Her first request had been for free access to Yanhai Tower to read books, which had already been granted. So, one request remained.

Mo Tichun weighed his words carefully and said softly: “It’s best not to.”

After these four words were spoken, he saw Feng Miaojun’s expression turn dejected. Such a look didn’t suit that small face more beautiful than flowers, and Mo Tichun instinctively wanted to offer comfort.

But he restrained himself and said gently: “Under my tutelage, you could only remain a commoner for life. Why not seek a better opportunity? The future may yet allow you to serve as a general or minister.”

He had refused her. Feng Miaojun felt deeply disappointed.

To be fair, during these three years, Mo Tichun had treated her quite well. Apart from not personally teaching her mystical techniques, he had tacitly permitted her various conveniences and didn’t object to her parading around under the banner of the State Preceptor’s distinguished disciple. But she clearly understood the calculations of the King of Jin and Grand Preceptor Mo.

She had asked this question to find out whether Mo Tichun could sincerely accept her into his school, whether she could abandon her former identity and become an ordinary cultivator, living well in Jin Kingdom. After all, she truly loved the ancient and beautiful Caixing City.

But even with her remaining request, Mo Tichun couldn’t do it. From the moment he brought her back to Jin’s capital, from the moment she stood before the King of Jin, her destiny was no longer entirely her own.

Feng Miaojun had understood this point clearly and thoroughly when she decided to come to Jin years ago, but that didn’t mean she would allow others to manipulate her.

In her dictionary, there had never been the four words “resign to fate.”

Since Mo Tichun had refused…

Feng Miaojun immediately concealed her emotions and displayed a radiantly beautiful smile: “Very well, if it cannot be, then it cannot be. It’s not a big deal.”

She proactively found a topic and chatted about recent interesting events in Jin’s capital, conversing and laughing as if she had never made that request earlier.

When they reached the palace gate, she bade farewell to Mo Tichun and climbed into her carriage.

With the rhythmic sounds of hoofbeats, she soon disappeared beyond the palace gates.

Along the way, flowers bloomed red and willows grew green, with cicadas singing and birds chirping. Feng Miaojun sat on the couch resting her chin on her palm, watching white cranes flying south in the high sky and hearing the bustling noise of the marketplace, full of vitality.

Suddenly, she lowered the carriage curtain and stopped looking.

This place would never be where she could settle down and establish herself.

Mo Tichun hadn’t moved. He stood on the stone steps with his hands behind his back, gazing thoughtfully at the dust raised on the road. After a while, the slight feelings of regret and melancholy in his heart turned into a sigh, dissipating into the air.

He didn’t reveal this conversation to the King of Jin.

Feng Miaojun had been accustomed to destiny’s refusals in both her lifetimes, so it didn’t take much effort for her to emerge from the shadow of disappointment.

Regardless, she had obtained a rare treasure. Having it securely in hand was the real benefit.

However, before she could even warm up her new weapon, Princess Hanyue came calling, wearing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes: “You saved Miao Fengxian! Don’t you know how much I despise him! Hmph, I’m going to withdraw my investment from Jishi Pharmacy!”

Jishi Pharmacy was Feng Miaojun’s medicine shop, which over these three years had gradually expanded to become a golden goose laying eggs. Feng Miaojun laughed dryly, recalling how much the princess hated arranged marriages. “Have you met the Second Prince of Yao?”

“He was unconscious from severe injuries. I took a quick look while the Imperial Physician was examining him.” Princess Hanyue recalled her fiancé’s pale face and crisscrossing wounds, pouting her small mouth. “He’s not even worthy to polish my Lord Yun Xi’s boots!”

“My lady, please be careful with your words.” Feng Miaojun couldn’t help looking around anxiously. Fortunately, she disliked being waited upon, so there weren’t many servants in her residence. The maids had also withdrawn after serving tea. Otherwise, if the princess’s words got out, it would greatly harm diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“In his injured state, he naturally appears disheveled. Another day, when properly dressed and with better color, he is also quite a remarkable man.” She paused. “People need clothes as horses need saddles. If your Lord Yun Xi were down on his luck, he might not be able to maintain his splendor either.” As she spoke, she crossed her index and middle fingers behind her back, forgiving herself for the lie. That fellow Yun Xi truly defied common sense—even when drenched like a drowned rat in Shenglong Pool, his stunning looks remained undiminished.

Hmph, how could a human compare to a supernatural being?

Princess Hanyue said with a straight face: “Absolutely not! I see you always speaking up for that rough man—could it be you have feelings for him?” She preferred elegant and handsome men, not that crude type.

Feng Miaojun shrugged indifferently: “Indeed.” According to her aesthetic standards, she appreciated dignified and valiant men with strong masculine charm. Miao Fengxian had regular features and a robust physique—without clothes, one could see his well-defined muscles, like walking hormones, exactly the type mature women preferred. She couldn’t help feeling envious: “Good-looking with a nice build—Princess, you’ll be truly blessed in the future.”

Unfortunately, Princess Hanyue couldn’t yet understand the deeper meaning of “blessed.” She slapped the table and glared: “I’ll give this blessing to you! Please marry him in my place!”

Feng Miaojun calmly sipped her tea: “Unfortunately, I’m under the State Preceptor.” As long as her background wasn’t exposed, the title of the State Preceptor’s distinguished disciple could shield her from these troubles. She was only fifteen, still a minor, and could play around for many more years before finding herself a tall and imposing type of man.

Em, perfect!

“Don’t forget, now that the Wei Kingdom has invaded the Yao Kingdom, your Lord Yun Xi is the enemy of your future husband. Which side will you help?” She lazily reminded the princess.

Princess Hanyue was startled: “Wei invaded Yao?”

“Yes, I just heard it from the State Preceptor.” Princess Hanyue lived deep in the palace, so military intelligence wouldn’t reach her so quickly.

Princess Hanyue was stunned for a moment, murmuring: “War has begun.”

She was a princess of the Jin Kingdom. While it was fine to admire her idol in peacetime, when it truly came to taking sides, she still had to stand from Great Jin’s perspective and denounce the opposition. Moreover, she would soon become a royal consort of the Yao Kingdom, and the one Yun Xi was fighting against would be her husband and country.

Feng Miaojun knew she had secretly loved Yun Xi for many years, and a young girl’s feelings were always difficult to let go of. On one side was the person she liked, on the other were her father and country—opposing and irreconcilable, the princess must be feeling terrible. “Considering this, Father will soon marry me off.”

Born as a royal daughter, her understanding of world affairs naturally far exceeded ordinary women, and she immediately realized Miao Fengxian’s purpose in coming to Jin. To show sincerity, the King of Jin would set a wedding date this time, possibly even marrying her to Yao Kingdom within a few months.

Feng Miaojun understood Princess Hanyue’s troubles but could only pat her shoulder in sympathy: “Foreign scenery is also excellent. When I passed through Tianshui in Yao Kingdom, I tasted their fruits, which were delicious and still linger in my memory.” Speaking of this, she suddenly recalled that Yun Xi’s invasion route into the Yao Kingdom was identical to the one she had chosen back then. “By the way, the pineapples and pomegranates on my estate are ripe. I’ll accompany you there to play, and we can pick some to bring back to the palace for the Queen. How about that?”