When the large group returned in grand style to the outer perimeter of the hunting ground, there were many more hunting trophies in tow.
Among them was that black bear with a peculiarly tragic death.
Chu Qing cast a glance at the bear's carcass, her heart filled with complex emotions.
She truly had an inescapable fateful bond with bears. In her past life, a bear died because of her, and it was the same in this life. In the next life... if possible, she hoped those bears would be more sensible and stay far away from her!
Those who had remained in the outer - perimeter camp were all amazed when they saw this and immediately asked what had happened.
Except for the emperor, everyone else was still in a state of lingering fear. So the emperor vividly recounted what had just taken place.
While everyone was praising Wei Ying, they also didn't forget to compliment the emperor on his courage and so on.
Only Chu Qing and Wei Ying remained cold - faced. Both of them were quietly sizing up everyone who had surrounded them.
However, they didn't notice anyone with a strange look in their eyes or an odd expression on their face.
Seeing this, Wei Ying squinted his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Is everyone here?"
Someone immediately flattered him and replied, "Your Highness, some of the female relatives are too timid to watch the bloody scene, so they didn't come."
The prince still nodded expressionlessly and then took Chu Qing back to their tent.
When Lvluo and Liuxin saw Chu Qing return, they welcomed her.
At this moment, Chu Qing looked a bit... downcast. Lvluo quickly asked, "My lady, what happened to you?"
Instead of answering Lvluo's question first, Chu Qing asked straightforwardly, "Lvluo, did you make that sachet you gave me by yourself?"
Seeing Chu Qing's complex expression, Lvluo was a bit puzzled but still replied frankly, "My lady, this slave is not that meticulous. Please punish this slave. This sachet was obtained by this slave from elsewhere. I heard that there are many mosquitoes and insects in the mountains and forests, and this sachet can repel them."
After hearing this, Chu Qing curled her lips into a very cold smile. "Repel mosquitoes and insects? Indeed. It attracted that black bear. Isn't that a way to repel mosquitoes and insects?"
"What! That black bear was... attracted by that sachet?!" Lvluo had naturally heard of the heroic deeds of her master and mistress. Who would have thought that the black bear was attracted by something on her mistress!
If... her mistress was still like before, or if the prince wasn't around...
The consequences were simply unimaginable!
Lvluo was filled with dread, and her eyes instantly turned red. "This slave is stupid! Please punish this slave severely!"
With that, Lvluo knelt on the ground with a thud.
Chu Qing just gave Lvluo a dark look and didn't reach out to help her up.
It was really time for this silly girl to learn a lesson. Otherwise, one day she might indirectly cause her death!
"Where did you get this sachet?" Chu Qing continued to ask.
Hearing Chu Qing's question, Lvluo, who was kneeling on the ground, immediately replied, "It was given by a little maid..."
"Given by a little maid?" Chu Qing frowned.
"This slave went to get something for you. I saw a group of people gathered around... so I curiously went up to take a look. Then I saw a girl looking like a maid distributing something there. This slave asked around... and found out that it was a sachet that could repel mosquitoes and insects. Many ladies and young misses came for this hunting trip. They are all delicate. Those who didn't bring sachets went to ask her for one, and she gave them all. " At this point, Lvluo choked with sobs and continued in a low voice, "Then this slave thought that you might need one too... so I... also asked for one."
If all the female relatives present had one, then... why was there something extra added to hers?
Chu Qing's face still looked gloomy. "Did you say who you were?"
Lvluo bit her lip. Knowing that she had made a big mistake this time, she didn't dare to hide anything at all. She said, "This slave... was afraid that there would be none left... so I said that I was your personal maid..."
"Lvluo!" Hearing this, Chu Qing's voice carried a bit of anger.
Seeing this, Liuxin, who had been silent on the side, quickly knelt down and pleaded for Lvluo, saying, "Please forgive this slave, my lady! Sister Lvluo was also thinking about you. She has always been like this. She didn't think too much. This slave was also there and didn't stop her in time. So this slave hopes that you will punish this slave as well."
Chu Qing was so angry that she laughed instead. These two girls had a good relationship now!
But thinking about it carefully, Liuxin's words made sense.
Lvluo had followed her from the Chu family to the Prince Ning's Mansion. From the memories left by the previous Chu Qing, Lvluo had always been loyal to her. So it was impossible for her to betray her.
Moreover, Lvluo's personality was indeed like this.
It could be said nicely as innocent and simple, but not so nicely as stupid and brainless!
Well, well. One had to bear with one's own silly maid, didn't one!
Chu Qing withdrew the anger that she had inadvertently shown. Although she was standing above Lvluo, her tone was a bit more gentle.
"Lvluo, do you know which mansion that girl belongs to?"
Hearing this, Lvluo racked her brains for a while and then suddenly raised her head and said, "My lady! This slave remembers! That maid belongs to... a Lady Zhaoyi in the palace..."
"Lady Zhaoyi?" Chu Qing was a bit incredulous.
"Two Lady Zhaoyis came from the palace. Which one are you talking about?"
"The Lady Gu Zhaoyi. Everyone praises her for being considerate."
Chu Qing's face looked even worse.
If it were someone else, there might be some reason to harm her.
But this one... Did she think that she had become a strong competitor for her?
Wei Ying, who had been silently listening to everything on the side, was filled with murderous intent in his eyes. When he heard who had distributed the sachets, he turned around and was about to go look for her.
Seeing this, Chu Qing quickly grabbed him and pulled him back.
At this moment, Wei Ying's face was covered with a gloomy expression. He was a bit puzzled as to why Chu Qing had pulled him back.
Chu Qing naturally understood Wei Ying's surprise, so she explained, "Gu Lian should not be the one who wants to harm me."
Wei Ying still didn't understand and signaled with his eyes for her to continue.
Chu Qing sighed softly and said, "I met her in the imperial garden before. She is a smart one. If she really wanted to harm me, she would never have left such an obvious clue so easily."
"So you mean... there is someone else?" Wei Ying frowned.
Chu Qing nodded.