“Claire, Grace, is that right?” I smiled faintly and said, “Rise, and attend to my bath.” Beautiful women serving me as I bathe—this was something I never even dared to imagine in my previous era. Of course, it’s not that such things didn’t exist back then, but the price was simply too high. Now that I have this opportunity, how could I possibly let it slip by?

“Your servant obeys, Your Majesty.” The two women stood up gracefully, but kept their pretty heads bowed low, not daring to look at me. The one called Claire was a bit bolder, and softly replied, “Your Majesty, the bath is ready. Please follow your servant.” Her voice was sweet and gentle, with a soft accent reminiscent of the Jiangnan region.

People always say that Jiangnan is not only beautiful in scenery, but its girls are also delicate and gentle. It’s true. In my time, girls were delicate, but true gentleness was rare.

Upon entering the inner chamber, Claire quickly stepped forward and pulled aside a corner of a round palace curtain, respectfully inviting me in.

“Your Majesty, this place is not like the imperial palace. The bathing facilities are quite simple. Please forgive us.” Claire said timidly.

I stepped inside the curtain, and a wave of heat hit me. Goodness, a large wooden tub over two meters wide and more than half a person’s height stood in the middle. It was already filled nearly halfway with hot water, steam rising in clouds.

Outside the tub, seven or eight charcoal stoves were set up, each with a large pot of water boiling on top. This served a dual purpose, also raising the temperature inside the curtain considerably.

Claire rolled up her sleeves and reached out her fair hand to test the water temperature. She immediately called out, “Xiao Sanzi, Xiao Duozhi, add another pot of water.”

“Yes, Miss Claire.” Two eerie, androgynous voices suddenly sounded from outside the curtain, startling me.

Two people dressed as eunuchs entered from outside, first bowing to me. Then, rolling up their sleeves, they poured a pot of boiling water into the tub and stirred the water with a wooden stick to mix the hot and cold. Once Claire tested the temperature again and was satisfied, she waved for the two eunuchs to leave.

“Grace, what are you standing there for? Quickly scatter the petals.” Seeing Grace frozen in place, Claire softly urged her.

Grace snapped back to herself and hurriedly scattered a basket of flower petals into the tub in several careful handfuls. Her movements were practiced, clearly the result of special training. However, her pretty face was so red it looked like it might drip water—perhaps this really was her first time serving a man’s bath.

“Your servant will help Your Majesty disrobe.” Grace bowed, waiting for my response.

Dis-disrobe. Although I had anticipated this, now that the moment had come, my heart was pounding wildly. This—this was my first time having a girl help me bathe! I really do love this role of emperor.

Thinking this, I hurriedly nodded.

Seeing my agreement, Grace’s lovely face flushed even deeper, but her hands were steady. Gently yet swiftly, she removed my dragon robe piece by piece. Still, I could clearly feel how violently her delicate fingers trembled whenever they touched my bare skin.

I felt as if I was floating—never in my life had I felt so fulfilled as I did now. All these years, compared to today, I might as well have not lived at all.

Then the most embarrassing thing happened. Young and full of vigor, my most primal male instinct suddenly surged forth.

Hearing two suppressed gasps from the women, I snapped back to my senses and laughed awkwardly. I could even feel my face growing warm.

The two women were even more flustered, their beautiful faces flushed and their bodies so weak they nearly collapsed to the floor. Claire, being more mature than Grace, was the first to recover, her voice trembling: “Grace, quickly, don’t let His Majesty catch a chill.”

Catch a chill? Impossible—my constitution is excellent. In the dead of winter, I once lay naked atop a mountain all night and was fine. Let alone here, inside a warm, steamy curtain. Still, Claire’s soft, trembling voice only stoked my desire further, making me want to act immediately. But reason held me back—take it slow, don’t rush.

Grace, startled by Claire’s words, snapped out of it and hurriedly soaked a towel in hot water to help me wash.

I was thoroughly exhilarated, my whole body feeling an indescribable comfort. Suddenly, I noticed that while this little girl was washing me, she kept her head down and her eyes tightly shut, her whole body trembling nonstop.

This girl’s shyness was as thin as a cicada’s wing, and in her embarrassment, she had a unique charm.

“Open your eyes and look at me.” I gave a gentle order. Now, when I spoke to these people, I didn’t dare use a harsh tone. If I did, they’d immediately kneel and beg for death.

Clearly, Grace’s movements paused, and her breathing quickened. In the end, she didn’t dare defy my order, and slowly opened her almond-shaped eyes, her lashes trembling.

I deliberately flexed, making my firm chest muscles stand out, hard as iron. Unexpectedly, the girl’s legs gave out and she nearly collapsed in shame. Alarmed, I quickly caught her, but her delicate body was burning hot.

Chapter Two: Claire and Grace (Middle)

I didn’t dare tease her any further—if she fainted from fright, that would be bad. So I gently set her down and turned to walk toward the tub, stepping up the plank.

“Splash!”