Ning Yan drifted off for a moment, his thoughts quietly wandering to how he could ensure Bai Qingqing was cared for just as well as she had been back in Xuancheng. He didn’t even notice that she’d already finished rebandaging his wound.

“My lord, you should rest. I should be going now.”

She turned to pick up the water basin, but Ning Yan caught her wrist. She turned back. “Do you have other instructions, my lord?”

“There’s no one else here. You don’t need to call me that.”

“…All right.”

She nodded, waiting for him to continue. But Ning Yan had grabbed her hand without really thinking, and now, seeing her blinking expectantly at him, he rubbed his nose and let go. “Just… can’t sleep.”

Her brows drew together in quiet worry. “Is it because of the pain? Of course—it’s a deep wound. It must hurt terribly.”

Sympathy clouded her eyes. “I remember once I scraped my knee and couldn’t sleep all night. Mother would sit with me, talk to me, sometimes read stories aloud… though I’m not sure that would help you.”

Ning Yan shrugged lightly. “Might as well give it a try. Who knows?”

Bai Qingqing really did pull over a stool and sat beside his bed. “What should I talk about? I honestly didn’t expect this trip to the southwest would turn out to be so difficult.”

In her mind, she’d imagined hardship—rough food, tiring travel, loneliness from being away from family. But never had she imagined that it would mean risking their lives.

Ning Yan said calmly, “The Xuan Dynasty has only just stabilized. We’re still far from a golden age of peace. In times like these, danger is the norm, and even so, there are always those who scheme to disrupt the fragile quiet.”

“I’ve heard my father and brothers speak of the court’s treacherous politics,” Bai Qingqing said, her voice low. “But our Bai family has always stayed far from such strife. My father never made enemies, yet now he’s been dragged into this mess, trampled and wronged.”

Her eyes turned sharp, little fists clenched tight. “I won’t let them get away with it.”

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As she spoke, she lifted her head, gaze burning into Ning Yan’s. “I don’t know how much help I can really be, but if this journey does bring some results—my lord, will you be able to clear my family’s name?”

Ning Yan turned slightly to look at her. Though Bai Qingqing now lacked the radiant splendor she’d had in Xuancheng—her face pale with exhaustion, dressed in the plain garb of a servant, unadorned and without makeup—yet to him, her eyes were the most beautiful treasure in the world.

“If you’d stop treating me like a stranger all the time, I suppose I would.”

Bai Qingqing blinked, momentarily stunned, then lowered her head a little. “I always felt the Bai family owed you a great debt… I couldn’t just call you by name as if it were nothing.”

“But I don’t mind. I’ve never thought of you as someone beneath me. Do you understand?”

Ning Yan didn’t usually care much about titles, but for some reason, hearing her call him “my lord” always grated. It felt too distant. He didn’t like it.

“I understand. Ning Yan—can I call you that from now on?”

Compared to something like “Brother Yan,” which she couldn’t bring herself to say, this felt more natural. She even tried it a few more times, as if practicing, “Ning Yan, I’ve always thought your name sounds lovely.”

Ning Yan leaned against the headboard, eyes closed, listening to her say his name again and again—soft and light, like a caress. Even his ears began to itch.

“All right, go rest. Talking for a bit’s made me drowsy.”

Bai Qingqing finally rose and walked to the door. As she closed it, she said softly, “If the pain wakes you in the night, call me. I’ll hear you.”

Ning Yan shot her a look. “Sleep properly. If you don’t rest well, you’ll be useless during the day, and that’s not a bargain I’m willing to make. Got it?”

“…Mm.”

She puffed out her cheeks and gently shut the door. Inside, Ning Yan let out a silent sigh. She’s probably off sulking again, thinking he was too harsh. That wasn’t his intention at all. Tsk.