The Fine Print✔️

Chapter 16

When I open my eyes after witnessing the shameless things I had done the night before, I am only too willing and glad to do some physical exertion to dispel the residual energy that the scene had left behind.

When we reach our destination: the tunnel we were supposed to be working on, the guards remove our blindfolds.

All around me, I find men hard at work with armed guards supervising them. I am pulled out of my reprieve when one of the guards who had accompanied us shoves me forward, "Move." He orders, gesturing me to go to a man who was sitting at the corner with a pile of parchments stacked up in front of him.

After we have submitted our temporary permits to the man, we are guided towards a relatively secluded corner and ordered to dig.

The supervisor in charge holds his hand out and shows us a rock with black crystal-like spikes growing out of it. "This is what you are looking for; if you come across any, give us a shout. Don't try to flick it. It's worthless to you. I am sure you don't want to lose your life for a worthless piece of rock."

After he leaves, not wanting to court trouble, we get to work. As we break rocks and pile them at the side, I try to see if there was a way I could gather more information about this project. To my disappointment, however, every time I try to approach someone, they moved away. The few times that I did manage to get a few words out, however, I am reprimanded with a whip across my back.

Of course, Zhan ge had tried to come to my rescue, but it had not helped. After the third time he had tried to stand up for me, he too was whipped. I had almost lost my cool at the time. The only thing that had stopped me was Weredra's words that had invaded my mind, 'Endure, or you will blow your cover and get Senior gege in more trouble. I couldn't see where they took you; I can't help you.'

It is only after her warning that I come back to my senses. Realizing that to attack them now would help no one, I help Zhan up. I mouth him an apology; he nods, and we get back to work. The rest of the day turns out to be uneventful.

When we return, we are exhausted, sweaty, and covered in soot. Side-eyeing Zhan, I wonder how he still managed to look hot - like hellfire - even now, under all that grime.

I want to take a hot bath. It's the comfort I miss most about not being royalty anymore.

Sigh.

"We need to bathe," Zhan mutters, as if reading my mind and drags me towards the back of Lung Mansion.

"Where are you taking me, Zhan ge?" I enquire, falling in step with him.

"To get us cleaned." He replies, "It's a place Luo showed us in the morning. The common folk come here to bathe." He adds, smiling brightly.

Does he expect us to bathe together!?

How preposterous!?

My mind races to think of ways to get out of the situation, but before I can come up with something, Zhan stops, "We are here." He announces, looking proud.

It's a bath area, the kind I had seen the palace servants use when I had sneaked out of the palace on rare occasions. This one, however, was humbler.

"What are you thinking about?" Zhan asks, dragging me out of my musings.

I shake my head, "You go ahead. I am fine."

"YiJun, you are covered in dirt. There is no way you will be allowed inside like this."

The mention of sleep brings images of me all but molesting Zhan to my mind; it stirs my heart and body.

Fuck!