As Qiyue spoke, she unfolded the garments. The delicate openwork silk embroidery, the shimmering tassels along the edges, the intricate design—all of it looked impossibly elaborate, even at a glance.
She explained to Bai Qingqing how to wear it properly, then added with a smile, “Just don’t wear this in front of outsiders. Especially not men.”
Bai Qingqing reluctantly tore her gaze away from the beautiful outfit. “Why not?”
“Miss Qiyue, the Lord is here.”
A knock sounded from outside, cutting her off. Qiyue turned her head in surprise—what was the Lord doing here at this hour? She stepped to the door and opened it. As expected, Ning Yan was standing just outside.
He glanced over her shoulder into the room and saw Bai Qingqing staring at the garments in her hands, her eyes shining with curiosity and delight.
He strode in. “What are you looking at that’s got you so intrigued?”
Startled, Bai Qingqing looked up with a gasp, quickly using a piece of red silk to cover the clothes and stepping forward to block them. “It’s nothing. Just something Qiyue gave me.”
She hadn’t even heard him come in. The sudden appearance gave her a fright. Her cheeks turned slightly pink, yet she stubbornly kept her back to the table, unwilling to let him see the outfit.
Ning Yan didn’t press her. Instead, he nonchalantly found a place to sit. “I heard that Princess Huaifu secured a royal favor for you?”
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At the mention of that, Bai Qingqing’s expression grew serious. “Yes. I owe it to you. Without your help, I wouldn’t have had the time to appeal to the princess—I would’ve been married off before I knew what was happening.”
Ning Yan gave a theatrical sigh. “Then have you figured out how you plan to thank me?”
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught her hand instinctively reaching for her waist. He looked down and said lazily, “Don’t tell me you’re trying to pay me back with that token again. This and that are two different matters. Nothing in this world balances out that neatly.”
Bai Qingqing quietly drew her hand back. He was impossible to please.
“I… I haven’t figured it out yet…”
She looked down, a little ashamed. “I just don’t know how I could possibly repay you for what you’ve done.”
Qiyue, unable to watch her struggle, offered an explanation. “Qingqing came to me today for this very reason—she wanted to know what the Lord likes.”
Ning Yan raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his gaze as he looked at Bai Qingqing’s increasingly flushed face. “If you wanted to thank me, why not ask me directly? Why go through someone else?”
Caught in the throes of embarrassment, Bai Qingqing was suddenly struck with inspiration—he actually had a point.
She lifted her head, eyes sparkling with hope. “Then what would Lord Ning like me to do to show my gratitude?”
Exactly! She could toss the question back to Ning Yan. If he made a request she could fulfill, she’d gladly do it. And surely he wouldn’t ask for anything too outrageous, right?
Bai Qingqing thought Ning Yan was being remarkably reasonable today.
Ning Yan had only meant to tease her a little, but her bright, trusting gaze nearly dazzled him. How could someone be this naïve? Did her brother never warn her that someone like him could be dangerous?
His eyes drifted to the table peeking out behind Bai Qingqing. “To be honest, it was nothing. I merely acted on something I happened to hear—just a passing favor, no need to make much of it. But since you’re set on thanking me… how about granting me a small wish?”
“Name it. As long as it’s something I can do.”
Ning Yan smiled, eyes narrowing like a fox. “Oh, it’s something you can definitely do. I never make things hard for anyone.”