A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 44
by Little PandaWild Hot Spring Bathing
A Spring Outing
The carriage traveled slowly along the winding forest path. Wildflowers blanketed the mountain slopes, and lush, green trees cast cool shade all around. Branches stretched out in wild, tangled patterns, and though the fresh, budding leaves had not yet fully unfolded, they already clustered in dense, overlapping layers.
Due to the natural hot springs in the area, estates had been built all over Yuquan Mountain1; this was no isolated courtyard in the middle of a desolate wilderness.
Shen Hetang and Jiang Chenyu met up with the carriage at the foot of the mountain. The mountain road wound lazily upward without any steep slopes, allowing the carriage to ascend effortlessly.
After passing three estates belonging to wealthy, prominent households, they finally caught sight of the words “Hua Manor2.”
The white walls and grey-tiled roof looked clean and elegant. Zhuzi got down from the carriage to knock on the gate. Before long, a nanny of about forty years old emerged. Spotting the group, she greeted them with a wide smile. “Has the Eldest Miss arrived?”
“This is indeed our lady,” Chuntao replied to the nanny. “You may address her as Miss Jiang or Eldest Miss!”
Jiang Chenyu looked around the surroundings before asking, “This must be Lord Hua’s residence? How may I address you, Nanny?”
“My humble surname is Liu. You may call me Nanny Liu, Miss. My old man and I have been working in this residence for nearly a year now. A few days ago, the steward of the Hua Manor suddenly sent word, saying that from now on, this estate is to be the Eldest Miss’s dowry. Even the two of us old folks have been transferred to follow the Eldest Miss. Miss, whatever you need, just give the word!” Nanny Liu was evidently a talkative soul, spelling out the entire situation right there at the gate.
“Nanny, why don’t you show us inside first?” Chuntao said with a smile.
“Oh, look at me and my muddled old head! Eldest Miss, please come in, please! This old servant will go and prepare the midday meal right away.” Nanny Liu fluttered about in a fluster, not knowing what to attend to first.
Shen Hetang quietly observed Nanny Liu for a moment. She did not carry herself like the seasoned servants of grand, noble estates; instead, she resembled an ordinary peasant woman who had been hired for a temporary job.
Still, she seemed simple and honest, and likely had no connection to Madam Hua. Furthermore, since Lord Hua was trying to mend relations with his daughter, he certainly wouldn’t cause any more trouble.
“There is no rush for the midday meal, Nanny Liu. Why don’t you first show us around the courtyard so we can get familiar with it?” Jiang Chenyu noticed the estate was quite large and figured they should explore it first; that way, they wouldn’t have to keep bothering Nanny Liu for every little thing later.
“Yes, of course! Whatever you say, Miss!” Nanny Liu agreed, rubbing her hands together. From time to time, she would steal glances at this celestial beauty of a young lady. This was to be her and her old man’s new mistress, so she had to be quick-witted and careful not to invite her master’s displeasure.
“Have you been with the Hua family for a long time, Nanny Liu?” Shen Hetang asked casually.
“This old servant and my husband are both from Fuyang County,” Nanny Liu explained. “When we were young, we earned our living as long-term laborers for wealthy households. Now that we are old and can no longer handle heavy farm work, we were left with no livelihood. It was all thanks to Lord Hua giving us a secure place to settle down. He truly is a good man!” Childless and alone, the elderly couple had been sent by Hua Rong to watch over the estate—which was essentially a place for them to live out their retirement. As she spoke, Nanny Liu grew quite emotional.
Hearing this, Shen Hetang let down her guard by half. The servants’ servitude contract3 was already in Jiang Chenyu’s hands, so everything seemed to be in order.
“Nanny Liu, you and your husband may continue looking after the estate just as you did before. I will arrange for someone to deliver your monthly wages, which we will settle every six months,” Jiang Chenyu said softly. Even servants bound by servitude contracts were entitled to their monthly pay.
“Thank you, Miss! This old servant will certainly keep this place well-tended. Please rest easy, Miss.” The smile on Nanny Liu’s heavily lined face grew even warmer and more genuine.
The estate walls were high, and the bluestone paths showed clear signs of recent sweeping. Pleasant birdsong echoed from every corner. There were only about seven or eight rooms in total—not many, but each was spacious and bright. The master bedroom was situated in a two-story pavilion with elegantly upturned, flying eaves, towering well above the surrounding buildings. A crabapple branch extending from the mountain behind brushed against a corner of the pavilion, adorning it like a vanity-loving young girl.
On the west side of the estate, past a long cobblestone path and nestled behind a small grove of enchanting peach trees, lay the geothermal jade pool, enclosed right against the mountain slope.
Though the peach blossoms should have withered by this season, the geothermal warmth and humidity of the springs kept them in full, vibrant bloom, painting the entire grove in a brilliant shade of pink.
