Bai Qingqing didn’t dare let anyone else overhear, so she leaned in close to Ning Yan’s ear, her breath soft and shallow, brushing lightly against his skin. He remained in that posture for a long moment.

Then he slowly turned his head, catching a faint glimmer of smug satisfaction in her eyes. He couldn’t help but laugh. “Enough… for us to spend?”

Bai Qingqing nodded vigorously. “More than enough. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

A poor home, a rich road—such was the saying. The Bai family only wished they could pack their entire fortune onto her. Since Ning Yan wouldn’t let her bring much, they gave her what took up the least space: silver notes, silver ingots, and gold leaves.

Besides, Bai Qingqing had her own savings. She’d brought them with gratitude, determined to cover Ning Yan’s expenses as well. So although she looked like a dusty little servant right now, she was actually quite the hidden heiress!

After hearing her out, Ning Yan couldn’t help but chuckle. He took a step back and gave her a once-over, as though appraising a rare item, then nodded. “Mm. Definitely high value.”

Bai Qingqing stifled a giggle—Lord Ning clearly had excellent taste.

Following behind him into the inn, Bai Qingqing hadn’t expected that a place so shabby and quiet from the outside would be anything but inside.

Especially once they were led to the rear—stepping through the door to the back courtyard, the world opened up.

The central courtyard was bright and inviting. A small lotus pond sat at its heart, lovingly maintained. The guest rooms were few but arranged with quiet elegance. Even in Xuancheng, inns like this were rare—how had one ended up in a place like this?

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Bai Qingqing couldn’t make sense of it.

Just then, a man who appeared to be the innkeeper approached respectfully. “My lord, the room has been prepared. Shall I escort this... honored guest to rest?”

Seeing the man glance at her, Bai Qingqing froze for a second before hurriedly bowing. Midway through the motion, she remembered she wasn’t supposed to be a young lady at the moment and abruptly switched to a servant’s bow. The result was awkward and mismatched.

Annoyed with herself, she berated her own carelessness—she had barely left home, and already she was making mistakes. Unacceptable.

Ning Yan noticed her lowered head and gestured to the innkeeper. “You may go. I’ll take her.”

Once the innkeeper withdrew, Ning Yan tugged at the knot of hair atop her head. “Let’s go.”

Upstairs, he stopped before a room and nodded toward it. “Go in and see if you like it. If not, we can switch.”

Bai Qingqing: “??”

He raised an eyebrow at her confusion. “Why are you looking at me like that? Go on—check it out.”

She stepped inside and took a few steps before halting. It wasn’t as though she’d never stayed at an inn before. Her parents had worried so much about her because the world outside was so different from home—they feared she’d suffer.

But this place... wasn’t like any inn she’d ever seen.

Everything a proper home should have, this room had. It was spotless, the furnishings tidy and elegant, and nothing looked overly worn or used. Bai Qingqing glanced around in a daze, then returned to the doorway where Ning Yan was standing. “This room... is really meant for travelers?”

“What else would it be for?”

Ning Yan swept his gaze across the room with a slight frown and added reluctantly, “You can’t expect too much on the road. Just make do for now.”

Bai Qingqing was stunned. Ning Yan continued, “Rest if you're tired. I’ll be next door. If you need anything, come get me.”

He turned to leave, but she quickly grabbed his sleeve, her voice low and apologetic. “I promise I’ll be more careful from now on. I’ll remember I’m supposed to be a servant.”

Ning Yan’s eyes lifted slightly. He reached out to pinch her topknot again, leaning an arm casually against the doorframe, his shadow falling over her completely.

“Then tell me,” he said, voice low and laced with teasing, “do you know what a servant is supposed to do? They’re to remain by their master’s side at all times.”