"By the way, do you have a proper bath, somewhere to wash up? I'd like to bathe and rest for two or three hours."
As Lian Yi spoke, she cast her gaze toward the bed-chamber door, left only slightly ajar. A faint golden light from outside seeped through, just bright enough to show a dim reflection on the floor.
"I don't have a bath," Xin Tingting replied, giving a small shrug. "Normally I just dip myself in the spring pool in the garden. The magical water there cleans dirt away very easily."
She raised a hand and pointed toward the open door. "But the spring water is really cold. If you're going to bathe, be careful."
"A cold spring pool…?" Lian Yi drew out the last word, her expression plainly disapproving.
Who bathes in a spring pool? Isn't that just a garden decoration to look at? …Her eyes flicked warily through the cracked door to the outside.
"Try it once no harm done," Xin Tingting said, turning lightly, utterly at ease. "It's only a little cold, that's all."
She stepped softly to a fine golden wardrobe set against the inner wall. Its surface gleamed as though freshly polished despite its age. Vines of gold twined with pearls decorated the doors, reflecting lamplight like dancing sparks.
Still perfectly relaxed, Xin Tingting opened the doors slowly. A faint fragrance of clean cloth and Western aromatic wood, hidden deep inside, drifted out.
She selected several garments every piece exquisitely stitched from fine fabric. Some were thin and flowing like drifting mist; some bore patterns as lovely as paintings. She folded them neatly, turned back to Lian Yi, and smiled faintly.
"Choose whichever you like for after your bath. I have plenty."
"Do you have anything plain and comfortable?" Lian Yi asked, eyes moving over the luxurious clothes with a trace of hesitation.
Xin Tingting paused, then let out a light laugh. "Ha! You really are nothing like me. You truly dislike these fancy outfits? What a pity I picked them myself, thinking you'd love them…"
She sighed softly, a little rueful, yet kept an easy smile. "But it can't be helped. You have to wear something because… I don't own a single plain outfit like you're asking for."
Her words sounded casual, but a playful gleam shone in her eyes. Of course! She was the goddess of restoration how could she dress shabbily? Luxury, elegance, and radiance were all that befit her rank!
"Then I'll just wear what I have on," Lian Yi said evenly, unmoved by the beautiful silks laid out before her.
The words nearly made Xin Tingting jump. She whirled around as though she'd heard an outright taboo.
"No! Do you really understand nothing, or are you pretending?" she cried, half-scolding, half-shocked, her face flushing slightly. "Tomorrow we set out on an adventure! You might meet handsome, noble men with long hair and billowing cloaks!"
She stepped closer and pointed at the carefully folded finery. "You must dress grandly elegant, alluring, irresistible! The outfit you're wearing is… far too ordinary!" Her tone turned decidedly serious. "On this journey I'm taking you man-hunting, understand? Therefore, absolutely not no wearing that same outfit again!"
She pouted a little in displeasure concerned, wanting Lian Yi to look her best. The words sounded exaggerated, yet brimmed with genuine care.
"I'm not interested in men -_- Besides… we're still children. Don't obsess over that stuff. I'm going to bathe now."
Lian Yi cut her off coolly, voice flat but tinged with fatigue at Xin Tingting's daydreams. She pivoted briskly from the bed, footsteps edged with mild irritation, and strode toward the door without looking back. Her eyes swept the grounds until she spotted the cold spring pool standing amid the lush garden. Soft grass beneath great trees shimmered in the dim light; a fine mist floated above the icy water like a dream.
Just as Lian Yi stepped onto the stone stairs leading down to the garden, a length of cloth floated from behind. A faint rustle sounded before it dropped neatly onto her shoulders with uncanny precision.
The fabric was soft and cool to the touch, carrying a delicate scent of dried flowers and fragrant wood.
Lian Yi stopped and reluctantly turned.
"I'll take that as a yes. That outfit is yours," Xin Tingting's voice rang out from the bed-chamber, leaving no room for refusal.
Blinking calmly, Lian Yi reached up, picked up the garment, glanced at it for a bare instant, then folded it carefully and carried it along without another word.
Peeking from behind the door, Xin Tingting saw the light-green robe in Lian Yi's hand and no protest. A satisfied smile curled on her lips. One way or another she'd make her friend wear it, not only for beauty's sake but so her companion could shine just as brightly as she did.
She did it all out of heartfelt goodwill.