"Just eat it. You’re my protectors. If you improve your Inner Strength and skills, I’ll be safer too," Ye Qianning said.

"Young Miss, we promise to train harder. We would die to protect you, but this Fuwu is just too precious." Luo Wen already held the Young Miss in the highest possible regard.

’He knew in his heart that the Young Miss was incredibly capable. If it came to a fight, they would be no match for her.’

’And now, knowing even more of what she could do, he practically worshipped her.’

"I’ve come to think of you all as my own people these past few days. But from the looks of it, you don’t feel the same way about me."

"Young Miss, you are our highest priority!"

"Your subordinates are willing to go through fire and water for you..."

"Young Miss..."

Luo Wen and the others grew tense at her words, rushing to declare their loyalty.

"That’s not what I need. If you truly thought of me as one of your own, you wouldn’t be so hesitant." Ye Qianning didn’t beat around the bush, making her stance clear.

’Eat, and you’re my people. Don’t, and you’re not treating me as one of your own.’

The three men exchanged a look. Without another word, they lowered their heads and began to eat the Fuwu in their hands, a hundred emotions welling up inside them.

’The Fuwu they were eating was something that not even the emperor himself likely had access to...’

A smile touched Ye Qianning’s lips as she watched them eat. She was never stingy with her own people. Besides, they were all highly talented; with the boost from the Fuwu, they could quickly become top-tier experts.

’Once the great cauldron arrives, I’ll use the Fuwu for Alchemy and make a pill for each of Father’s guards.’

"Young Miss."

After finishing the Fuwu, Luo Wen was overcome with emotion, so moved he didn’t know what to say.

"Alright, I know. After eating the Fuwu, the next forty-eight hours are the optimal time for improving your Inner Strength. Go find a quiet place and absorb its effects properly."

"We can’t. If we leave, you’ll be left unguarded, Young Miss," Luo Wen said.

"There are plenty of other guards in the residence. I’ll be fine."

"But..."

"I didn’t give you the Fuwu just so you could waste its effects. Now, go," Ye Qianning cut them off.

Luo Xuan had been about to say something else, but he was instantly too intimidated to speak when he saw his Young Miss frown.

They obediently withdrew. After eating the Fuwu, they could already feel a current of energy surging through their bodies, and they knew they needed to properly circulate it.

Once the men had left, Ye Qianning started writing down the names of the medicinal herbs she would need for her Alchemy. She planned to go purchase them that very night; the list was long, and any delay could cause problems later.

She found a brush and ink and began to write her list.

The moment Old Gu entered, he saw the young lady perched on a chair, writing with intense concentration. It was, he realized, the first time he had ever seen her study so seriously.

Not wanting to disturb her, he tiptoed over to the desk. What he saw on the sheets of rice paper made him stop short.

He picked up a sheet and studied it for a long time, but he couldn’t make heads or tails of what was written on it.

"Young lady, when did you start learning to draw talismans?" Old Gu squinted, studying it intently, but he still didn’t understand.

"..."

Ye Qianning’s calligraphy might have been amateurish, but she considered it quite neat. ’How could he mistake it for a talisman?’

"Hey, look at this one. It’s got a nice feel to it, a real artistic quality. And this one almost looks like an actual word."

Ye Qianning looked up, speechless. "They *are* words."

"Pfft... HAHAHAHA!" Old Gu burst out laughing.

"..."

In that instant, Ye Qianning felt she was being mercilessly mocked.