Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 305 - 285: Soaking in the Hot Spring

Tan’er frequently blurted out novel expressions. Meng Qianqian was used to it, but she grew increasingly curious about Tan’er’s mother, who always had something surprising to say.

The carriage quickly arrived at the Royal Garden.

In the previous dynasty, there was a small palace here, but it was destroyed by an earthquake. Rebuilding the palace would inevitably burden the people, so the founding Emperor of the current dynasty only had an official residence constructed.

The Emperor stayed at the official residence.

The soldiers set up camp on their own, and in the process of vying for a spacious training ground, the Imperial Guard and the Jinyi Guard nearly clashed.

The ministers with high status and power were allocated the few small courtyards available, but due to the peculiar terrain, these courtyards were scattered about.

Coincidentally, the courtyards for the Governor Mansion and the Prime Minister’s Mansion were on opposite sides of a small path, staring at each other from the east and west.

Truly, enemies meet on a narrow road.

The courtyards were of the same size, except the East Courtyard of the Governor Mansion had a hot spring.

The Xun Family was a step late, unable to get the East Courtyard and could only settle for the West Courtyard.

After all, ten feet away, there was a second hot spring, making it a decent place to stay.

The East Courtyard was a two-entry courtyard. Yu Zichuan and Ji Li lived in the two main rooms of the first entry, Wu Ge’er and the servants lived in the side rooms, and Ban Xia and her companions stayed in the courtyard behind with the young couple.

Bai Yuwei and A’man shared a room, Ban Xia and Tan’er shared another room.

The other four maids stayed two to a room.

Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan, along with Bao Shu, occupied the main house.

After the living arrangements were completed, people began tidying up, making beds as needed.

Unlike the others, Tan’er was busy searching for the hot spring.

"Hot spring! Hot spring! Hot spring!"

The hot spring was in the backyard, covered with a wooden shed, with benches inside to place clothes on.

The pool had running water; though not very large, it was clean.

"Hot spring! Ah, here I come!"

Plonk!

Tan’er jumped into the water!

"Tan’er — do you know how to swim?"

Ban Xia tried to stop her but failed, becoming pale with fright.

"I do, I do, I swim well!"

Tan’er’s little head popped out of the water, answered, and then dove back in, happily swimming around.

Bao Shu stood outside the courtyard, looking at a babbling brook...a small ditch, thinking it was the hot spring, she took a bold leap.

Whoosh.

In mid-air, she was caught by her neglectful father.

Lu Yuan placed her back on the shore.

She jumped down again.

She was caught again.

Bao Shu was exasperated, she pushed Lu Yuan away, refusing to let him touch her, and disdainfully moved to the side, trying to distance herself from the bothersome father.

On her third attempt to jump into the ditch, Lu Yuan directly brought her back into the courtyard.

The first day was hectic. Dinner wasn’t extravagant; some wild game and a few flatbreads, everyone made do and then went to soak in the hot spring.

This time, Treasure Piggy finally got her wish to get in the water.

Qing Shuang sat in the pool, holding a fishing rod. At the end of the rod was a fishing net cradling a Treasure Piggy.

"Hey-ho, hey-ho!"

"Blub, blub!"

Bao Shu paddled vigorously in the water.

Qing Shuang skillfully maneuvered the rod along with Bao Shu’s movements, back and forth, creating a harmonious rhythm.

Soon, Ban Xia and Meng Qianqian also arrived.

The two had bathed, wearing thin nightclothes, and Ban Xia was a bit embarrassed.

Meng Qianqian said, "We’re all ladies, no need to be shy."

Ban Xia hesitated, "I-I’ll just stand outside and keep watch, in case someone comes in."

Meng Qianqian smiled, "The door is locked, no one will come in."

Only then did Ban Xia follow Meng Qianqian into the water.

Unfamiliar with swimming and experiencing a hot spring for the first time, she was understandably nervous and sat at the shallowest part.

In the deepest part swam a delighted Tan’er fish.

