Chapter 61: Seeking a Ferry (III)

The lavish banquet lasted nearly two hours. After everyone had enjoyed themselves to the fullest, the guests, unwilling to disturb the Prime Minister any longer, rose to take their leave one after another. The once quiet Prime Minister’s residence became bustling again as high-ranking officials, assisted by servants, streamed out of the hall in a lively procession.

Li Kuo and his companions had already left under the pretext of needing to use the restroom, so they were not among them.

When walking at night, the most important thing is to remain calm. After knocking out a few servants from the Prime Minister’s residence, the young men quickly changed their clothes and headed to the back courtyard as planned. They carried snacks prepared in the kitchen for the Prime Minister. Walking with their heads down, they barely attracted the attention or questions of the guards in the residence.

“Go straight 500 steps outside the Bamboo Forest, find the Crescent Gate, and enter the third courtyard. Come back quickly after the birthday banquet—remember that!”

Reciting silently the address written by Miss Shen, the young men quickened their pace. With a slight pressure from their palms, the porcelain plates holding the snacks trembled slightly.

After the banquet, Li Linfu, supported by Shen, headed to the back courtyard.

He had had a truly wonderful time at today’s birthday banquet—wonderful indeed! How many people in the Tang Dynasty could reach such a high position and possess such power? And to have both power and a truly loving woman by his side—such happiness was only fitting for him, Li Linfu!

With a drunken gaze, he glanced at Shen beside him and smiled smugly. Such a beauty… such a beauty deserved only him, Li Linfu…

The Prime Minister liked to take baths after drinking. After each banquet, he would go to a courtyard outside the Bamboo Forest in the back courtyard to bathe and enjoy the fragrance. It wasn’t so much the location of the courtyard that was special, but rather the fact that a hot spring gushed up from the ground there. How could the indulgent Prime Minister pass up such a chance? He ordered his servants to build this courtyard for his use in bathing and resting.

Due to its secluded location, the courtyard was extremely quiet. Aside from a few maids, hardly any servants passed by in those few hundred steps. Li Linfu confidently made his way through the bamboo forest, entered the Crescent Gate, and hurried toward the courtyard, staggering slightly with eagerness.

“Creak!”

The door opened slightly, and a soul-stirring fragrance wafted in. Li Linfu took a deep breath, nodded in satisfaction, and exhaled the foul air from his lungs.

“Ah!”

The ambergris was truly soothing. Li Linfu felt his forehead cool down, and much of the alcohol fumes disappeared as well.

“Ge Nu, let Shen serve you,” Shen said shyly, covering her mouth with a smile, which made Li Linfu’s heart itch with delight.

“Good, good! Today, I’ll take my time to rest properly, you little demon!”
Lifting Shen Er’s chin, Li Linfu grew more and more pleased the more he looked at her, and simply wrapped her in his arms.
“Ah!”
Unexpecting Li Linfu to be so eager, Shen Er let out a cry and gasped for breath.
“Brother Slave is so bad!”
“Oh, then today I’ll be bad to you!”
Li Linfu’s heart swayed at Shen Er’s words; he felt as if he had been twenty years younger. With a slight effort, he picked her up and headed for the inner room.
Though aged, he had a background in martial arts, so he still had some strength left. It was somewhat difficult, but carrying such a beautiful young woman was not a problem.
In the center of the room was a pool, with hot spring water continuously flowing from the springs. The rising steam, mixed with the strong scent of ambergris, blurred vision and stirred the heart. Li Linfu placed Shen Er on a wooden table beside the pool, panting heavily. Next to the table were the necessary “face powders” and “lip balm” for bathing, as well as two celadon bowls filled with flower petals and fine salt.
Gently wiping the sweat from his forehead, Li Linfu shook his head with a wry smile. He was indeed old—just carrying Shen Er for a few steps had left him exhausted!
“Brother Slave, Shen Er… Shen Er will help you undress.”
Though her cheeks were red, Shen Er still spoke up.
“Oh, very well! I’ll just stand here and wait for you to undress me!”
Li Linfu smiled, stroked his beard, and spread his arms, waiting for her to help.
After removing his dark brown outer robe and his plain white undergarments, Li Linfu soon stood naked before Shen Er. Though prepared mentally, seeing it in reality still made her cheeks flush red.
Trying to avoid looking at his lower body, Shen Er said softly, “Brother Slave, it’s done!”
“Oh, what’s done?”
Li Linfu looked at her playfully, smiling mischievously.
“Brother Slave!”
Shen Er glared at him, turned away, and dared not look again.
“Very well, I won’t tease you anymore. I’ll do it myself.”
After saying that, Li Linfu turned around, draped a white bath towel over his shoulders, checked the water temperature, and stepped into the pool.
Few people knew that the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty had such a hot spring in his residence. In fact, even the emperor had to travel to Huaqing Palace to enjoy hot springs—how could he have such comfort?
“Ah!” The water temperature reached deep into Li Linfu’s bones, causing him to cry out in surprise.
“Shen Er, come and massage my shoulders!”
With half-closed eyes, Li Linfu waved at her.
“Mm.”

Shen Er shyly lowered her head, walked up to Li Linfu, crouched down, and began massaging his shoulders.
“Mm, a bit further in, use more pressure. Yes, right here—more pressure!”
Li Linfu closed his eyes in pleasure, savoring this wonderful moment. Not wanting to be disturbed by too many people, he had sent all the maids out of the room. Now, there were only him and Shen Er in the room. Yes, just the two of them!
Tonight belonged to him and Shen Er. Well, today he would make up for the regrets of his youth. Having missed it once, he would not miss it a second time!
With gentle kneading and pressure, it had to be said that Shen Er’s massage skills were first-rate.
The warmth stirred his desire; his lower body grew restless.
Shen Er also noticed Li Linfu’s physical changes and froze in place.
“Don’t stop, keep going!”
“Huh!”
Taking a deep breath, Li Linfu suppressed his wicked thoughts.
Not now—not in the water. He would deal with this little girl after bathing!
“Add more flower petals and fine salt. I like this scent!”
Closing his eyes slightly, Li Linfu leaned back against the pool wall, fully enjoying this sensual moment amidst the misty steam.