Chapter 321 - 321 318 How Dare to Be Distracted_1

Chapter 321: Chapter 318: How Dare to Be Distracted_1 Chapter 321: Chapter 318: How Dare to Be Distracted_1 Xiao Rongyan’s gaze at Bai Qingyan this time was different from last time in Wanping. It was filled with probing and uncertainty.

His overly intense gaze seemed to indicate that he was determined to have Bai Qingyan, regardless of whether she favored him or not.

Since the paper window had already been pierced, Bai Qingyan took the opportunity to speak openly.

“Mr. Xiao, I understood what you said on the boat last time.” She placed Xiao Rongyan’s jade cicada on the stone table and said calmly, “But neither of us is suited for romance.”

“I have my mother, aunts, and sisters to protect behind me. You have the Yan Kingdom, which needs to be rebuilt. I need to protect the honor of the Bai family. You need to restore the glory of the Yan Kingdom as it was during Empress Ji’s time, and even aim to rule the world.”

The smile in Xiao Rongyan’s eyes gradually faded as he deeply gazed at the woman whose delicate features were cold and indifferent under the bright moonlight.

“I struggle to take a step forward in the Jin Kingdom, just as the Yan Kingdom stumbles among the nations,” Bai Qingyan’s voice was very light. “The road ahead is difficult. We are both walking on thin ice. How dare we be distracted? How can we afford the weight of love?”

Xiao Rongyan’s gaze fell on the jade cicada. He took two steps forward, picked up the jade cicada with his clearly defined fingers, and looked up at Bai Qingyan, who was only a step away from him. “So, you’re afraid to have feelings?”

Bai Qingyan looked at Xiao Rongyan’s deep eye sockets under his high brow bones. Her hand at her side clenched slightly as she honestly replied, “The Bai family’s future is uncertain and precarious. I dare not have feelings.”

Xiao Rongyan grasped the jade cicada. This step nearly brought him directly in front of her. As Bai Qingyan tried to retreat, Xiao Rongyan grabbed her wrist.

He pulled her to him, staring deeply into her eyes, and lowered his voice to ask, “Bai Qingyan, as long as you don’t hate me, I have a chance. I said before… our future is long!”

Bai Qingyan’s long eyelashes trembled slightly. Xiao Rongyan’s hand again stuffed the jade cicada into her palm.

She wanted to refuse, but Xiao Rongyan tightly grasped her hand. “Consider it a charm for peace. Keep it with you for protection. My mother’s life… very few people could understand. You are considered her confidant.”

After speaking, Xiao Rongyan smiled slightly at Bai Qingyan. “Rest well. If you need anything from me, just let me know.”

Watching Xiao Rongyan leave the simple yet elegant courtyard, Bai Qingyan looked down at the jade cicada in her hand, glowing with a cool luster under the moonlight.

How could Xiao Rongyan understand? Her heart had long since abandoned girlish affections.

In her heart was the tragic state of the Bai family from the past life—the fate of her blood relatives. Whenever she closed her eyes, she saw the bloodied bodies of the Bai family members.

Her greatest wish in this life was to protect the Bai family, uphold her grandfather’s legacy, and never leave any room for romance.

Steward Liu, who had been waiting at the courtyard gate, immediately came in after Xiao Rongyan left. “Eldest Young Lady…”

Bai Qingyan placed the jade cicada into her pouch and said to Steward Liu, “Tomorrow morning, I’ll take Jinzhi back to the clan. Uncle Liu, please find a way to involve more people from the clan in the Tianxiang Tower affair!”

She turned to look at Steward Liu. “Also, find a way to let the local officials know that I returned to Shuoyang but did not stay at the Bai family’s ancestral home by tomorrow morning.”

Since the world knew that the Princess of Zhen, Bai Qingyan, was already allied with the Crown Prince, she would borrow the Crown Prince’s prestige. Would the local officials not rush to curry favor with her, knowing that this close confidant of the Crown Prince had returned to Shuoyang?

She was not her grandfather. No matter how angry she was with the Bai family clan members, she would not let others laugh at them.

·

The next morning.

Before dawn, two sedans were already parked in front of the guesthouse. The Governor, in casual clothes, had just stepped off the sedan when he saw the County Magistrate, who was eating breakfast with his subordinates at a stall across from the guesthouse.

Seeing it was the Governor, the County Magistrate quickly put down his bowl and chopsticks, wiped his mouth with his hand, and jogged over to the Governor, bowing deeply. “My lord!”

The Governor looked at the County Magistrate with a half-smile and said, “I didn’t expect Magistrate Zhou to be so well-informed. You even know that the Commandery Princess has returned…”

“I only got the news early this morning. I hadn’t even finished breakfast and rushed over. I thought the Commandery Princess might not be up yet, so I had something to eat first. Would you like to join me, my lord?” The County Magistrate ignored the Governor’s sarcasm.

The County Magistrate thought, we’re both here trying to curry favor with the Commandery Princess to please the Crown Prince, so why put on airs?

The Governor waved his hand with a half-smile. “No, you enjoy yourself, Magistrate Zhou.”

With that, the Governor turned and signaled his men to go into the guesthouse to deliver a greeting card to Bai Qingyan.

Unexpectedly, before the Governor’s men could go in, Bai Qingyan had already come out of the guesthouse with Bai Jinzhi, followed by a team of guards.

The Governor immediately recognized Steward Liu, who was beside Bai Qingyan. He had seen him at the Bai family clan leader’s birthday banquet half a month ago. Governor heard from the clan leader’s son that this was Steward Liu, but Steward Liu came and went in a hurry. The Governor had only seen him once and hadn’t spoken.

The Governor stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over Bai Jinzhi with a fiery red whip at her waist. He immediately recognized their identities and saluted Bai Qingyan. “This official pays respect to the Commandery Princess and the County Lord.”

Magistrate Zhou hurried forward with a flattering and slick smile, kneeling to show utmost respect. “This official pays respect to the Commandery Princess and the County Lord.”

Bai Qingyan didn’t put on airs at all. “Both lords, you’re too kind.”

Bai Jinzhi stood behind Bai Qingyan, raised her eyebrows without saying a word, displaying a young man’s arrogance.

“Why did the Commandery Princess and the County Lord return to Shuoyang early? The information I received stated you would return on the first of May!” The Governor asked with a smile.

“Yes, why didn’t the Commandery Princess and the County Lord notify us? During the Bai clan leader’s birthday banquet, I discussed with the clan leader about arranging a welcome banquet for you when you returned to Shuoyang!” Magistrate Zhou, not to be outdone, quickly emphasized his closer relationship with the Bai clan.

Bai Jinzhi sneered. “Counting on that old coot to welcome my eldest sister… he probably wants to anger her to death!”

“Jinzhi!” Bai Qingyan admonished Bai Jinzhi in a low voice, glancing at Magistrate Zhou with a sigh, an expression of helplessness. “Jinzhi and I just returned to handle some clan matters. If everything goes smoothly, we’ll leave by noon. We didn’t want to disturb the two lords.”

Old coot? Magistrate Zhou’s eyelids twitched, and his heart skipped a beat.

Listening to Lord of Gaoyi’s tone about the clan leader and hearing the Princess of Zhen mention returning to handle clan matters…

Magistrate Zhou felt something was off.

“Is there anything this official can help with?” The Governor asked Bai Qingyan calmly and unhurriedly.

“Family scandals shouldn’t be exposed. We don’t need to trouble the lords…” Bai Qingyan forced a smile. “If it really gets to the point where we need your help, I will inform both lords.”