"No, I just made this incense myself."

"In that case..." Ning Yan took a step forward, his phoenix eyes gently curving, a strange glimmer flashing at the corners of his eyes. "You made this incense thinking of me?"

Bai Qingqing's face turned bright red in an instant. Although he wasn't wrong, why did such words coming from him make her feel so uncomfortable?

She hurriedly tried to explain, "I just thought, perhaps you might find it useful, but I didn’t think of you when making it... No, that's not what I meant, I mean, I wasn’t thinking of anything when making it..."

Bai Qingqing wished she could sprout eight mouths. Her explanation, under Ning Yan's teasing smile, only made her seem more flustered, almost suffocating her.

Ning Yan couldn't help but marvel—beautiful people truly made everything look graceful, no wonder people would give up their fortunes just to see a smile from such a beauty. Bai Qingqing, looking flustered as she explained, had become even more shy, her cheeks glowing with a soft, dewy blush. Her large eyes misted over, and her fan-like eyelashes fluttered, soft and tempting, making one want to touch them.

She was so beautifully unguarded, this appearance was like a flawless painting in anyone's eyes.

Ning Yan's eyes narrowed. "I didn’t know when Xuan City adopted such a custom, where young girls can freely give things away. The Earl of England's mansion is always bustling, and with each of you so thoughtful with your gifts, you’ll surely be too busy to keep up."

Bai Qingqing was stunned, unable to immediately grasp the meaning of his words. Ning Yan casually played with the incense box in his hands. "This is one of a kind, probably everyone else’s incense is one of a kind too. The Earl of England’s daughter certainly puts in a lot of effort."

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Bai Qingqing’s face suddenly went pale. "Lord Ning, why do you say such things?"

"Why? Could it be that, apart from me, you’ve never made incense for anyone outside of the Bai family?"

Bai Qingqing opened her mouth to retort, but no words came out. She had, in fact, made incense for others.

In her past life, the incense used by Fu Yi had all been made by her. She had put much thought into pleasing him, and in the end, incense was the only thing he never refused, even praising it.

This had been enough to make Bai Qingqing ecstatically happy, feeling that she was of some use to him. Later, she even made many types of incense for Fu Yi to use as favors for others, putting immense effort into each one, working tirelessly but enjoying every moment of it.

Back then, Bai Qingqing was willing to give up everything just to hear even a word of thanks from Fu Yi...

Seeing her silent, Ning Yan inexplicably felt a pang of irritation. Had he truly guessed correctly?

"The Earl of England’s daughter puts in so much effort, no doubt it will touch many people. I wonder, though, if your suitors are too many, will they start fighting over you?"

Bai Qingqing stared at him in disbelief. "Why do you judge me with such malice? If you don't like this incense, I can take it back. Why do you have to humiliate me like this?"

Tears uncontrollably welled up in her eyes. Even in her past life, when she was distanced and treated coldly, no one had ever spoken to her so cruelly.

Bai Qingqing bit her lip until it turned white, unable to stay any longer. In a fit of determination, she decided to snatch the incense box from Ning Yan’s hands.

But Ning Yan’s movements were faster than hers. He raised the incense box high, and Bai Qingqing missed her grab. Instinctively, she looked up and locked eyes with Ning Yan's piercing phoenix gaze.

Her heart burned with shame and anger, realizing her current state made her seem like she was throwing herself at him. She abandoned the incense box, lifted her skirt, and hurriedly turned to leave.