Ziya trotted all the way into the depths of the garden, nearly dragging Bai Li along with her.
The little girl’s palm was warm and soft, and she held on with extra strength, as if afraid that if she let go, the Mother before her would vanish into thin air.
“Mother, Mother, this way, this way!”
Ziya’s little face was flushed.
As she ran, she frequently turned her head to check, fearing that Bai Li might not be able to keep up with her.
Not far away, the White Jade Petal Bath had already been meticulously prepared by the maids.
The bath was carved from a single piece of Warm White Jade.
Even before getting close, one could feel the gentle steam wafting toward them.
The surface of the water was covered with fresh petals gathered in the early morning…
Roses, jasmine, lily of the valley, and small daisies were layered in a circle.
When the breeze blew, they gently swirled on the water’s surface, their fragrance sweet and pleasant without being cloying.
“Madam, Your Highness, the water temperature has been adjusted to the most suitable level.”
Rongrong curtsied and tactfully retreated to the side, leaving this gentle space to the two of them.
Ziya immediately let go of Bai Li’s hand and stood on her tiptoes to grab the edge of the bath.
Her little head poked in curiously, the misty steam lightly reddening her cheeks.
Rongrong stepped forward to help her remove her outer clothes.
In the next second, with a “plop”, Ziya dove into the water like a lively little otter.
Then, she poked her wet head out, her eyes sparkling as she called out.
“Mother, come in quickly~ Soaking in here makes your whole body smell sweet!”
Watching her impatient look, Bai Li could not help but chuckle.
She reached out to gently tidy the bangs that had been blown messy by the wind.
“I know, you little impatient thing.”
Looking at Ziya, who was staring at her expectantly, Bai Li’s cheeks warmed slightly.
However, she was no longer as flustered as she had been when she first transformed.
Having been pestered by Baining for so long, she had already shed the awkwardness and stiffness of the early days.
With natural and skilled movements, she removed her outer robe, leaving only a soft, close-fitting inner garment as she slowly stepped into the bath.
The warm jade felt slightly cool against her skin, but the spring water was at the perfect temperature.
The warmth slowly spread from her toes to her entire body.
As soon as she soaked in, a sense of total comfort washed over her, and the fatigue of the past few days seemed to melt away in the warm water.
The petals floating on the surface were gently pushed away by her steps.
Pink, white, and pale yellow blossoms brushed against her arms and waist, softly rubbing against her skin with a refreshing and sweet floral scent.
Ziya’s eyes instantly lit up, like a kitten seeing its Master return home.
She quickly paddled through the water and approached, carefully hugging Bai Li’s arm and leaning her soft little body against her.
“Mother~ Is the water temperature just right?”
She tilted her little face up.
The steam had turned the tip of her nose pink, and her long eyelashes were clumped together from the moisture.
She looked truly adorable.
Bai Li’s heart softened at the embrace.
She reached out and gently wrapped her arm around Ziya’s back to let her lean more securely.
“Yes, it is very comfortable.”
Ziya immediately smiled until her eyes curved into crescents.
She pressed herself against Bai Li, her little head naturally resting on her shoulder.
As the spring water swayed gently, the petals drifted between the two of them, creating an incredibly heartwarming scene.
She leaned closer to Bai Li and sniffed her.
“Mother smells so good…”
She muttered softly, her cheeks rubbing gently against Bai Li’s shoulder, her tone incredibly sweet and soft.
“As fragrant as the petals. No, even more fragrant than the petals.”
Bai Li gently stroked her hair, which was wet from the spring water.
Being praised so bluntly caused a wave of sweet joy to involuntarily rise within her heart.
“You really are the best at coaxing people to be happy.”
“I’m not coaxing you, it’s true!”
Ziya raised her head and puffed out her cheeks in a serious rebuttal.
Her small hands quietly gathered a handful of spring water filled with petals and gently splashed it toward Bai Li.
Water droplets slid down the delicate skin, leaving shallow tracks on her arms and splashing onto Bai Li’s face.
“Heehee… This way, Mother will be even more fragrant.”
She laughed until her eyes turned into little crescent moons, mischievous and cute.
Bai Li had not expected the well-behaved Ziya to have such a playful side.
Feeling helpless yet doting, she reached out and gently flicked the girl’s small forehead.
“You little troublemaker.”
“Haha~”
Ziya covered her forehead and giggled.
Her crisp laughter mixed with the tinkling of the spring water and the faint floral scent, making the entire bath feel sweet.
She simply sprawled in Bai Li’s arms, her arms gently encircling her mother’s waist as she buried her face in that warm, reassuring crook of the neck, too satisfied to move.
“Mother… this feels so good.”
Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a hint of lazy sleepiness.
“When I soaked alone before, my heart always felt empty. Now that Mother is here, I am not lonely at all.”
Bai Li’s chest warmed, and she subconsciously tightened her arms, holding the small body in her embrace even closer.
The warm spring water enveloped the two of them, and petals floated gently on the surface.
Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled spots of light that shimmered in the ripples, quiet and beautiful.
There was no need for extra words.
Just this quiet cuddling was the most peaceful time in the world.
The small bath was overflowing with tenderness and sweetness.
Ziya rubbed against her chest then suddenly looked up at Bai Li again, full of expectation.
“Mother, let’s soak together every day from now on, okay? I’ll put the freshest petals in for you every day~”
Looking at her sincere and expectant gaze, Bai Li’s heart melted completely.
She could not help but look up and press a gentle kiss onto the girl’s damp hair.
“Okay.”
“I will accompany you every day.”
Ziya was instantly so happy that she lightly kicked her feet in the water, splashing up circles of fine spray.
The petals danced along with the water, landing on the tips of her hair and between her brows, as if placing a natural garland on the Little Princess.
She hugged Bai Li tightly, burying her face deeper, murmuring softly and with satisfaction.
“REX997…”
Bai Li gently held the soft, sweet little figure in her arms, her heart at peace.
She did not notice that the shackles that once firmly locked her away, reminding her of her “Male Identity,” were being quietly undone by this bit of tenderness.
“She was…”
Slowly getting used to the gentle daily life of a woman.
Slowly getting used to a life of being relied upon, being loved, and being sweetly called “Mother.”
If Baining came over, she could only secretly call Ziya…
“An expert…”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.