Bai Qingqing took a sip of tea, the warm liquid driving away the chill from her body. “It has been a long time since I last saw you, Brother. I have missed you dearly. Do you not wish to see me? If that is the case, then I…”

  “How could that be!”

  Seeing the mischievous smile on her face, Bai Yan realized she was teasing him and couldn’t help but smile as well. “You little troublemaker.”

  Bai Qingqing stuck out her tongue playfully and pushed a small incense box toward him. “Brother, open it and take a look. I made some slight adjustments. I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”

  Inside the box was incense similar to what Bai Yan usually used, yet subtly different. The previous one had a warmer scent, while this new blend was less sweet and more suitable for the spring season.

  “How could your craftsmanship ever be anything but excellent? Among all the incense shops in Xuancheng, only the ones you make suit me. Many people have asked me where I get my incense, but I refuse to tell them.”

  Few people knew that the daughter of the Duke of England’s household was a master of incense-making. Bai Qingqing seemed to have an innate talent for it. The same ingredients, once blended by her, would become more refined and enchanting. With her keen sense of smell and unique ideas, the fragrances she created were distinct and captivating. That was why all the incense used in the Bai family came from her hands.

  “I only know how to make these little things. As long as you can use them, that’s all that matters.”

  Bai Qingqing’s eyes flickered slightly. “Brother, there’s something I don’t know who to ask about. I feel embarrassed for others to know, yet I am truly perplexed…”

  “Speak freely. There is nothing you cannot tell me.”

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  “The other night, I had a dream…”

  Bai Qingqing described the events of her past life as if they were a dream, pretending to be frightened. “I know it was just a dream, but when I woke up, I kept thinking about it and felt a deep unease. Brother, you know that prosperity does not last forever, and the world is unpredictable. Yet I realized that if something truly happened to our family, I wouldn’t even know who to turn to for help…”

  This was Bai Qingqing’s greatest fear.

  In her past life, before she was married, her family had sheltered her well. She had only seen the beauty of spring, never the shadows lurking behind it. After marrying into the Prince of Ping’s household, she was confined to the rear courtyard, blindfolded and bound. When disaster struck, she was utterly helpless.

  “I am the eldest daughter of the Bai family—I should not be so useless!”

  Seeing his sister’s earnest self-reproach, Bai Yan found her both amusing and endearing.

  “Who dares say you’re useless? I will teach them a lesson for you.”

  “Brother, can you tell me—if what I dreamt of truly happens, what should I do?”

  Seeing her serious expression, Bai Yan did not want to brush her off. He thought carefully before answering, “If such accusations are made, there must be evidence. The only ones capable of investigating thoroughly would be the Embroidered Uniform Guard. However, our family has never had much interaction with them—just routine inquiries at most. If I had to name someone with connections, it would be Lord Ning of the Imperial Guards. He visited our house just a few days ago.”

  Bai Qingqing immediately took note of the name. “What kind of person is this Lord Ning?”

  “Hm… He seems to be a man of integrity. He is warm and sincere, and he has never put on airs when visiting our household. He is quite easy to get along with.”

  Seeing Bai Qingqing deep in thought, Bai Yan smiled. “But it was just a dream—you needn’t dwell on it. If something were to truly happen to our family, it would be Father and I who should worry about it, not a young lady like you.”

  Bai Qingqing nodded along with his words and returned to her courtyard, where she stayed for most of the day.

  But she knew it was no dream—she knew better than anyone.

  When disaster struck, not even her brother or father had any power to resist. The entire Bai family had been imprisoned overnight. Every person she thought could help had turned their backs on her.

  She never wanted to experience that kind of fear and helplessness again!

  But as a woman in her boudoir, there was little she could do. After shutting herself in her room for most of the day, the only solution she could think of was her marriage.

  Unlike men, women could not enter officialdom or wield power to protect themselves. Before marriage, they relied on their families; after marriage, they depended on their husbands. That was why a woman’s marriage was of utmost importance—it was like being reborn a second time.

  In the past, Bai Qingqing had, like all young girls in Xuancheng, dreamed of a marriage filled with love and harmony, hoping for a peaceful life with her husband.

  But now, the love in her heart had withered away.

  All she wanted was to save her family from the impending catastrophe.

  She was willing to do anything.

  “I wonder what this Lord Ning looks like…”

  Bai Qingqing bit her lip gently, her lowered eyelashes concealing the emotions in her eyes.