“If First Miss Bai and Fourth Miss Bai do not mind, I have already reserved the entire Premium Inn, with each guest having their private courtyard, ensuring no disturbance to both young ladies’ peace.” After Xiao Rongyan finished speaking, he bowed to Bai Qingyan. “Please, First Miss Bai, grant me an opportunity to repay the Bai family.”

“Then we shall trouble Master Xiao!” Bai Jinzhi harbored thoughts of matchmaking between Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan, quickly speaking up. “I’ve long heard that Shouyang’s Premium Inn features one courtyard with one unique landscape, truly exceptional! Who would have thought that when Steward Liu sent someone to make reservations just now, they said it had been reserved entirely! Master Xiao truly has such grand means!”

Bai Qingyan: “…”

Bai Qingyan turned her head to look deeply at Bai Jinzhi, seeing Bai Jinzhi hurriedly using her face mask to cover her face. She said: “Then we shall trouble Master Xiao.”

She pinched the pouch at her side – she always needed to find an opportunity to return the jade cicada, and staying at the same inn would be convenient.

“Uncle Liu, today we shall trouble Master Xiao and stay at the Premium Inn. Have those who went to find an inn return!”

Xiao Rongyan made a gesture inviting Bai Qingyan to proceed. Bai Qingyan handed the reins in her hand to Steward Liu and walked forward together with Xiao Rongyan.

Ever since Yue Shi learned that his master’s beloved was First Miss Bai, he increasingly felt that First Miss Bai and his master were a heaven-made pair. Beyond his reverence for Bai Qingyan, he now regarded her with the additional warmth of viewing her as his master’s future wife.

“Since we happened to encounter First Miss Bai in Shouyang, I imagine the list I sent to your mansion this morning surely went unseen by First Miss Bai.” Xiao Rongyan spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.

Bai Qingyan appeared slightly surprised: “A list?”

“It contains the list of students who caused trouble at the Imperial Academy this time, along with their family relationships and whom they’ve met recently…” Xiao Rongyan’s voice was extremely low, speaking unhurriedly.

That was precisely what Bai Qingyan had asked someone to investigate.

Seeing Bai Qingyan’s surprised expression, Xiao Rongyan said: “The family backgrounds and clan relationships of Imperial Academy students – I had people investigate these even before I first entered the capital, after all… the future pillars of Jin will mostly emerge from among these students.”

What Xiao Rongyan didn’t mention was that among the Imperial Academy students were people from Great Yan.

“Master Xiao’s people are more numerous than I imagined!” Bai Qingyan gently grasped the jade cicada through her pouch, speaking with a double meaning.

That Xiao Rongyan’s investigation was even faster than hers showed how many hidden agents Xiao Rongyan had in the capital city.

Moreover, that Xiao Rongyan could easily investigate who these students had recently met meant there were people in the Imperial Academy as well.

“As a merchant, I have no other special talents, so naturally my information network is more well-informed than others.” After Xiao Rongyan finished speaking, he looked up and saw a fresh candied hawthorn stall, then turned to instruct Yue Shi to buy two strings of candied hawthorns.

“Is Master Xiao’s visit to Shouyang for business?” she asked.

“Shouyang white tea is quite famous. I came personally to see if this business could be done. Additionally, I have some goods brought from Yan Kingdom that I plan to have my steward establish a shop in Shouyang for exclusive trade.” Xiao Rongyan’s lips curved in a slight smile as he gazed at Bai Qingyan while answering.

Xiao Rongyan’s eyes were too deep and gentle, seemingly containing profound affection.

Recalling Xiao Rongyan’s words on the boat, she was already well aware of Xiao Rongyan’s feelings. Grasping that jade cicada, she lowered her eyes to avoid Xiao Rongyan’s gaze and nodded: “Then I wish Master Xiao’s business great prosperity.”

Yue Shi returned with two strings of candied hawthorns in hand. Xiao Rongyan took one string and handed it to Bai Jinzhi. Bai Jinzhi happily thanked him and accepted it.

