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After leaving Yuan Ge, Mu Shengsheng happily led Zisu and Lvl Luo back to the Lingxi Courtyard room.
She sat on the beauty’s couch, holding Zisu’s hand on her left and Lvl Luo’s hand on her right.
Zisu, talkative as always, could hardly contain herself. As soon as she sat down, she eagerly asked, “Miss, how did you manage to escape danger?” Although she had guessed it was related to the Regency Prince, she could not figure out exactly how.
She remembered that day vividly. Mu Shengsheng had been on the brink of death, taken away in a sedan chair. Zisu had already despaired, thinking she would die for sure—and likely be buried with that dead, cold-hearted Fu Er.
Who knew that not only did she survive, but when they saw her the next day, she looked radiant, her face flushed with health, her condition clearly improved—and she even had the Regency Prince as a powerful protector.
Mu Shengsheng recounted everything to Zisu and Lvl Luo: how she had been rescued by the Regency Prince after their separation, had stayed at his mansion since then, and how he even arranged for a divine physician to treat her.
Of course, she didn’t mention that she had to kiss Lan Xun to extend her life.
After all, she was still a young girl; such private matters, even to her most trusted Zisu, were too embarrassing to mention.
This matter was her own to bear—no one else could help anyway.
Just hearing of the Regency Prince’s reputation had Zisu and Lvl Luo trembling in awe. It was almost unbelievable that their young mistress had survived thanks to him, especially considering his unusually attentive attitude toward her in the study.
The powerful and influential Regency Prince, so kind to a sickly girl? Could he have some hidden motive?
Mu Shengsheng was unconcerned. She was practically a dying girl now, with no value to exploit—what motive could he possibly have?
Looking at it now, Lan Xun’s care for her was likely just a fleeting pity.
It was like finding a severely injured kitten on the roadside: one feels compassion, brings it home, treats it, feeds it, and as the kitten recovers, it begins to repay the kindness, while the one who saved it enjoys the sense of accomplishment.
Mu Shengsheng clearly understood her position: in Lan Xun’s eyes, she was that pitiful little kitten.
She instructed the two, “Don’t speculate secretly. My life was saved by him. Besides, if my father were to die unexpectedly, I’d need him to help find someone. He harbors no ill intent toward me.”
The two were surprised. No wonder the marquis hadn’t come yet—he must have been missing!
Xuanji had left, as Lan Xun had other arrangements, leaving only Zisu and Lvl Luo to serve Mu Shengsheng in the Lingxi Courtyard.
Having served her since childhood, they knew all her habits and preferences, and their care was both attentive and precise.
Previously, Mu Shengsheng had avoided troubling Xuanji, and some things weren’t to her liking, but she had endured them.
Now, with Zisu and Lvl Luo, she didn’t need to say a word; they arranged everything according to her preferences.
Within half a day, the Lingxi Courtyard was completely renewed, and Mu Shengsheng felt as comfortable and at ease as she would at home.
That night, after the late meal, the bath had already been prepared with hot water.
Passing the peacock screen, steam rose like ethereal mist, with petals floating on the surface, and fragrant ointments, combs, and bath cloths arranged neatly nearby.
“Miss, please bathe,” Zisu helped her forward, while Lvl Luo rolled up her sleeves, ready to assist.
Mu Shengsheng took a deep breath, inhaling the long-missed moist fragrance. Her eyes welled up, almost crying.
She had been so wronged—all these days away from Zisu and Lvl Luo, she hadn’t bathed…
Not that she didn’t want to, but she had been sick, and with the recent cold weather, bathing was too risky. One careless move could worsen her fragile condition.
She changed clothes daily, wiped herself, and wore scented pouches, so she wasn’t foul, just a little itchy.
Having served her since childhood, Zisu and Lvl Luo knew exactly how to ensure her delicate body wouldn’t be harmed, so they assisted her boldly.
Seeing Mu Shengsheng’s reddened eyes and nose, they probably imagined the inhumane conditions she endured at the Prince’s mansion.
Layer by layer, her garments came off. Her fair, snow-white feet dipped into the bath. Pushing aside the petals, her whole body submerged into the hot water.
As the steam rose, her pale skin gradually regained rosy color, like blooming peach petals, and her face gained an uncommon radiance.
Due to her illness, she was thin, almost without excess flesh, and her body seemed younger than her years—as if a budding flower had not yet fully blossomed.
In the bath, Lvl Luo massaged her back and shoulders while Zisu poured hot water over her. Mu Shengsheng rested her head on her crossed arms, eyes half-closed, a look of contentment on her face.
She thought silently: it’s truly good to be alive.
After bathing, her small, smooth feet left wet footprints, and her waist-length hair, like silk, dripped water. The bath was filled with a sweet, enticing fragrance.
Zisu and Lvl Luo wrapped her tiny body in a large bath towel, dried her hair, and helped her into a smoke-colored nightgown.
It seemed as if the filth was washed away, leaving her renewed.
In that moment, Mu Shengsheng looked like a lotus emerging from water—charming and captivating, completely free from her usual sickly appearance.
Zisu and Lvl Luo were stunned. Their young mistress had rarely looked so healthy; if not for her illness, she would always have looked like this.
Yet, as the steam dissipated, her previous frailty returned.
She approached the bed to find a new set of silk bedding, soft and smooth, embroidered with her favorite lotus pattern. The light reflected softly on it, the canopy replaced with pale moon-colored gauze, adorned with delicate pearls and tassels—beautiful and pleasing to the eye.
Sliding under the covers, she felt utterly comfortable and soon fell asleep, spending the night in peaceful, dreamless rest.
Meanwhile, at the Zhen Guo residence that night:
Su Yun’er, lying in the coffin, married Fu Er in a posthumous ceremony. Once completed, everyone hurriedly arranged for Fu Er’s burial, working through the entire night.
By the next morning, the Zhen Guo residence realized too late that the woman who married Fu Er was not the sickly Mu Shengsheng of the Xuanwu Marquis residence.
Madam Cui, discovering Lan Xun’s trick, was furious and humiliated. She had intended to vent her anger on Zisu and Lvl Luo, only to find that the two maidservants had been silently taken away. In a fit of rage, she fell ill.
The matter was settled. Although the Zhen Guo residence was unwilling, they knew further trouble would yield no gain. They had no choice but to quietly accept it and cover up the incident.