No wonder Ning Yan always seemed like a walking encyclopedia, knowing a bit about everything. Bai Qingqing had assumed it was because he was a member of the Embroidered Guards, and had even secretly marveled at how incredibly well-informed they were. Could it be that gathering rumors and secret intel was part of their job?
Now, it all made sense.
She wasn’t upset that he had kept it from her—this was Ning Yan’s personal matter, after all. Whether he chose to reveal it or not was entirely up to him. Besides, as the master of Suiyun Pavilion, it made sense he wouldn’t go around broadcasting his identity to outsiders. Just like she wouldn't casually tell people that she had once died.
She was simply stunned—utterly and completely stunned. The legendary figure the world whispered about had been right beside her all along… It felt like a dream.
“You’re incredible!” Bai Qingqing exclaimed in heartfelt awe. “You don’t even know what people say about the master of Suiyun Pavilion. They say he’s a man of unimaginable power. And when they speak of the Commander of the Embroidered Guards, they say the same thing. Who would’ve thought these two extraordinary men were actually the same person?”
How could one man be so powerful?
A flicker of discomfort passed through Ning Yan’s eyes. He’d heard his fair share of flattery—flowery, excessive, and ever-changing. But none of it moved him like Bai Qingqing’s simple, wide-eyed admiration.
“Alright, alright. Save the praise for later,” he said. “Let’s head to Changxi Garden and get some rest. Once the time is right, we’ll set out again for the southwest.”
Changxi Garden was a quiet courtyard tucked behind Suiyun Pavilion, a place not just anyone could enter. Ning Yan led Bai Qingqing to her quarters, and just as they were about to go in, she suddenly turned to him.
“So all those times you found those hidden, perfect resting spots… it was because you’re the master of Suiyun Pavilion?”
“They’re all properties of Suiyun Pavilion.”
Realization dawned on Bai Qingqing—Ning Yan hadn’t exactly hidden anything from her; she simply hadn’t noticed.
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The moment she stepped into the room, she was struck speechless. In the side chamber stood a large wooden tub, steam curling lazily from the hot water within. Floating on the surface were delicate petals in a rainbow of colors.
Ning Yan’s voice drifted in from outside. “You can relax here. Clean clothes and bathwater are all prepared. Once you’ve washed up, head to the room on the right to rest. If you need anything, just let the staff know.”
Bai Qingqing stood there a moment longer. When she was sure he had walked away, she stepped around the screen and approached the tub.
The bath was blissful. As the heat soaked into her limbs, every bit of exhaustion melted away. She nearly fell asleep slumped against the edge. Afterward, she changed into the fresh clothes laid out for her and wandered dreamily into the room next door. Spying a bed, she dove onto it headfirst, hugging the soft quilt as she curled up and drifted off in perfect peace.
Outside, Ning Yan’s expression was unreadable. How had she managed to feel her way into the wrong room with her eyes closed and not even realize it? She must have been truly exhausted.
He had assumed, at the beginning of their journey, that Bai Qingqing wouldn’t be able to endure the hardships along the way. But that was fine—he was willing to shoulder more for her sake. Yet she had stayed awake tending to him without rest, traveled overnight without complaint even as her feet blistered. Ning Yan was forced to reconsider what “delicate” meant when it came to her.
He brought over a dry towel, sat by the bed, and gently gathered her damp hair in his hands, drying it with patient care. His gaze was calm and focused, as if he were performing some sacred ritual.
…
It had been a long time since she’d slept so well. When Bai Qingqing woke, she was wrapped in soft bedding, the silk quilt warm and smooth against her skin. A faint fragrance lingered in the air, making her feel as though she’d returned to her home in Xuancheng.
She sat up in bed, dazed for a moment as she hugged the blanket. After washing and changing, she stepped outside—only to freeze on the threshold.
Something about this room… didn’t seem quite right.