Fu Yi did not bring back Chun Jiao, nor did he bring back results that satisfied the princess.

  However, she found herself unable to say anything about it.

  "It was your mother who didn't think things through. Qingyun just wanted to go and enjoy the flowers. Who knew that Bai Qingqing would suddenly attack? You know Qingyun is timid, this isn't her fault."

  Fu Yi said calmly, "Qingyun took the initiative to talk to Bai Qingqing. I don't think she's timid at all."

  The princess paused, then said, "She was just curious. Besides, it's normal to greet the host when attending a banquet."

  "So, you don't care if rumors about Qingyun and me are already spreading outside, Mother? In a few days, the Guangyang Marquis's wife will be coming to visit, right?"

  Fu Yi's casual remark immediately changed the princess's expression. The Guangyang Marquis's second daughter was the one that that b*tch had arranged for Fu Xiao. Everyone knew the purpose of this visit.

  "The Guangyang Marquis has been lying low since he was severely weakened many years ago, and he has only recently begun to re-emerge. If he agrees to the marriage with your elder brother, your father might be tempted. Isn't that what you told me before, Mother? Now that Bai Qingqing has misunderstood my relationship with Qingyun, you're not in a hurry anymore. In that case, I'm naturally not in a hurry either."

  "What nonsense are you talking about! Do you want the position of heir to fall into the hands of that illegitimate son and be trampled under his feet?"

  Fu Yi looked at the princess calmly, "Whether or not I have the position of heir, I won't be trampled under anyone's feet. My willingness to approach Miss Bai now is not for the position of heir."

  "What do you mean by that?"

  "Mother, you should think about Qingyun's reputation. As a young lady, her reputation is important and shouldn't be spread around."

  Fu Yi didn't want to explain further. He regretted approaching Bai Qingqing for the position of heir in his previous life. He couldn't repeat the same mistake in this life!

  Although Bai Qingqing had strongly rejected Ning Yan's unreasonable request, he had indeed helped her that day.

  "I'm a person who distinguishes between gratitude and grudges."

  She seemed to be convincing herself, and went back into the room to fiddle with her spices. When Bai Yaoyao came to find her, she only smelled a cold fragrance, which she couldn't quite identify even after sniffing carefully.

  "Sister, have you concocted some rare fragrance again? It smells nice, but it's a bit too cold."

  Bai Qingqing put away her things. Cold was good, cold was more suitable for that person!

  "Yaoyao, you look very pretty today. Are you going out?"

  Bai Yaoyao then remembered the purpose of her visit. She took Bai Qingqing's hand and shook it coquettishly, "Sister, don't always stay at home. You should go out more. Look, the weather is so nice today, it's perfect for going out."

  "So?"

  Bai Yaoyao smiled at her, her eyes curving in an attempt to please her. "So, I specially booked Yanlai Tower for you, sister. The music, dance, tea, and scenery there are all top-notch. I even reserved the best seats, where you can overlook almost half of Xuancheng! You'll definitely like it, sister."

  Bai Qingqing had always been close to her younger sister. Moreover, after her rebirth, she felt even more guilty and their relationship became even closer, intimate and inseparable.

  She pretended to ponder for a moment, then poked Bai Yaoyao's cheek with her finger. "I remember... someone was particularly excited before, saying they could finally go to Yanlai Tower. How did it become specially booked for me now?"

  Bai Yaoyao just grinned foolishly. "Hehehe, sister is so smart."

  Bai Qingqing: "...Weren't you looking forward to it? Why don't you want to go anymore?"

  "It's not that. It's just that I have a place I'd rather go today."

  Bai Yaoyao revealed a mysterious smile. "Today, there's a poetry gathering by the Lingbo Lake in the western suburbs, inviting talents from all over. It's said that Master Fanghe will also appear! He's a rumored beauty, able to attract cranes to surround him. How beautiful must he be?"

  Bai Yaoyao became more and more excited as she spoke. "And there's Master Lu's Jade, as gentle as jade and as beautiful as a crown; Master Qingliu of Hezhou, with willow-leaf eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, a peerless beauty... How can I miss such a grand occasion? They'll be competing, striving for the top spot. It'll definitely be a sight to behold!"

  Bai Qingqing silently handed her a cup of tea to calm her down. "It sounds quite lively."

  "Isn't it! Why don't you come with me, sister?"

  "Then what about Yanlai Tower?"

  Bai Yaoyao pouted. "You know how hard it is to book a seat at Yanlai Tower. You have to pay a deposit half a month or even a month in advance. I finally got a reservation, and if I don't go, the money will be wasted. They don't give refunds..."

  She looked up and blinked her eyes. "So, sister, please go. When you come back, you can tell me why Yanlai Tower is so popular."

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  That was one reason. Another reason was that she felt her sister had been staying indoors too much lately. She wasn't like this before. Bai Yaoyao was a little worried about her and was trying to find ways to cheer her up.

  Bai Qingqing gently pinched her nose. "If we're going to the western suburbs, won't it be too late if we don't leave now?"

  "Ahhh, I have to go! Sister, don't forget, the most delicious dessert at Yanlai Tower is called Green Cloud Pastry. You must try it!"

