After all the commotion, Lu He was exhausted, and the Shopkeeper and Waiter were sweating profusely. They quickly promised an extra twenty copper coins as a tip upon checking out.
The Shopkeeper, being a kind man, immediately refused, "Young brother, there’s no need. When you’re away from home, you should help others. Your brother encountered difficulties and ended up like this, and you’ve suffered a lot as well."
Lu He said a few polite words, but seeing his insistence, didn’t force it. Then she asked the Waiter for a tub of water as she too wanted to bathe.
Soon, the Waiter came and went, having changed out the hot water, and left after closing the door.
The room was large, bright, and airy despite its worn state, with complete furnishings including a table, chairs, bed, and a screen...
Light from outside streamed through the windows, but the wind couldn’t get in, making it very warm.
The large bathtub was filled with hot water, steaming abundantly.
The Eldest Young Master was lying naked on the bed, covered with a quilt.
She gave a tael of silver to the Waiter to go buy some clothes, instructing him to knock on the door in an hour. The remaining money would be his reward.
In her bundle, she still had a set of clean clothes, so Lu He didn’t purchase any.
After checking if the doors and windows were locked, she circled around the screen to start undressing.
"Young Master, your clothes have been sent for by the Waiter, and will be delivered later. I’m going to bathe behind the screen now."
Lu He’s habitual narration informed the Eldest Young Master of her actions.
The rustling of clothes being shed could be heard, with garments being draped over the screen one by one.
Zhao Jun remained indifferent on the bed, reaching for the book "Sheep Public" at the bedside and started reading.
His hearing was excellent, and he could clearly perceive the antics of the clumsy lass behind the screen—singing, splashing water, submerging her head into the tub playing at holding her breath...
Every movement was vividly apparent.
Glancing towards the screen, he could see a faint silhouette cradling water to wash her face through the barrier.
Retracting his gaze, he focused on "Sheep Public," determined not to let the silly lass’s behavior distract him.
"Young Master."
A clear voice resounded.
Zhao Jun ignored it; this clumsy lad was short, dusty-faced, and even sounded like a girl, utterly illogical.
The voice came again, "Young Master, did you hear me? If you did, cough once."
Again, he ignored it...
"Young Master? Eldest Young Master? Young Master..."
Fuming with irritation, Zhao Jun’s eyes darkened slightly with a hint of anger, and he knocked heavily on the headboard, producing a "knock, knock" sound.
The person behind the screen seemed embarrassed, shyly saying, "It’s like this, I came in too quickly just now, and I left my clothes on the stool without taking them."
Zhao Jun knocked on the headboard a second time: And then?
"Well, the clothes I took off are dirty, and I don’t want to wrap myself with them again, otherwise I’d have to wash them again. Can you close your eyes and not look at me when I go to get my clothes? If you agree, knock twice as a response." A shy voice emerged through the fish-patterned screen.
Two knocks sounded in response, "Knock, knock."
It was counted as agreement.
"Alright, I’m coming out. Close your eyes and don’t look at me."
The sound of water splashing was heard.
The person in the tub stood up, using a towel to cover the front of her body, and hid behind the screen, sneaking a glance to see if the man on the bed had his eyes closed.
The man placed the book on his chest and lay on the bed with his eyes tightly shut, without opening them.
Lu He breathed a sigh of relief and reminded again, "Young Master, I’m going to get my clothes now. Don’t peek, otherwise, you’ll be a pervert for spying on someone bathing."