Mo Xing sat on the edge of the bed, his form perfectly still save for the rise and fall of his chest, as he watched Li Hua rise from the jade tub. Steam curled around her like ethereal silk, momentarily veiling then revealing her form as she stepped gracefully onto the polished stone floor. Droplets of spirit water traced luminous paths down her body—following the elegant curve of her neck, cascading between her shoulder blades, channeling along her spine before collecting briefly in the twin dimples at the small of her back.
The herb-infused bathwater had left a subtle luminescence on her flesh, highlighting the perfect balance of softness and strength that defined her current incarnation. Her body was a testament to this life's journey—lean muscle sculpted through years of rigorous strength training. So different from the ethereal perfection of her princess form, yet infinitely more compelling in its earned magnificence.
