"Princess, the hot spring water is ready. You may proceed now," a palace maid respectfully greeted her, "Do you need someone to attend to you? I can arrange for servants to serve you."
"No need; you all may withdraw. I want to soak in the hot spring alone." Su Zhiruan lifted her hand and pinched her brow, putting down the last petition. She stood up, replaced the red pen in its place, and followed the palace maid out.
The palace maid, perceptive of her duties, organized all the petitions and had an eunuch take them away. Then, she gestured with her eyes to the few palace maids around to follow her out. Consequently, only Su Zhiruan was left in the hot spring valley.
The hot spring water before her was steaming, with elusive mists gently rising from the edge of the pool, obscuring her vision, allowing only the smell of the damp, heated fragrance in the air.
This aroma seemed to have a heartening effect as she slowly undressed, then gently stepped into the hot spring water.
