Bai Qingqing lay against his shoulder, her delicate little nose gently sniffing at his clothes. Her long eyelashes drooped slightly, and her grape-like eyes held a contemplative look, making her resemble a fine porcelain doll.

  That was already enough to test one's patience, but the uniquely sweet fragrance on her body was now particularly distinct. Ning Yan didn’t dare to take in too much of it in his current state, yet he also didn’t move away, as if deliberately testing his own endurance—suffering through it while secretly enjoying the torment.

  Suddenly, Bai Qingqing lifted her head, her thick lashes fluttering like a small fan. “When you smelled this incense, was anyone else around?”

  “Mm, there was a woman.”

  “Could she have had this scent on her?”

  “Mm.”

  Seeing his eyes shut tightly with a frown, Bai Qingqing assumed he was feeling unwell again. Her voice softened instinctively. “Just hold on a little longer, my lord. I’m starting to piece together some clues—it won’t take much longer.”

  Before she could react, Ning Yan moved. His long arms scooped her up effortlessly, settling her onto his lap. Just as she was about to protest, his deep voice cut in, steady and composed. “She held my neck. That’s where the scent should be strongest. Be quick.”

  Bai Qingqing swallowed down her startled cry and rising indignation. Seeing his pale expression, she said nothing more and leaned in, carefully sniffing near his neck.

  Ning Yan’s throat bobbed a few times, and the hand resting at her waist tensed almost imperceptibly. He fought the urge to grip her tightly, forcing himself to suppress his growing impulse. His breaths grew slightly ragged.

  Bai Qingqing was unaware of his internal struggle, but she was quick in her movements. After thoroughly analyzing the scent, she swiftly got off his lap. Then, after a moment’s thought, she considerately lifted the “Calm Down” incense back to his nose.

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  “This scent… I may need a few days to analyze it. Once I have an answer, I will inform you immediately.”

  Ning Yan remained motionless, his eyes shut tight. Bai Qingqing found this odd and hesitated before scooting closer, cautiously extending a finger to poke his firm arm. “My lord? Are you alright?”

  Only then did Ning Yan slowly open his eyes. There was a faint trace of red in them again, but unlike before, his gaze was clear and composed. Bai Qingqing didn’t find him frightening.

  “I will do my best with your request,” she said. “It’s getting late. You should leave before someone finds you.”

  Ning Yan’s voice was subtly different now, lower and huskier, carrying an inexplicable undertone. “Are you sure you’ve found a lead?”

  Bai Qingqing frowned slightly. “Unfortunately, it’s just residual scent, long since dissipated. I’m not entirely certain. If I could examine even the burnt remains of the incense, it might be more useful.”

  “Take a look at this.”

  Ning Yan leisurely extended the hilt of his dagger toward her. At the end, there were traces of fine powder. “I used this to poke at the ashes. See if it helps.”

  Bai Qingqing stared at him in disbelief, as if she had just suffered a great betrayal. “My lord, why didn’t you take this out earlier? If I had this, then why did I just…”

  For the first time in her life, she had the overwhelming urge to strangle someone.

  “Oh,” Ning Yan said lazily, “perhaps the incense was making me feel unwell, and I forgot.”

  Bai Qingqing: “……”

  She silently stepped forward, carefully grinding the powder between her fingers before bringing it to her nose to sniff. Her expression shifted slightly, and she instinctively lifted a grass-green sachet from her waist to her nose. However, she said nothing, only repeating that she would inform Ning Yan once she had figured it out.

  Although Ning Yan's face still appeared normal, his eyes were unnaturally red. He didn’t dare get too close to Bai Qingqing. “Alright, I’ll take my leave then.”

  Wasting no time, he picked up the box of Calm Down incense and turned toward the door.

  Bai Qingqing quickly stepped forward to block him, looking at him in shock. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Oh? So now you don’t want me to leave?”

  “How can you go out through the door? Someone might see you!”

  Without another thought, she pushed him toward the window. “Since Lord Ning was able to get in, surely you can get out the same way.”

  Ning Yan turned his head and raised an eyebrow. “I’m a patient, you know.”

  “And yet, you didn’t seem to have any trouble sneaking in just now!”

  Just as she spoke, a voice came from outside. It was Zidai.

  “My lady, you haven’t gone to bed yet?”

  Hearing the approaching footsteps, Bai Qingqing panicked and shoved Ning Yan harder. “Hurry up, hurry up! You’re so skilled—jumping out of a window should be easy for you. No one will notice!”