Lin froze for a moment, seemingly not expecting Xiao Peng to say that. She hurriedly shook her head. "It wasn't hard at all. If you need anything, Young Master, call for me. I'll be right outside."
With that, she lowered her head and withdrew, gently closing the wooden door behind her.
Once the door shut, Xiao Peng took off his clothes, folded them neatly onto