The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 596

Chapter 596: 288 The Empress Dowager Makes a Move (Double Update)

After the folks from the Tang Family left, Gu Chengfeng also departed under the escort of Supreme Eunuch Qin.

Empress Dowager Zhuang took Gu Jiao back to the Renshou Palace.

Gu Jiao, dressed in her little black dress, was all dirty from hiding in the cupboard and escaping.

Empress Dowager Zhuang took Gu Jiao to the bathhouse of Renshou Palace for a clean-up and combing. Despite knowing Gu Jiao’s dislike for strangers, considering the size of the pool and some unfamiliar features, the empress dowager nonetheless arranged for two smart little maids to serve her closely.

This was Gu Jiao’s first time in the palace’s pool, and the novelty delighted her.

The grand hall was enveloped by golden columns resembling coiling dragons that reached up to the ceiling beams, with the bath in the center, shrouded on all sides by veils, hiding and revealing the opulence within.

Four artistic candleholders, each bearing increasing numbers of candles, were placed at the corners outside the veils.

There were no open flames inside the veils. Instead, considerable Night Light Pearls were inlaid into the floor and the pool’s walls.

The pool was awash with freshly picked flower petals, each emitting a rich, fresh fragrance.

Gu Jiao submerged her whole body beneath the flower petals, only leaving her small round head above the water.

A maid kneeling by the pool said to her, "Milady, shall I comb your hair for you?"

"Mm," Gu Jiao nodded, for once not rejecting a stranger’s touch.

The maid dipped a wooden comb in fragrant oil and loosened the hair coiled atop Gu Jiao’s head.

Her touch was so gentle, as if afraid to break a single strand of Gu Jiao’s hair.

Gu Jiao closed her eyes in enjoyment, she herself never brushed her hair so gently.

Once her hair was glossy and smooth, the maid picked up a bar of soap to wash Gu Jiao. The soap was far from ordinary, it was laced with numerous fragrances, of a kind too precious for commoners.

Feeling too comfortable, Gu Jiao almost dozed off.

After finishing her bath, which took a good half of two hours, she felt hunger pangs. She\’d been too busy catching the culprit, and whatever she ate earlier had long been digested.

She entered in a light purple nightgown made of ice silk. It was clearly not the empress dowager’s nightgown, but something suitable for her age.

When Empress Dowager Zhuang saw her walking out from the candlelight, escorted by the maids, she seemed momentarily entranced.

"Granny," Gu Jiao approached her.

Empress Dowager Zhuang returned to her senses and pointed to a stool beside her. "Sit. Have something to eat."

As it happened, Gu Jiao was famished.