The hot spring pool was not particularly large—about the size of an ordinary room—and perfectly circular. The edges of the pool were constructed from smooth, polished white stones.
The pool was naturally connected to a mountain stream; once it filled to the brim, the excess water would spill over into a lower depression at the opposite end, creating a rare and wonderful constant flow of fresh water.
Warm steam rose lazily from the water’s surface, filling the air with a soft mist. As the sunlight filtered through the vapor, it fractured into brilliant, rainbow-colored halos. The scene was like a mythical wonderland, a veritable Jade Pool4 on earth!
Chuntao had already neatly arranged their belongings and swept their quarters clean. Though there was hardly any dust to begin with, she performed her duties with meticulous care.
By evening, Nanny Liu had prepared their dinner. Her husband turned out to be a quiet craftsman of few words; when he had nothing else to do, he wove baskets and repaired the courtyard structures, working in seamless harmony with Nanny Liu.
Jiang Chenyu changed out of the elaborate garments she had worn for the journey, opting instead for a white floral-patterned gauze shirt paired with a blue-violet satin horse-face skirt5.
Her silky, ink-black hair was loosely pinned up with a white jade tassel hairpin, and she had playfully drawn a peach blossom forehead ornament6 between her brows.
Just as she was about to step out of the pavilion, someone caught her from behind, wrapping an arm around her waist and dragging her back inside.
“Ah… Haha… What are you doing?” For no reason at all, she had been pulled back into a tight embrace, and she was now leaning heavily on her, refusing to get up.
Shen Hetang looked down at the little enchantress beneath her, her phoenix eyes narrowing slightly. “Where do you want to go?”
“To the courtyard to look at the flowers…” Jiang Chenyu replied, utterly bewildered.
“Dressed like this?” Shen Hetang’s gaze swept up and down. Though the gauze shirt had some thickness to it, the red undergarment beneath was still faintly visible.
“What’s wrong with it? There is no one else here anyway. Chuntao is staying in the outer quarters, and unless I call for her, she won’t come in. Let alone anyone else—it’s not like I’m stepping outside the estate.” She sounded a bit guilty as she spoke. Perhaps the scenery here was simply too relaxing, or perhaps…!
“Drape a long robe over yourself, and I will accompany you out.” Shen Hetang pulled her to her feet.
“Haha… All right!” Jiang Chenyu nodded obediently.
Shen Hetang took Jiang Chenyu out of the estate, and they strolled all around the mountain trails.
It seemed that Yuquan Mountain was home to quite a few geothermal pools like the one in their backyard. Judging by the layout of the estates, the neighboring properties had all been built around the natural hot spring vents. They even looked like the work of the same group of craftsmen—likely constructed by some wealthy individual and then sold off. How Master Hua had acquired this particular one remained a mystery.
The two walked hand-in-hand. Shen Hetang, showing off her nimble fingers, even wove a yellow wildflower crown for Jiang Chenyu. However, the bright yellow petals proved far too enticing; after attracting a couple of butterflies, the crown began drawing in a small swarm of bees. Startled, Shen Hetang hurriedly snatched the crown off Jiang Chenyu’s head and flung it far away, leaving the beauty laughing so hard she trembled like a flower in the wind.
As they were playfully bickering, a wealthy lady happened to pass by on a neighboring path, accompanied by two maidservants. The lady had a plump, round face and carried herself with an air of noble refinement.
Seeing the two of them playing around, the lady lifted her chin slightly, casting an unreadable glance at Jiang Chenyu. “Is this young lady residing at the Hua Manor?” she asked slowly.
“It is indeed. May I ask who you might be?” Jiang Chenyu inquired politely.
Upon hearing that she did indeed reside at the Hua Manor, a probing look crossed the lady’s face. “Are you a concubine7 of the Hua family?”
Hearing this question, Shen Hetang found the lady incredibly rude, and the look she directed at her grew distinctly cold.
“You must be joking, Madam,” Jiang Chenyu replied, her lips curving into a faint, polite smile that betrayed neither anger nor amusement. “I am the daughter of the Hua family.”
“Oh dear, look at how muddled I am! Since you are Miss Hua, then please do drop by for a visit when you have the time. I live right next door to the Hua Manor!” The tension in the lady’s brow eased visibly, and she extended a polite invitation.
“Thank you for your kind invitation, Madam. I shall certainly visit another day,” Jiang Chenyu replied smoothly.
“Yes… until next time!” With that, the lady turned and led her maids back toward her own estate.
“What is her problem? Was I invisible? How could she completely ignore me standing right here?” Shen Hetang grumbled, glaring at the lady’s retreating figure.
