Li Meirong set the cup aside and lightly stroked Snowball's fur in an endearing manner.

"Because they have been kind enough to deliver food and drink for me." she quietly replied.

"That is their honor."

"But-"

Snowball hushed Li Meirong by pressing his paw against her lips.

"Master, your words are supreme and far more precious than gold. Do not offer your gratitude so carelessly in the future." As he spoke his eyes glowed yellow, sharp and scorching.

The Xiao twins both nodded solemnly in agreement.

"The fox spirit is right, My Lady. Take care with your words."

Li Meirong unconsciously bit her lip. She couldn't help but feel a bit wronged. She never thought she'd be reprimanded for saying something as simple as 'thank you'. She had never been scolded for being polite to someone before.

At first, she wanted to disprove Snowball's claim. Yet the solemn look the fox spirit gave her, and the way he explained his reasoning, left her tongue tied.

In her previous life, just as in her current one, Li Meirong had always catered to other people's whims.

At home, she had been quiet and obedient. At school, she had been shy and reserved. At her job, she had worked with her head low. And, in her previous relationships, she had always been the one to compromise.

Even though her soul had transferred into another world, her fundamental traits hadn't changed in the slightest. Her soul was still hers, despite being in a different body. Thus her personality remained the same.

It was only after continuous betrayals, and repeated life threatening encounters, that she had felt herself change slightly. That change stemmed from a will to survive, and her refusal to be stepped on by anyone ever again. But it wasn't as though she had transformed her personality overnight. At the end of the day, she was still the same person. She wasn't heroic, nor hardworking. She wasn't particularly charming, or the type who was able to tackle problems head-on.

Li Meirong knew she was a little meek and reserved in comparison to others. She was raised to show respect to those around her, and she never had any problem doing just that.

However, the way Snowball described her words as 'supreme, and more precious than gold' gave her pause. The fox spirit's explanation was so unlike anything Li Meirong had ever heard before. It made her feel undeniably special, as if she was some lady of great importance. As if even the words she spoke were some sort of privilege to bestow.

Xiao An Fei went to sit beside Li Meirong, bringing the soup for her to drink.

"My Lady, there is nothing wrong with expressing gratitude, but if you say it all the time, it makes us servants feel we are not doing our job very well. Our mistress should hold her head high as an important lady whom others look up to."

"I suppose…" said Li Meirong, a tad uncertain. Despite her affirmation, she never understood the significance that came with becoming a direct disciple to the Bestiary Division's Grandmaster, in addition to her budding relationship with the grandmaster's sole successor, Zhu Qingyue.

Xiao An Fei sighed wistfully.

"It is good that you know this, My Lady," she said, yet couldn't help but ponder in concern. 'Especially once we return to court, Her Ladyship's attitude must undergo a drastic change, at least in front of the other prominent deities of the Heavenly Realm. Her Ladyship's softhearted nature would make her an easy target for the other celestial foxes. It is a good thing our Sovereign Lord has kept his distance from all the available royal goddesses, and solely dotes on his wife. Were he to build a harem for political reasons, the results could be devastating for Her Ladyship...'

Snowball nudged the nourishing soup bowl towards Li Meirong.

"Do not forget to drink while it is still warm."

"Alright, I'll listen to my little Snowball." Li Meirong's clear eyes curved into crescents at the fox spirit's words. She obediently finished drinking the entire bowl.

Snowball tapped on Li Meirong's wrist with his pink paw pad, his large almond eyes overflowing with tenderness. "Good girl."