Qiqi glanced at him dubiously, then turned back to look at the pool ahead.
Hu Xiaotian said, "We shouldn't linger here. If we spend too long in the Wine Cellar, the people outside will grow suspicious."
Qiqi asked, "Is the Jade Pool outside?" The Jade Pool was the largest body of water in the Imperial Palace, so it was hardly difficult to make that connection.
Hu Xiaotian said, "I can't even swim. I'd probably drown if I went down there. How would I know?"
Qiqi said, "I'll go down and take a look." She actually handed him her lantern and took off her outer robe, preparing to enter the water.
Hu Xiaotian hurriedly stopped her. "Your Highness, it's the dead of winter, and the water is cold enough to pierce your bones. You're royalty, one of the Golden Branches and Jade Leaves. If anything happened to you down there, I couldn't bear the responsibility..." He abruptly fell silent when he saw the silver, close-fitting suit beneath her robe. It looked remarkably like a modern wetsuit, and judging by its texture and sheen, it was made from some kind of animal hide. Only then did he realize that Qiqi had indeed come prepared today.
Qiqi's suit was made from sharkskin, with an inner layer of firebird down for warmth that could keep the cold out completely. She had also hidden a small bundle beneath her robe. When she unfolded it, it contained a hood, gloves, and flippers.
Qiqi's figure had already begun to develop. Though she was still somewhat immature, certain parts had begun to take shape. Looking at her, Hu Xiaotian suddenly felt that this little girl was gradually growing into a woman. In truth, he should never have treated her as a little girl at all. She was certainly