Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 191 A Naïve Bath

(The following is an abridged version)
The process of concubines serving the emperor in the Han Dynasty was actually extremely complicated. The process depicted in later Qing Dynasty dramas, where concubines would be removed from their clothes, wrapped in blankets, and then escorted to the emperor's bedchamber by the head lady-in-waiting, was actually first implemented in the Han Dynasty.

For security reasons, neither the emperor nor the crown prince were allowed to stay overnight in the palaces of the empresses and concubines; instead, they had to stay in their own private quarters.

Every five days, the empress had to prepare food for the emperor, and also give wine and meat to the emperor's close ministers. She would stay overnight in the emperor's bedroom until dawn the next day before returning to the West Palace.

Apart from these five days, the Imperial Concubine would inquire about the emperor's choice of concubine before 8:00 PM (22:45-23:00), and the Imperial Household Department would provide a list of concubines below the rank of Jieyu, from which the emperor would then choose one.

At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), the selected concubines had to remove their hairpins and earrings, take off their clothes, and cover their bodies with a quilt before entering the king's bedchamber to receive the king's favor.

However, even the specific time for being favored was strictly regulated, and could not exceed five quarters past midnight (00:00–00:15). That is to say, even if one entered at the fastest speed and left at the latest time, it would not exceed one and a half hours.

When the time came, the head lady-in-waiting would remind them and enter the bedchamber to help the concubines, who were dressed, out.

Each time a concubine received the emperor's favor, she would be given a silver ring. At the same time, the time and number of silver rings she received would be recorded. If a concubine below the rank of Jieyu did not conceive within a month, she would no longer be allowed to serve the emperor.

Of course, women below the rank of Jieyu were mostly from wealthy families or even lower social classes, or like Liu Qing, the female relatives of disgraced officials.

Consorts from good families rarely received a rank lower than Jieyu, and even if they did not bear children, they could still be favored because of their maternal family.

However, this set of rules was in place before Emperor Guangwu, and was gradually changed by successive emperors and their domineering empresses and concubines. When it came to his father Liu Hong, it was completely ignored.

Liu Hong said, "With only an hour and a half, who has enough time to perform?"

One hour per person... well, anyway, even nude swimming pools can be built, and concubines can be favored in the pool at any time. You can imagine how low the enforcement of this rule is now.

When it comes to Liu Bian... ha, I'll take on ten of them!

Empress He probably thought that her son only had two women around him, and that her son was always obedient and wouldn't have any scandalous affairs with the palace maids, so as long as she knew that Liu Bian was working hard, she didn't inquire further.

If she knew how long Liu Bian and Liu Qing spent their days "plowing" together, well... first she'd despise his incompetent father, then her mother would beat her!

Empress He could accept being promoted from Empress to Empress Dowager at a young age, but she could not accept being promoted from Empress Dowager to Grand Empress Dowager at a young age.

It wasn't uncommon for emperors in the Han Dynasty to die from exhaustion while pregnant with women, such as Emperor Xiaocheng, who was known for his graceful and elegant demeanor.

In the Yong'an Palace at night, it was that familiar bathroom again.

The misty water vapor climbed up the walls of the jade pool, gradually overflowing the bare feet that resembled a pair of jade stones, and climbing up the fair and smooth jade back. Before even entering the water, it had already soaked the purple gauze that was even thinner than the water vapor in the pool, revealing a graceful outline that was faintly visible.

Cai Yuan stood by the pond, her pearly teeth lightly biting her lower lip, turning her moist lips into an alluring rosy red. Her eyes, like autumn water, darted around uneasily, sometimes stealing glances at Liu Bian on the soft couch by the pond, and sometimes hurriedly shifting her gaze to the pond water, her slender fingers tightly gripping the hem of her gauze dress.

Whether it was the nervousness of serving the emperor tonight or the shyness brought by the gossamer-thin gauze dress, her ten toes, painted with deep purple powder, clenched slightly. After meeting the man's ambiguous smile in her eyes, she lowered her head, not daring to look up and meet his gaze.

