Chapter 272: Chapter 270: Mr. Xiao_1 Chapter 272: Chapter 270: Mr. Xiao_1 Bai Qingyan hung her head and strolled with Dong Tingzhen. Instinctively, she believed Dong Changyuan was not someone obsessed with romantic love.

Thus, when her mother hinted that Dong Changyuan was worried she wouldn’t do well in her exams, she only assumed her mother intended to match her with Dong Changyuan.

Thinking back now, Dong Changyuan’s disappointment in the exams was likely due to the unrest in the Dong family concerning her, which affected him.

Dong Tingzhen sincerely wished for Dong Changyuan and Bai Qingyan to become a couple. Especially when she saw Dong Changyuan transform from a handsome and dashing young man into someone so dejected and emaciated, it made Dong Tingzhen very uncomfortable.

“Cousin, do you see the red-painted boat moored at the Taoyin Lake dock ahead? If you are willing to meet Brother Changyuan, please come with me on the boat. If not… it would at least show I, as his cousin, have tried to be considerate to Brother Changyuan. Dear Cousin… I fear you might be angry with me.” Dong Tingzhen anxiously shook Bai Qingyan’s arm.

“Brother Xiao!”

Dong Changsheng, who was walking ahead with Bai Jinzhi and two other younger sisters, suddenly called out.

Bai Jinzhi also energetically followed suit, shouting, “Mr. Xiao!”

On the dock where boats were moored at Taoyin Lake, Xiao Rongyan’s sword-bearing guards stood in two rows for security. Additionally, there were unfamiliar martial artists cradling their weapons, creating an imposing scene that discouraged strangers from approaching.

Beside Xiao Rongyan stood a man as tall as he. Although his face was indistinguishable, his aura from afar suggested he was no ordinary person.

Leading the way in front of Xiao Rongyan and that man was an elderly man with no beard and a child, who looked no older than their teens, both exhibiting graceful and noble behavior.

Bai Qingyan looked up and saw Bai Jinzhi, relying on her familiarity with Xiao Rongyan, already running towards him. Dong Changsheng raised his hand but couldn’t stop her, so he quickly followed.

Before Bai Jinzhi could get close, she was blocked by the guards who exuded a murderous air.

Xiao Rongyan, however, smiled and said to the man beside him, “This is the Fourth Young Lady of the Bai family from the King of Zhen’s estate.”

Upon hearing this, the man next to Xiao Rongyan spoke with a gentle voice that made one feel like a spring breeze, “Pingyi, let the Fourth Young Lady of the Bai family come over.”

Following the command, the man radiating a murderous aura who had blocked Bai Jinzhi, stepped aside.

Bai Jinzhi happily jumped onto the dock, about to bow… when she noticed the man beside Xiao Rongyan and froze on the spot.

Bai Jinzhi, having grown up, had never seen such a handsome man. She had thought the most handsome man she’d ever seen was Xiao Rongyan. Little did she expect there to be someone even more beautiful and delicate in the world! She was somewhat uncertain in her heart… should he be a man? He was dressed in men’s clothes and had the build of a man.

Dong Changsheng was also stunned for a moment upon seeing the man’s appearance and had an inkling of his identity. This man looked so astonishingly beautiful, accompanied by an elderly man without a beard and a child, his identity was self-evident.

But how could Xiao Rongyan be with Emperor Yan?

Dong Changsheng, being perceptive, inferred that the Emperor must be traveling incognito and hence didn’t want to be recognized. He smiled warmly, joined them on the platform, nodded to Murong Yu, and pulled Bai Jinzhi beside him, saying with scholarly grace, “Brother Xiao, out for a boat ride with friends?”

As soon as Dong Changsheng’s words fell, Bai Jinzhi regained her senses and pointed behind her to say, “Mr. Xiao, my elder sister is over there…”

Xiao Rongyan’s hands, which had been resting behind his back, slowly clenched the moment he saw Bai Qingyan. He hadn’t expected such a coincidental encounter with her today.

Willows with tender, sprouting buds swayed in the wind. Bai Qingyan, dressed in a plain robe, stood amongst them with her sleeves fluttering gently, like a celestial being on the verge of ascending to the heavens.

Murong Yu glanced at Bai Jinzhi’s cheerful disposition, then his eyes fell on his younger brother… seeing that his brother’s gaze unabashedly settled in the distance, he looked over too. He saw a girl in a plain dress standing under the willow tree, exuding a transcendent and extraordinary aura.

The two younger sisters from the Dong family, watching the scene, didn’t dare approach and turned their heads in Bai Qingyan’s direction.

Xiao Rongyan and his party stood backlit, making it hard for Bai Qingyan to make out their faces. It wasn’t until she reached the dock with Chun Tao’s support and stood in front of Xiao Rongyan’s group that she clearly saw the strikingly handsome man beside Xiao Rongyan.

Perhaps due to Xiao Rongyan’s overwhelming presence, it wasn’t until they approached that people noticed another peerless beauty standing next to him.

“Young Lady Bai!” As soon as Yue Shi saw Bai Qingyan, he hurriedly bowed, his eyes full of admiration.

“Young Lady Bai…” Xiao Rongyan greeted solemnly, “What a coincidence, I never thought Young Lady Bai would also come for a spring outing.”

Dong Changsheng’s brow twitched as he looked back and forth between Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan, feeling that Xiao Rongyan’s demeanor towards Bai Qingyan was somewhat unusual.

“Mr. Xiao.” Bai Qingyan slightly curtseyed, then nodded towards Emperor Yan, her eyes falling on the dignified eleven-year-old boy and giving him a gentle smile.

Xiao Rongyan was indeed extraordinarily brave. He dared to openly take the Yan emperor and the prince out on a boat trip.

However, Xiao Rongyan’s approach of openly associating with Emperor Yan and the prince, demonstrating a merchant’s pursuit of profit, would make no one suspect he had any other relations with the Yan emperor.

After all, if he were the Ninth Prince of Yan, he should be avoiding the emperor at all costs. How could they be seen together?

Murong Li, upon hearing “Young Lady Bai,” and seeing Yue Shi’s attitude, realized this was none other than the famed Young General Bai of the Bai family’s army. His demeanor was exceedingly friendly as he smiled at Bai Qingyan.

“Elder sister, since we’ve coincidentally met Mr. Xiao, why don’t we go for a boat ride together?” Bai Jinzhi said with a cheerful smile, genuinely trying to create an opportunity for Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan.

“Fourth Sister… come here.” Bai Qingyan’s face turned stern.

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Xiao Rongyan, being able to boat with Emperor Yan, likely had important matters to discuss. What if Bai Jinzhi’s intrusion ruined their plans?

Seeing her elder sister’s stern expression, Bai Jinzhi felt uneasy and quickly ran to Bai Qingyan’s side, “Elder sister…”

“Mr. Xiao, I apologize for disturbing your lake outing with friends,” Bai Qingyan said calmly, her gaze landing on Murong Yu as she bowed slightly, “Excuse me.”

“Young Lady Bai, please stay…” Murong Yu smiled, “Since we are all here to enjoy the lake, would you honor us by joining our outing? Fourth Young Lady Bai has a rare and straightforward spirit. We are all reserved individuals. With Fourth Young Lady Bai here, the boat can be filled with laughter and joy.”

Murong Yu’s gaze was soft and clear, his voice warm, making one feel an instant affection, as if he were a gentle elder.