“There, there. Don’t let her ruin our good mood.” Jiang Chenyu knew Ah Tang was angry on her behalf. Mistaking her for a concubine—and of the Hua family, no less—was indeed highly offensive.
As night fell, the stars in the vast sky sparkled brightly, shimmering like the rippling currents of the Milky Way. Inside the steam-filled jade pool, Shen Hetang was soaking in the water, wearing only her undergarments8. The water temperature was somewhat high, but just within her limit of comfort.
With the late spring weather of the fifth month keeping the nights slightly brisk, there was nothing more delightful than soaking in a piping hot spring.
She tilted her head back against the stone wall, unfolding a small cloth to drape over her face. Her white undergarments had turned translucent upon contact with the water. Living in this cross-dressed body, she felt she always had to wear some layer of clothing to feel even a shred of security—it was truly exhausting. Though in truth, it was merely psychological comfort; it was barely any different from wearing nothing at all.
Her hair, which had been tightly bound for so long, had finally been set free over the past two days. Her long tresses floated unbound on the surface of the water in a state of absolute liberation. The water was quite deep; if she did not sit on the stone bench, it would reach all the way to her neck.
Even when seated, the water still rose to her chest. The warm spring water seemed to open every pore in her body. She submerged the back of her head beneath the surface, facing upward to let her mind relax; she had indeed been under quite a bit of pressure lately.
Her long hair drifted across the water like swaying river reeds, and her slender, straight legs gently swayed beneath the surface.
A soft rustle came from the beaded curtain ahead as Jiang Chenyu stepped past the folding screen, carrying a platter of fresh fruit.
Hearing her approach, Shen Hetang lifted her face from the water and leaned back against the stone wall once more.
“How is it? Is it too hot? I brought you some lychees and wild cherries picked from the mountain.” As she spoke, she sat by the edge of the pool and peeled two lychees, carefully removing the pits.
“Where did you get lychees?” Under the dim lantern light, Jiang Chenyu’s slender, delicate fingers nimbly peeled several more of the crimson fruits, not forgetting to pop one into Shen Hetang’s mouth.
“I brought them from home,” Jiang Chenyu replied, keeping her head lowered as she worked on pitting another lychee.
“Is it sweet?” she asked a moment later.
“I don’t know. Why don’t you taste it yourself?” Shen Hetang replied in a remarkably serious tone.
“You don’t know?” Jiang Chenyu finally lifted her head, her clear eyes searching the face of the person in the pool. But as her gaze fell upon the soaked, clinging collar of Shen Hetang’s undergarments, a look of sudden panic crossed her features, and she frantically tried to look away.
Shen Hetang reached out, wrapping her hand around Jiang Chenyu’s snow-white neck to draw her down. She sought those cherry-blossom lips and pressed her own against them. Having soaked in the hot spring for so long, her lips were burning hot. Her nimble tongue parted the other’s pearly teeth, sliding inside to entwine in a deep, lingering kiss.
Jiang Chenyu, who had been sitting by the edge, lost her balance and was pulled straight into the pool. She was thoroughly drenched from head to toe. Her gauze shirt became entirely transparent, clinging to her skin and failing to conceal the brilliant red of her undergarments and the enticing charms beneath.
Wrapping her long legs around Jiang Chenyu, Shen Hetang pinned her against her body. Under the hazy light of the lanterns, she stared at her without the slightest restraint, her eyes sharp and dangerous in the deep night, like a hunting leopard awaiting its prey.
Her slender fingers rubbed along each of her buttons.
“Ah Tang… not here…!” The hand caressing and kneading her waist felt even hotter than the surrounding geothermal water.
“The night air is chilly. It is much warmer inside the pool,” Shen Hetang murmured smoothly, as though her intentions were completely pure. Yet, her fingers had already found their way to the frog closures9 of Jiang Chenyu’s shirt—though the wet fabric proved stubborn and refused to yield easily.
A sudden gust of night wind blew through the mountain valley, scattering the peach blossoms. Showers of pink petals drifted down, landing upon Jiang Chenyu’s silky, flowing hair and the floating edges of her gauze shirt, while a splash of vivid red draped over the branches on the bank was exceptionally striking.
Whether flushed from the rising steam or from the relentless, demanding touch beneath her clothes, the young woman’s snow-white skin bloomed with a delicate pink hue. She looked so radiant and dewy that she could easily rival the peach blossoms in full bloom.
After some time, Jiang Chenyu sensed something different and tried to shrink back in sudden sensitivity.
Yet her helpless attempts to evade only invited a more relentless, clinging pursuit. Like a helpless rabbit enticing a big bad wolf, she was destined to become the prey on the platter.
Coaxed into turning around, she felt her slender, smooth waist clamped tightly in a firm grip. With the stone wall of the pool directly in front of her and no path of escape behind, she finally realized she had been thoroughly tricked.
