Zidai swallowed nervously, her voice trembling, "What... what did he see?"

  "He saw that the person sitting in the carriage was himself!"

  "Ah!"

  Zidai screamed, only then noticing Bai Qingqing's smiling, crescent-shaped eyes. "Why are you scaring me like this, miss? It's too frightening."

  "I'm not teasing you anymore. By the way, where's the hairpin? I'll go directly to Yaoyao's place when we get to the manor."

  "It's in the carriage. Should I go get it?"

  "Go ahead."

  Bai Qingqing walked to the tree to wait for her, the empty carriage right beside her.

  At first, she hadn’t noticed, but after Zidai left, only the faint sound of the wind remained in her ears, a quietness that made her feel slightly uneasy.

  The carriage didn't look particularly luxurious, and the curtains hanging down didn’t have any embroidered decorations. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through, lifting the corner of the curtain, and Bai Qingqing unintentionally glanced inside. She saw a pair of feet!

  Her head buzzed, and she took a few steps back, pressing her back against the tree. The story she had just told Zidai was playing out wildly in her mind.

  The wind inexplicably grew stronger, and Bai Qingqing could see clearly now—it was indeed a person, sitting motionless inside the carriage. The dark boots on their feet had faint patterns, but Bai Qingqing had no time to focus on them. Her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her throat.

  Was that person alive or a ghost?

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Bai Qingqing felt like she was nailed to the tree, staring at the curtain as the wind lifted it higher and higher, until a small part of the person’s chin was exposed. She couldn’t help but let out a whimper, pulling her skirt and running toward Zidai, grabbing her and dragging her toward the manor.

  "Miss? What’s wrong? What happened?"

  Bai Qingqing didn’t say a word, but faintly, she thought she heard a barely perceptible laugh coming from behind. The soft sound made it all the more terrifying.

  ...

  Moments later, a person came out of the Earl of England’s residence and mounted his horse. "Sorry to have kept you waiting, Uncle."

  The person in the carriage glanced at him lightly, and he immediately corrected himself, "I mean, sorry to have kept you waiting, Sir. The Earl’s son, Duke of England, detained me for a while. He’s a man of steady character, worth befriending. I hope I didn’t delay you."

  Seeing the man not react angrily, he sighed in relief and shook his head with a playful grin. "Such a pity, though. I didn’t get to see the Bai family’s young lady. The rumors say she’s exceptionally beautiful. I’ve come here so many times, but I’ve never seen her. I wonder if she really lives up to the rumors."

  "Get out and drive the carriage."

  The cold voice immediately made the man stop his teasing. He lifted the curtain and quickly climbed out. "Understood."

  The person inside the carriage suddenly curved the corners of his mouth. Beautiful and captivating, yes, but also delicate—able to frighten herself to tears. Quite the character.

  The Bai family’s impending disaster lingered in Bai Qingqing’s mind. After several days of deliberation, she decided to visit her older brother Bai Yan, bringing along the incense she had made herself.

  Bai Yan’s courtyard was very quiet. Bai Jinghuai had great expectations for his eldest son, and Bai Yan lived up to them. Even at a young age, he was already capable of handling important matters. His work was so excellent that even the Emperor had praised him publicly in front of the civil and military officials.

  Bai Qingqing had someone announce her arrival, and soon, Bai Yan’s personal servant, Xuan Shu, came out to invite her in.

  The room was warm, and Bai Qingqing’s nose twitched as she smelled the fragrance of the incense she had made for her brother. The scent of pine and snow bamboo perfectly complemented him.

  "Is it cold outside? Come in and warm up."

  Bai Yan poured her some hot tea and handed it to her to warm her hands. Zidai placed the incense down and, along with Xuan Shu, stepped out.

  Bai Yan smiled when he saw the incense. "You’re really thoughtful to remember me, but it’s so cold outside. You should have sent it with someone, no need to bring it yourself."