There was still another string, which Xiao Rongyan offered to Bai Qingyan: “First Miss Bai…”

Bai Qingyan was taken aback: “Master Xiao, I am no longer a child.”

“Age may distinguish old from young, but taste buds know no age…” Xiao Rongyan smiled softly while standing amid the brilliant lights.

Xiao Rongyan was treating her like a child. Bai Qingyan smiled and extended her hand to accept it with thanks.

Perhaps because Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan’s group possessed such outstanding appearances that they were quite eye-catching, especially Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan standing side by side, who stood among the crowd like cranes among chickens.

A little girl wearing a flower crown, with a basket of freshly picked flowers hanging from her arm, approached them. Very perceptively, she offered her flower basket to Bai Qingyan, her pair of black gemstone-like eyes clean and clear.

The little girl’s mother saw two rows of guards following behind Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan, knowing that young master and young lady were either wealthy or noble – not people that ordinary common folk like them could afford to offend. She hurriedly came around from behind the flower stall in panic, calling: “Mute Girl! Come back quickly!”

The little girl turned back and waved at her mother with a smile, not knowing fear at all. The brother and sister before her were like celestial beings from heaven – they must certainly be good people.

Perhaps hearing the little girl called Mute Girl, Xiao Rongyan bent down to pat the little girl’s hair bun, took the fresh flowers, and placed a silver ingot into the little girl’s basket.

The little girl widened her bright black eyes, looking at that silver ingot, hurriedly waving her hands and returning the silver to Xiao Rongyan, gesturing with her hands that it was too much.

“It’s alright, buy yourself some candy!” Xiao Rongyan’s voice was gentle.

The little girl shook her head, stubbornly refusing to accept that silver ingot.

“Steward Liu…” Bai Qingyan called out.

Steward Liu quickly stepped forward and took out a few coins from his pocket, placing them in the little girl’s basket with a smile: “Go on!”

The little girl bowed, then ran happily toward her mother, lifting her basket to show her the money she had earned.

Xiao Rongyan straightened up and turned back to see Bai Qingyan watching the little girl’s retreating figure, her lips seeming to curve in a faint smile.

The little girl’s mother patted the little girl’s head, handed her a few copper coins, and pointed toward the candied hawthorn stall across the way. The little girl shook her head, very firmly placing the silver coins into her mother’s money box.

Xiao Rongyan offered the fresh flowers in his hand to Bai Qingyan: “First Miss Bai…”

“I present them to Master Xiao.” Bai Qingyan said.

Xiao Rongyan paused, nodded, and handed the fresh flowers to Yue Shi: “Thank you for First Miss Bai’s gift of flowers.”

The steward of Tianxiang Tower who had been standing at the entrance saw Xiao Rongyan and hurriedly lifted his hanging hem, rushing down the steps to respectfully bow to Xiao Rongyan: “Master, the private room at Tianxiang Tower has been arranged.”

“To thank First Miss Bai for her gift of flowers, I invite First Miss Bai and Fourth Miss to tea at Tianxiang Tower…”

“Elder Sister, from Tianxiang Tower, you can see the Buddha Light Pagoda of Tuling Temple!” Bai Jinzhi’s eyes lit up.

“Indeed, this humble one reserved the top floor of Tianxiang Tower, which offers the most beautiful view of Tuling Temple’s night scenery!” Xiao Rongyan’s steward spoke very tactfully.

“Elder Sister…” Bai Jinzhi tugged at Bai Qingyan’s sleeve. She had already taken the liberty of agreeing to stay at the same inn earlier – she couldn’t push her luck further, or Elder Sister would be angry.

Bai Qingyan looked at Bai Jinzhi with eyes containing some indulgence: “Then we shall trouble Master Xiao.”

“Please…” Xiao Rongyan invited Bai Qingyan to go first.

The waiter respectfully escorted this group of distinguished guests upstairs. When turning from the second floor to the third floor, Bai Qingyan heard arrogant voices, half-drunk from wine, coming from a half-closed private room.