"It was my fault, really. I didn’t ask clearly and just assumed he was the person I was looking for. But it seemed like he didn’t realize I had mistaken him at first either—not until Mother’s birthday banquet did he notice."
A faint blush rose on Bai Qingqing’s cheeks. She couldn’t help thinking she’d been rather foolish.
Bai Jinghuai kept his expression neutral as he listened, but his mind was turning. On the surface, nothing seemed amiss—but the more he thought about it, the stranger it felt. Qingqing had approached the wrong person, and Ning Yan had actually responded? That in itself was already unusual.
Even someone like Bai Jinghuai, who had no interest in gossip or court whispers, knew that many families in Xuancheng had their eyes on Ning Yan—especially those with marriageable daughters. Though they knew of his aloof and prickly temperament, the lure of power was too great; they still hoped to use marriage to climb higher.
But all he’d ever heard were tales of young ladies making fools of themselves, embarrassing failures, and gossip whispered in secret—some even speculating whether Ning Yan preferred men over women. They said every woman who tried to approach him was beautiful beyond compare, and none had received even the faintest favor. So how had Qingqing managed it so easily?
"...What?"
Bai Jinghuai was stunned into silence, momentarily forgetting what he’d even asked. "Daughter, don’t you think… that might not be the best way to put it? Would Lord Ning really be happy hearing that?"
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"Why wouldn’t he be?"
Bai Qingqing tilted her head, puzzled. “But that’s how I truly feel, from the bottom of my heart.”
Bai Jinghuai: “…”
His instincts told him that Lord Ning probably wouldn’t want to hear such heartfelt gratitude—especially after witnessing Ning Yan peel nuts for his daughter with his own eyes. That was the Commander of the Embroidered Guards! A man of unmatched martial skill and towering power—peeling nuts for her!
But seeing that Bai Qingqing’s eyes held not a trace of girlish infatuation, Bai Jinghuai breathed a little easier. Whatever Ning Yan might be thinking, at least Qingqing had no other intentions. That was enough for now. Honestly… he couldn’t bring himself to fully trust Ning Yan either.
“Ah, my girl,” he said gently, “Father knows how grateful you are to him, and I am just as grateful. Our Bai family will never forget this debt of kindness. But we still have your brother and me at home—there’s no need for you to shoulder this gratitude alone. All I wish is for you to live safely and happily.”
He reached out and tenderly brushed a hand over her temple, eyes crinkling with a warm smile. “I won’t stop you from befriending anyone you like. I only hope you’re well. For your sake—for all of you—I will do everything in my power to root out those who wish us harm.”
From the corner of her eye, Bai Qingqing caught sight of a few silver strands at her father’s temples, and a jolt went through her.
In her heart, her father had always been a figure of strength and elegance, someone who could hold up the sky if it ever fell. But somehow, without her noticing, fine lines had crept into the corners of his eyes, and silver now glinted in his hair.
She fought back the sudden sting in her nose, forcing a bright smile onto her face. “You’ll definitely succeed, Father! You’re the best there is!”
…
After what happened with Bai Rui, the Bai family never went out without a crowd of guards at their side.
Fortunately, it seemed there were also more patrols in Xuancheng these days, and danger had become less frequent.
Bai Qingqing continued her usual visits to Qingxin Pavilion. Sometimes she’d find a message left for her by Fu Yi, and sometimes, someone she’d been hoping to see would be waiting.
So when Pei Lingshu came by, she was genuinely surprised.
“Brother Pei, what brings you to Qingxin Pavilion today? I heard you occasionally help out with the shop’s business—I’ve been hoping for a chance to thank you in person!”