"Yeah, that’s right. It’s just the two of us on this journey with nothing much to do. I’m telling you, Qingqing is truly sharp—quick-witted and full of fresh ideas. Even I’ve learned a thing or two from her."
Wen Jiang sang her praises with heartfelt sincerity. Ning Yan, idly toying with a pendant in his hand, said offhandedly, “I know you’ve always had a way with women, but Bai Qingqing isn’t like the others you’ve known—are you aware of that?”
Only then did Wen Jiang seem to catch on, blinking as if waking from a daze. “Come on, she and I have always addressed each other as brother and sister. What exactly are you worried about?”
“What is there for me to worry about? I’m merely giving you a reminder. No need to overreact.”
Wen Jiang nearly leapt up. “Overreact? You’re the one being unreasonable!”
Then he suddenly paused, as if a light had gone on in his head. He narrowed his eyes and asked tentatively, “Wait a minute… don’t tell me—you’re jealous? Are you seriously jealous of how close I am with Qingqing?”
A flicker of disdain passed through Ning Yan’s narrowed eyes. “Jealous of you? She considers me the most important person in her life. Why would I be jealous of you? Hah.”
Wen Jiang rolled his eyes. “Fine, you’re the most important. But let me warn you—don’t get carried away. Just because Qingqing has a gentle nature doesn’t mean you can take her for granted. Acting all high and mighty—this isn’t how you love someone.”
Ning Yan looked at him like he’d just started speaking gibberish. Wen Jiang couldn’t be bothered to argue further. “Anything else? If not, I’m leaving. Time to rest.”
After Wen Jiang left, Ning Yan mulled over his words, curling his lips in boredom. Why did everyone think he liked Bai Qingqing? Utter nonsense. Were they all out of their minds?
…
The journey was far from peaceful.
Inside the carriage, Ning Yan was going over secret reports while Bai Qingqing quietly sat beside him reading. Suddenly, Mu Shu arrived with news—there was trouble up ahead.
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Ning Yan looked up, got to his feet, and came over to shut the window by Bai Qingqing’s side, pulling down the curtain. “Rest your eyes for a while. If you’re tired, take a nap.”
With that, he stepped out of the carriage. Bai Qingqing pressed her ear against the wall of the cabin, hearing the sound of hoofbeats fade into the distance, until even that became too faint to make out.
It felt as though, the moment Ning Yan left, the whole carriage became a hollow shell. Bai Qingqing grabbed a small blanket and wrapped it tightly around herself—only then did her heart stop racing so fast.
This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. The first time, she hadn’t even realized what was going on before Ning Yan had already taken care of everything. It was only when she smelled the blood on them after they returned that she woke from her daze.
Ning Yan had once told her there were plenty of people who wanted his life. Now that he was traveling, any “accident” would seem perfectly plausible—too good an opportunity for his enemies to pass up.
But he’d also reassured her: if things truly got beyond his control, someone would take her away to safety.
He had said it all so casually, but Bai Qingqing’s heart had clenched tight. Just what had he been through to talk about such things with that kind of indifference?
Huddled in the blanket, she closed her eyes and prayed for Ning Yan’s safe return—not for her own sake, but simply because she wanted him to be unharmed.
Time today seemed to crawl. Bai Qingqing sat in the carriage, waiting for what felt like forever, and still heard no sounds from outside. Slowly, anxiety began to gnaw at her.
By now, things were usually settled. Why the delay today? Had the enemy resorted to trickery? Or were there simply too many of them?
Her mind spiraled with worst-case scenarios. She longed to get out and see what was happening, but Ning Yan’s words echoed in her mind. So she stayed where she was, restless and uneasy.
Just as every dreadful thought had played through her head, finally—there was movement outside.