"You're too kind," Shen Qingqing replied dismissively.
Pei Lie chuckled, "This isn't just politeness; he's truly grateful. And I believe you deserve this drink."
Shen Qingqing shot him a glare. "Why are you joining the fun too?"
"I'm not joining the fun; I'm genuinely thankful." Pei Lie glanced at his mother, his heart filled with contentment seeing her well. "I don't want anything now, just for my mother to be safe and sound. If not for your help, who knows what would have happened."
Pei Xi's poison was so potent that even a hospital might not have been able to cure it.
He was truly grateful to Shen Qingqing.
With those words, Shen Qingqing found it difficult to refuse, so she raised her glass. "I accept your gratitude."
The Queen was unwell, and Pei Ji was injured, so they both drank beverages.
Everyone else downed their drinks in one go.
"I specifically asked them to prepare these according to your tastes," Pei Xing declared with a wave of his hand. "Everyone, don't hold back today; eat to your heart's content. From now on, we are all one family."
Shen Qingqing took a bite of meat and found the taste quite good. "This is so delicious, I almost want to take your chef back with me."
"If you like it," Pei Xing said generously.
"Thank you."
Shen Qingqing raised her glass and smiled.
After a few rounds of drinks, a slight flush appeared on Pei Xing's face. He was a little drunk. "Miss Shen, actually, there's something else I wanted to discuss with you today."
"Please, go ahead."
"You've been troubled by so many things happening here recently; I feel quite bad about it." Pei Xing put down his wine glass, a hint of guilt on his face. "Now that I am king, I will handle the investigation. You can leave it to me."
Shen Qingqing raised an eyebrow. Was he trying to get rid of her?
Pei Xing was sharp and immediately understood her thoughts. "I absolutely have no intention of asking you to leave. I know you're eager to return to your country, but you've been held up here by our affairs. Miss Shen, I don't know if there's a time limit for your return, but I don't want you to delay your own matters because of us."
He was genuinely thinking of her well-being.
Shen Qingqing fell silent.
Pei Lie, Pei Ji, and the Queen were also silent. Their selfishness had kept her here.
But after days of investigation yielding no results, the situation had reached a stalemate. They couldn't keep Shen Qingqing here any longer.
The Queen smiled gently. "He's right; you should indeed be going back."
Pei Lie added, "You've been away for too long. Haven't you been wanting to go back and save someone? Hurry back, save the person you need to save, and you're always welcome to visit us again."
Shen Qingqing checked the date. Three days had already passed, and with the deadline approaching, she really had to leave.
After dinner, she packed her luggage. Fu Jingshu had also booked two plane tickets for two hours later.
The old man and King stood at the doorway, watching Shen Qingqing busy herself in the room.
"So soon?"
"You're leaving on a whim." King had already prepared himself for their departure, but he still felt a sense of loss. Separation wasn't something everyone could bear.
The old man was particularly reluctant.
All his possessions were in this country, and he wouldn't leave. Shen Qingqing's family was in Hua Xia.
The old man rambled, "I don't know when I'll be able to see you again. Before you come next time, be sure to call me. I'll prepare some gifts for you."
Shen Qingqing, who was folding clothes, looked up. "Prepare what gifts? We're family. If you miss me, you can always come to find me or call me. I'll bring the children to see you."
She thought of something and said, "Oh, right, you haven't met them yet. They're both very cute children. You're their grandpa."
The old man puffed up his chest proudly. "I dislike children the most."
As soon as he said that, he paused and then awkwardly added, "Call me before you come. I'll prepare some gifts for them. But don't misunderstand; those are gifts people have given me that I don't need."
Shen Qingqing suppressed a smile. "Okay."
She didn't want to expose him. Who would give gifts for children to a solitary old man?
When the luggage was all packed, they were about to head to the airport. King, Pei Ji, and Pei Lie specially came to the airport to see them off.
"My second brother also wanted to come, but given his current status, it's not very convenient to travel, and he has too many things to handle," Pei Lie explained.
Pei Ji smiled. "But our second brother asked us to convey his wishes for a safe journey to you."
Shen Qingqing nodded. "Please thank him on my behalf."
"It's time to go," Fu Jingshu reminded her, checking the time.
King gazed at them and handed them a large package. "This is the old man's gift for you. Little apprentice, you must take good care of yourself when you get back."
It wasn't safe abroad, and it wasn't necessarily safe domestically either, especially with so many bad people surrounding her.
"Don't worry," Shen Qingqing said with a confident smile. "What kind of person could harm me?"
"Very impressive. I expected nothing less from my disciple." King gave her a thumbs-up and smiled. "Since you're so confident, I won't worry about you. I won't be accompanying you back this time."
"Alright, call me if anything comes up."
"No problem."
Pei Ji looked reluctant. "You must call me next time you visit. I'll arrange the best rooms for you."
He thought Shen Qingqing probably didn't like staying in the palace, and she had only stayed there for convenience during the investigation. Given her personality, she would likely prefer the freedom of the seaside or scenic spots.
"Then it's settled," Shen Qingqing said with a carefree smile.
Just as they were about to leave, her grandmother and aunt arrived.
Her aunt was there to see them off, while her grandmother would be leaving with Shen Qingqing.
After spending some time together, the mother-daughter relationship had softened. While not yet intimate, there was a hint of reluctance at their parting.
After the mother and daughter said their goodbyes, Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu, supporting her grandmother, walked towards the boarding gate.
Pei Lie, his brother, and King stood there for a long, long time until they saw a plane rise from the ground and slowly ascend into the clouds before finally turning to leave.
After more than two hours, the plane landed. The moment Shen Qingqing stepped onto the soil, she couldn't help but take a deep breath.
She found the air fresh and everything peaceful.
"Qingqing, I've been away from home for too long. I need to go back and check on things," the old lady said to her with a kind smile. "Do you want to come with me?"