Ning Yan was still savoring the look in Bai Qingqing’s eyes after she missed her mark—glistening with light, speckled with golden flecks, her small nose tinged red with grievance, making her look as adorable as a little white fox cub he once saw in the forest.

  He wondered just how many people had ever witnessed such an ethereal beauty.

  Lowering his gaze to the incense box in his hand, Ning Yan’s eyes darkened. After a moment, he tucked it into his robe.

  Back at the Jin Yi Wei headquarters, Ning Yan reclined in his chair, lazily crossing his legs. His half-lidded eyes settled on the kneeling man below him, his voice carrying an icy menace.

  “Flog him first. We’ll ask questions later.”

  The kneeling man’s head snapped up in alarm. The floggings here were unlike those in other places—if lucky, one could keep their life, but if not, they’d never walk out again.

  “I’ll talk! I’ll talk!”

  Ning Yan scoffed, not even bothering to look at him. Someone immediately dragged the man away. Before long, a faint scent of blood permeated the air, sharp enough to sting the eyes.

  A subordinate standing beside Ning Yan shuddered and discreetly asked one of the guards outside, “Who did Lord Ning meet just now? He seems… upset.”

  “Huh? That can’t be right. A young lady came looking for him. She was stunning. How could he be angry?”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  “A young lady…”

  That was indeed unusual. Lord Ning had always been impatient with women, especially the delicate, demure kind. They irritated him just by existing. That’s why none of them ever invited him to brothels.

  If he had simply driven a woman to tears, that would be nothing new. But for him to be angry himself? That was strange.

  Meanwhile, Bai Qingqing climbed into her carriage with tears in her eyes. Her maid, Zidai, handed her a handkerchief, heart aching for her mistress. “That Lord Ning has such a sharp tongue! Miss, don’t take it to heart.”

  Bai Qingqing shook her head. “Thinking about it, I was indeed too rash. Seeking him out on my own initiative—it was only natural for him to be suspicious.”

  “How can you say that, Miss? You worked tirelessly for days to make that incense, never once stepping out of the courtyard, all out of good intentions! That man is so cynical he sees filth in everything. You mustn’t take his words to heart.”

  Seeing Zidai so agitated, Bai Qingqing’s mood lifted slightly. “Don’t tell anyone about this. If he doesn’t appreciate it, so be it. There are other ways.”

  Zidai didn’t understand her meaning, but seeing her mistress smile again, she relaxed. Still, her resentment toward Ning Yan lingered—what an insufferable, temperamental man! It was best if her mistress stayed far away from him.

  Bai Qingqing didn’t dwell on the setback for long. If one path was blocked, she certainly wouldn’t just sit there doing nothing.

  At that moment, the flowers Bai Jinghuai had bought for his daughter arrived. Bai YaoYao dragged Bai Qingqing along to arrange them.

  “Elder Sister, I’ve never seen camellias of this color before! They’re stunning!”

  Bai Qingqing nodded in agreement. They were indeed otherworldly—double-petaled, radiant, breathtakingly beautiful. One particular plant stood out, its white stamens forming a shape like a pearl, exuding a delicate fragrance. It was rare and precious.

  Bai YaoYao circled the flower excitedly. “I’ve never seen anything like this anywhere else! We must invite more guests to the flower appreciation banquet—such beauty deserves an audience!”

  With the flowers now in their hands, preparations for the banquet had to begin. Madam Qiao wanted Bai Qingqing to learn more about hosting, so she decided to put her in charge of organizing the event.

  “I know this may be difficult,” Qiao said gently. “But these are things all young ladies should learn. That way, no matter where you go in the future, you won’t be unprepared. Are you willing?”

  Bai Qingqing agreed without hesitation, her obedient demeanor softening Qiao’s heart. How sensible and considerate her daughter was!

  But in her past life, Bai Qingqing had not been so agreeable.

  Back then, secure in the love of her parents and brothers, and with harmonious younger siblings, she had never felt a sense of crisis. Seeing this, Qiao hadn’t forced her to learn anything, only wishing for her happiness and carefree life.

  As a result, when she married into the royal household, Bai Qingqing had nothing—nothing except her deep love for Fu Yi. And love alone was not enough.