After the folks from the Tang Family left, Gu Chengfeng also departed under the escort of Supreme Eunuch Qin.
Empress Dowager Zhuang took Gu Jiao back to the Renshou Palace.
Gu Jiao, dressed in her little black dress, was all dirty from hiding in the cupboard and escaping.
Empress Dowager Zhuang took Gu Jiao to the bathhouse of Renshou Palace for a clean-up and combing. Despite knowing Gu Jiao's dislike for strangers, considering the size of the pool and some unfamiliar features, the empress dowager nonetheless arranged for two smart little maids to serve her closely.
This was Gu Jiao's first time in the palace's pool, and the novelty delighted her.
The grand hall was enveloped by golden columns resembling coiling dragons that reached up to the ceiling beams, with the bath in the center, shrouded on all sides by veils, hiding and revealing the opulence within.
Four artistic candleholders, each bearing increasing numbers of candles, were placed at the corners outside the veils.