Helpless, he could only lower his gaze, staring intently at the ground, shrinking back like a frightened deer.

Liu Bian chuckled silently, leaning lazily against the soft couch. His gaze roamed over her body as if it were a physical object, taking in every subtle change in her, and enjoying her uneasy yet innocent appearance with great interest.

She is a powerful woman who holds real power in the Cai family and is the de facto head of the Cai family, yet she also has such a charming and adorable side, which is truly rare.

Therefore, he did not urge her, but lay on his side on the soft couch, waiting for Cai Yuan to continue the bathing process.

These procedures were all taught by the palace tutors. Although it was just last-minute cramming, Cai Yuan's intelligence was enough to memorize them in half a day. Cai Yuan took a deep breath, her chest heaving as she revealed her exquisite curves, and the fair skin beneath her gauze dress was subtly tinged with the pale pink of a newly blossoming begonia by the moisture.

Whether it was shyness or moisture, Liu Bian simply rested his elbows on the armrests, his chin against his palms, appreciating everything.

Maturity has its own charm, and so does immaturity.

Maturity means not having to worry too much.

Being young and inexperienced also means you can freely dye your hair with your own unique colors.

A semi-transparent gauze dress draped her slender figure, and through the mist-dampened fabric, the gold-embroidered acacia pattern on her heart could be faintly seen.

Cai Yuan gathered her sleeves, knelt by the pool, revealing her jade-like wrist, and gently scooped up a spoonful of water from the pool with a wooden spoon. However, her movements were a little clumsy, and hot water splashed onto her sleeves, causing the thin silk gauze to suddenly cling tightly to her wrist bones.

She glanced at Liu Bian discreetly, then gently gritted her teeth and slowly sprinkled the water from the spoon onto her exquisite body, revealing the pale blue veins beneath her skin.

The pool water slowly dripped from the wooden ladle, and the goose's neck rose slightly. The hot water fell and cascaded down the slender neck, soaking the thin gauze dress and clinging it perfectly to the smooth skin, outlining the alluring curves that rose and fell with each breath.

Liu Bian's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his eyes darkened, and his breath was hotter than the steam rising from the pool. His breathing also became heavier involuntarily.

Cai Yuan's movements were stiff and clumsy, but it was precisely this naivety and shyness in her gestures that added a unique charm to her.

Two completely different qualities blended into one, creating a strong contrast that made her all the more captivating, almost causing Liu Bian to lose control and enjoy this feast ahead of time.

Intelligent women often grasp concepts quickly. Although they may be inexperienced, they don't need repeated instruction and can gradually adapt to unprecedented shyness, blending charm and naivety together.

"Please take a bath, Your Highness."

Liu Bian nodded slightly and stepped into the pool. The water was still a little hot, but not unbearable.

"Your Highness, is the water temperature suitable?" Cai Yuan asked softly, her voice trembling with a hint of shyness.

Men are naturally more sensitive to heat than women.

Since this is the first time she has served a bath, and it was obviously prepared carefully, let's give her more encouragement and give her more pointers later.

"Shang Ke, you've put in a lot of effort, I've seen it all."

As Liu Bian entered the pool, Cai Yuan's beautiful eyes were fixed on Liu Bian's profile as she stepped into the pool with a hint of nervousness.

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness."

Ripples spread across the water, and the pool gradually submerged the tall, slender figure. Cai Yuan walked to Liu Bian's side, scooped up half a ladle of hot water with a wooden spoon, and poured it over the man's shoulders and back. Her voice was more taut than a newly tuned zither string, but the ticklish sensation of the water droplets sliding across the back of her hand made the last note tremble.

Cai Yuan extended her fair, white hand. When her fingertips touched the man's back muscles, her delicate, jade-like hand trembled slightly. Her fingertips slid gently across the back muscles and climbed up the man's shoulders and neck.

The kneading force varied, sometimes light, sometimes heavy, and her gradually flushed cheeks slowly pressed against his back, while stray hairs from her temples swept across his chest with each movement.

As the mist thickened, true nature finally broke free from the shackles of immaturity.

(2299 words)
(End of this chapter)