16. Herbal Bath

“I have instructed Gou Hongyang to prepare a hot spring bath at the Qinglu Palace. First, bathe there, then rest within the hall.”

Qin Xuanxiao arranged the subsequent matters without allowing any objections, leading Qin Duo also toward the inner palace.

Autumn’s hues always spread swiftly. In just a few days, what had been a light brush of red and yellow maple leaves was now entirely cloaked in a lavish crimson, dazzling beyond measure.

Qin Duo quietly followed behind Qin Xuanxiao, lifting his gaze to the vast sky and the deepening colors.

Breathing the air a century hence, he felt momentarily as if he belonged to this place.

The historical records were sparse and incomplete; he only vaguely knew from a few passing lines that the golden age had ended. Yet fortunately, his eyes settled on the young man before him—luckily, the reigning emperor appeared gifted and promising.

Qinglu Palace was nestled amid elegant artificial hills and jade bamboo, and Qin Duo was somewhat surprised, for it felt all too familiar.

He never imagined that even after a hundred years, Qinglu Palace would remain much as it was in his past life, the surrounding scenery nearly identical. For a fleeting moment, he almost thought he had not died, still immersed in the bustling affairs of the twelfth year of Anping.

Yet as they drew nearer, subtle differences became apparent.

The carved bamboo doors of the hall were pushed open, releasing faint scents of flowers, fruit, and herbs. Qin Duo inhaled the fragrance calmly, though inwardly pleased.

Passing behind a screen, warm, moist steam greeted them. In the center of the room lay a hot spring pool, encircled by jade stones, its surface glowing with a gentle luster beneath the mist.

Gou Hongyang stood nearby, arranging the screen and laying out soapberries and fresh clothes for bathing.

Upon seeing the two arrive, Gou Hongyang bowed to Qin Xuanxiao and withdrew, dismissing the attendants around.

“The color of the bathwater…” Qin Duo looked at the pale brown water in the white jade pool and then at Qin Xuanxiao.

Qin Xuanxiao stepped forward, grabbed Qin Duo’s sleeve, pulling him close, and placed his palm on Qin Duo’s forehead.

“Still warm,” Qin Xuanxiao said as he withdrew his hand and began removing his own clothes. “I instructed the Imperial Medical Bureau to prepare a medicinal bath, infused with forsythia, scutellaria, and other herbs. The warm water and medicine will help dispel the chill. You could barely stand during court meetings; how can your sword still point toward the dynasty?”

Hearing this, warmth stirred in Qin Duo’s heart. He glanced up at the man undressing before him; as he lowered his head, strands of hair fell beside his temples, sketching the sharp contours of his brow and nose.

A good child.

But why was he undressing?

Qin Duo tilted his head and asked, “Your Majesty, are you also going to take the medicated bath?”

Qin Duo had never bathed with another before and hesitated slightly at Qin Xuanxiao’s natural undressing.

Qin Xuanxiao retorted, “Why not?”

Qin Duo pouted, “You aren’t sick.”

Qin Xuanxiao fell silent.

A fine scholar rarely spoke more than a word in polite refusal.

“I’m afraid you might faint halfway and drown in the bath,” Qin Xuanxiao sneered.

Qin Duo was speechless.

A fine emperor, but with a sharp tongue.

“I like Qinglu Palace very much and wouldn’t want it to become a cursed place with someone drowned inside.”

Very well, but please be quiet.

His reasoning was sound; this frail body was easy to exhaust, and fainting in the pool would be a tragic waste.

So Qin Duo raised his hand to remove his outer robe, hanging it on the screen, then took off his court attire piece by piece, leaving only the innermost white garment.

His jet-black hair cascaded down, contrasting starkly with the pure white inner garment and his somewhat pale skin.

***

Qin Xuanxiao’s gaze was deep and steady, slowly descending from Qin Duo’s eyes to his shoulders and neck, down to his waist, the wide hems outlining his form, faint and elusive. He recalled how at every meal, this man tasted each dish with only a light sip before suddenly speaking up.

“My dear minister.”

“Hmm?” Qin Duo did not turn around, tidying his clothes casually. “What is it?”

“You’ve lost weight. Eat more.”

Qin Duo frowned in discontent. He pinched the scarcely two taels of flesh on his arms and thighs, clicking his tongue. “Indeed.”

He disliked the sickly appearance; he seemed as fragile as a breeze. If the body was weak and energy depleted, how could one worry over the state and govern the realm?

“Then I’ll come to mooch meals. I hope Your Majesty won’t chase me away then.”

This brought an unexpected smile from Qin Xuanxiao, who turned his back and said, “Enjoy the medicinal bath. Don’t catch a chill.”

Qin Duo followed, barefoot stepping onto the white jade steps, warm water gradually covering his ankles as he entered the pool step by step.

The water temperature was perfect.

The faint herbal aroma hovered near his nostrils, the water rippled gently, and warm steam rose, caressing his skin comfortably.

Qin Duo sat back against a stone ledge, the buoyancy of the water lightly supporting his hands.

Black hair spread across the surface, floating, while the white inner garment fluttered softly with the waves.

He exhaled slightly, tilting his head back to rest on the pool’s edge, eyes closed.

The fatigue from several days swept away in an instant. The warm water seemed to massage his head gently, easing the dizziness and fever brought on by the chill.

