However, Lu Yuanpeng was quite worried that in the end, Xiao Rongyan would seek but not obtain, yet be deeply trapped and unable to extricate himself.

After all, Sister Bai was such a heroic woman with proud integrity and stunning beauty – she was indeed very easy to captivate people’s hearts and make them lose control.

Lu Yuanpeng was on good terms with the Bai family sons. Now that all seventeen sons of the Bai family had sacrificed their lives for the Kingdom, he had long regarded Bai Qingyan as his sister. Xiao Rongyan was even more like both teacher and friend to him. If status were set aside, he would very much hope that Xiao Rongyan and Bai Qingyan could be together.

Sima Ping hurriedly wrapped his arm around Lu Yuanpeng’s neck, pulling the dandies beside him to prepare returning to the wine house, laughing: “No rush! No rush! Brother Xiao, you escort the Princess back to her residence and then come. We’ll wait for you – there’s definitely enough time!”

Xiao Rongyan smiled generously and nodded, ignoring Sima Ping’s winking and eye gestures.

After Sima Ping and Lu Yuanpeng led the group of dandies upstairs, they heard Lu Yuanpeng sigh: “It’s just a pity that Brother Xiao’s status is that of a merchant. Although we friends and brothers wouldn’t mind, inevitably, that old ancestor in Sister Bai’s family would mind! That person… is our Great Jin Kingdom’s Grand Princess, who would not marry her most beloved legitimate eldest granddaughter to a merchant!”

Sima Ping sat beside Lu Yuanpeng with his arm around his neck, then reached out to knock Lu Yuanpeng on the head: “That Sister Bai is someone with a proud and upright character who means what she says. She has already sworn before the Duke of Zhenguo and the Duke’s spirit tablets never to marry in this lifetime. Do you think Sister Bai would break her oath to marry someone?”

“Then Brother Xiao has even less chance!” Lu Yuanpeng didn’t understand what Sima Ping was so happy about.

“Yuanpeng, did you and your brothers divide up all your grandfather’s shrewdness and leave you with just a blockhead?!” Sima Ping sighed and raised his eyebrows: “Sister Bai can choose not to marry, but who said our Brother Xiao can’t marry into her family?!”

Lu Yuanpeng blinked: “How is that possible?! Do you think Brother Xiao looks like someone who would marry into a wife’s family? Although Brother Xiao is a merchant, his character is noble, and he’s different from the common crowd. Moreover, he has read the classics and is extremely learned – his scholarship could be called vast as rivers and seas. If not for his ancestors being merchants and being the only heir in his family who must take over the ancestral business, he might have already entered government service. Even if he didn’t enter government, his talents would certainly allow him to write books and establish theories. How could such a person willingly marry into a wife’s family?”

Sima Ping’s eyes lit up, looking at Lu Yuanpeng: “Oh… Yuanpeng, I didn’t expect you could also speak in such a scholarly manner!”

Lu Yuanpeng’s face reddened, his nose pointing skyward: “Why couldn’t I speak in such a scholarly manner?”

Lu Yuanpeng was too embarrassed to say that these words were all things his brother Lu Yuanqing had said before – he was just repeating them.

“I’m telling you, don’t worry about Sister Bai and Brother Xiao’s affairs. In this world, each person has their fate!” Sima Ping patted Lu Yuanpeng’s chest to comfort him.

On the long street, lights had already been lit in the wine houses and tea shops, and the red lanterns hanging high at entrances were gradually brightening.

The sounds of children chasing and playing, and vendors calling out their wares rose and fell in succession, creating a very lively atmosphere.

Bai Qingyan walked side by side with Xiao Rongyan. Yue Shi very consciously led Bai Qingyan’s horse for her, walking behind Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan with Lu Ping.

“Master Xiao, if you have something to say, please speak directly,” Bai Qingyan said.

