Once the bath was ready, the maids walked back to where the sect leader's daughter was, helping her out of the bed by standing one on each side to gently pull her up by the hand. Hidden behind her bedchamber, opened up to a wide closed space with a big wooden tub filled with glistering clear water and bright pink scented petals.
Sliding the door to the side, they walked into a room covered in steam. Still keeping their position by the side of the sect leader's daughter, they told her what they would be doing, before reaching out to takeoff her soiled robe. Xu Hui raised a hand to halt their action, saying, "Wait! I will do this by myself. You can all leave!"
The maids in question, were of similar age to Li Jiao, and were carefully selected by her father before they could serve by her side. Not once had the sect leader's daughter ever taken a bath by herself, in the past it used to be some nurturing older maids that took care of her, before they were switched to younger maids when she was starting to become of age.
They found her behavior very distressing, but chose to oblige. Pulling the door back, and firmly sliding it in place, leaving the sect leader's daughter to care for herself alone.
Xu Hui slowly released the sash that held her robe, pulling off an item of clothing at a time, watching as each piece of clothing dropped to the ground at her feet. Lastly, taking off her white undergarment. Stark naked, she walked to the other side of the floral screen where the steamy tub stood.
Placing one leg at a time, she got into the tub. Unable to get rid of past tendencies, she delved deep into the steamy water, before abruptly shooting out from it and shaking her head. Spraying everywhere with water.
Satisfying her impulsive action, Xu Hui returned back to the tub. One of the petals stuck to the deep pink nipple of her breast. That was when, Xu Hui began running her hand through the newly acquired body, cupping both globes in her hands. In the past, she used to be flat chested, but seeing how endowed Li Jiao's body was made her thankful to the heavens for blessing her with such body.
Xu Hui still shared the memories of Li Jiao, resting her back comfortably against the wall of the tub, Her eyes closed, freeing her mind to wonder and dig into who Li Jiao was, seeking the memories buried deep within.
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The day Yuan Huiling got married to Li Guoliang, it was a time of great celebration which lasted for seven whole nights. It was rare to see, two powerful cultivation sect join in marriage without being forced to do so. Their marriage was the talk of the cultivation world for many years, but fate wasn't kind to them. Yuan Huiling was born with a weak heart, it was common knowledge and despite warnings that she could not bare a child, because it will put unnecessary strain to her heart. The first few years, she was closely watched, her time with in her husband's chamber was very restricted. Not wanting to lose favor with him, she decided to put on an act of obedience, allowing the usual check from the sect's physician each time she paid her husband a visit in his private chamber.
What Yuan Huiling saw on the faces of the sect members, servants and maids and also in people from other sects was the look of pity. How she hated the way they looked at her! If not because she was from a strong prominent sect, would they even dare to offer the customary polite greeting?!
Still bidding her time, until she was sure she had been able to fool the sect physician. Paying the usual visit to her husband without any change in the way she was towards him. Having stopped taking the pill for a short while, it was a risk she was prepared to take.
One day, Yuan Huiling pleaded with her husband, asking to be allowed to visit the ZhenGu temple beyond the mountain to pray for good health and prosperity of the sect, begging only to be allowed to stay there for six months.
Moved by the nature of his wife's request, the YuanLi sect's leader gave in to her request, unaware of the underlying motive. Taking a few of her trusted maids with her, and some of her belongings, Yuan Huiling was given a grand farewell by her husband and members of the sect, under the bright morning rays.
On getting into the temple and welcomed by the monks into a huge plain chamber, with greeting exchanged and a few talks, Yuan Huiling bid the monks goodbye, bolting the door to the room, before turning to face the maids that came with her.
The Mistress of YuanLi sect, told them the real reason for coming to the temple and forced the maids to take an oath of secrecy. Their actions did not rouse the suspicion of the monks, as each day they rose up to offer prayers in the main hall, kneeling in front of a giant Buddha statue. The monks were not aware of the things that went on in the cultivation world. When her belly began to grow, they took it as a lady from a wealthy home, praying for the well being of her unborn child.
The promised time to leave came. Setting out at dawn and bidding a farewell to the monks, Yuan Hiling walked back to the YuanLi sect, using the same path they took a few months back. At the entrance of the sect, waiting expectantly was the sect leader and the rest of the sect, when they saw the familiar figure of the women, at first they were filled with joy, but as they drew closer, that was when a change came over them, so shocked were they to see their mistress heavy with child.
Li Guoliang collapsed from the shock, as everyone scurried to get him in, once inside his chambers and attended to by Physician Shen, he finally came to himself.This was a tough time for the YuanLi sect, the physician became a regular visitor, checking in on the sect leader's wife until her day to give birth came.
It was a very difficult night delivery, Yuan Huiling lost a lot of blood, in fierce determination despite knowing her heart was failing her, she gave a final hard push, expelling the baby from within her. In a weak voice, she asked the baby be handed to her, only catching a glimpse of the child's face before she fell back to the bed, the last breath leaving her blood soaked body.
This wasn't the only tragic news that Li Guoliang received, for after the physician had checked the baby girl, he noticed some anomalies in her pulse, which was very similar to those of her mother's. Knowing he could not hid what he had discovered, Physician Shen broke the news to the YuanLi sect leader, who on hearing it coughed up blood and fainted from receiving too much bad news in one day.