As the water rippled and surged beneath them, the woman pressed against the edge grew so weak that she rested her face against the white jade flagstones. Her delicate fingers clutched at the stone, the tips turning a deep rose from the sheer force of her grip.
Though submerged in water, she felt an unbearable thirst rising within her. Her legs subtly strained in a desperate bid to free herself.
Sensing her quiet struggle, the person behind her simply lifted her left knee, locking it securely in the crook of her elbow, while her other hand reached around her abdomen once more to explore further.
With only one foot planted on the pool floor, the young woman felt a dizzying sensation of weightlessness. Her round toes tapped against the stone bottom again and again, yet she was held too securely to ever fall.
In the end, it was only when she was driven to tremble and sob softly that the matter was deemed complete.
Jiang Chenyu had no idea how she eventually returned to the master bedroom to sleep. She only knew that the moment that person drew close to her, she instinctively wanted to beg for mercy.
Fortunately, Shen Hetang was not entirely devoid of restraint. She simply pulled the exhausted woman into her arms and fell asleep. In this mild, comfortable weather, a bit of physical exertion was indeed the perfect remedy for a restful slumber.
Their days in the mountains passed in tranquil leisure, marred by no other incidents save for the brief encounter with that peculiar lady.
They would be able to stay here for about six or seven days. Whether it was the soothing effect of the hot springs or the comforting presence of her wife, Shen Hetang slept peacefully during this time, untroubled by any nightmares. Little by little, she was beginning to understand more about the original host’s past life.
Her dreams had gradually shifted from blood-drenched, chaotic battlefields to the mundane, everyday life of the military camp. Shen Hetang had to admit that Yan Qingli was truly highly skilled; the original host’s memories were integrating with her own mind in an incredibly natural, seamless manner.
Though these memories came in fragmented pieces, they were crystal clear, carrying a profound familiarity that made her feel as if she had lived through those experiences herself.
Most of the dishes Nanny Liu prepared were made from fresh, seasonal vegetables grown in the courtyard. While they might not have been overly refined, they boasted the most natural, wholesome flavors.
There were batter-dipped, deep-fried Chinese mahogany shoots10, stir-fried pork with celtuce and shiitake mushrooms, golden and crispy pea-flour pancakes, quick-sautéed crown daisy greens with garlic, and a spicy stir-fried wild pheasant.
Seeing five dishes on the table, the nanny—who firmly believed that good things should come in pairs—insisted on adding a platter of fresh fruit to make it six, symbolizing smooth fortunes11. It was a delightful sight.
The two sat together in a pavilion shaded by a massive tree, listening to the gentle chorus of birds and insects, feeling the occasional cool breeze, and inhaling the earthy, slightly bitter fragrance of the surrounding forest foliage.
With her chin resting in her palm, Jiang Chenyu stared with starry eyes at Shen Hetang, who was currently locked in a fierce battle with the spicy chicken.
Shen Hetang’s naturally rosy lips had grown exceptionally vibrant and red from the fiery spice.
Noticing the intense gaze, Shen Hetang impaled a piece of fruit on a pick and popped it into Jiang Chenyu’s mouth. Jiang Chenyu was practically a vegetarian rabbit—she had no idea how the girl had developed so well on such a diet, but she herself absolutely had to have her meat!
Footnotes
- Yuquan Mountain (Yùquán Shān) is a scenic mountain famous for its geothermal activity and natural hot springs.
- Hua Manor (Huā Fǔ). In imperial China, large residential estates belonging to prominent families were designated as fu (manors or official residences).
- Maishenqi (màishēnqì), literally 'body-selling contract,' was a legally binding deed of indenture in imperial China that transferred a person's labor and legal rights.
- Yaochi (yáochí), or the Jade Pool, is a legendary lake in Chinese mythology, believed to be the home of the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu).
- Mamianqun (mǎmiànqún), or 'horse-face skirt,' is a traditional Chinese skirt characterized by its flat front panel, pleated sides, and elegant structure.
- Huadian (huādiān), or forehead ornament, is a traditional Chinese decorative makeup element applied between the eyebrows, often in the shape of flowers.
- Yiniang (yíniáng) is a term used in imperial China to refer to a husband's concubine or secondary wife.
- Liyi (lǐyī), or undergarments, are light, loose-fitting inner robes worn beneath formal outer layers in traditional Chinese attire.
- Pankou (pánkòu), or frog closures, are traditional Chinese knot buttons made of cord or fabric, used to fasten traditional garments.
- Xiangchun (xiāngchūn), or Chinese mahogany shoots, are young, highly aromatic tree leaves that are a popular spring delicacy in China.
- Liuliu dashun (liùliù dàshùn) is a traditional Chinese idiom and auspicious saying meaning 'may everything go smoothly,' associated with the number six.
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