Chapter 14: Chapter 14

The woman went to the tepidarium. Bingwen followed him. The bath was located just behind the room where he was. The woman slid a door and Bingwen saw the quiet and unoccupied place.

Tepidarium is the Roman bath, the speciality of it is a pleasant feeling of constant radiant heat which directly affects the human body from the walls and floor.

Bingwen turned to the woman, "You can leave me now. I can do it alone, I'll just call you when I need something."

"However, Mr Fen Cheng said I shouldn't look away and only assist you. I am responsible if he learns that I let you go without his consent," the woman said anxiously.

"I'll take care of him."

"B-but—"

The servant didn't finish speaking when Bingwen instantly slid the door. He heard fast footsteps. The woman's voice disappeared, a long silence lingered. He started to take off his clothes and was about to go into the water when a loud sound came from the door.

His eyes widened when he saw Fen Cheng panting while his eyes were dark.

Feb Cheng was still holding on to the door slide. Bingwen angrily scolded Fen Cheng as he realized their situation.

"Y-you! W-what do you think you're doing?" He flushed.

Bingwen hastily covered his body with his hands. He knew it wasn't enough because it could still be seen. He was blushing because of their situation now. Fen Cheng seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when he saw Bingwen. He quickly took him to the tepidarium and they instantly got wet

Fen Cheng has already changed, if a while ago he was wearing a battledress on his body, now he is only wearing a Manchu dress. Bingwen didn't know what was in Fen Cheng brain and suddenly soak his body in the water again.

“My body hurts because of the problem you made, so I can’t bathe myself,” Fen Cheng teased.

"Then you should get treated!" Bingwen irritated.

"Don't mind that. I want to finish my shower quickly and rest, so help me scrub my body. You have no right to complain and refuse because you are now my servant."

Bingwen sprang to his feet and took the scrub. He angrily snatched Fen Cheng hand and starts scrubbing.

"Ouch! You can peel my skin with the strength of your scrub," Fen Cheng complain.

"Then it would be great, so your pride in your body would lessen," Bingwen whispered.

"I just want to tell you that I can hear you. I'm just in front of you, so whatever you whisper there, I can hear," Fen Cheng grin.

After taking a bath, Fen Cheng stood up, "Hurry up and eat afterwards. You will sleep in this room from now on."

Bingwen did not speak. He waited for Fen Cheng to close the door before he started wiping his body. When he came out of the bathroom he saw the food on the small table. The woman was also standing there.

"How long will you follow me? With the vast space of this palace, my escape is impossible, so don't worry. Don't tell me that even in my sleep you will watch over me?"

The woman shook her head and replied, "Mr Fen Cheng just told me to give you everything you need. He also told me not to take my eyes off you as much as possible. By the time you go to bed at night, I can leave you."

Bingwen didn't speak anymore and sat down in front of the table. After he ate, the woman put away the plates. The soft bed was already prepared.

The night ended quickly, he just woke up when he heard a loud whisper from outside the door.

"It's true! Mr Fen Cheng will be the next emperor."

"I'm expecting that."

Suddenly the whisper disappeared so he wondered. He pressed his ear to the door to listen more, however, the door suddenly opened. Because of his inclination and the sudden opening of the door, he almost fell, fortunately, the person who entered the room caught him.

"What are you doing?" Fen Cheng asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I just heard someone talking across the door so I tried to listen. You? Why are you here again?" he asked back?

"When else did I give you the right to ask?" he grins.

"I'm just leaving for a moment. Close the door and don't come out. Before the day is over you will move to my room," Fen Cheng told.

"Why? I'm fine here," Bingwen insist.

Fen Cheng didn't answer Bingwen's question, "Tomorrow prepare yourself early because we're going somewhere."

Fan Cheng turn around and leave.

"Have you finished telling the people to go in front of the palace because the emperor has an important announcement to say?"

Fen Cheng marched fast while a man also followed him.

"Yes sir!"

Bingwen could not be removed from Fen Cheng's mind. He doesn’t know why he is annoyed to think that Bingwen wants to leave. They had already climbed to the height where the big announcement was being held. He saw that the emperor was there and some were just silently watching.

The emperor began to speak, "Good day to you all. You already know me but I will still introduce myself. I am Lu Yin, the emperor of the Qing Dynasty. You also know that I have been sitting as an emperor for a long time now, I am getting older, I also want the empire to belong to the person who values ​​the empire and especially the people. It is not hidden from your understanding that only Fen Cheng prevented the possible attack of many members of the enemy."

The people applauded when the emperor mentioned Fen Cheng's name. The emperor continued. "I declare Fen Cheng to be the new emperor. Two weeks from now, we will have another meeting to witness my giving blessings to Fen Cheng. For now, you can go back to what you are doing.