After the system set its sights on the dragon throne, the princess started courting death every day.

A very inexplicable and sudden explanation.

Xiang An understood and casually replied, "I know, it's not that you're not strict in your governance, it's that you're bad at judging people."

Ding Yinan cautiously approached, standing timidly to the side, not daring to utter a single word.

Fu Qingbai was still rummaging through the doctor's belongings when Xiang An yawned and swayed back to his tent. With one less person and one less source of pressure, Ding Yinan finally mustered up his courage: "General, let me do the rummaging."

Fu Qingbai's hands did not stop. "No need. Just watch and learn carefully. If you don't understand something or discover anything, just say so."

Ding Yinan agreed in a low voice, his heart filled with joy. Although Fu Qingbai had flaws, he still respected him.

Even though he didn't hear what Princess Miankang said today, Fu Qingbai was still the goal he had strived for in his life, and he would do everything in his power to keep him.

Now that he has heard this, it's impossible not to be moved and grateful for Xiang An's high level of trust in him. He will definitely thank him properly one day.

Perhaps wanting to emulate Fu Qingbai, Ding Yinan always thought that it wouldn't be too late to thank him after he had earned military merits, since the border area was only so big.

Unexpectedly, one morning, Xiang An quietly returned to the capital. Later, on the day of his triumphant return to the capital, Ding Yinan suddenly discovered that Xiang An's personality had changed drastically; he had become weak and prone to tears. Upon seeing this, he subconsciously did not want to thank him.

Memories are like paper burned to ashes; a gust of wind blows, and the ashes scatter and drift away, never to be restored to their original state.

Ding Yinan's voice was hoarse: "What does the general mean?"

Fu Qingbai put down his sword: "You should know that she has never looked down on your fancy but ineffective martial arts."

Ding Yinan's throat tightened as he understood the unspoken meaning behind Fu Qingbai's words: Xiang An was a benefactor in his life; without her, he wouldn't be where he is today.

After a long while, he knelt down with his forehead touching the ground: "Your subordinate is heartless and has forgotten his original intention. I beg the general to punish me with thirty strokes of the military rod to awaken my conscience."

“Go,” Fu Qingbai agreed, “but from now on, don’t appear in front of her again.”

"I wish to see the princess and apologize to her in person."

Fu Qingbai: "No need. Go and receive your punishment."

Watching Ding Yinan leave dejectedly, Fu Qingbai's eyes were filled with disappointment and worry. He still remembered how, on the way to the marriage alliance, Ding Yinan shyly approached him, begging to be allowed to see Xiang An.

It wasn't to express gratitude, but to serve the princess. At that moment, Fu Qingbai was both amazed and reluctant. He was amazed that she still remembered after so long, and reluctant because he didn't want Ding Yinan's kindness to be given to the wrong person.

In the end, he still arranged for Ding Yinan to collect the dishes for him. Although what happened later was unexpected, his suspicions began at that time. It wasn't until Xiang An came to his rescue that he finally realized it really was her; she had returned.

A soft cloth gently wiped the Silent Sword, and Fu Qingbai pulled himself out of his past memories. He needed to brace himself for the victory banquet a few days later.

Before returning to the capital, Ogiwara Ao sent him a letter in which he asked which princess in the original country was the most suitable to marry.

If he had followed his previous plan, he would have naturally replied "whatever." Having known Ogihara Ao for many years, he was well aware of Fu Qing's claim of innocence. His original intention was to first muddy the waters in the capital so he could take advantage of the chaos to find something. Now, after so many cycles of reincarnation, he replied with "No."

Ogiwara Ao was obedient and didn't mention the marriage proposal again during his trip to the capital. The only problem was that once they met, Ogiwara Ao would definitely ask him everything.

The stars twinkled in the sky, the lights on the ground shone brightly, colorful tassels hung from the trees, and the sounds of zithers and flutes lingered, accompanied by the gentle sound of flowing water, creating a refined and unique atmosphere.

