Upon stepping through the main gate, one was greeted by a stone-carved screen wall. Passing around it led into the front hall, which had been converted into a reception area. It was modeled after the large communal bathhouse lobbies of northeastern China from Qin Ke's previous life. Aside from the counter, there was little additional furniture—only a few tea tables and chairs placed along the sides for guests to rest while waiting.
Beyond the hall lay the main operational area, with red beams, green tiles, and sweeping eaves supported by ornate brackets.
Inside, the space was divided into separate courtyards for male and female guests. Female attendants naturally led the women inward, while Qin Ke waited until the group had gone toward the women's section before turning and heading to the men's reception area himself.
He had actually considered building special family courtyards to accommodate entire households, but with the tight construction schedule, that would have to wait for a later phase. There was still vacant land available for future expansion.
Lu Youqing, meanwhile, followed the attendants toward the bathhouse with Cui Yuanyuan and Li Nanqiao. Deeper inside were several independent courtyards of varying sizes, each furnished with both indoor and open-air baths, and each courtyard bore an elegant name.
Within every courtyard were baths of different sizes, now filled with billowing steam. A hazy mist enveloped the rooms entirely.
The moment Lu Youqing entered, she felt a wave of heat wash over her. Outside, the cold was biting, yet inside felt almost like early summer. Before long, warmth spread through her hands and feet.
Before bathing, one needed to cleanse the body thoroughly. Each of them went to the washroom to clean themselves, then wrapped in bathrobes and entered the bathing area.
Lu Youqing loosely pinned her long hair behind her head. When she stepped into the pool, Li Nanqiao was already soaking inside, her face flushed red from the heat. Upon seeing Lu Youqing, she waved eagerly.
"Madam, over here!"
Lu Youqing walked toward her, first dipping her toes to test the temperature before cautiously stepping in.
Though the pool was deep, it had built-in steps and handrails along the sides.
Just as Lu Youqing immersed herself fully in the warm water, Cui Yuanyuan bustled in energetically. The moment she saw them, she stepped straight into the pool and let out a satisfied sigh.
Soaked in the steaming water, her entire body relaxed, growing pleasantly languid.
They had not been soaking long when a maid approached carrying a small tray, setting it by the edge of the pool and speaking softly.
"Madam Qin, this tea and these pastries were sent by Master Qin."
Seeing the delicate pastries on the tray, Cui Yuanyuan picked one up and took a bite. "How thoughtful!"
She then turned to Li Nanqiao and asked teasingly, "Are all the men in your household this considerate?"
Li Nanqiao shook her head.
"Well then, Elder Sister Lu, how did you and Young Master Qin meet?" Cui Yuanyuan's curiosity was piqued now that she had a rare break from her studies.
Lu Youqing paused. Thinking back to her absurd and fateful encounter with Qin Ke, it felt as though a lifetime had passed.
"…It was a matter of chance," she said at last.
Seeing that Lu Youqing didn't wish to elaborate, Cui Yuanyuan tactfully changed the subject. "I saw the pricing in the main hall earlier—the full VIP package costs fifty taels. I really have you to thank, Elder Sister Lu, otherwise I'd never bring myself to spend that much."
"My husband said the construction costs here are quite high, especially the daily expense of charcoal for heating. That's why the price is higher," Lu Youqing explained.
Li Nanqiao recalled the courtyards they had passed earlier and asked curiously, "Madam, is there even a cuju field here?"
Having grown up in the countryside, she had only ever heard of cuju and had never seen it herself.
"Yes. It's also one of the services offered. Guests can play a match to stretch their limbs before coming in to bathe," Lu Youqing replied. Although she herself had never been here before, she had seen Qin Ke's design drawings and heard him talk about the construction progress.
Li Nanqiao might not know much about it, but Lu Youqing had been educated among aristocratic families. Cuju and polo were activities that noble ladies were expected to learn.
They were also forms of social engagement.
Worried about soaking too long and becoming lightheaded, they didn't stay in the bath for long. Afterward, attendants came to dry their hair with clean towels.
Once their hair was half-dry, they could enjoy professional massage services.
The massage staff were all specially trained under physicians. Though time had been limited, their techniques were highly proficient.
Strong yet skillful, the attendants' massages were an indulgence beyond compare. Lying there, Li Nanqiao felt her stiff muscles finally released, each joint and muscle gradually loosening.
Lu Youqing was nearly lulled to sleep by the massage. She had been rising before dawn and sleeping late every night recently, her nerves constantly tense. Now, fully relaxed, she felt the urge to drift off.
Still, she remembered Nanqiao and Yuanyuan. They had been talking nonstop about wanting to see what mahjong was, having never heard of it before.
By the time the massages ended, it was nearly noon. Jade Pool Immortal Baths provided meals, and for those who purchased VIP tickets, all food, drink, and entertainment were included.
When an attendant came to inform them that Qin Ke was already waiting in the dining hall, they didn't delay and followed her there at once.
The dining hall's dishes were prepared by chefs transferred from Caiyue Tower, so the quality was beyond reproach.
Qin Ke had begun considering introducing hot pot, though the broth bases were still an issue. He would need to return to Qinghe Village and check on the growth of the tomatoes and chili peppers.
Recently, Pei Xiu had also sent him a letter—enclosed within a report to Gu Lanxi—updating him on the progress of the greenhouses.
If all went well, they could eventually offer tomato broth, spicy broth, and mushroom broth. In winter, sitting in a warm room sharing hot pot would be the ultimate comfort.
After lunch, Qin Ke led them to the warm chamber. The room was designed to dispel cold, warm the body, and invigorate circulation. Guests could read, play chess, mahjong, pai gow, or enjoy any form of leisure inside.
Since mahjong was a new attraction, instruction sheets were posted to help guests learn.
"It's actually very simple. Let's play a round and you'll understand," Qin Ke said, seeing that Li Nanqiao still looked unsure.
This was the kind of game one learned best by playing. The attendants had all been trained as well and could help if needed.
Qin Ke guided them through a practice round. The first two hands went smoothly as everyone familiarized themselves with the rules.
But as the game went on, Qin Ke began to sense that something was off.
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Currently at chapter 246 for advance chapters
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