Chapter 5: Warm Water

The bath chamber of Ningshou Palace was fed by a warm spring, and it steamed.

White stone steps led down into a pool the size of a small courtyard.

Red lanterns hung from the ceiling beams, and their light lay on the water in long wobbling coins.

Qinglan had put her medicine box on the tiles and said that in her professional opinion, the Dowager should take the water.

"Undress," she added.

Now Murong Yue stood waist deep in the pool with her black hair pinned up in a knot and her bare shoulders shining.

Water ran down between her breasts, and her nipples were hard in the steam.

Qinglan sat on the top step with her robe off and her feet in the water.

She had a small bottle of camellia oil in her lap.

"Come here," she said.

The Dowager waded to her.

Qinglan tipped the bottle and poured oil into her palm, and rubbed her hands together until they were slick.

"Turn around."

She put both hands on the white shoulders and kneaded.

The muscles were tight as rope.

She worked her thumbs into the base of the neck, then along the spine.

The Dowager's head dropped forward and a long, helpless groan came out of her.

"Two years of sitting on a throne," Qinglan murmured. "Look at this back."

"Don't stop."

"I won't."

She slid her oiled hands around the Dowager's ribs and up, and cupped both heavy breasts from behind.

The nipples slid between her fingers.

She rolled them, pinched them lightly, and tugged, and the Dowager made a thin cry and sagged back against her chest.

Her skin was hot and wet and slippery as a fish.

"Your pulse," Qinglan said into her ear.

"What about it?"

"Racing."

"That is your fault."

"I know." She dragged her teeth down the side of the Dowager's neck. "Hands on the edge of the pool."

The Dowager gripped the stone rim.

Qinglan stepped down into the water behind her, so close that her wet breasts pressed to the long back.

She slid one slick hand down over the soft belly.

She stopped just above the curls.

"Now," she said. "I'll tell you what we're doing."

"Tell me."

"You are going to touch yourself."

The Dowager's whole body went still.

"I," she said. "I have never. Not in front of anyone."

"Not in front of anyone." Qinglan kissed her shoulder.

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