The kitchen heated the water and brought in a large wooden tub, placing it behind the screen.
Caiqing stepped forward to help Hua Yan with her bath, but Yun Chi waved her away. Caiqing left and closed the door behind her.
Yun Chi reached out to lift Hua Yan, cradling her behind the screen to the edge of the wooden tub, and whispered in her ear, "I wish to bathe with you, but I fear playing with fire would lead to self-immolation, so I must refrain."
Hua Yan looked up at him, "Let Caiqing do it, you should go to the adjoining cleansing room."
Yun Chi shook his head, speaking in an even lower voice, "I want to see you."
Hua Yan reached out to wrap her arms around his neck and whispered, "Let's bathe together. My hand has regained some strength; I can help you."
Yun Chi's eyelashes fluttered, his eyes flickered, and he looked down at her hands—these soft and delicate hands, pale and tender—his heart raced just looking at them. He asked softly, "Are you sure?"
