The spacious room was filled with rows upon rows of bookshelves, all piled high with scrolls and books.

Near the brighter part by the window, Ning Yan was leaning back, flipping through a scroll of records. The desk in front of him was also stacked with scrolls.

“Is there something?”

“Master, a confidential report. The person is almost at Xuancheng, but the fish hasn't appeared yet.”

Ning Yan didn’t look up. “Got it. Keep an eye on them, avoid the people at the Jin Yi Wei yamen.”

“Understood.”

Ning Yan waited for a moment and noticed Ge Shao was still there. “Is there anything else?”

“Well... I’m not sure if I should say this, but just now, I saw Miss Bai.”

Ning Yan curved the corner of his lips. “Here to see Qiyue again?”

He had given Bai Qingqing a token for Yanlai Tower, thinking she would bring her close friend and show her off. Instead, she came quietly each time, silently hoping to see Qiyue dance, and even worried about burdening her. Qiyue, with her indifferent nature, couldn’t even muster the coldness toward her.

“This time, it seems different. Miss Bai’s face looked terrible. She seemed... on the verge of tears.”

Ning Yan’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. After a while, he told Ge Shao to leave.

In the familiar guest room, Bai Qingqing had sent everyone out. She wanted to be alone for a while.

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The large room was silent, with only her in it. Bai Qingqing curled up in a corner, holding her knees tightly, as if doing so would make her feel a little safer.

It was truly terrifying!

To think that someone would use such a despicable method to scheme against her. Now that she had calmed down a bit, she found herself wondering why.

Princess Ping would never admit it. The traces in the warm pavilion of that small courtyard would definitely be cleaned up thoroughly, and the servants involved would surely disappear without a trace.

Her claim that the Bai family wouldn’t let it go was just an angry outburst. How could the Ping Prince’s residence possibly leave any evidence for the Bai family to find?

But why?

Why would Princess Ping do this, ruin her reputation, and force her to marry Fu Yi? But clearly, she didn’t want to be a daughter-in-law at all. What was going on with this life?

The door to the guest room creaked open. Bai Qingqing rubbed her reddened eyes without looking up. “Zidai, don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Just give me a moment...”

“When did Yanlai Tower become a place for someone to find peace?”

Bai Qingqing suddenly looked up, her moist eyes exposed without guard under Ning Yan’s gaze. Realizing what had happened, she quickly lowered her legs and wiped her eyes, then thought to herself, something was wrong.

“Lord Ning, why didn’t you knock before entering? Where’s Zidai?”

“Oh, I sent her away.”

“...”

Ning Yan sat down in front of her. “Yanlai Tower is a place for fun. If you’re upset, you can talk about it. Want to make me happy?”

Bai Qingqing, already irritated, couldn’t help but glare at him. She didn’t want to waste time with him and stood up to leave.

As she passed by Ning Yan, he suddenly grabbed her wrist, causing the sachet in her hand to fall to the ground.

Ning Yan bent down, picked it up, and sniffed it. Bai Qingqing hurriedly tried to grab it back, but missed several times.

She hadn’t been in that room long, but the scent was much stronger than she expected. Only with the sachet could she maintain her clarity.

Ning Yan noticed the slight daze in her eyes. His gaze narrowed, and he yanked her wrist, pulling her closer.

Bai Qingqing, weakened by panic and anger, stumbled into his arms. She froze, afraid to move, while Ning Yan’s head rested near her neck, the heat from his breath sending shivers down her spine.