“It’s not a matter, just specifically wanting to thank the young lady for arranging to transport that batch of tea goods to Kongtong Mountain, allowing Yan’s merchant convoy to smoothly enter Great Liang on time.” Xiao Rongyan walked slowly alongside Bai Qingyan, his voice gentle: “This matter is extremely important to Yan. I’m grateful in my heart, but don’t know how to thank the young lady.”

“Master Xiao is too polite.”

Both Bai Qingyan and Xiao Rongyan understood that this batch of goods had originally been robbed by Bai Qingyan’s people.

Her steps paused, and she turned to look at Xiao Rongyan: “If Master Xiao is only here to express thanks, please return first. Your friends at the wine house are still waiting. Master Xiao need not escort me further.”

Just as Bai Qingyan finished speaking, Xiao Rongyan suddenly looked up toward the space above their heads. He grabbed Bai Qingyan’s shoulder and pulled her forcefully into his embrace while rapidly retreating two steps.

“Young lady!” Lu Ping’s eyes widened.

The flower pot almost scraped against Bai Qingyan’s back as it fell and shattered on the ground, causing screams all around.

Apologetic shouts from a shop assistant came from upstairs in panic.

“Are you alright?” Xiao Rongyan’s firm arms still held tightly around Bai Qingyan’s slender waist.

Bai Qingyan’s heart was beating extremely fast. She looked up at the frowning Xiao Rongyan. The warm orange light of the setting sun and the bright red lanterns of the long street illuminated his rugged profile, making his features appear even more resolute and his eyes particularly profound.

In her breathing was the scent from the man before her – like the restrained and deep fragrance of agarwood. Her arm positioned between them was intended to push Xiao Rongyan away, but his arms tightened forcefully, pulling them even closer together.

His deep gaze quietly focused on Bai Qingyan’s eyes. Though his lips were pressed together without speaking, one could already sense the deep affection hidden in his eyes.

Seeing that the young lady was unharmed, Lu Ping finally breathed a sigh of relief, and his impression of Xiao Rongyan became even better.

“Sorry! Sorry!” The wine house manager came running out, bowing and scraping.

Bai Qingyan hurriedly stepped out of Xiao Rongyan’s embrace, turning to look at the trembling wine house manager. She stood with her hands behind her back, her hidden hands clenched tightly into fists, restraining her chaotic thoughts.

“It’s all because of this blind fool!” The wine house manager kicked the shop assistant hiding behind him. “Had to move flower pots at this exact moment and nearly injured distinguished guests! Truly sorry!”

The shop assistant, having been kicked by the manager, followed behind him submissively. His eyes were already red, knowing that he had caused great trouble today upon seeing this pair of distinguished people with extraordinary bearing and expensive clothing. His knees went weak, and he immediately knelt.

“Distinguished guests, please forgive me! This humble one didn’t do it intentionally! Please have mercy and forgive this humble one!” The shop assistant finished speaking with a crying voice, then kowtowed repeatedly, banging his head on the ground seeking forgiveness.

Bai Qingyan looked at the shop assistant whose legs were weak and body trembling all over, saying softly: “Since I’m unharmed, what fault do you have? Get up… be more careful next time and don’t injure others.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” The shop assistant felt as if granted amnesty. “Thank you, miss! Thank you, miss!”

“Thank you, distinguished guests! Thank you, distinguished guests!” The manager also hurriedly expressed thanks.

Bai Qingyan took a deep look at the shop assistant. Seeing his panicked and confused yet greatly relieved appearance didn’t seem fake, she then lifted her feet to walk forward.

Xiao Rongyan switched positions with Bai Qingyan, letting her walk on the street side, saying seriously: “Allow Yan to escort the young lady back.”

Bai Qingyan originally wanted to refuse, but seeing Xiao Rongyan’s calm and earnest gaze, she still nodded.

Xiao Rongyan escorted Bai Qingyan to the entrance of the Duke of Zhenguo’s Princess residence, bowed farewell to her, and had no other improper behavior.