Yilisi really did lack a sense of security. She was afraid of the dark, afraid of cramped spaces, and even more afraid of being alone.

When she’d been locked in a cage, Yilisi had already had more than enough of those conditions. So when she took Bai Ye’s hand and felt safe again, she couldn’t bring herself to let go.

“Big Sister Bai Ye, you’ll definitely stay right outside the door, okay?”

Wrapped in a bath towel, Yilisi was still begging Bai Ye to promise before she went into the bathroom.

“Don’t worry. I’ll wait right here for you.”

Bai Ye smiled, giving Yilisi all the tenderness she could muster without a trace of impatience. She could understand how Yilisi felt. What Yilisi needed most right now was care and companionship.

Before she met An Jieli, Bai Ye’s own circumstances had been so much like Yilisi’s that she could almost feel exactly what Yilisi was going through.

Bai Ye felt so sorry for Yilisi that she’d never refuse any request she was able to grant.

“Then it’s a promise. You’ll definitely wait here for me, Big Sister Bai Ye.”

“It’s a promise. If I’m lying, may I turn into a pig’s head.”

“N-no, don’t! Big Sister Bai Ye turning into a pig’s head...”

Yilisi eventually went into the bathroom, but she left the door ajar instead of closing it all the way.

It wasn’t for any other reason. She was just afraid she wouldn’t be able to hear Bai Ye’s voice.

With the water rushing, Yilisi began to shower. She carefully washed herself while calling out to Bai Ye outside the door.

“Big Sister Bai Ye, are you still there?”

“Don’t worry. I’m here.”

“Oh.”

Perhaps she didn’t want things to get too gloomy, because Yilisi actually took the initiative to start chatting with Bai Ye.

“Big Sister Bai Ye, are you from the Royal Capital?”

“I am.”

“I heard the Royal Capital is really prosperous. Is that true?”

“That’s right. The Royal Capital is probably the most prosperous city in the world.”

“It must be wonderful to live in the Royal Capital.”

“It is. Tell me, did you ever want to come here?”

“I did... I just never thought I’d come here like this.”

“...”

For a moment, neither of them said a word.

That was true. If Yilisi had come to the Royal Capital of her own free will, she’d have been happy whether she was here to travel or to settle down.

But that wasn’t what had happened. She’d been brought to the Royal Capital as a slave—as “merchandise” Li Ke planned to sell to a noble.

In that situation, no matter how prosperous the Royal Capital was, Yilisi couldn’t feel any of it.

For her, this had already become a journey filled with despair and sorrow. What did the Royal Capital’s splendor matter to her?

Bai Ye didn’t know how to comfort Yilisi. She thought for a while, then spoke slowly.

“Don’t worry. The Empire’s laws will punish the nobles who bullied you.”

Yilisi didn’t answer. After a while, the sound of water in the bathroom gradually stopped.

“Are you done washing up?”

“Mm.”

Yilisi came out wrapped in a bath towel, her hair still wet and her cheeks flushed. She looked sweet and well-behaved.

“Are you going to wash up too, Big Sister Bai Ye?”

“Mm. Now that you’re done, it’s my turn.”

Bai Ye dried Yilisi’s hair with a towel, then took off her clothes and went into the bathroom.

She hadn’t worked up a sweat today, but the cheap scent of face powder she’d picked up while passing through the red-light district still made her uncomfortable. She wanted to wash it off as soon as possible.

“It’s my own body, but I still feel a little embarrassed.”

There was a huge mirror on the bathroom wall. Bai Ye looked at the shapely young woman reflected in it and, for some reason, felt her cheeks grow warm.

Her face was about sixty percent like her old one, but everything below her neck was a completely unfamiliar, soft body.

Fair skin, a firm **, a waist slim enough to fit in one’s hands, and a pair of long legs with perfect proportions—any man would struggle to keep his desires in check after seeing her.

Even Bai Ye herself felt a little tempted by the alluring body in the mirror.

“Forget it. I’d better stop looking.”

Bai Ye turned on the shower and let the hot water run. Steam rose and fogged the mirror. Getting flustered over her own reflection was just too weird.

After a quick rinse, Bai Ye got into the bath.

The inn wasn’t very large, but it had everything it needed—including a decent-sized bath. That was a nice surprise.

At least Bai Ye, who’d been busy all day, could relax in the bath for a while.

“If I want to leave the Royal Capital with Yilisi, I’ll at least need to hire a carriage.”

She closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the water as she thought about tomorrow’s plans.

“Oh, right. I need to buy Yilisi a few outfits first.”

Just as Bai Ye was thinking, the bathroom door creaked open.

“Who’s there!”

Bai Ye jumped and hurriedly looked toward the bathroom door, only to see Yilisi standing there.

“Oh, it’s just you, Yilisi...”

She patted her high chest. That had really startled her.

“What’s wrong, Yilisi? Is something the matter?”

Bai Ye lowered herself into the bath, hiding her body beneath the water. She was still pretty embarrassed about someone seeing her **.

“I-I didn’t take a bath earlier. Can I bathe with you, Big Sister Bai Ye?”