This is slander!

Bai Qingqing slept like an angel. Zidai often said she barely moved in her sleep—sometimes she'd even check on her at night just to be sure. How could she possibly snore?

Ning Yan wore a teasing expression, eyes half-lidded. “You can’t be sure. How would you know if you’re snoring when you’re asleep?”

“I...”

Bai Qingqing was at a loss for words. She opened her mouth but got stuck, then asked in a soft, tentative voice, “I really... snored?”

Could it be that she hadn’t rested well for too long?

A faint blush crept up her cheeks. And Ning Yan had seen it too? How embarrassing.

Ning Yan sighed inwardly. How was she still so naïve—believing whatever anyone said? It was endearing, yes, but it also made him want to tease her even more.

He thought back to how she looked while sleeping—peaceful and serene, her breath soft and even, the kind of calm that made your own heart settle just watching her. But before long, a troubled crease would appear between her brows, like something dark had crept into her dreams.

Ning Yan hesitated, then gently patted her, mimicking the way he vaguely remembered his parents soothing a child. His palm fell lightly on the blanket, and—strangely—her expression did calm down, little by little.

In that moment, Ning Yan felt a rare sense of accomplishment—completely different from the satisfaction of completing a task or catching a criminal.

So he ended up staying in her room most of the night. Every time she showed signs of a nightmare, he would soothe her, again and again, tireless and devoted.

After being thrown off by Ning Yan’s teasing, Bai Qingqing didn’t know how to ask again. But no matter what, the fact she’d slept so well that night was entirely thanks to him. She was determined to repay him for it, and became all the more devoted to looking after him in return.

She had become quite the competent attendant by now, used to being inseparable from Ning Yan, gradually able to read some of his thoughts.

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Wen Jiang couldn’t understand this at all. Privately, he found her and said, “Don’t spoil Ning Yan too much. Even as an attendant, you don’t need to be so meticulous about everything. Besides, you’re not really an attendant. That man’s temper is strange—sometimes good, sometimes bad—and he likes to make things difficult. Just manage him as best you can.”

Bai Qingqing defended Ning Yan earnestly. “Lord Ning is actually very kind. He’s just... not good at expressing himself. He’s helped me so much, and I really want to do something for him in return.”

It was the first time Wen Jiang had heard such a mild excuse. “Not good at expressing himself?” Ning Yan was more than good at expressing himself—too good, sometimes to the point of being downright annoying.

“Alright then, tomorrow we’ll reach Pingzhou. I’ll accompany you to take a look around and see if there’s anything missing that we can replenish.”

Hearing this, Bai Qingqing immediately said, “Brother Wen, once we arrive in Pingzhou, there’s something I’d like to ask you for help with.”

“What is it? You can say it now if you want.”

“Let’s wait until we get to Pingzhou.”

Bai Qingqing wanted to ask him to help treat her ailment—her insomnia was troublesome. Especially these past two nights, Ning Yan had been coming to her. The gratitude in her heart was starting to feel like a burden.

How could she let Ning Yan worry about her like this? It simply wasn’t right!

...

Pingzhou was a city no less grand than Xuancheng, a strategic hub with roads leading everywhere, rich and bustling.

Bai Qingqing had heard of it before but never imagined she’d get to see Pingzhou’s splendor in person.

After the caravan entered the city, they settled in an inconspicuous inn. Inside, however, it was a different world—an entire courtyard behind was theirs alone. Bai Qingqing was amazed. How did Ning Yan find all these unique places?