The Night Family Has a Daughter

Chapter 12: The Night Family Has a Daughter

"That's how things stand, Lord Bai."

Ye Youcai straightened up, his eyes red-rimmed.

"My daughter is in your hands now. I implore you, sir, to ensure her safety."

"If my daughter can return unharmed, I will reward all of you lords handsomely!"

With that, he bowed deeply to Bai Yan.

Bai Yan raised a hand to stop him, his tone steady.

"Lord Ye, rest assured. The Imperial Guard never fails a task. There's no thief we can't catch."

"If that Flower Thief dares to show up, he won't escape our grasp."

Ren Hong immediately chimed in from the side.

"Brigade Leader Bai is absolutely right! In all of Yongtang City, no one has ever slipped through our lord's fingers. With Lord Bai here, Miss Ye will be completely safe!"

Only then did Ye Youcai seem to shed a heavy burden, placing a hand on his chest and letting out a long sigh.

"With your words, Lord, I am finally at ease."

He then continued, "Please stay at the Night Manor for the next few days, lords. Whatever you need for food, lodging, or anything else, just ask. I will make sure it's all taken care of!"

After speaking, Ye Youcai instructed his steward to make the arrangements.

The steward acknowledged and withdrew to prepare the guest rooms. Bai Yan then rose and said, "Lord Ye, please show us the layout of your manor."

If they were to set a trap, they at least needed to understand the terrain of the Night Manor to lay a Heavenly Net that would leave the Flower Thief no chance to escape, even with wings.

Ye Youcai readily agreed and led Bai Yan and his entourage towards the rear residence.

The rear residence was originally the quarters for the female members of the household, and by rule, men were not allowed to enter without permission. However, with lives at stake, he could no longer afford to be so particular.

As soon as they stepped through the moon gate into the rear residence, Bai Yan's gaze was drawn to a figure by the pond.

It was a woman, about twenty years old, dressed in a pale pink gown embroidered with magnolias, covered by a sheer white gauze top. A gentle breeze ruffled the gauze, revealing a gracefully curved neck and clearly visible collarbones. Her skin was as white as fine porcelain in the morning light.

She wore a pleated skirt of the same color, which trailed on the ground, nearly three feet long. As she turned, the hem of her skirt flowed like moonlight, her steps elegant and graceful, as if she were a fairy stepping out of a painting.

Her three thousand strands of dark hair were loosely tied with a pearl ribbon, and a kingfisher-inlaid butterfly hairpin adorned her hair. The pearls on the hairpin swayed gently with her movements. A lock of hair fell across her chest, complementing the pink hue and adding to her delicate charm.

Bai Yan possessed considerable self-control. After all, he was someone who could calmly drink and eat at Baiwei Tower. In his past life, as a fine young man, he had seen his fair share of the world. Faced with this scene, he wasn't particularly astonished and merely glanced over it before looking away.

However, his subordinates from the Imperial Guard were a different story.

Having spent their lives amidst the clash of swords and the constant threat of danger, they were accustomed to rough men and bandits. How could they withstand the impact of such a delicate beauty?

The twenty-odd robust men stared with wide eyes, like bullfrogs, fixed on the figure by the pond. Their faces turned bright red, and their Adam's apples bobbed uncontrollably.

Their gazes were like those of hungry wolves spotting plump sheep, or wild dogs fixated on bones.

"Ahem."

Bai Yan let out a low cough, like a clap of thunder on a clear day, instantly pulling everyone back from their daze.

"Keep your eyes in check, all of you. Don't look at what you shouldn't."

"Yes, sir!"

Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao lowered their heads the lowest, so embarrassed they wished they could burrow into the ground.

Their father was watching them, yet they were staring at his daughter with such looks. If this got out, they'd likely be laughed at by the entire Pacification Bureau. These weren't Imperial Guards; they were a pack of lustful demons. What kind of conduct was this?

Bai Yan turned back to Ye Youcai, cupping his fists.

"Lord Ye, my men are all rough individuals. They don't understand proper etiquette. Please forgive any rudeness."

Although he was an Imperial Guard, Bai Yan had his own principles. Bullying others and ogling their female family members were beneath him, and he would not allow his subordinates to engage in such vulgar behavior.

Ye Youcai quickly waved his hands, a smile plastered on his face.

"Lord Bai, you are too kind. These lords are here to protect my daughter. Such minor matters are hardly worth mentioning."

With that, Ye Youcai beckoned towards the pond, calling the woman over.

"Lord Bai, allow me to introduce my daughter, Ye Lingdang."

