Chapter 172: Chapter 171: Emergency Summon_1

Seeing Bai Jinzhi hesitate, Xiao Rongyan added, “Don’t worry, it’s made with vegetable oil.”

Thinking that the Bai family might still be in mourning, he mentioned it.

Bai Jinzhi was about to decline but stopped herself. After all, Mr. Xiao would be her brother-in-law soon. There was no reason not to accept his kindness.

She took the food box without any hesitation. As she walked in with Xiao Rongyan, she opened it and glanced inside. “Oh! It’s the plum blossom pastry from the palace! Thank you, Mr. Xiao!”

Bai Jinzhi took out a piece and tasted it, her eyes lighting up. “Mmm… This is the work of the Imperial Chef, and it’s freshly made! Did the Crown Prince bring a chef on the expedition?!”

Xiao Rongyan smiled.

Bai Jinzhi, dissatisfied with the Crown Prince’s ways, handed the bottle of wine she held to Xiao Rongyan. “It’s rude not to reciprocate. This newly brewed wine is for you, Mr. Xiao!”

Xiao Rongyan’s guard hurriedly took the wine.

“Thank you, Fourth Miss!” Xiao Rongyan’s voice was warm, extremely pleasant.

“Mr. Xiao, call me Xiao Si!”

Bai Jinzhi glanced at Xiao Rongyan’s guard, then leaned in close to Xiao Rongyan and lowered her voice. “Mr. Xiao, my eldest sister doesn’t like sweets. Remember that!”

Xiao Rongyan was slightly taken aback, looking at Bai Jinzhi. She gave him a mischievous wink, then ran off with the food box.

Xiao Rongyan stopped in his tracks, watching Bai Jinzhi’s figure disappear into the distance. After a while, he reacted, pursing his lips and looking down with a low chuckle.

The guard behind Xiao Rongyan was slightly surprised, glancing in the direction where Bai Jinzhi had disappeared. He was shocked… So their master liked this kind of wild, untamed girl. No wonder he was uninterested in the most beautiful and talented woman in all of Yan!

Xiao Rongyan’s guard stepped forward holding the wine bottle, asking, “Master, since we’ve already bid farewell to the Crown Prince, when will we set off tomorrow?”

“We’ll leave as soon as the city gates open. Have our people ready tonight!” Xiao Rongyan replied.

The Crown Prince had already informed the County Governor of Wanping. Xiao Rongyan would not be stopped when leaving the city tomorrow. This journey was much quicker than Xiao Rongyan had anticipated. To be safe, he planned to bypass Pingyang City and return to Yan, hoping to save more people along the way.

Thinking about leaving tomorrow, Xiao Rongyan suddenly felt the urge to speak to Bai Qingyan.

*

It was already midnight, but the lamp in Bai Qingyan’s room was still on. Hearing a knock on her window, she looked up and put away the map on her table. “Who’s there?”

“It’s me.”

Hearing Xiao Rongyan’s footsteps approaching the door, Bai Qingyan raised the oil lamp and walked to the door, opening it.

Xiao Rongyan had just reached the door, not expecting Bai Qingyan to open it so quickly, bringing them close.

“Miss Bai.” Xiao Rongyan nodded in greeting.

She did not step over the threshold, only asking, “Mr. Xiao, coming this late, is there something you need?”

The light from the oil lamp flickered violently due to the wind. The dim and soft light between them brightened and dimmed as the wind blew out the lamp, leaving only the bright moon in the sky… illuminating the man’s sharp and distinct features.

“After you left, the Crown Prince summoned three advisors for a meeting. Mr. Qin argued rationally, urging the Crown Prince to deploy troops tonight. However, the other two advisors felt that these were mere conjectures of yours, too unreliable! Unable to win the argument, Mr. Qin suggested sending scouts to investigate the bends of Jiuqu Peak and the exit of Wengshan Canyon for hidden troops.”

Bai Qingyan was aware of Qin Shangzhi’s capabilities. His rational arguments did not surprise her, nor did the Crown Prince’s partial acceptance of his advice.

In her past life, Qin Shangzhi had always been frustrated under the Crown Prince’s command.

Xiao Rongyan noticed Bai Qingyan’s silent, calm, and deep gaze fixed on her stunning face. Then his eyes fell on her lips and looked into her eyes. “Tomorrow, I will be leaving…”

His low, warm voice was restrained and steady, very moving.

Staring into his eyes, she felt slightly apprehensive, clutching the now extinguished oil lamp tightly. “Mr. Xiao, safe travels.”

An awkward silence quietly grew between them.

Perhaps it was the enchanting night, seeing her ears turn red in the lamp’s light, that stirred Xiao Rongyan’s usually restrained emotions irresistibly. He took a step closer to Bai Qingyan.

Xiao Rongyan was not one to act impulsively or reveal his feelings. However, thinking of the letter Bai Qingyan sent him before the palace banquet, knowing his identity but not exposing him.

At the banquet, seeing his tense, alert state and slightly relaxing when he returned safely.

And now, suspecting he wanted to use her to deliver a message to the Crown Prince, so he could accompany the army for some purpose, yet still, she played the messenger role.

All these memories spun in Xiao Rongyan’s mind repeatedly, accurately making him feel Bai Qingyan’s particular concern for him.

Putting aside their identities and talking purely as a man and woman, Bai Qingyan’s excessive concerns for him mirrored his developing affection and feelings toward her.

With his speculation, Xiao Rongyan’s actions were cautious tests.

The deep, dark scent of the man drew closer. His tall frame blocked the moonlight, enveloping Bai Qingyan in his shadow.

Xiao Rongyan took another half step closer, their faces only separated by a fist’s distance. His warm breath caressed her forehead as she gripped the oil lamp tighter, her eyelashes trembling, and her heartbeat accelerating.

Xiao Rongyan lowered his head to observe her expression without making another move, just deeply gazing at her.

Her lips moved, but her throat seemed blocked, unable to speak, as she vaguely understood what Xiao Rongyan’s unspoken thoughts were.

However, their identities were worlds apart. With the Bai family not yet safe, she had no time or energy to consider romantic love.

She had already sworn never to marry, dedicating her life to protecting her family and fulfilling her grandfather’s legacy.

“Mr. Xiao, rest early,” Bai Qingyan lowered her eyes and stepped back.

The burning sparks in Xiao Rongyan’s eyes extinguished, ebbing away. After a while, he stepped back slowly, his refined and composed demeanor returning with a smile. “Miss Bai, rest early as well. Farewell.”

Xiao Rongyan turned, his proud smile fading like mist, giving a self-mocking smile.

*

At the end of the third watch, a scout rode fast into the city, heading straight for the Government Office.

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Bai Qingyan was practicing archery in the training ground as usual, showing no slackness.

Soon, lights in the Government Office illuminated brightly. The Crown Prince, while dressing, ordered to summon the generals for a meeting.

Bai Qingyan, drenched in sweat, shot the last arrow in her quiver when a messenger came to call her. “Mr. Bai, the Crown Prince urgently summons you!”

Xiao Ruohai, with a cloak over his arm, felt a tightness in his chest, knowing the moment Bai Qingyan awaited to meet the Bai family army had arrived. He handed a sweat-wiping cloth to Bai Qingyan. “Sir!”

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