Bai Qingqing lay sprawled against his shoulder. With a slight tilt of her head, she could see her delicate little nose brushing lightly against his clothing as she inhaled. Her long lashes drooped, and her grape-like eyes held a thoughtful glint, making her resemble a porcelain doll.
That, he could endure. But the distinct sweet fragrance clinging to her was far more pronounced at this distance. At this moment, Ning Yan dared not breathe too deeply, yet he made no effort to move away either. It was as if he were deliberately testing his own limits, torturing himself in a slow, excruciating enjoyment.
Suddenly, Bai Qingqing lifted her head. Her fan-like lashes fluttered as she asked, “When you smelled this incense, was there anyone with you?”
“Could the scent have come from her?”
Seeing his brows furrow and his eyes shut tight, Bai Qingqing assumed he was feeling unwell again. Her voice softened instinctively. “Bear with it a little longer, my lord. I have a rough idea of the scent now—it won’t take much longer.”
Before she could finish speaking, Ning Yan moved. His long arm swept her up effortlessly, settling her onto his lap. Just as Bai Qingqing was about to lash out, his voice came down steady and composed.
“She had her arms around my neck. That should be where the scent lingers most. Make it quick.”
Bai Qingqing’s indignant cry froze in her throat. Seeing the pallor of his face, she swallowed her words and leaned in, gently sniffing at his neck.
Ning Yan’s throat bobbed. The hand resting on her waist instinctively tightened, restraining the urge to grip her harder. He forced himself to remain still, his breaths coming slightly faster.
Oblivious to his struggle, Bai Qingqing worked swiftly. After carefully discerning the scent, she slipped off his lap, hesitated for a moment, then considerately lifted the “Stay Calm” incense to his nose.
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“This incense… I may need a few days to analyze it. Once I have an answer, I’ll inform you immediately.”
Ning Yan remained motionless, eyes closed. Bai Qingqing observed him curiously for a while before cautiously reaching out to poke his rigid arm. “My lord? Are you alright?”
Only then did Ning Yan slowly open his eyes. A hint of red lingered in them, but he was visibly more in control than before. Bai Qingqing was unafraid.
“I’ll do my utmost to fulfill your request,” she said. “It’s getting late, my lord—you should leave before anyone notices you.”
His voice, lower and hoarser than before, carried an unfamiliar edge. “You’re certain you have a lead?”
Bai Qingqing frowned slightly. “Unfortunately, all that’s left is a lingering trace, and its effect has long faded. I can’t be too sure. If I could examine even the burnt ashes of the incense, that might be far more useful.”
“Take a look at this.”
Ning Yan slowly handed over the hilt of his waist-hung blade. A fine layer of powder clung to the end. “I used this to prod the ashes. See if it’s of any use.”
Bai Qingqing stared at him in disbelief, as if she had suffered a great blow. “My lord, why didn’t you take this out earlier? If I had this, then what was the point of—”
For the first time in her life, she felt the urge to strangle someone.
“Oh,” Ning Yan said casually. “Perhaps the incense made me a little unwell. I forgot.”
Without another word, she stepped forward, carefully rubbing the powder between her fingers before bringing it to her nose. Her expression flickered. Instinctively, she lifted the grass-green sachet at her waist to her nose, but she said nothing. She only repeated that she would inform Ning Yan once she had figured it out.
Though Ning Yan’s complexion remained normal, his eyes were unnaturally red. He dared not get any closer to Bai Qingqing. “Alright, I’ll take my leave.”
He wasted no time. Picking up the box of “Stay Calm” incense, he turned toward the door.
Bai Qingqing swiftly stepped in front of him, looking at him in shock. “What are you doing?”
“You don’t want me to leave now?”
“How can you just walk out the door? Someone will see you!”
Without hesitation, Bai Qingqing shoved 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. “I’m an injured man.”
“And yet I didn’t see you struggling when you snuck in just now!”
Just then, a voice came from outside. “Miss, you haven’t retired for the night?” It was Zidai.
Seeing that Zidai was about to push the door open, Bai Qingqing panicked and shoved him harder. “Hurry up! You’re so capable—jumping out a window shouldn’t be a problem for you.”