She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

”Lei’er. I don’t know what kind of good fortune Zun has accumulated over several lifetimes, for you have saved him twice, and Zun is deeply in love with you. I truly feel at ease leaving Zun in your hands.”

”Aunt.”

Han Lei called softly, feeling bashful. She was very tired and didn’t want to continue this embarrassing topic.

”Hehehe.”

The old lady couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. After sweeping her gaze over Han Lei’s neckline once more, she finally let her go.

”It’s starting to rain, get some rest early!”

After finishing her words, the old lady returned, full of gratification, accompanied by the maidservants.

Han Lei stood in the room, looking around, feeling a surge of emotions. The days of rushing around had left her both physically and mentally exhausted, and now she finally had a moment of peace.

Zitan and Jin Ju, the two maidservants, had already brought hot water.

Zitan said with a smile, ”Miss Han, the hot water is ready. Have a bath to relieve your fatigue.”

Han Lei nodded, ”Thank you for your hard work.”

Jin Ju habitually came over to help her undress, but Han Lei’s mouth twitched, and she quickly clutched her neckline.

”You two go and keep guard outside! I’ll manage myself.”

She was not accustomed to being served by maidservants normally, let alone having them present during something as private as bathing.

As someone from modern times, she considered herself to have open-minded thoughts. But she was still a girl, and she was not accustomed to being watched while bathing—the feeling of being observed made her feel wholly uneasy.

She remembered once scrolling through a video on Douyin, which discussed the differences between how people from the south and north bathe.

In the video, Northerners liked to bathe in big bathhouses, with pools filled with people and hot steam rising everywhere, everyone stark naked soaking in the water, with some even tasked with scrubbing backs.

Mass back-scrubbing.

When Han Lei saw that scene, her eyes almost popped out, and she felt uneasy inside.

As a native southerner, she had always bathed in her bathroom at home.

Close the door, turn on the water, private and comfortable.

She couldn’t imagine being stark naked in public, even having casual conversations while scrubbing backs.

Oh my! How eye-popping that scene must be.

Jin Ju’s outstretched hand hovered awkwardly in mid-air. But in the few days she and Zitan had attended to Han Lei, it wasn’t the first time they were refused; she looked to Zitan, who nodded back at her.

Jin Ju had to withdraw her hand, and alongside Zitan, walked out to stand guard by the door.

Once they had left, Han Lei made sure the screen was thoroughly blocked, and only then did she remove her clothes and step into the wooden tub.

The warm water enveloped her body, gradually easing her fatigue.

Han Lei leaned her head against the side of the wooden tub, closed her eyes, and her mind drifted to the various dangerous and sorrowful experiences of recent days, as well as the old lady’s words about Zhao Zun’s deep feelings for her.

Unknowingly, her consciousness gradually blurred, and she leaned against the tub and fell into a deep sleep.

Outside the room, the sky was gloomy as drizzle quietly fell, drops of rain tapping against the window lattice, making faint sounds.

After freshening up, Zhao Zun lay in bed, tossing and turning. His mind kept replaying Han Lei’s words from that day, ”Go for it,” leaving him sleepless.

Since Han Lei also supported him, rather than idly dwelling here, why not simply seek out Han Lei to discuss plans?

Action followed thought as he donned his coat, took up an umbrella, and headed towards Han Lei’s courtyard.

As he stepped into the courtyard, Zhao Zun saw two maidservants sheltering from the rain under the eaves by the door, with flowers from the planter partially obscuring their bodies.

Drawing nearer, Zhao Zun heard Zitan speaking softly.

”Why hasn’t Miss Han finished bathing yet? The water should be cold; could something have happened?”

Jin Ju also looked worried, glanced at the tightly closed door, and hesitated, saying, ”But since the lady hasn’t called us, we don’t dare to go in rashly.”

Zitan sighed, ”Let’s wait a bit longer, perhaps the miss just wants to soak for a little longer.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zun understood the situation.

Anxiety squeezed his heart as he quickly headed to the door.

Seeing Zhao Zun approach, the two maidservants hastened to bow and salute.

”Prince.”

”Greetings, Prince.”

Zhao Zun gave a light nod, his hand already tapping gently on the door.

”Girl! Girl!”

The room remained silent, with no response.

Zhao Zun’s expression immediately turned serious, recalling Zitan’s words about whether something might have occurred. He disregarded propriety between men and women and unhesitatingly pushed the door open, striding inside.

Zitan and Jin Ju saw this and quickly followed suit.

Inside, the candlelight was dim; Zhao Zun swept his gaze around but saw no sign of Han Lei, his eyes landing on the screen.