Chapter 269 – The Haunting Hot Springs (Part 4)
“Young Master, Young Master… what are you doing…?”
The Maidservant hurried forward, while Jiang Pengji boldly finished a jar of wine right in front of them. Though her eyes remained clear, her steps were a bit unsteady, swaying as if she were a standard drunkard.
They weren’t sure if Jiang Pengji was really drunk, but they knew that if they didn’t watch her closely, this Young Master could very well tumble right into the hot spring, and if anything happened to their noble guest, their lives would be at risk! They simply could not let that happen.
Jiang Pengji brushed past the two Maidservants, leaving the hot spring room, her gaze fixed straight ahead at a pavilion by the water.
As the saying goes, “When you break through iron shoes in search, you find what you need without effort.”
She wasn’t even looking to settle the score with those two; they were coming over by themselves, eager to court disaster.
The two targeted youths, oblivious to their impending doom, laughed and joked with their companions, one hand restlessly groping the Maidservant, enjoying the sight of her blushing indignation while the fear from earlier had faded.
“If my dear brother fancies her, tonight we should summon this Maidservant to relieve the ache of longing… tsk tsk… she looks decent enough, no wonder she’s here serving at Prince Changshou’s hot spring—each lady is prettier than the last…”
The young man referred to as “dear brother” felt something stir in his heart but couldn’t show too much eagerness lest he appear overly desperate.
“Th-this… how can I be so bold? A gentleman doesn’t seize what another loves. How could I take what you’ve taken a liking to…?”
Clad in flowing white attire, loosely fitting around him, his belt lax, exposing a considerable amount of his chest, his skin was fairer than most, appearing more delicate than a young lady’s because of his pampering upbringing. However, the wine was slowly draining his spirit, leaving him looking lethargic.
“Hey, are we really going to quibble over this? Women are like garments, brothers are like kin. She’s just an inconsequential woman after all! If you fancy her, just take your pick…” the youth waved his hand dismissively.
Like attracts like, and these two wealthy wastrels were clearly well-matched, which is how they ended up together.
“Since you say so, then…”
Before he could respond, a wave of alcohol wafted through the air—while not pungent, it overpowered the Maidservant’s lingering fragrance.
The young man frowned and looked up, only to see a half-drunken young boy with a wine jar blocking his way.
“Do you remember who I am?”
Jiang Pengji squinted, a playful smirk on her face as she looked down at the two youths seated on the pavilion.
Onlookers seeking shade noticed the unusual tension, casting curious glances, unsure whether to watch bemused or concerned.
With the evaluation looming, nobody wanted to be dragged into a mess.
“How bizarre! Why would I know who you are?”
One of the youths scoffed dismissively, clearly not recognizing Jiang Pengji, thinking she was just another casual visitor.
“Don’t know, huh?”
With a tipsy squint, Jiang Pengji suddenly leaned closer to one of them.
“You, drunken fool, step away from me. This isn’t just any hot spring, you know? Not everyone can just waltz in here!”
The young man leaned back, unfazed by the drunken aura Jiang Pengji exuded, his expression unrestrained disdain.
Jiang Pengji suddenly grinned wide, revealing a mouthful of bright white teeth, her smile exuding a demonic charm.
Just as the two youths were ready to shove Jiang Pengji away, a white foot suddenly loomed large.
“Ah—”
With a resounding splash, the hot spring erupted in waves as one of the youths was pushed by the drunken young boy right off the pavilion, crashing into the waters, particularly on the wrong end of the foot.
Caught off-guard by the abrupt movement, the young man’s already loose clothing fell askew, his belt slackening, exposing his pale skin. Floundering in the water, he was unable to keep from choking, utterly disheveled.
“What are you looking at?! You get down here too!”
Before the others could react, Jiang Pengji spun around and kicked the other youth, sending him splashing into the hot spring as well.
Another resounding splash, and he landed right atop the first one, both now rolling around in the steaming waters.
“Hahaha—doesn’t it look like a skinned frog?”
Jiang Pengji laughed heartily, casually striding over the hot spring’s railing, standing atop a nearby rock formation.
“What are you gawking at? Bring me more wine!” Jiang Pengji turned towards her dumbfounded Maidservant and shouted, “More wine!”
Snapping out of her daze, the Maidservant’s feet moved obediently, forgetting for a moment that the right thing to do would’ve been to intervene, trying to defuse the tension, rather than “assist the villain.”
“Who allowed you to poke your head up? Hmm?”
Jiang Pengji smiled as she stepped on one of the young man’s heads, pushing him back into the spring, her expression filled with malice and exhilaration.
“Who the hell are you, daring to touch my—uh…”
Before he could finish, Jiang Pengji shoved him back down, catching him off guard as he took in a mouthful of water.
“Who am I?” Jiang Pengji reached for the wine jar handed over by the Maidservant, popped the seal, and gulped down a generous swig, swiftly pushing one of the youth’s heads back into the water. The onlookers couldn’t sit still any longer but not a soul dared to intervene.
Which of the two youths could possibly take her on?
They had just been thrown into the spring by a half-drunken boy!
Even if that strange boy had caught them off guard, it was evident he wasn’t lacking in martial prowess; his kicks were formidable.
The way he appeared now, it clearly showed he was already half-drunk, his senses muddied. If anyone jumped in to mediate, they’d risk getting tangled up and humiliated by also being kicked into the hot spring. Wouldn’t that just make them rage with embarrassment?
“What’re you doing!? Don’t you realize what you’ve provoked? And now you dare to threaten me? Who gave you the guts?!” Jiang Pengji scolded harshly, her eyes sharp with a touch of fierce spirit.
Such a display only further terrified anyone from stepping in, leaving them to holler for the hot spring’s overseer.
“…Help—help!”
As the two struggled to escape the spring, Jiang Pengji was faster than they could react, her kicking action leaving them groggy.
In the end, they had no choice but to plead for help, inevitably gulping down more hot water.
The moment they cried for help, Jiang Pengji’s grin grew even more audacious, her gaze as if she were watching two rats writhing in boiling water.
“You younger master, honor can be slain but not insulted. No matter the grudge between you and these two, you shouldn’t disrespect them like this…”
Even if Jiang Pengji had already “drunk herself” into a sense of freedom, her outrageous behavior still struck nerves among the crowd.
Jiang Pengji smiled wide and shot a fierce glare at the one interjecting.
“Honor can be slain, but not insulted?” she repeated mockingly, then added, “I would advise you too—if you don’t know the truth, then don’t speak nonsense! Did you swallow the teachings of the sages? Today, I’m set on humiliating these two, and you have no say in it!”
