But matters of life and death were involved – even if the Emperor of Yan were cured, he could not remain in Jin.

“Alright…” Bai Qingyan nodded, “However, the jade phoenix… take it back and tell others that I refused your gift.”

“This is my elder brother’s sincere intention.” The corners of Xiao Rongyan’s lips carried an extremely faint smile. “If you don’t accept it, my elder brother cannot be at peace.”

“Accepting it would only invite criticism.” Bai Qingyan’s attitude was resolute. “If Physician Hong can successfully cure the Emperor of Yan this time, it won’t be too late for me to accept it then. Otherwise, given the nature of the Shouyang clan, they would probably force our Bai family to hand over this heirloom treasure, which would instead disappoint the Emperor of Yan and Master Xiao’s good intentions.”

Bai Qingyan’s words were not false. Xiao Rongyan had seen what the Shouyang clan was like.

“Then I’ll take it back and consider it as Miss Bai temporarily storing it with me.” Xiao Rongyan rubbed the jade cicada in his hand with his fingers, looked up at her, and handed over the jade cicada, saying gently, “Since that’s the case, Miss Bai should accept this first.”

The jade cicada…

Her pupils trembled slightly. In her previous life, when Xiao Rongyan gave her the jade cicada, it was during her most desperate moment.

Xiao Rongyan had told her to take his jade cicada and flee for her life…

She hadn’t expected that in this life, Xiao Rongyan would again present this jade pendant before her, with a completely different gentle tone from her previous life.

“This is Master Xiao’s belonging – accepting it would be improper.” Bai Qingyan’s hand, hidden in her sleeve, tightened slightly.

Xiao Rongyan stepped forward, using his back to block Nanny Qin and Chun Tao’s view, and improperly grasped Bai Qingyan’s slender wrist, placing the jade cicada in her hand: “This is my mother’s relic. Back then, a master gave it to my mother, saying it could protect one’s safety. Later… when the traveling palace fell into chaos, my mother hung the jade cicada she never parted with around my neck and had my uncle take me to escape. I remained safe…”

Xiao Rongyan stepped back slightly and gazed at the towering tree in the courtyard that sprouted tender green buds.

Xiao Rongyan still remembered the chaotic scene from that time.

He also remembered his mother hanging the jade cicada around his neck, hugging him tightly, and telling him he must save his elder brother and live well.

That was the first time in Xiao Rongyan’s memory that he saw his mother’s tears. How desperate must such a strong and powerful person have been, believing that her husband couldn’t even protect their children? Xiao Rongyan didn’t understand then.

Later… when his elder brother had children and was secretly harmed by their father emperor’s remaining followers, only then could he vaguely comprehend his mother’s heart-wrenching pain.

Seeing Xiao Rongyan gazing deeply at that large tree, as if lost in some emotion.

“The large tree in the traveling palace back then was even taller than this one. My uncle hid me in the tree, with dense leaves and branches providing cover. I saw Father Emperor arrive and wanted to call for help, but my uncle covered my mouth. I watched helplessly as those black-clothed assassins from the traveling palace knelt before Father, and I knew this was Father Emperor’s intention.”

The lifelike jade cicada still carried the warmth from Xiao Rongyan’s palm. Bai Qingyan looked down at it… It was indeed identical to the jade cicada from her previous life.

Xiao Rongyan lowered his gaze, extracting himself from that painful emotion, and turned to look deeply at Bai Qingyan: “So I once swore… if I ever take a wife, I will have complete trust in her and protect her for a lifetime.”

His deep and bewitching eyes gazed quietly at Bai Qingyan, even making her feel the illusion that his eyes held hidden affection.

As if this were his promise to her.

Bai Qingyan’s hand holding the jade cicada tightened gently, then she cupped the jade cicada and returned it to Xiao Rongyan: “Such a precious jade cicada – how dare I accept it? Please take it back, Master Xiao.”

“If you won’t even accept the jade cicada, how can I explain to my elder brother? Please don’t make things difficult for me, Miss Bai.”

Before Bai Qingyan could refuse again, Xiao Rongyan smiled and changed the topic: “On the sixth day of the fourth month, Prince San is holding a polo competition. Will Miss Bai be attending?”

“I’ll have Xiao Si take a few children to enjoy the festivities, but I won’t go.” She turned to look at his smile. “Does Master Xiao have some matter…”

“What if I wanted to invite you to go?”

Xiao Rongyan’s mellow and gentle voice reached her ears, making Bai Qingyan’s heart skip heavily.

His profound gaze was frank. Bai Qingyan turned her head to avoid Xiao Rongyan’s gaze and said: “I’ve never liked such festivities, so I’m afraid I must disappoint Master Xiao’s kind intentions.”

“No matter. Miss Bai just returned from Nan Jiang not long ago, and with consecutive banquets, you haven’t rested well. We… have a long future ahead.” Xiao Rongyan said this.

Bai Qingyan didn’t respond. When she realized she should return the jade cicada to Xiao Rongyan, he had already paid his respects and left.

She carefully examined the jade cicada in her hand – even the chipped corner of this jade cicada was identical to what Bai Qingyan had seen in her previous life.

But she couldn’t quite understand – if it was his mother’s relic and so precious, why had Xiao Rongyan given it to her in her previous life?

If it were about symbolic status, even giving her a token would have been more appropriate than a jade cicada.

Why was this?

She gripped the jade cicada tightly and was called over by Dong Shi before she could think further.

“What exactly is going on between you and that Master Xiao?” Dong Shi frowned tightly. “Ever since our Bai family’s funeral… when Master Xiao stepped forward to help, I felt something was amiss. Does that Master Xiao… have other intentions toward you?”

Dong Shi was an experienced person after all, especially since Xiao Rongyan’s gaze toward Bai Qingyan was undisguised, so she would naturally worry.

“Mother, how could that be! I’ve already sworn never to marry in this life! Don’t worry… in my interactions with Master Xiao, I know my boundaries.” Bai Qingyan linked arms with Dong Shi and escorted her back to her courtyard.

Hearing her daughter say those four words, “never marry in this life,” Dong Shi’s heart clenched with pain.

The displeasure in her heart also quietly dissipated, and she began speaking well of Xiao Rongyan: “Although that Master Xiao is a merchant, his bearing and character, appearance, and learning are all excellent. Mother isn’t blaming you for asking – if you also think Master Xiao is good, and considering your vow never to marry, you could consider having Master Xiao marry into the Bai family.”

“Mother, you’re getting more and more absurd!” Bai Qingyan’s ears reddened. “What marrying in? Of the three forms of unfilial behavior, having no heir is the greatest. Since I have no hope of offspring, why burden others? Even if I never marry in this life, I can still live freely and happily. Mother, don’t worry.”

Dong Shi pressed her lips together and glared at Bai Qingyan: “Mother is worried, which is why I’m saying these things! Your grandmother still has Changyuan waiting for you, claiming it’s because you treat Changyuan like a younger brother! What about others, then? Mother is afraid that when Mother is no longer here in the future…”

Dong Shi couldn’t help choking up at this point, gripping her daughter’s hand tightly and restraining her tears: “Mother is afraid you’ll be lonely by yourself!”

“Mother, I have my sisters! We sisters have always had a deep affection for each other. You don’t need to worry so much!”