To her surprise, the people at the door turned pale as though they had seen a ghost upon hearing the name. After confirming it with her several times, they hesitated before going in to report, their faces full of disbelief.

Bai Qingqing tightly gripped the handkerchief in her hand. Was Ning Yan really so unpopular? She could almost understand why, but it also made her reconsider. If his character was really questionable, even if she became a relative of the Bai family, would he distance himself when the time came?

This was something Bai Qingqing admitted she hadn’t thought through properly, and she found herself zoning out.

When Ning Yan heard that a pretty young girl had come to see him, the first person he thought of was Bai Qingqing. He couldn’t imagine it being anyone else.

But how dare she come?

Ning Yan chuckled lightly, setting his legs down as he walked out. The last time he saw her, her pretty face had been pale, and he had thought he had scared her, but this girl’s courage was quite something.

As he reached the door, Ning Yan saw Bai Qingqing, who was lost in thought with her head lowered. The weather had warmed a little, and she wasn’t wearing a cloak but a close-fitting gown with narrow sleeves. The collar and cuffs were trimmed with soft, fluffy borders, and her skirt was a golden-embroidered long dress, making her appear especially delicate and charming.

The others at the door had wisely stepped aside. Bai Qingqing noticed Ning Yan and immediately became tense, but she made an effort to control herself and bravely showed a timid smile. “Lord Ning.”

Ning Yan noticed that her eyes seemed always clear and bright, making anyone who looked into them feel at ease. “How come? Came to bring me more incense?”

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He paused, the corner of his mouth curving into a mysterious smile, his voice dropping lower. “There aren’t many scents that could please me.”

Bai Qingqing’s body stiffened, and she seemed to hear his low voice again in her ears. She steeled herself and acted as if she hadn’t heard, taking out the new incense box.

“This is one I made again. I wonder if Lord Ning would like it.”

Ning Yan noticed the forced calm on her face and couldn’t help but smile inwardly. He took the incense box slowly, casually opening it.

A calm and refreshing fragrance wafted out, invigorating and clearing the mind.

Ning Yan had never been fond of these things, thinking them cloying and laden with heavy, artificial scents. Those around him knew his preferences and rarely used incense. But the scent Bai Qingqing had brought today made him reconsider. Just the aroma was enough to clear his mind, and sometimes, that’s exactly what one needed.

Bai Qingqing wasn’t sure of Ning Yan’s reaction but gathered her courage to explain, “Inside, there’s agarwood, fennel, and camphor. They all help to calm and settle the mind. You’re always so busy, Lord, working tirelessly—one can’t help but feel a little irritable. If this brings you even a moment of peace, it will be great.”

She had spent several days making this, and for some reason, she thought Ning Yan wouldn’t like overly fragrant incense. So, she focused on the purpose instead, though she wasn’t sure if he would accept it.

Ning Yan closed the incense box and looked up at her. “Does this incense have a name?”

Bai Qingqing’s gaze flickered, and she glanced away briefly, speaking in a low voice, “It’s called ‘Calm Down.’”

“Hmm?”

She took a deep breath. “The incense is named ‘Calm Down.’”

Ning Yan: “...”

He unexpectedly laughed out loud, and Bai Qingqing’s heart skipped a beat at the sound, though she thought her naming was quite fitting! The man was so temperamental, always keeping people on edge—wasn’t it a good idea to calm down a bit?

After he stopped laughing, Ning Yan looked at Bai Qingqing’s slightly puffed-up face and ran his tongue over his teeth. “The name is rather unique. Does anyone else have this incense? I’ve never liked using the same things as others.”