Xiao Ru picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks, and as she put it down, she asked in a low voice, puzzled, "How did the princess know that His Majesty would definitely invite you to the palace?"

Yesterday at sunset, a message suddenly arrived from the palace, as if afraid that Xiang An would not come. Changfu also brought an imperial edict.

Xiang An picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks, but immediately turned away after putting it in her mouth, chewing the air in her mouth while speaking in a low voice: "Your princess can tell fortunes."

"Princess, you're just flattering me again." Xiao Ru lowered her head shyly, but when she saw Xiang An eat all the dishes on the table, she couldn't help but frown slightly. "Princess, don't eat too much, it's easy to get indigestion."

Xiao Ru was very worried because she had only eaten one meal before entering the palace and was still eating like this.

"Don't worry. Your princess eats like a cow, a few bites won't make her digest anything."

Tonight is so lively, and Xiao Ru couldn't bear to spoil the fun. She picked up her chopsticks and put a few pieces of food that had been placed far away on Xiang An's plate: "Never mind, Princess, you can eat. You can drink some digestive medicine when you get back to the manor."

"Can digestive medicine be used to detoxify?" Xiang An asked, tapping the bowls and plates on the table with her chopsticks. "With so many people and so much food tonight, do you think I might be poisoned if someone took advantage of the chaos to put poison in the food?"

Xiao Ru covered her mouth and chuckled secretly: "Look at what silly things the princess is saying. Before each dish is served, several eunuchs and maids in the palace will taste it to make sure there are no problems. Besides, tonight's victory celebration banquet is extraordinary."

"What's unusual about it?"

“It was Eunuch Changfu who personally oversaw the preparation of each dish in the Imperial Kitchen. His Majesty also asked Eunuch Changfu about it several times in private,” Xiao Ru whispered in his ear.

Xiang An paused in picking up food with her chopsticks, then resumed her actions after a moment, continuing to pick up food. "Is that so? It seems I've been overthinking it."

On the high platform, the dancers' clothes fluttered, and the gold-embroidered ribbons tied around their waists shone brightly under the lights. When they twirled and jumped, they seemed to be about to take flight.

"Princess, His Majesty said this dish is quite good and specifically instructed me to bring it here." Changfu bowed and placed the dish he was carrying on the table.

A dish of yellow broth and emerald green leaves stands proudly in the center of the plate, like a piece of white jade.

“It looks very ordinary.” As he spoke, Xiang An glanced intentionally at the other exquisitely crafted dishes on the table.

Changfu smiled and said, "It looks ordinary, but the method of preparation is extraordinary. This dish is called White Jade. The soup is made by simmering fifty-six chickens with precious medicinal herbs such as snow lotus and ginseng for four whole hours. After painstakingly removing the medicinal taste, the chef then simmered cabbage all night long. If the heat is too high, the cabbage will become mushy; if there is too little cabbage, it will retain the taste of raw vegetables. Only when it is just right can this White Jade be considered well done."

Xiang An: "Sounds good. Let's keep it. I've eaten too much. I'll eat more after I've digested a bit."

Changfu didn't leave, looking troubled: "Princess, why don't you try a few bites first? This servant must report back to His Majesty."

"A few bites?" Xiang An raised a slight lip. "Do you have to eat it now?"

Changfu hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "We must eat it now."

Xiang An chuckled lightly, glancing away at the emperor who was sitting upright in his chair, smiling at her. "Alright, then I'll eat."

"Wait, Princess, what is this dish?" Fu Qingbai suddenly walked over, taking the plate with one hand. "It's so exquisitely presented; I've never seen anything like it before."

Changfu: "General, you have a good eye. This dish is called 'White Jade,' which His Majesty just bestowed upon Princess Miankang."

Fu Qingbai: "Today is a victory celebration banquet, yet His Majesty has only bestowed the title upon Princess Miankang?"

"This..." Changfu paused, "General, you misunderstand. His Majesty rewarded you on the day of your triumphant return half a month ago. Have you forgotten?"