Hearing these words, Xie Yuchang thought to himself… what Yang Wuce had said was indeed true. His Majesty’s relationship with this Master Xiao, Xiao Rongyan, was certainly extraordinary.

The main gate of the Bai residence stood wide open. Xie Yuchang emerged from within, his armor covered with a layer of misty fine rain. Looking at Xiao Rongyan, who stood beside the carriage holding an umbrella with extraordinary bearing, he solemnly cupped his hands toward him: “Master Xiao, His Majesty requests that you enter.”

Xiao Rongyan nodded in acknowledgment, lifted the hem of his plain-colored robe, and stepped up the stairs toward the Bai residence.

Yue Shi wanted to follow, but was blocked by the Imperial Guards.

Xie Yuchang glanced at Yue Shi and said to Xiao Rongyan: “My apologies, Master Xiao, but no weapons are permitted when meeting His Majesty. Please have your guard remove his sword and entrust it to our Imperial Guards for safekeeping.”

Xiao Rongyan, holding his umbrella, turned to look at Yue Shi: “You wait outside.”

“Yes!” Yue Shi responded and retreated to the carriage.

Xiao Rongyan closed his umbrella. His distinctly defined features, illuminated by the white silk lanterns, appeared even more angular and austere, emanating an understated yet compelling sense of intimidation.

Xie Yuchang remembered that this Master Xiao was renowned for his gentle scholarly elegance. Though a merchant, he possessed remarkable talent and maintained an air of neither servile nor arrogant composure. This was why the royal families and nobility of various nations regarded Master Xiao with special esteem.

Who would have thought that after not seeing him for a year, Master Xiao would have changed so dramatically? Could it be because he had become His Majesty’s betrothed?

Xiao Rongyan stepped through the main entrance and caught sight of Bai Qingyan and Bai Qingjue through the gauze curtains beneath the corridor. He opened his umbrella and, holding his robe, walked unhurriedly in Bai Qingyan’s direction.

Seeing Xiao Rongyan approach, Chun Tao stepped forward to lift the gauze curtain for him and took the umbrella from his hands.

Xiao Rongyan gave Chun Tao a slight nod, then first bowed to Bai Qingyan: “Miss Bai, Seventh Young Master!”

Bai Qingyan nodded slightly in return.

Bai Qingjue solemnly bowed to Xiao Rongyan: “Master Xiao.”

Xiao Rongyan offered incense for the Grand Princess, then spoke to Bai Qingyan: “Today, I had originally planned to meet Miss Bai outside the capital city, but I encountered some matters. Hence this late-night visit—I hope Miss Bai and Seventh Young Master will forgive me.”

“Master Xiao is thoughtful.” Bai Qingjue stood with his hands behind his back, nodding slightly to Xiao Rongyan. “Master Xiao’s late-night visit surely isn’t simply to offer incense for my grandmother!”

“Miss Bai, might I speak with you privately…” Xiao Rongyan’s gaze turned toward Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan nodded and walked outside, supported by Chun Tao’s hand.

Xiao Rongyan was about to follow when Bai Qingjue called out to him.

Xiao Rongyan paused mid-step and turned to face Bai Qingjue: “Does Seventh Young Master have further instructions?”

Bai Qingjue solemnly performed a deep bow toward Xiao Rongyan: “In the past, I could not reveal my true name to my benefactor. Today, meeting Master Xiao as a son of the Bai family, Bai Qingjue should properly thank Master Xiao for saving my mother and for saving me! If Master Xiao has any requests… whatever is within Bai Qingjue’s power, I will do my utmost! But I hope Master Xiao can understand—the debt of gratitude belongs to Bai Qingjue, not to the Bai family! Perhaps it is my petty heart judging a gentleman’s intentions, but please do not leverage past favors to demand repayment from my elder sister. Otherwise, I, Bai Qingjue, will be the first to refuse, and I would regrettably have to oppose my benefactor.”

