Ning Yan chuckled. “That impressive, huh?”

Bai Qingqing’s cheeks flushed. “My lord, there’s no need to tease me. It’s the only skill I have.”

Tease?

Ning Yan gave a silent snort. He wasn’t so idle as to mock someone for nothing. There weren’t many in this world who could earn his praise.

If she had the will, her fragrances could bend hearts and twist minds—perhaps even shake the emperor’s resolve and bring chaos to the court.

With that thought, he stood up. “I’ve got other matters to attend to. Stay a while longer if you wish.”

Bai Qingqing blinked. He was leaving already?

Seeing her bewildered look, Ning Yan’s expression turned solemn. “That the scent came from your hands—let that die in this room. If word gets out, that token of yours may not be enough to protect you.”

Bai Qingqing instinctively covered her waist. Why was he so fixated on that favor?

Watching her like a cub guarding its food, Ning Yan couldn’t help but smile. “Wait till your eyes aren’t red before stepping out. Wouldn’t want people thinking I bullied you. Got it?”

Bai Qingqing puffed her cheeks and glared at him as he left. Once the door shut behind him, she muttered under her breath, “I’m not stupid. I’m not letting this dessert go to waste.”

She had no idea Ning Yan’s hearing was razor-sharp. Standing just outside, he broke into a quiet laugh. Then he called someone over, gave a few low instructions, and was about to leave when the man hesitated.

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“What if… Miss Bai refuses to accept it?”

Ning Yan’s jaw tightened ever so slightly. “Then say it’s a gift from Qiyue.”

“Understood.”

…

When Zidai returned, Bai Qingqing was still alone in the private room. “Miss, did Lord Ning stand you up?”

“He came and left. Hurry, try this—it’s delicious.”

The table was piled with pastries Bai Qingqing couldn’t possibly finish alone, so she pulled Zidai in to help. The two of them ate until their stomachs were round, and still nearly half the table was untouched.

“Have someone pack the rest. We paid for it, after all. Zidai, go settle the bill.”

Zidai answered and left, but returned shortly after, followed by an elderly man with a kind, gentle face.

“Miss Bai,” he said with a bow, “I am Ge Shao, steward of Yanlai Pavilion. These have already been paid for.”

Ge Shao respectfully pulled a token from his sleeve and handed it to her. “Please accept this. From now on, this room will be reserved exclusively for you.”

Bai Qingqing was stunned. Just how lavish could Ning Yan be?

“I haven’t done anything to deserve this, Steward Ge. Please take it back.”

But Ge Shao kept smiling. “Actually, this was Miss Qiyue’s idea. She hopes you’ll visit often. Since coming to Yanlai Pavilion, she’s had few companions due to her status. Would you be unwilling to—”

“Of course not!”

The moment Bai Qingqing heard it was Qiyue’s idea, she changed her tune at once and accepted the token. “As long as Miss Qiyue doesn’t mind me, I’d love to visit. I can really see her often?”

“Naturally.”

Bai Qingqing beamed. She hadn’t expected such an unexpected windfall from this one visit!

Ge Shao had completed his task. But when he reported everything back to Ning Yan, the young lord only gave a soft, ambiguous snort—hard to tell whether it was out of amusement or annoyance.

At that moment, Ning Yan was having Mu Shu bring over the confiscated imitation incense.

“My lord, you’re going to test it yourself? My men already tried. It made them terribly uneasy—irritable, agitated, reckless in their behavior…”

Mu Shu looked genuinely troubled, deeply reluctant—mainly because if Ning Yan lost control… he couldn’t win in a fight.