Chapter 696: Chapter 693: Yearning_1

Bai Qingyan’s cold, jade-like fingers rested on Xiao Rongyan’s hand, gently grasping his strong wrist bone. “Yan wants to conquer Wei. It has stirred my fighting spirit.”

Xiao Rongyan wasn’t surprised that Bai Qingyan could discern his intentions. Indeed, he wanted to conquer Wei to show the states that Yan was not the same as before, and to lay the groundwork for future endeavors.

“Conquer Liang?” Xiao Rongyan asked.

Bai Qingyan nodded. “It’s unfortunate… The Jin Kingdom is not under my sole command. Whether it’s the Emperor or the Crown Prince, they are afraid of becoming the target of all, so they won’t easily dispatch troops to conquer a nation.”

“It seems… I might unify the world first and marry Kid.” Xiao Rongyan leaned closer to Bai Qingyan, lightly pecking her lips. His hand, which was resting on Bai Qingyan’s shoulder, slid to her slender waist, pulling her slightly closer. He released her lips and gently caressed the corner of her mouth with his thumb, quietly gazing at her.

If not for the wall between them, Xiao Rongyan would have already embraced Bai Qingyan to alleviate his deep longing for her over many days.

She was enveloped by Xiao Rongyan’s presence, agarwood’s restrained fragrance invading her lungs, disrupting her breathing and making her heartbeat more intense.

Bai Qingyan tightened her grip on Xiao Rongyan’s wrist, raised her tiptoes, and their noses touched. She heard Xiao Rongyan’s heavy breathing. He held her cheek and pressed his hot lips down, no longer just lightly tasting. He wished he could pull Bai Qingyan out of the window, wrap her in his cloak, and take her away forever.

But he knew Bai Qingyan wasn’t a woman content to stand behind a man. Her intelligence and ambitions were vast. Xiao Rongyan saw Bai Qingyan as an equal opponent.

Xiao Rongyan only wanted to unify the world as soon as possible so he could marry Bai Qingyan.

Hearing rustling sounds from outside, Bai Qingyan quickly pushed Xiao Rongyan away a bit, looked towards the draped curtain, fearing to wake the sleeping maid, and lowered her voice. “Go rest now!”

Xiao Rongyan’s throat moved, controlling his heavy breathing. He tucked a strand of Bai Qingyan’s hair behind her ear and kissed her lips again before saying, “Tomorrow, I can’t celebrate your birthday. Once the war is over, I will make it up to you!”

Bai Qingyan nodded, her earlobes turning red.

Estimating the time, Xiao Rongyan feared the Hidden Guards would return. After reluctantly saying goodbye to Bai Qingyan, he put on his hood and disappeared into the moonlit night.

Bai Qingyan stood by the open window, looking down at the birthday gift Xiao Rongyan had sent her. Opening the box, she found a pair of jade bracelets reflecting a delicate light under the moon.

Rather than bracelets, Bai Qingyan thought these finely crafted bracelets were too precious to wear and should be placed on an antique shelf.

The jade was of the purest imperial green, heavy and deep. Around the edge of the round bracelets were carved bean pods, slightly open, revealing red beans inside.

These red beans were ground from red coral and securely embedded within, giving the illusion of real beans at first glance.

Not only were these jade bracelets flawless treasures, but the craftsmanship was also exquisite. Bai Qingyan couldn’t fathom how the craftsman embedded the coral beans and marveled at the skill.

Bai Qingyan’s eyes settled on the coral beans in the pods, her lips curling slightly… Red beans symbolized longing.

Xiao Rongyan had truly put his heart into it.

Hearing the sound of the maid waking up, Bai Qingyan placed the bracelets back in the brocade box, closed the window, and saw the young maid kneeling in a panic. “M-Miss! Your maid deserves to die! I didn’t know you were awake! Do you need hot water?”

“You don’t need to stay here. Go and rest!” Bai Qingyan said.

“Miss…” The maid looked at the cloak on Bai Qingyan with teary eyes. “Do you need anything? It’s my fault, I fell asleep! Please forgive me! I’ll get whatever you need!”

Seeing Bai Qingyan smiling, she said, “Go ahead! I don’t need anyone to serve me here.”

The young maid saw Bai Qingyan was not angry, so she bowed and left with her blanket. But she couldn’t understand why their Miss wore a cloak and thought of keeping herself wrapped in her blanket outside the room so as not to miss any requests from the Miss.

Although their Miss was kind, they, as maids, should fulfill their duties.

Early the next morning, Chun Tao, worried about Bai Qingyan’s injury, got up early. While buttoning her top, she saw the young maid from last night’s watch outside the door and was startled. She quickly ran to the corridor, bent down, and woke the sleeping maid. “Why are you outside?!”

The maid groggily lifted her head and wiped the saliva from her mouth with her sleeve. “Sister Chun Tao…”

“Why didn’t you watch over the Miss properly?!” Chun Tao asked urgently.

“The Miss told me to rest, but I stayed outside and still fell asleep.” The maid sneezed and rubbed her nose.

Chun Tao frowned at the muddled maid and said, “Alright, alright! Go and sleep. I’ll take over from here.”

She regretted agreeing to let the young maid guard last night. Although the Miss didn’t mind, they as maids should fulfill their responsibilities.

Chun Tao watched the young maid leave with her blanket and thought of telling the Miss to promote Chun Zhi to the first maid. Chun Zhi was diligent and reliable, unlike the others with high ambitions but little capability.

If Chun Zhi becomes the head maid, she and Chun Zhi can alternate the night watches more assuredly.

All other matters could be carefully selected again later.

Bai Qingyan had a good night’s sleep and had just finished her morning grooming when Mrs. Dong and Dong Tingzhen arrived with Nanny Qin, who carried a black lacquered, gold-accented food box containing a bowl of longevity noodles made by Mrs. Dong that morning.

The soup for the noodles was prepared by Dong Tingzhen.

After eating the warm bowl of longevity noodles, Bai Qingyan’s heart felt warmed. As she was wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, Dong Tingzhen handed her a redwood box from the maid.