“Then… regarding Master’s suspicion that there are Nanyan spies around General Peng, should we send word back to the capital to inform His Majesty? Or perhaps have General Pei investigate locally?” Yue Shi asked again.

“Not for now. We’ll secretly investigate General Peng’s deputy,” Xiao Rongyan had just finished speaking when he saw Yue Shi lift his gaze toward the distance and call out loudly, “Miss Bai!”

Xiao Rongyan turned back to see Bai Qingyan, dressed in frost-colored robes with gold-trimmed edges and an ai-green embroidered bamboo underskirt, standing beneath the green willows planted along the lake, followed by a group of maids and attendants. Her dress swayed gently with the willows, and behind her, the lake sparkled with rippling light, bright, beautiful, and breathtakingly magnificent.

In the blazing summer heat, the sound of cicadas rose and fell from the tall trees. Under the dazzling sunlight, Xiao Rongyan in his water-blue direct robe appeared exceptionally refreshing.

“Miss Bai!” Xiao Rongyan bowed deeply toward Bai Qingyan.

Ever since the border between Nanrong and Jin, when Bai Qingyan had told him to leave but he insisted on staying to ensure Princess Mingcheng’s safety, whenever he saw Bai Qingyan again, she maintained a strictly business-like demeanor with him. She had never come to check on his injuries, nor had she sent anyone to inquire about his condition.

At first, Xiao Rongyan thought it was because Bai Qingyan was at the Dong residence. Later, he wondered if Bai Qingyan had misunderstood his relationship with Princess Mingcheng. But on second thought, he realized that Bai Qingyan was not an ordinary woman and couldn’t be judged by common standards. He wondered if it might be because Jin had borrowed passage through Yan, yet Yan had secretly been mapping Jin’s defensive positions along the route, which had displeased her.

Today’s chance encounter was quite fortuitous. Xiao Rongyan wanted to take the opportunity to speak with Bai Qingyan, to confirm that she hadn’t misunderstood because of Princess Mingcheng, and then ask for her assistance in keeping Princess Mingcheng in Dengzhou for treatment.

Bai Qingyan was the beloved niece of Dengzhou’s Governor Dong Qingyue—one word from her would carry more weight than a hundred words from others.

“Master Xiao…” Bai Qingyan nodded slightly.

Xiao Rongyan turned to instruct Yue Shi, “You go ahead first. I’ll have a few words with Miss Bai.”

Seeing Xiao Rongyan walking toward their young miss, Chun Tao quickly stepped forward, ready to shield their young lady and block that scoundrel Xiao Rongyan at any moment.

Bai Qingyan also stepped toward Xiao Rongyan’s direction. The two stood beneath the cool shade of tall scholar trees. From their posture, it was clear they intended to speak privately, so the Dong residence’s servants all remained at least ten paces away.

Chun Tao, usually quite perceptive, unusually stayed close to Bai Qingyan today, her small face tense with wariness toward Xiao Rongyan.

Bai Qingyan glanced at Chun Tao, whose little face was strained, and said quietly, “Chun Tao, wait nearby.”

Hearing her young lady’s words, Chun Tao reluctantly stepped back a few paces, but kept her eyes fixed intently on Xiao Rongyan.

A clear breeze passed through, and the hanging willows swayed gently.

Xiao Rongyan’s deep, burning gaze fell upon Bai Qingyan as he asked, “These past few days… though we’ve both been at the Dong residence, we haven’t met. I didn’t dare send someone to look for you, nor did I feel right asking Brother Changlan. I wonder… when you saved someone that day, were you injured?”

“I wasn’t injured. I’ve been busy these past few days, and since we’re at the Dong residence… It’s proper to exercise some restraint.” Bai Qingyan’s brows and eyes carried an extremely faint smile.

Hearing Bai Qingyan say this, Xiao Rongyan glanced toward the maids and servants behind her who kept their heads lowered, then stepped closer to Bai Qingyan. His husky, rich voice dropped to a low whisper: “These past few days, though we’ve been in the same residence, my longing has only grown stronger. You didn’t even send anyone to ask about my injuries…”

These words seemed part complaint, part declaration of affection. Bai Qingyan’s hands clasped behind her back tightened, and her ears felt slightly warm: “That day at the Nanrong-Jin border, I was being considerate, fearing it would be difficult for you, so I told you to leave. When you wouldn’t go, I thought perhaps I was wrong—that in Dengzhou, we should keep things strictly business without personal feelings.”

“Whether it’s keeping things strictly business or not allowing personal feelings, don’t you… miss me in your heart?” Xiao Rongyan stepped forward again to ask.

Chun Tao pricked up her ears, her expression becoming increasingly tense, as if Xiao Rongyan took one more step forward or said anything frivolous to her young lady, she would rush forward to fight him desperately.

Bai Qingyan pressed her lips together. These past few days, her mind had been entirely occupied with A’Yu’s affairs—truly, she hadn’t spared a single thought to missing Xiao Rongyan.

Xiao Rongyan caught sight of Chun Tao, who looked ready to fight like a rooster, and lowered his voice to say to Bai Qingyan, “Shall we walk by the lake?”

Bai Qingyan also had matters to discuss with Xiao Rongyan, so she nodded and said formally, “After you, Master Xiao.”

“Why wasn’t General Xie the one who came to escort Princess Mingcheng this time? Such a major incident as a Yan princess being attacked at the Jin border—doesn’t General Xie know about it?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Xiao Rongyan didn’t hide anything from Bai Qingyan: “An outbreak of typhoid fever suddenly struck Great Yan’s army, and Xie Xun… has also fallen ill and cannot come.”

Bai Qingyan’s palm tightened: “You probably haven’t even told General Xie about Princess Mingcheng’s attack!”

Xiao Rongyan nodded, instinctively wanting to stroke his jade cicada before remembering he had given it to Bai Qingyan. He lightly shook the hem of his robe and said, “Xie Xun cannot fall right now. If he knew about this, it would likely cause great chaos.”

“But if Xie Xun could come to see Princess Mingcheng once, it might save her life!” Bai Qingyan’s steps were slow. “The physician says Princess Mingcheng shows no sign of life! If Physician Hong were here, there might be a chance, but sending word now to bring Physician Hong here would likely be too late.”

What Bai Qingyan said, how could Xiao Rongyan not know? He pressed his lips together in silence.

“My uncle and I questioned the nannies and maids who served Princess Mingcheng, as well as the escort guards. Those Nanrong soldiers seemed to know your wedding procession’s route in advance and had set up an ambush there early. If this is true… There must be a spy within the wedding party. You should have already thought of this.”

“Only three people could know a day in advance which route to take: General Peng, who died in battle; the scout General Peng sent ahead to reconnoiter; and General Peng’s deputy.” Xiao Rongyan spoke directly without evasion. “The scout is currently missing. If he were a spy, he would be of no great use now. What I fear is that General Peng’s deputy is a Nanyan sleeper agent.”

Bai Qingyan shook her head: “I think… the possibility is small. Great Yan doesn’t directly border the Rong and Di tribes, and the Rong and Di people aren’t skilled in strategic arts. To reach the position of deputy to Great Yan’s Army Supervisor would require being from a Great Yan noble family, or else it would take five or six years of effort.”

“The Nanrong weren’t skilled in strategic arts before, but since the Nan Di acquired this Ghost-Faced General, things have changed greatly.” Xiao Rongyan, remembering how Bai Qingyan had asked him about the Ghost-Faced General that night, turned to look at her and asked, “This Ghost-Faced General—is he someone from the Bai family?”