“Proprietor, we’ve brought the water. Where should we pour it?”
The attendants called to Yang Wan from the corridor. Yang Wan finally let go of Deng Ying. “Pour it into the tub. Then go enjoy the hotpot – we have plenty of rabbit meat today.”
An attendant said, “Miss Yun went to find bath beans upstairs. We’re waiting to bring them to you.”
Yang Wan replied, “Tell her not to bother searching. I have some left in my room, which should be enough.”
“Ah, yes.”
The attendants poured in the hot water and left.
Yang Wan led Deng Ying into the room. A woven bamboo screen stood before the wooden bed. The water temperature was just right, releasing delicate white steam. Yang Wan turned and said, “The bath beans are in that small box. There’s not much left, but make do with it. I’ll go find you some clothes.”
With that, she went behind the screen.
Deng Ying gazed at Yang Wan’s bed. The mattress was thick and soft, covered with a damask quilt that seemed freshly starched, giving off a faint soap fragrance. Several books lay at the head of the bed, one still open, showing his former annotations on its pages.
A tall table stood beside the bed with a vase holding a nearly-fallen apricot blossom. Besides these, there were no other furnishings. Deng Ying removed his outer garment but wouldn’t sit on Yang Wan’s bed. He leaned against the wall, lowering his head to untie his waist towel and remove his outer trousers.
Yang Wan’s silhouette appeared on the screen, the person behind it barely covered by thin clothing.
A chill rose from the ground, creeping up Deng Ying’s undergarment legs. Along with his shiver came an instinctive sense of shame. But his heart remained steady.
This was, after all, Yang Wan’s chamber. As long as she was present, even if he were unclothed, he need not feel awkward.
“Deng Ying.”
“Yes.”
“Um… have you undressed?”
“Yes.”
“Then come over and take this.”
A hand extended from beside the screen, holding new undergarments.
“Your old clothes are sealed away by the city moat. I couldn’t bring them when I left. These are newly bought, though they’re not very soft. I’ve washed them several times, but they’re still not very comfortable.”
Deng Ying reached for the clothes. The hand lingered at the screen’s edge.
“Take your time bathing. You can soak for a while.”
“Wan’wan.”
Deng Ying looked at the hand on the screen. “Bathing like this… I’m afraid I’ll dirty your bed.”
“Then you’ll sleep in the place you’ve dirtied tonight, and I’ll wash it tomorrow.”
“I’ll wash it…”
“It’s fine, Deng Ying.”
The hand left the screen, though the voice stayed close. “If it gets dirty now, I’ll wash it. When you’re better, I’ll watch you do the washing.”
She gently patted the screen and turned away, saying:
“Go ahead and bathe. I’ll sit outside. When you’re done, we’ll go eat hotpot.”
The steaming rabbit meat hotpot drove away the early spring evening’s chill.
The setting sun’s remaining light fell into the courtyard as the wind gently stirred the grape vines on the wall. Among the cooking smells wafted the fragrance of paper and ink.
Chen Hua carefully watched the fire in the stove, occasionally poking it with a long stick. Song Yunqing patted his shoulder, “Go poke from the other side, don’t block the Superintendent’s seat.”
She then said to Deng Ying: “Superintendent, sit here where you won’t catch the wind or smoke. We’ll sit on that side.”
Deng Ying stood and smiled.
“No need, anywhere is fine for me.”
Chen Hua hurried to say: “Please come sit here. Your leg isn’t well, and Miss Wan specifically set up a stove here for you.”
Yang Wan came from the kitchen carrying vegetables. “My sister’s here, so he won’t dare take the honored seat. Let him sit wherever he wants – the stove can be moved.”
She pointed to the seat before her. “Come, sit.”
Deng Ying obediently sat down. Song Yunqing couldn’t help but laugh, “When I was still in the palace, everyone in the Imperial Dressing Bureau said that although the Superintendent was good-natured, he wasn’t easy to talk to. I thought so too then. But Yang Wan, with you, the Superintendent doesn’t argue at all.”
Yang Wan helped Song Yunqing arrange the bowls and chopsticks, smiling as she said: “If we’re talking about obedience, he can’t compare to Master Chen.”
Deng Ying and Chen Hua exchanged glances, then both looked away.
Chen Hua said: “I’m just simple and haven’t read much. Yunqing always makes sense, so in my confusion, I just listen.”
“Me too.”
Deng Ying added.
Chen Hua quickly said: “You can’t say that! You’ve studied extensively – you teach at the Inner School, no worse than the Hanlin Academy. You listen to Miss Wan because she’s good, and you like her in your heart…”
“Chen Hua.”
Song Yunqing snatched his chopsticks. “How can you know what the Superintendent thinks? If you know so much, you should be Superintendent.”
Chen Hua quickly shrank back onto his stool. “I couldn’t, I couldn’t. I won’t say more…”
Yang Wan sat down beside Deng Ying, noticing his ears had reddened at some point.