The room fell silent except for the soft sound of lapping water.

Sleepiness crept in; with his weak constitution, consciousness gradually faded, and he slipped into slumber.

The white jade stones lining the pool had been polished smooth to prevent injury. His body involuntarily slid downward; the warm water rose over his shoulders and neck. The soothing warmth beckoned the sleeping Qin Duo deeper. Relaxing his legs, his whole body sank underwater, his mouth and nose submerged.

Suddenly, he gasped for air, choking violently. Startled awake, he opened his eyes to a blurred and scattered vision. The suffocating, heavy sensation overwhelmed his mind, and darkness swiftly claimed his sight.

The next moment, a strong hand gripped behind his neck, yanking him out of the water. A firm hold at his waist helped him stand.

The cold air shocked his nostrils as he clutched the only thing to hold onto, coughing harshly.

“Wen, Qing, He.”

A grim voice sounded overhead. Qin Duo finally gathered his breath, clutching his chest, frowning as he looked up into an expression tinged with mild anger.

Qin Duo smiled sheepishly, waving his hand before Qin Xuanxiao’s face. “Hi?”

“You’re quite ‘hi’ indeed,” Qin Xuanxiao said, seizing his wrist with a cold sneer.

From those narrowed phoenix eyes, Qin Duo read the biting resentment.

“All right, all right,” Qin Duo straightened, pulling his hand free and patting Qin Xuanxiao on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, child. It’s just water down the wrong pipe. I can stand on my own.”

Qin Xuanxiao said nothing, only gazing down at him.

Suddenly standing, Qin Duo’s wet hair flowed like ink, clothes clinging to his skin, outlining his figure clearly. A drop of water traced his cheek, slipped into his collar, dissolving into the damp fabric, vanishing instantly.

The two stood so close from the sudden movement, nearly pressed together, able to distinctly feel each other’s warmth... and touch.

Realizing this, Qin Xuanxiao’s throat moved slightly. Sitting back on the stone ledge, he pulled Qin Duo back into the water with him.

The rippling water concealed something and veiled some budding feelings beneath its surface.

This time, Qin Duo dared not sleep again.

If he slipped under once more, it would be humiliating.

***

Qin Xuanxiao’s long arm rose from the water, grabbing a golden bell placed on a nearby table, giving it a gentle shake. The bell tinkled softly.

Gou Hongyang entered from behind the screen, head lowered, carrying a wooden tray. On it rested a celadon jade cup filled with light brown medicinal tea, and a glass vial containing pale pink liquid.

Qin Xuanxiao took the tray, waving his hand as Gou Hongyang bowed and retreated.

The tray floated atop the water.

Qin Xuanxiao handed the jade cup to Qin Duo. “This is a tonic tea to replenish qi and blood. Drink it during the medicinal bath… don’t faint in the pool again.”

Qin Duo accepted it; the tea was mild and not bitter.

After drinking, combined with the warm water, he began to sweat lightly, a fine sheen forming on his forehead.

He watched as Qin Xuanxiao lifted the vial and drank. A sharp, spicy aroma of wine filled the air.

In his past life, Qin Duo enjoyed drinking, especially strong spirits that carried the scent of northern border winds and frost—a flavor he longed for.

Sadly, after becoming emperor, save for once leading the imperial army, he never had the chance to return to his childhood home to see the crescent moon, the vast grasslands, and the desert.

Nor could he taste the fierce winter nights in the north, warmed by a blazing fire and strong liquor.

So in the capital, he sipped a few mouthfuls, a small comfort.

He stared eagerly at the glass vial. “What kind of wine is this?”

Qin Xuanxiao loosened the vial’s mouth, perhaps after tasting it, his brow furrowed with a hint of teasing disdain. “It’s called ‘Peach Blossom’.”

“Will you let me have a sip?”

“Dream on.”

Qin Duo rolled his eyes. “Cheapskate.”

“Huh?” Qin Xuanxiao placed the vial back on the tray, grabbed Qin Duo’s chin, and said, “Your tab at the tavern hasn’t been settled yet—heart ailment, chill, drinking medicine, running about, ignoring orders… My dear minister, your life belongs to me. Don’t die. You’re useful.”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty,” Qin Duo knocked Qin Xuanxiao’s hand away lazily, his tone indifferent, “I shall live to a hundred.”

As the water in the pool cooled, Qin Duo rose, wrapped himself in the bath towel prepared nearby, and moved behind the screen to change.

Qin Xuanxiao remained seated in the pool, unmoving. His phoenix eyes were dark and profound as he silently watched Qin Duo’s departing back, bare feet leaving wet footprints on the white jade tiles.

His gaze followed the slightly lean ankles upward, concealed beneath the damp inner garment were straight, well-proportioned legs.

Further up, a straight spine.

An inexplicable aura.

Qin Xuanxiao suddenly drew a deep breath and submerged himself fully in the pool, holding his breath until he could no longer endure it, then burst forth, standing upright.

He consciously acknowledged the truth: he was drawn to this man.

First those eyes, as black as lacquer; then the entire person.

In over twenty years, never before.

Looking down and noting his own body’s changes, Qin Xuanxiao plunged back into the pool.

He remained submerged until the water had completely cooled, then emerged, shivering with the chill and steam clinging to him.