"This..." Xiao Yizi didn't know what to say. The master probably didn't want the concubine to know because he didn't want her to know. If he told her and the master found out, he might get angry and give him a beating, which would be the least he could do.

"Alright, Qiuju, take it back." Yin Qingyi understood and turned to Qiuju.

"Then I'll take my leave. There's still a lot to do in the kitchen." Seeing that Yin Qingyi didn't press the matter, Xiao Yizi breathed a sigh of relief and put on a fawning smile again.

“Yes, Xiao Jinzi, see this young eunuch out.” Yin Qingyi nodded and said to Xiao Jinzi.

"No need, no need, I can walk by myself, there's no need to trouble Brother Jin." The little chair got up and waved his hands repeatedly, then immediately retreated, as if afraid that Little Jin would see him off.

"Master, shall we set out the meal?" Qiuju asked, looking at the food box on the bracelet.

"Set it up." Yin Qingyi nodded, looking at the food box in front of her and thinking about the kitchen's refusal to accept money. She had just joked about this with Yinzhen at noon, and now the kitchen was refusing to accept money. She had clearly angered him and he had left, but he still brought it up with the kitchen. Yin Qingyi's feelings were complicated at this moment. She really didn't know what to say to this man. He should be disgusted with her right now, but he did this instead.

"Master." Qiuju finished setting out the meal and called softly to Yin Qingyi, who was staring blankly at the food.

"Hmm?" Yin Qingyi turned to look at Qiu Ju.

"It's getting a bit chilly today, so this meal is just right. It'll get cold if we wait any longer," Qiuju reminded her.

"Hmm." Yin Qingyi nodded and sat down. Oh well, why think about it? Eating is the most important thing! It would be a waste not to eat all the food we ordered.

"Mmm~ These shrimp are delicious, so bouncy and chewy!" Yin Qingyi couldn't help but exclaim after taking a bite of the shrimp. Sigh, she'd been too stingy before; the expensive dishes just tasted better. But today's dishes were free, yet they were still so delicious. It seemed she could order them often; since they were free, she didn't care. Thinking this, Yin Qingyi ate happily, finishing about 70-80% of the four dishes and soup by herself. Luckily, the portions weren't too large, otherwise Yin Qingyi would have felt uncomfortably full.

"Ugh, I'm full." Yin Qingyi put down her bowl, burped after the last mouthful of soup, and patted her stomach, feeling satisfied.

“If Your Highness likes it, you can order more tomorrow. Why eat until you’re stuffed? It’s not good for your health.” Granny Qi frowned and looked at Yin Qingyi disapprovingly. She had tried to stop her earlier, but what could she do when her mistress said she wasn’t full? She couldn’t let her mistress go hungry, could she? In the end, she ate until she was stuffed instead of being full.

"Oh dear, I don't usually do this, it's just that the food today is so delicious." Yin Qingyi said coquettishly, pulling on the hand of Granny Naqi.

"Even if it's delicious, you can't do this. Your Highness, you mustn't do this again next time." Granny Naqi couldn't stand Yin Qingyi's coquettishness the most; she was helpless when Yin Qingyi acted coquettishly.

"Okay, I'll listen to you, Granny." Yin Qingyi looked sincerely at Granny Qi with her fox-like eyes.

"Sigh, if only you would listen to this old servant." Granny Naqi smiled helplessly.

Yin Qingyi smiled but didn't say anything, knowing that if she continued, the conversation would inevitably turn to Yinzhen again, so it was better not to say anything.

Seeing this, Granny Qi knew that Yin Qingyi was avoiding the topic. She sighed inwardly. Sometimes her mistress was just too stubborn. Even if she spoke, it would be useless. It was better not to say anything to avoid upsetting her mistress.

After taking a walk in the courtyard to digest her food, Yin Qingyi went to the west room to play with the children for half an hour before coming out. The nights at the end of September were cold, and it would be even colder if there was a wind. Yin Qingyi tightened her cloak and looked at the courtyard gate. It was so late, so Yinzhen must have already gone to someone else's room to rest.

Yin Qingyi suppressed the stinging in her eyes. She had to get used to it. Yinzhen already had so many women even now that he was a prince; there would only be more when he became emperor. If she were jealous of everyone, she might really die of jealousy. So, Yin Qingyi, she had to keep her heart in check and not expect things she shouldn't! It was good enough to live a good life with the children from now on. As for whether Yinzhen came or not, if he came, she would serve him; if he didn't, she would stay by herself. After all, she had to live; she still had her brother.

"The wind is so strong, what are you doing standing there like an idiot in the courtyard instead of coming in?" Yinzhen's voice suddenly rang out from behind Yin Qingyi.

Yin Qingyi was startled by the sudden appearance of someone behind her. Since she was standing on the steps, she lost her footing and was about to have her face make intimate contact with the ground. Just as Yin Qingyi reached out to brace herself, Yinzhen reached out from behind and put his arm around her waist, thus preventing Yin Qingyi from injuring her hand.

"You're such a grown woman, and you get scared by the slightest noise! ​​And you still dare to stand here in the dark." Yinzhen's voice carried a hint of tension, which stemmed from the fright he felt when he saw Yin Qingyi fall. He held Yin Qingyi's waist tightly, afraid that the little woman in his arms might lose her balance again; he wasn't always able to react so quickly.

"Master?" Yin Qingyi did not see Yinzhen's face, but only felt his presence and broad chest.

"Hmm." When Yinzhen saw Yin Qingyi speak, he knew that this little woman would no longer be frightened by him. He released his arms from Yin Qingyi, and felt a little reluctant as his hands left her waist.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be..." Yin Qingyi turned around in confusion to look at Yinzhen behind her. Although it was dark, it wasn't as pitch black as Yinzhen had described. There were still some lights on, just not very bright, so Yin Qingyi could clearly see Yinzhen and his face. She clearly saw the darkening look on Yinzhen's face when she asked the question, and wisely, she didn't continue.

"Where should I be?" Yinzhen asked coldly. He really wanted to open this woman's head and see what she was thinking all day long! Other women wished he would visit them every day, but this woman, every time he came, she would ask him why he was there. Why was he there? Of course he was there because he missed her, not because he missed all the servants in this courtyard!

"No, it was I who overstepped my bounds. It is your freedom to go wherever you want, and I have no right to interfere." Yin Qingyi pursed her lips, knowing in her heart that she shouldn't say such things, but she just couldn't control her mouth.

Yinzhen stared intently at Yin Qingyi. Then, to Yin Qingyi's surprise, he scooped her up and carried her to the main room.

"Get out!" Yinzhen roared in a low voice as he strode inside.

The servants in the room immediately withdrew completely. Although they were worried about their master, their lives were more important at the moment. They figured their master wouldn't treat them like that, since they had all been carried in.