Meanwhile, Ji Li knocked on Si Snake’s door: "Snake, want to soak in the hot spring?"

"Sure."

Si Snake did not refuse.

Ji Li chuckled, "So accommodating? Not like you."

Si Snake calmly said, "Getting familiar with the terrain helps capture people."

Ji Li’s face darkened, "For a mere five copper coins a day, is it worth being so dutiful?"

On their way out, they encountered Lu Yuan and Yu Zichuan.

"Going to the hot spring."

Si Snake said, "Join us, there are some people I don’t recognize."

Lu Yuan gladly agreed: "Alright."

Ji Li frowned, "Some people?"

When they reached the hot spring in the back of the hill, Ji Li understood the two’s cryptic conversation.

It turned out they weren’t the only ones at the hot spring.

Ji Li recognized Xun Yu and Shangguan Ling.

The other two, he had to apologize for not recognizing them.

The two groups stood facing each other by the hot spring, and the atmosphere suddenly turned strange.

Xun Yu’s gaze swept over the four of them, finally resting on Lu Yuan’s expressionless face: "Oh, I wondered who it was, turns out it’s the fourth brother, long time no see. Sixth brother, seventh brother, aren’t you going to greet your fourth brother?"

The refined Xun Qi chuckled, "Fourth Brother."

Ji Li used a folding fan to shield his mouth and whispered to Si Snake, "Snake, why does this person have eyes like yours? From the same place?"

Si Snake said nothing.

Xun Qi laughed and looked over at them, apparently not noticing Si Snake’s eye color: "You must be the famous Si Snake Guard and Rooster Guard, I’ve heard so much about you."

Xun Liu was rather quiet, just exchanging a greeting with Lu Yuan, calling him Fourth Brother, and then fell silent.

Shangguan Ling chuckled, "Let’s enjoy the hot spring before it cools!"

Yu Zichuan: "Even if you chill, it won’t."

Shangguan Ling: "...!!"

This hot spring was much larger than the one in the East Courtyard. Apart from Yu Zichuan, the other seven all got into the water.

The groups occupied each side, glaring at each other intently.

Lu Yuan spoke coldly, "Whose idea was it last time?"

Xun Qi laughed, "It’s unrelated to Third Brother and Sixth Brother, it was my plan alone. I heard Third Brother lost something important. Fourth Brother, did you happen to find it?"

Lu Yuan casually replied, "What I wanted to find most was his life."

Ji Li shook his fan, thinking, oh my, what’s with the candor?

Killing intent spread among them.

Xun Yu locked eyes with Lu Yuan’s fierce gaze, unwavering.

After a moment, he suddenly laughed, "Fourth Brother sure loves to joke."

Lu Yuan smiled, a charming and captivating smile, "Indeed, just a joke. How could I want Third Brother’s life? Clearly, I want all of yours."

Xun Yu: "..."

Xun Liu, Xun Qi: "..."

Shangguan Ling cleared his throat, "Ahem! It’s about time, soaking too long makes one dizzy. We have to rise early tomorrow; Princely Heir, let’s head back."

Xun Yu: "You all go first. I have something to say to Fourth Brother."

Shangguan Ling glanced at Xun Liu and Xun Qi; seeing them obediently get out, he could only drag himself out of the pool, dripping wet.

Xun Yu walked towards Lu Yuan step by step.

Ji Li and Si Snake stayed still.

Yu Zichuan did, however, press down on the bow in his hand.

Xun Yu stopped by Lu Yuan’s side: "Fourth Brother, why oppose me? You should understand I do not wish to harm you."

Lu Yuan seized the hand reaching for him: "Don’t touch me with your filthy hand."

Xun Yu chuckled softly in his ear, "I haven’t not touched you before."

Ji Li kicked at Xun Yu’s chest!

A silhouette flashed by, pulling Xun Yu to the shore just in time.

It was Xun Liu.

Xun Yu smiled meaningfully, extending his arms as a servant draped a robe over him, then he departed with Xun Liu.