Xiao Rongyan looked into Bai Qingjue’s calm yet profound eyes and replied with a smile: “My visit today is not to seek favors. Xiao Rongyan will never leverage past kindness to demand repayment from Miss Bai—not today, and never in the future. On this point… please be assured, Seventh Young Master.”

The wind stirred the gauze curtains, and rain fell with a soft rustling sound.

Listening to Xiao Rongyan’s mature, deep voice, Bai Qingjue found himself believing his words from the bottom of his heart, though he couldn’t say why.

He bowed to Xiao Rongyan again: “Thank you, Master Xiao.”

Xiao Rongyan smiled with scholarly grace, returned the bow to Bai Qingjue, then stepped over the threshold of the main hall and followed after Bai Qingyan.

When Bai Qingyan saw that Xiao Rongyan hadn’t followed immediately, she turned back and waited a moment before seeing him emerge from the main hall… She guessed that A’Jue had certainly detained Xiao Rongyan to say something, fearing he might leverage past favors for repayment.

Seeing Bai Qingyan waiting for him, Xiao Rongyan unconsciously quickened his steps and reached her side, raising his eyes to look at Chun Tao.

“Let’s go back to talk,” Bai Qingyan said.

Xiao Rongyan nodded.

The three of them proceeded to a scenic pavilion not far from the main hall.

Chun Tao served hot tea for the two of them. Seeing Xiao Rongyan sitting properly across from Bai Qingyan, picking up his teacup and drinking tea in a perfectly proper manner, she took the black lacquered tray with gold inlay and withdrew to stand guard outside.

The pavilion was brightly lit with all windows open, yet Chun Tao, standing below, couldn’t help but glance up at the upper floor, fearing that Xiao Rongyan might do something improper to their Miss.

Xiao Rongyan set down his teacup and looked up at Bai Qingyan, who was dressed in mourning clothes and gently blowing on the tea in her cup. The light from the glazed lamp on the high table fell across Bai Qingyan’s face, casting two fan-shaped shadows beneath her eyes.

But… the dark circles under Bai Qingyan’s eyes were far more than just those shadows. Xiao Rongyan set down his teacup and walked to Bai Qingyan’s side.

Bai Qingyan looked up at Xiao Rongyan, who was bending down to examine her closely: “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Rongyan braced one hand on the chair’s armrest and cupped Bai Qingyan’s face with the other, his thumb gently rubbing beneath her eyes several times, wiping away the pearl powder she had applied there. The deep, dark circles on Bai Qingyan’s overly pale cheeks appeared shocking to behold.

Xiao Rongyan’s pupils contracted. He had experienced sleeplessness after losing loved ones…

But even then, he had never been as severe as Bai Qingyan. Her haggard appearance looked as if she hadn’t slept well in years.

He didn’t ask, yet he knew why…

Bai Qingyan’s grandmother was the Grand Princess of the Jin Dynasty, while she… was the Great Zhou Empress who had overthrown the Jin Dynasty and was about to ascend the throne. She had led troops to attack Luohong City to rescue her grandmother, yet her grandmother had departed along with the fall of the Jin Dynasty. Bai Qingyan likely blamed herself for the Grand Princess of Jin’s death.

Words of comfort from anyone would be useless. His mother, Consort Ji, had once experienced the same thing—only time could heal such wounds.

Xiao Rongyan’s hand cupping Bai Qingyan’s face tightened, his gaze filled with heartache as he said softly: “If your mother saw you in this state, she would surely be devastated!”

How could Bai Qingyan not know this? She gently grasped Xiao Rongyan’s wrist and moved his hand away, saying in a low voice: “Being an emperor is not easy, and being a good emperor is even harder. I never studied the way of rulership from childhood. Relying solely on passionate ideals cannot govern a nation well. Working hard is only natural!”

Xiao Rongyan knelt on one knee before Bai Qingyan, grasping both her hands, and spoke softly: “Do you know of Great Yan’s General Tang Yi?”

Bai Qingyan nodded.

“General Tang Yi… was my mother’s close friend, but he has another identity—he is my grandfather’s bloodline, a legitimate member of the Yan imperial family.”