Chapter 7: Such a Wonderful Figure

"Yes, go and rest now, Third Young Master!" Lady Scarlet Whisk gave a gentle nod and smiled faintly, casting a meaningful glance at Yue'er, who stood beside Li Yi. With a knowing smile, she instructed, "Yue'er, quickly prepare some hot water for Third Young Master and help him bathe."

"Ah..." Yue'er froze for a moment before coming to her senses, as if something had dawned on her. Her cheeks flushed as she performed a small curtsy. "Yes, Madam, Master. Yue'er takes her leave."

Clutching the corner of her garment, Yue'er hurried after Li Yi as he left.

Watching their figures recede into the distance, Lady Scarlet Whisk's expression shifted to one of gravity. She turned to Li Jing and asked, "Husband, if Third Young Master's teacher in his dreams is unwilling to let him pass on the art of Taiji to others, what then?"

Lady Scarlet Whisk understood well that this set of Taiji was no ordinary skill or common trinket. She feared... that Li Jing's hopes of presenting it to the Emperor were slim.

Li Jing did not look at her. Instead, he raised his head and gazed at the golden afterglow of the setting sun. Only after a long silence did he sigh deeply and give a bitter smile. "Then it will be a great loss for the Tang Dynasty..."

Lady Scarlet Whisk glanced sidelong at Li Jing, then also looked up at the sky, nodding in deep agreement with his words.

As for the conversation between the couple, Li Yi was completely unaware.

On the way back to his room, Li Yi mulled over Lady Scarlet Whisk's words. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Yue'er's bashful, rosy face, and an alluring scene sprang unbidden to his mind.

"Tsk, Mother is really trying to push this little maid into my arms!" Li Yi smiled wryly, the corner of his mouth curling with mischief.

So thinking, his steps slowed, and he turned his head.

But Yue'er, lost in her own thoughts, did not notice and walked straight into him.

Only then did she snap back to herself. Instinctively, she looked up, blinking at Li Yi.

"What is it, is there a flower on my face?" Li Yi asked with a grin.

"No, Young Master," Yue'er replied, flustered like a startled fawn. She quickly stepped back twice, lowering her head in panic. "Yue'er has offended you, please punish me!"

She could not help but be afraid.

In the Tang Dynasty, the divide between masters and servants was strict. Should a maid offend a noble, she could easily lose her life in a most tragic manner.

If the master was merciful, death would be a release. If not, a fate worse than death awaited.

As the saying went: Some people are alive, yet already dead. Some are dead, yet still alive.

Besides, Li Yi was the son of the Minister of War—a true scion of nobility, the archetypal pampered wastrel.

Li Yi saw her delicate form trembling, her face pale beneath the blush, her slender hands twisting her dress as she bowed deeply. He knew she was terrified.

After all, she had been punished by him more than once before.

Looking at this lovely, flower-like beauty before him, Li Yi felt a pang of pity.

"Raise your head," he said softly.

"Yes, Young Master." Yue'er bit her lip and summoned her courage to look up. Yet her eyes still held a trace of fear, her gaze dropping shyly, not daring to meet his.

"Look at my eyes," Li Yi chuckled helplessly, his tone gentle.

Only then did Yue'er dare to meet his gaze, scarcely daring to breathe.

"Do you find me pleasing to the eye?" he asked, smiling.

"Beau... beautiful," Yue'er blurted out without thinking. At once, her cheeks flamed an even deeper red, like ripe crystal grapes, making her all the more alluring.

"Well, since you find me pleasing, hurry and fetch water for your Young Master," Li Yi said, clasping his hands behind his back, his smile full of mischief as he stared at her.

"Uh..." Yue'er's mind went blank. She blinked dazedly, forgetting to be afraid as her thoughts struggled to catch up.

What connection could there possibly be between his looks and fetching water?

Baffled, she blinked in confusion.

For a long moment, she stood there, utterly lost, until at last she realized that Li Yi was not angry at all—he was teasing her.

Instantly, her cheeks burned as if set afire.

"Young Master, please return to your room. Yue'er will bring the water at once," she stammered, darting away like a startled little rabbit.

Li Yi burst out laughing.

Returning to his room, he sat by the window, resting his chin in one hand as he pondered when he should tell Li Jing that his "master" was willing to present Taiji to the Son of Heaven.

After all, he now lived in the Tang Dynasty, a true Tang man.

And Li Shimin was a wise and illustrious ruler.

Li Yi felt certain that, with Taiji, Li Shimin could bring great fortune to the people of Tang.

Moreover, Li Yi saw in Taiji a means to change his own fate.

He had no desire to live out his days as a good-for-nothing wastrel, wearing that shameful label to the end of his days.

If he did not make a name for himself, he would truly waste this bizarre opportunity to transmigrate.

As these thoughts flowed through his mind, a sweet voice called from within the room, "Young Master, it is time for your bath."

"Very well," Li Yi replied, collecting his thoughts as he rose and walked to the bathing tub.

The door was already closed. Yue'er stood at the tub holding a delicate silk towel, her earlier blush replaced by a gentle, rosy glow, making her look all the more charming.

Rising steam swirled around her, making her seem almost like a fairy.

"Undress me," Li Yi said with a smile, not being coy at all, spreading his arms wide.

"Yes, Young Master." Yue'er nodded, stepping forward to remove his clothes piece by piece until he was completely bare. Without a hint of shyness, Li Yi stepped into the tub.

After all, Yue'er would be his sooner or later, so there was no need for pretense.

Yue'er moved behind him, soap in hand, to scrub his back.

But as her soft, slender fingers made contact with his skin, her heart skipped a beat and a sudden, inexplicable tremor ran through her.

This was the first time she had been so close to Li Yi.

"Young Master has such a fine form," she thought, her face flushing scarlet. She shook her head fiercely, scolding herself, "Shameless Yue'er! How dare you have such thoughts about Young Master? No, you mustn't, you mustn't..."

With a mix of embarrassment and excitement, Yue'er tried to stifle her feelings, her cheeks burning as she helped him bathe.

Each brush of her hand against his skin sent her thoughts into disarray...

Li Yi, oblivious to her inner turmoil, lounged contentedly in the tub, arms resting on the rim, eyes closed in pure relaxation.

He had no idea how much time had passed when, suddenly, a commotion arose outside the door. Urgent footsteps sounded, making Li Yi snap his eyes open.