Though they were traveling by night, Ning Yan didn’t push on through until dawn.
As darkness deepened, he found a safe spot to rest. He lifted the drowsy Bai Qingqing from the saddle, letting her lean against him to sleep, while the horse grazed and recovered.
Beneath a tree, the flat surface of a stone slab served as their resting place. Ning Yan sat with his back against the trunk, Bai Qingqing curled in his lap, wrapped in his cloak, sleeping soundly. He had never imagined there would come a day when he’d spend an entire night simply watching a girl sleep.
What a contradictory little creature she was—fragile yet unyielding, timid yet brave. She winced at the smallest scratch, yet hadn’t flinched when drawing a blade across her own skin. She startled at every sound, yet had dared to find him in the midst of a bandit attack.
Suddenly, Bai Qingqing stirred. Her lips smacked softly, and she burrowed further into his embrace. Ning Yan pulled the cloak tighter around her and sighed. Once this whole affair was over, he thought, he would have to figure this girl out properly.
At the first light of dawn, they set out again. After more than half a day’s journey, Yuan City finally came into view.
They wore plain travelers’ clothes—unremarkable at a glance. But their striking features drew attention. At the city gates, the guards inspected them repeatedly before letting them through, even pausing to ask whether they had a place to stay in Yuan City.
Bai Qingqing thanked them politely, only to be dragged away by Ning Yan, who wore an expression as dark as a thundercloud.
She looked at him, confused. “Brother, what was that for? He was just being kind.”
“Hah. Then I suppose I should thank you. Yuan City sees hundreds come and go each day—do you think he offers help to all of them out of kindness?”
“Maybe he noticed we didn’t even have luggage and felt sorry for us?”
Sure, Ning Yan thought grimly. That guard’s eyes were practically glued to Bai Qingqing’s face—kindness, my ass. More like lust.
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Bai Qingqing, blissfully unaware of earlier danger, had already begun worrying about their travel expenses.
“I can’t believe I only just thought of this. I wonder if there’s a Suiyun Pavilion in Yuan City?”
“There is. A prime location like this—Suiyun Pavilion wouldn’t miss out.”
“Thank goodness!”
Her eyes lit up instantly. “Sister Qiyue once gave me a Suiyun token, said it could be used to draw silver from any of their branches. Then we’re fine! I won’t let you go hungry or sleep on the streets.”
Her radiant smile was enough to make passersby across the street pause and stare. Ning Yan shifted sideways, subtly shielding her from certain gazes. “Then I’ll be depending on you.”
“Don’t worry!”
Bai Qingqing marched alongside Ning Yan, full of spirit, as they made their way through streets and alleys in search of Yuan City’s Suiyun Pavilion. But when they arrived, she stopped in her tracks, mouth agape.
“This… Suiyun Pavilion is this grand?”
Compared to the one in Xuancheng, Yuan City’s branch was massive and opulent. The sight alone made her feel faintly daunted.
Ning Yan turned to her. “What’s wrong? Not going in?”
A trace of unease flickered across her face. “What if they don’t recognize my token? Is this even the same Suiyun Pavilion? What if it’s a knockoff?”
“…"
Ning Yan reached over and tweaked her ear. “What goes on in that head of yours all day?”
Bai Qingqing yelped and covered her ear with a pout, rubbing it gingerly. “But even the capital’s Suiyun Pavilion doesn’t look half this grand…”
“Of course. Near the palace, they keep a low profile. But here, it’s different—Yuan City’s branch brings in serious income.”
With that, Ning Yan stepped through the entrance. Bai Qingqing hurried after him, thinking to herself: He really does know everything. No wonder he's the Commander of the Embroidered Guards!