Power and privilege really are wonderful—Serena couldn't help but feel jealous. Ninth Royal Uncle might seem low-key most of the time, but the moment he shows off, you instantly understand the difference between true nobility and mere upstarts.
Compared to Ninth Royal Uncle, she was downright weak. The things in Jadebrook Pool weren’t something you could get just by being rich or powerful. Serena was dying to know where he managed to get so much jade.
Diverting water from outside the city and burying pipes underground—this was no ordinary project. It was massive and complicated. Serena always knew Ninth Royal Uncle liked his comforts, but she never imagined he could be this extravagant, burning through piles of money and manpower just to build a hot spring.
"Miss." The maid saw Serena lost in thought and didn’t laugh at her. Honestly, anyone who stepped into Jadebrook Pool would be awestruck by Ninth Royal Uncle’s extravagance. When the maids first came in to tidy up, they were so stunned they nearly fell over.
When they saw the floor was paved with jade, the two of them didn’t dare take another step. Instead, they went back to bathe and change into clean clothes before finally daring to enter.
Even the legendary Jade Pool in fairy tales couldn’t compare. Very few ever saw Jadebrook Pool in person—besides Ninth Royal Uncle, only the servants who cleaned it could enter. Not even the Emperor had set foot inside.
"Ahem." Serena awkwardly waved her hand. "You can all leave now. I don’t need any help here."
It’s embarrassing being so inexperienced—Serena mentally blamed Ninth Royal Uncle for it. If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have been so awkward.
The maid truly didn’t dare stay and spoil Ninth Royal Uncle’s plans. She didn’t wait for Serena to say more—she hurried out and disappeared in an instant.
As soon as the maid left, Serena couldn’t wait to strip off her clothes and slip into the pool. The warm water soaked through her limbs, making her moan with comfort.
The water in the pool wasn't deep—just enough to cover Serena's shoulders. The servants had clearly measured the level precisely; otherwise, there could've been another seven to ten centimeters added.
Once again, Serena felt a subtle sweetness in her heart thanks to Ninth Royal Uncle's thoughtfulness. Even his smallest, most casual gestures could make her heart flutter.
The pool was huge—no smaller than the indoor swimming pools she'd seen in her previous life. Serena soaked for a while, then swam two laps back and forth in the hot spring.
You couldn't soak in a hot spring for too long, or you'd risk running out of oxygen. Serena rested against the edge of the pool, her feet pressing back and forth on the floor. The jade beneath her was expertly carved—not slippery, not sharp, but perfectly comfortable, almost like getting a foot massage.
Her breathing gradually steadied. Serena stepped up the jade stairs, and since she was alone in Jadebrook Pool, she didn't mind being completely naked—after all, there was no one around to see.
She grabbed a large towel hanging nearby and quickly dried her hair. Serena wrapped the towel loosely around herself and walked over to the Jade couch, where chilled wine and fruit had already been set out.
Serena lay on her side on the Jade couch, letting her smooth back show in the warm air. With a small silver fork, she ate fruit from the plate to rehydrate.
The temperature inside Jadebrook Pool was just right—Serena didn't feel cold at all. After a couple laps, she was so relaxed she didn't want to move. She sipped a glass of chilled, plum-like juice, muttering to herself that if only someone would give her a back massage, life would be perfect.
"A back massage?" Ninth Royal Uncle entered just in time to hear Serena's muttering. You couldn't blame her for letting her guard down—it was his fault for not making a single sound.
Ninth Royal Uncle had already let down his long hair and taken off his outer robe and shoes. Now he was barefoot, wearing nothing but a wide, robe-like garment that looked almost like a bathrobe.