There was an awkward expression on Qin Xun's face.

"Young Master Chao, I… overreacted…"

After hearing that Wei Pinyao was safe, his anxious heart finally calmed down.

"Ehem…"

Commander Chao gave out a dry cough, breaking up the awkward atmosphere.

"Young Master Qin was only worried about his wife. We've all been there, I can relate. You should quickly go back to your wife."

"Yes."

Qin Xun's eyes lit up. His heart had already left and flown back to Wei Pinyao's side. After hearing those words, he quickly made his way to the backyard, ignoring the still angry Chao Yang.

"You can leave now."

Expressionless, Qin Feiyang coldly brushed Hong Xue away.

Hong Xue clenched her fist tightly. She was dissatisfied that Wei Pinyao had not been poisoned but she did not have the courage to utter a single word. She paid her respects and left.

"Young Master Chao."

Qin Feiyang's gaze turned to face Chao Yang.

"That herbal dish, was it really something the princess researched on?"

Chao Yang's eyes gleamed.

"You're right. The princess… She's actually a genius, a real genius. All this while, the people have misunderstood her!"

"Hahaha!" Qin Feiyang laughed in a relaxed manner.

"If the old general knows about it, he'll definitely be comforted and happy. EvenEmpress Nalan can be at peace of mind."

...

Night shadowed the princess's manor, enveloping it in the serenity of the cold moonlight's glow. 

As soon as Feng Ruqing strode into the princess manor, she immediately saw Qing Ling curled up in a corner, s.h.i.+vering. Directly in front of her, the earth bear and other beasts were roaming around in the darkness of the night—gigantic and strong.

"Princess!"

Qing Ling instantly saw the princess which just stepped foot into the manor as if her savior just appeared. Unable to hold back her tears, she cried.

"This beast came from nowhere and even brought along a whole horde of spirit beasts. Please save me…"

All these while, Feng Ruqing had never returned to the princess manor. Even when she was preparing herbal dishes, she used the palace's imperial kitchen. Therefore, this group of spirit beasts must be led here by the snow wolf.

In the end, Qing Ling was terrified as she saw so many spirit beasts invading the manor. She was scared stiff, unmoving.

She was afraid that once she made a move, the spirit beasts would rush forward and kill her.

Seeing Qing Ling's pale frightened face, Feng Ruqing's face turned grim. She walked casually towards the earth bear and smacked its thick skull.

"Let me introduce them—these are the spirit beasts that I've worked hard for. You don't have to be afraid of them. They won't eat humans as long as they're full."

'As… long as… they're full… they won't eat humans?'

Qing Ling was so terrified that she was about to cry.

"Princess, what if they're not full? Wouldn't I, your humble servant, become their meal? Princess, what have I done wrong? Pray do tell. I can change, even if Princess wants me as a s.e.x slave, I wouldn't refuse."

She would rather be tricked by the princess than to be a spirit beast's meal.

It was definitely during that time where the princess was drunk where Qing Ling and Liu Li did not listen to the princess… Was that why the princess brought these spirit beasts back to teach them a lesson?

She would change, she was willing to change everything… Would this be okay?

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

Feng Ruqing swept a glance at Qing Ling.

"It's impossible that they're not well fed. You don't have to overthink this. After this, I'm heading over to the mountain out back to work. You can head back to rest."

Qing Ling nodded obediently. She then gathered her courage and stood up, slowly and carefully moving past the group of spirit beasts. After she was far enough, she let out a sigh of relief and quickly made her way toward the backyard…