Heavens' Laughter

Having returned to her Cai family's estate, taking a refreshing nap and enjoying some much-needed alone time.

Cai Xiu was now inside her private washing room, immersed in the soothing warmth of her Chinese bathtub.

The steam enveloped her as she washed her entire body, ensuring no spot went untouched.

Each splash of water felt nice and gentle against Cai Xiu's white skin.

She closed her eyes, letting the scent of jasmine from the oils she used fill her senses.

"First Young Lady, your tea time is in an hour," a young servant of the Cai family spoke, her voice respectful as she stood nearby, holding a towel in hand.

"Thank you; I'll be out in a second," Cai Xiu replied as she slowly rose from the warm water, the steam swirling around her like a gentle fog.

Since the death of her bodyguard, she had found herself treating the servants of the Cai family with greater kindness.

Reflecting on her past self, Cai Xiu recognized that she had once been quite the major bitch.

'I guess that bas—Master… has truly humbled me,' she thought, taking the towel from the young servant with a faint smile.

The young servant, accustomed to the First Young Lady's former harshness, had been taken aback by how much she had changed in such a short time.

It was, to be honest, unsettling.

'I can't believe she's smiling…' The young servant gulped, feeling a flutter of nerves. Even as a woman, she found herself a bit flustered by such a beauty.

She had never seen the First Young Lady smile before, and it left her momentarily speechless.

"Are you okay?" Cai Xiu asked, noticing the change in the young woman's expression and feeling a twinge of worry:

'Is there something on my face?'

Coming back to reality, the young servant felt her cheeks flush slightly as she quickly turned around.

"I'm perfectly fine! I'm sorry for making you worry!" she exclaimed, eager to hide her embarrassment. "I'll go prepare your clothes, First Young Lady!"

The young servant hurriedly left the washroom, her hands covering her face. 'How does she have such a perfect body? And her face is just too beautiful! She also seems so much more mature!'

Confusion etched on Cai Xiu's face; she had never experienced such an encounter with a servant before.

'Is she really okay?'

Shaking her head with a sigh, Cai Xiu dismissed the thought, finding the young woman's behavior strange.

Not wanting to dwell on it, she stepped out of the bath and wrapped the towel around her body, then began walking to her bedroom.

'Let's hope tea with the Ninth Princess goes smoothly…'

Cai Xiu wasn't concerned about the Ninth Princess; her primary worry was dealing with the Nine Princes, who always fawned over her during her visits to the Royal Imperial Palace.

Despite having enjoyed the attention in the past, she now felt uncomfortable with the stares at her "unclean" body.

'Hopefully, they'll be busy or simply not present.'

Inside her bedroom, Cai Xiu saw her clothes laid out on her large red bed. She glanced around and didn't see the young servant anywhere.

'That's strange…'

For Cai Xiu, a servant would typically dress her, but with the young servant—or any servant—absent, she decided to dress herself, not wanting to waste time.

Once she was done, she decided to apply some light makeup, heading over to her makeup stand and small mirror.

Sitting down in her small, comfy chair, Cai Xiu looked into the mirror as she applied light makeup and styled her hair.

After some time.

Seeing herself all beautified and "perfect," Cai Xiu couldn't help but smile softly.

Her green eyes began to sparkle with a hint of light, even if they didn't shine as brightly as they once had.

'Perfect. I'm ready.'

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

"We've arrived, First Young Lady."

As an elderly servant opened the door of the golden carriage, Cai Xiu stepped out, taking his hand for assistance as she descended.

She gave a slight nod, thanking him silently, and found herself facing the Ninth Princess of the Crane Royal Family, who had dozens of Royal Guards behind her.

Cai Xiu immediately bowed her head in deep respect, cupping her hands together and bending slightly:

"Ninth Princess, it is a great honor to stand before you. Your grace and wisdom are well known throughout the land, and I am deeply humbled by your presence."

"Ah, Cai Xiu, it warms my heart to see you again! Our childhood memories are so dear to me," Hè Jun exclaimed, a bright smile on her face as her blue eyes glowed:

"Let us enjoy this tea time together as friends, without any formality!" She let out a laugh and playfully patted her childhood friend's shoulder.

The serious expression on Cai Xiu's face faded, replaced by a small smile as she recognized her childhood friend all too well.

Despite being a princess, Hè Jun was still the same person she had always known.

The Ninth Princess was notably tall and athletic, her physique showcasing a well-defined six-pack. Her long, thick ponytail of black hair cascaded down her back.

Hè Jun wore a modified blue hanfu adorned with an elegant crane design, which gracefully highlighted her exposed stomach and arms.

"Whoa… did I just see you smile!? Holy shit! You actually smiled! Ahaha!"

Even the Royal Guards couldn't help but feel disbelief, some of them beginning to drool at the sight.

Hearing her childhood friend's reaction to her smile, Cai Xiu couldn't help but show a bigger smile. Perhaps she had come off as more of a bitch than she intended all this time.

Seeing such a change in her childhood friend's expression, Hè Jun was even more surprised and couldn't help but smile even wider herself:

"Let's hurry and find somewhere private to have tea! We don't want my brothers seeing you smile; otherwise, they'll get all riled up!"

"Okay, okay, lead the way," Cai Xiu replied, also not wanting those dog-like princes to see her smile.

Such a sight would definitely, as her childhood friend said, make them explode with excitement.