He gestured to the side, a hint of paternal pride in his voice.

"Lingdang, this is Brigade Leader Bai of the Imperial Guard. We are greatly indebted to him for agreeing to help us."

Ye Lingdang glided forward, stopping before Bai Yan and offering a graceful curtsy. Her voice was as soft as spring water.

"This humble one greets Lord Bai. You have my respects, Lord Bai."

Bai Yan returned the gesture with cupped fists. "Miss, you are too kind. It is my duty, there is no need for thanks."

Looking closer now, he realized that Ye Lingdang was not only beautiful but also possessed the gentle demeanor of a lady from a prominent family. She had the shyness of a young woman, yet also the refinement of her upbringing. No wonder she had been targeted by the Flower Thief. Such beauty and grace were indeed rare among the young ladies of Yongtang City.

After meeting Ye Lingdang, Ye Youcai led Bai Yan and his men to continue their inspection of the rear residence. They passed through covered walkways and skirted around rockeries and ponds. Bai Yan committed the layout of the rear courtyard to memory.

What he didn't notice was that as they turned to leave, Ye Lingdang remained by the pond, her gaze lingering on Bai Yan's tall, straight figure.

A maiden's heart is always full of poetry.

Just as men are drawn to beauty, women are moved by heroic spirit.

Bai Yan had no idea how potent his charm was to women.

He was already handsome, with sharp sword-like eyebrows and striking eyes, and wearing the Imperial Guard's Flying Fish Robe only added a touch of stern, heroic demeanor.

Ye Lingdang had grown up in a deep, secluded mansion. Apart from her father, she had rarely seen men since childhood, let alone someone like Bai Yan.

Seeing such a distinguished young man as Bai Yan now, her heart felt like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples across its surface and causing her heart to race uncontrollably.

"Miss! Miss! Wake up, Lord Bai has already left!"

"Ah?"

Her personal maid, Xiao Tao, tugged lightly at her sleeve, a teasing smile in her voice.

Ye Lingdang snapped back to reality, looking up abruptly. Only she and her maid were left in the courtyard; Bai Yan and his entourage had already rounded the corridor.

Remembering how she had just stared blankly at his retreating back, her face instantly flushed with embarrassment. She quickly lowered her head, twisting the hem of her skirt with her fingertips.

"Miss was staring so hard at Lord Bai just now, her eyes went all glassy."

Xiao Tao leaned in, giggling as she teased.

"Could it be... you've fallen for Lord Bai?"

"You silly girl, don't talk nonsense!"

Ye Lingdang's cheeks grew even redder. She raised her hand and lightly swatted the maid, chiding, "It's only my first time meeting Lord Bai, how could I be talking about liking him?"

"Besides, I'm being targeted by that Flower Thief right now. How could I have the leisure to think about such trivial things?"

The thought of the Flower Thief brought a look of worry to Ye Lingdang's face.

Although she knew the Imperial Guard were skilled and Bai Yan exuded a reassuring presence, as a woman, she still felt a natural fear of the Flower Thief.

Seeing her troubled expression, Xiao Tao quickly changed her tone to comfort her.

"Don't be afraid, Miss, Lord Bai is here! Look at his bearing, he must be incredibly capable. I'm sure he'll catch that Flower Thief!"

Her eyes twinkled, and she leaned in again with a smile.

"If you get through this safely, Lord Bai will have saved your life! According to the stories, shouldn't such a life-saving debt be... repaid by offering oneself?"

"Think about it, Miss. You are peerlessly beautiful, skilled in all the arts – music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Lord Bai is already a Brigade Leader of the Imperial Guard at such a young age, accomplished in both civil and martial arts, and full of promise."

"The two of you standing together would be a match made in heaven, even more perfect than the scholars and beauties in storybooks!"

"You're asking for a beating!"

Ye Lingdang was both exasperated and amused, reaching out to tickle the maid.

"You impudent girl, you're becoming more and more unruly! If you dare to speak nonsense again, I'll marry you off right now!"

"Oh, no, no, no!"

Xiao Tao quickly begged for mercy, waving her hands dramatically.

"Xiao Tao will never dare again! Miss, please spare me this time!"

After a few moments of playful banter between mistress and maid, Ye Lingdang's worries had unconsciously faded considerably.

She looked at Xiao Tao's playful, winking face, knowing full well that the girl was deliberately telling jokes to distract her.

Xiao Tao had followed her for many years. She was perceptive and understood her mistress's thoughts best, always finding ways to cheer her up when she was down.