Bai Qingqing had always assumed that this journey to the southwest would require Ning Yan to move in secrecy, keeping his presence hidden from prying eyes. She thought it would be just the two of them on the road.

So when Ning Yan reappeared in a fresh change of clothes, she tugged at his sleeve and asked, “Those people… are they coming with us to the southwest?”

Wen Jiang answered gently from the side, “Lord Ning is traveling under orders to investigate a case. Those men are the Linjia Guards under his command—each one personally selected, each one fiercely loyal. With them at your side, you’ve nothing to worry about.”

“But… I thought you had to stay hidden. You even disguised yourself when you came to get me out of the city. You told me not to make a sound, so we wouldn’t alert the soldiers at the gates…”

The tension from that night still made her heart race just thinking about it.

Wen Jiang looked at Ning Yan in confusion. “That’s strange. I thought everything was already arranged with the gate guards yesterday. There shouldn’t have been any questioning at all.”

Ning Yan’s foxlike face assumed an expression of perfect innocence. He met Bai Qingqing’s bewildered gaze with an air of complete naturalness. “Aren’t you always going on about those tales from the storybooks? I figured I’d give you the full experience. And besides, your whereabouts do need to stay concealed.”

Bai Qingqing: …Well, thank you so very much.

She had nearly suffocated from holding her breath, terrified of being discovered. Especially with Ning Yan’s unmistakable presence beside her, she’d been on edge the entire time. And all of it… just a joke?

She clenched her teeth. “But you said the road ahead would be filled with hardship and danger—”

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“And isn’t it?” Ning Yan replied easily. “Compared to the life you had in Xuancheng, surrounded by music, dancing, and servants, don’t you think this counts as hardship?”

Bai Qingqing silently closed her eyes.

No wonder her parents hadn’t reacted much when they heard she and Ning Yan would be heading to the southwest alone. Turns out, she was the only one who’d taken it so seriously.

Ning Yan watched her shifting expressions of exasperation with great amusement, propping his chin on one hand, a rakish smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “You really thought it’d be just the two of us? The road is long, the mountains high—weren’t you afraid I’d do something to you? And yet you dared agree?”

Bai Qingqing glanced up at him. “Not really. You’re no saint, sure—but you’re not a bad man either. Why wouldn’t I dare?”

Wen Jiang, observing from the side, found it all quite entertaining. It was his first time seeing a woman who wasn’t afraid of Ning Yan. Usually, no matter how bold they were, women tended to freeze up in Ning Yan’s presence, their expressions stiff, their movements awkward. But she showed none of that. Though clearly gentle by nature, she was entirely unafraid—what a strange little thing.

A while later, another man approached, saluted Ning Yan, and said, “My lord, the Linjia Guards are ready to depart at your command.”

As he spoke, his eyes flicked toward Bai Qingqing. When she looked back, he grinned sheepishly. “Hello, Miss Bai. I’m Mu Shu. Lord Ning probably hasn’t mentioned me, but that’s all right—I’ve heard plenty about you.”

Like Wen Jiang, Mu Shu had long heard tales of Bai Qingqing. Now, finally seeing her in person—this delicate little thing willing to brave the southwest alongside them—he couldn’t help but admire her courage.

Bai Qingqing spent the whole morning in a daze. After breakfast, she climbed into the carriage. It wasn’t the same one she’d ridden leaving the city—it had been replaced by a sleek black coach, spacious and comfortable inside. Once she was seated, Ning Yan climbed in after her and settled in without ceremony, sprawling out like he owned the world.

“From this moment on, you’re my attendant. Whatever happens on the road, just stay put and do as you’re told, and you’ll be fine.”

“What kind of things might happen? I’m just asking, so I can be mentally prepared.”

A faint blush colored Bai Qingqing’s cheeks. “I’ve never traveled far before, so I don’t really know what to expect. I don’t want to mess up again.”