Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

After dinner, he chatted with the King of Yunnan, Lady Qin, and Dugu Jingyue for a while before returning to their respective courtyards. Dugu Jingyao hadn't tasted the flavors of her hometown for a long time. At noon, because she had just woken up, she could only eat porridge and small dishes. But she ate a lot at dinner.

Back in the courtyard, Dugu Jingyao tried to digest her food. While she'd been allowed to practice swordplay in the past, the previous dynasty's civil officials had been too controlling, and her practice always drew scrutiny, leading to her becoming less frequent. At best, she'd only been accompanied by Li Yu on his annual autumn hunt. Thinking of this, Dugu Jingyao no longer hesitated. She asked Si Jian for her usual sword, and they practiced for a while in the courtyard. Si Jian and another maid, Shi Jian, applauded. Si Jian remarked, "The princess's swordplay is truly becoming more and more..." After racking her brains for a suitable adjective, Shi Jian added, "More and more refined." She smiled, thinking to herself: I hadn't practiced in over a decade, relying solely on muscle memory, and things had gotten a bit rusty. So, she said, "Alright, stop complimenting me. Go get me some hot water. I've worked up a sweat, and I need a good bath." Shi Jian ordered the water to be boiled, while Si Jian helped Dugu Jingyao put away her sword. Perhaps it had been a while since she'd moved, so Dugu Jingyao sat down at the low table and poured herself cup after cup of water. After three cups, she finally put them down. Two more cups of tea passed before Shi Jian entered. "Princess, the water is ready, and the flower petals are scattered." Dugu Jingyao replied, "Okay, you two can go down first! I'll call you if I need anything." They both bowed and took their leave.

She shed her dress and stepped into the tub. The moment she sat down, she sighed, "It's been ages since I've soaked in a bath after working so much sweat. It feels so good!" Though her face looked darker than her skin, exposed to the sun and wind for years, her skin was indeed fairer than snow. After scrubbing herself clean, she soaked in the tub for a while longer before finishing. She put on her clothes and headed for bed. Si Jian came in and saw that his princess's hair wasn't dry. He hurried to wipe it with a towel before she lay down. As he did so, he said, "Princess, you used to go to bed without drying your hair, but today you've finally gotten over your fever. Aren't you afraid of catching a cold again?" Dugu Jingyao felt relieved to see Si Jian, who looked like an old woman before her. She was thankful she was still around. Si Jian and Shi Jian had grown up together, Shi Jian more literary, while Shi Jian more martial. In her previous life, Si Jian had died protecting her in battle, while Shi Jian had accompanied her into the palace. When she came back to her senses, she couldn't help laughing at Si Jian in front of her: "I know, you are so young, but you are nagging like an old woman?" Si Jian was a little annoyed, but he didn't stop his hands: "Princess, you are making fun of me!" Shi Jian stepped forward and patted Si Jian on the shoulder: "Good Si Jian, how could the princess make fun of you? I am just telling the truth." After that, he covered his lips and laughed. Si Jian had just finished wiping Dugu Jingyao's hair and threw the towel to Shi Jian, stamping his feet in anger. Dugu Jingyao took Si Jian's hand and said: "Okay, Shi Jian was just joking with you, why did you take it seriously? Of course I know you are doing this for my own good, I will definitely listen to you in the future!" After that, he made a gesture of swearing. Si Jian finally burst into laughter and said proudly: "Okay, princess, I know you didn't mean it. Okay, princess, your hair is done, you should go to bed early!" Dugu Jingyao lay down on the bed, Si Jian and Shi Jian lowered the bed curtain and stepped back.