There's no lie there, though Xiao Xingchen might've made his mind up evn before he heard his story. A story which makes him frown even more.

"You shouldn't have been in the forest with just a dagger." Wasn't he the one Who asked Xingchen to protect Lady Wen for that very same reason? He reaches for the basket before guiding him inside.

"I'll heat some water. How far up does it go?"