  Bai Yaoyao came and went in a hurry, eager to see her beautiful gentlemen. Bai Qingqing shook her head helplessly behind her.

  Zi Dai brought her a cup of milk tea and smiled softly. "Miss, the second young lady is right. You should go out more. I've even heard of Yanlai Tower. It must be extraordinary. Why don't you go and see?"

  Bai Qingqing's fingertips still carried a faint cold fragrance. She had indeed spent too much time indoors these past few days.

  "Alright, speaking of which, I haven't been to Yanlai Tower before."

  Bai Qingqing went to change her clothes and jewelry. Before leaving, after careful consideration, she brought the newly made fragrance with her, just in case.

  She had heard of Yanlai Tower in her previous life, but she had never been interested in such highly praised places and didn't like crowds. She had never been there. Later, when she married Fu Yi and socialized as the princess consort, she often heard people mention it.

  It was said that Yanlai Tower had excellent feng shui, especially as it had brought together several couples. It was increasingly praised by the people of Xuancheng, who said that if two people who loved each other went there together, it would deepen their affection.

  At that time, Bai Qingqing was moved and secretly mentioned it several times, hoping to go there with Fu Yi. It wasn't really to deepen their affection, but just to spend more time with him.

  But until the Bai family's accident and her own death, Fu Yi had never taken her there.

  "Miss, miss, Yanlai Tower is ahead. It's so lively!"

  Bai Qingqing came back to her senses and gently lifted the curtain to look out. Not far away, a multi-story building was particularly eye-catching.

  The carriage stopped at the street corner, and Bai Qingqing got out and walked to Yanlai Tower, secretly amazed.

  No wonder it was so difficult to come to Yanlai Tower. The carved railings and painted buildings were magnificent, and even the smallest brick and tile looked extraordinary. In front of the building was a clear, rippling pool of water, with a white jade bridge spanning it. Walking on it, colorful fish swam underfoot, in groups and clusters, pleasing to the eye.

  After reporting her name and handing over the pre-booked token, someone immediately came to lead them inside.

  Stepping into the building, her eyes lit up. On a high platform in the winding staircase, a dancer in exotic costume was spinning and dancing, her colorful skirts fluttering and dazzling.

  Bai Qingqing was mesmerized. The waiter at Yanlai Tower didn't urge her, but quietly waited for her to come back to her senses before continuing to lead her upstairs.

  Bai Yaoyao had indeed booked an excellent location. In front was the high platform below, and behind, through the window, a panoramic view of Xuancheng was unobstructed, making people feel relaxed and happy.

  She ordered the Green Cloud Pastry that Yaoyao had specially recommended, and Bai Qingqing also ordered some other things. After the waiter acknowledged her order, he respectfully withdrew. As soon as the door closed, Zi Dai couldn't hide her excitement. "Miss, this place is amazing!"

  Bai Qingqing smiled and nodded. "Indeed, it's breathtaking. Since we're here, let's enjoy it."

  The singer on the high platform below had changed, her voice soft and ethereal, moving the heart. Bai Qingqing sat by the railing, her arm resting on the window sill, listening to the music while admiring the various aspects of the world outside the window. Her mind had never been so light and relaxed.

  She realized at this moment how beautiful Xuancheng was, how pleasant the scenery was. It was a pity that she had missed so much because of her inner demons...

  "Hey, miss, look there, isn't that..."

  Bai Qingqing looked in the direction Zi Dai pointed, and two figures were walking over from far below. Although they were far apart, one of them was so memorable that even Zi Dai recognized him.

  "Have you not found their informants yet?"

  Mu Shu's skin tightened when he heard this. "Sir, we did find something, but..."

  Ning Yan stopped walking. "But what?"

  "But sir probably won't like the place. Although their information is well hidden, upon closer inspection, it all has some connection to Brocade Pavilion."

  Ning Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. Brocade Pavilion was a famous brothel in Xuancheng. He hadn't been there much, nor was he interested. "Have them investigate thoroughly. I don't like to return empty-handed after a wasted trip."

  Mu Shu's heart tightened. He would definitely keep a closer eye on things. Sir was planning to investigate personally. If he made a mistake and took sir to a place he didn't like... he shuddered. It was a bit scary.

  Bai Qingqing saw that Ning Yan and his men had been standing at the bottom of Yanlai Tower for a long time without moving, and couldn't help but wonder, "What are they doing?"

  "Miss, do you think they can't get in? Didn't the second young lady say that it's very difficult to book a seat at Yanlai Tower? Although that gentleman is a Jinyiwei, he's not all-powerful everywhere."

  "You make a good point."

  Bai Qingqing felt that Ning Yan's arrogant personality, which could make people angry to death, might indeed come over without asking, and then find that he couldn't get in. It was normal for him to be in a dilemma, considering his face.

  She thought about the fragrance she had brought and whispered a few words to Zi Dai.

  Below, Mu Shu was answering Ning Yan's questions, reporting in detail the movements of some people he wanted to know in Xuancheng. He suddenly stopped in the middle of his report.

  Ning Yan, who was listening with his eyes lowered, raised his head. He caught a glimpse of a young girl walking slowly towards them. His eyebrows raised slightly, and his eyes showed interest. Wasn't this the maid next to her?