Her thoughts had been active these past few days, and she had already decided to leave. How could she possibly marry into Cai Xing City?

“Miao Jun has no interest in you. If Your Highness still remembers the life-saving favor I did for you, please do not mention this again.” She stood up to dismiss him. “The Princess is generous and forthright, worthy of Your Highness’s good treatment.” In this world, not to mention nobles, even wealthy merchants could take several concubines. Miao Feng Xian’s thinking wasn’t unusual—she was the one out of the mainstream.

Miao Feng Xian looked carefully into her eyes and indeed saw only coldness, without a trace of affection for him. He couldn’t help feeling dejected as he stood up and said, “Miss Feng should rest now. I won’t disturb you further. If you change your mind, no matter when, I would happily welcome you.” Not wanting to hear any more resolute refusals, he said goodbye and turned to leave.

But when he reached the garden entrance, he suddenly stopped and said in a deep voice: “You saved me, so you should be wary of the Wei people.”

With that, he strode away.

Feng Miao Jun’s slender finger tapped on the stone table: “Clear this away and bring jasmine tea.”

A maid came up to replace it with steaming fresh tea, filling the pavilion with fragrance.

Feng Miao Jun blew away the steam and took a gentle sip. Miao Feng Xian’s words had their reasoning. In truth, this man’s appearance, character, and status all suited her taste. If not for Princess Han Yue, she might have been willing to give it a try.

Of course, there are no “ifs” in this world.

This interlude was merely a minor detail to her, quickly forgotten. Instead, it was Miao Feng Xian’s final words before leaving that caught her attention.

Calculating the time, Wei should have received news of Huang Qiu Wei’s death by now. How would Yun Ya react to the death of his Modya general?

This time, she was in the open.

Feng Miao Jun let out a soft sigh.

Her prediction was correct. That afternoon, the news reached Qu Pass in Yao country.

Qu Pass city was too small to accommodate a large army, so Yun Ya simply set up the main camp in Kai County inside the pass, while he temporarily stayed in a local wealthy merchant’s mansion.

Yun Ya was resting with his eyes closed when some noises came from the garden outside, mixed with a woman’s voice.

Shortly after, his confidant Lu Ming walked in quietly: “The daughter of this household has come again to bring you desserts. They smell delicious, and we felt bad refusing her.” His master had celestial beauty; even without speaking or smiling, he attracted admirers like bees to honey and butterflies to flowers, never failing.

This wealthy merchant’s mansion had been requisitioned, and while they were angry, they dared not speak out. Who would have thought their daughter would become infatuated after just one glimpse of Yun Ya, repeatedly bringing desserts and sweet soups, just hoping for another look at the great State Preceptor?

“Accept the desserts. She’s your problem, just deal with it cleanly before the army departs,” Yun Ya said without looking up. “What news?”

Lu Ming’s smile faded: “Miao Feng Xian was severely wounded but did not die. Our operation failed. Yao has already allied with Jin to jointly deal with us, and the Jin King will soon marry Princess Han Yue to Miao Feng Xian.”

Yun Ya slowly opened his eyes: “Where is Huang Qiu Wei?” If the mission failed, the Jing Jing beast should have come to him to admit fault. He understood the creature’s temperament—it would never leave without saying goodbye.

Lu Ming hesitated but still mustered the courage to say: “He died during the operation. Now both Yao and Jin know it was you who made the move.” He waved in two men who knelt before Yun Ya and did not rise. “Lord Huang took seven people with him, only these two returned alive.”

Yun Ya frowned, imposing without anger: “Did Huang Qiu Wei die at Mo Ti Zhun’s hands?”

“The Mo State Preceptor didn’t appear. It was his third disciple Feng Miao Jun who happened to pass by and intervened, saving Miao Feng Xian and also…” Lu Ming cleared his throat, “…also killing Lord Huang.”

Yun Ya finally showed surprise: “Mo Ti Zhun’s third disciple?”

“She’s a young girl, only fifteen this year.” Lu Ming gestured to the two kneeling beside him. He also found this matter too strange to believe without evidence, so he brought witnesses for Yun Ya to question directly. “Your turn.”

The two men recounted the pursuit of Miao Feng Xian, not omitting how Huang Qiu Wei was ultimately captured and killed by Miao and Feng. Yun Ya asked about several details, especially the time of the battle, and pondered for a good while before saying: “Mo Ti Zhun replaced a disciple only three and a half years ago, and now she can kill a Jing Jing beast?”

There weren’t many State Preceptors in the world, and they all paid close attention to each other. The news that Mo Ti Zhun had lost a disciple and swiftly taken a new one had been known to the State Preceptors three years ago, but when they heard he had taken in an orphan girl, they didn’t think much of it.

Just a disciple, after all.

Now it seemed there might be something interesting there.

Lu Ming had already compiled intelligence beforehand and continued: “According to reports, she’s from Tian Shui Village. More than three years ago, Mo Ti Zhun’s third disciple died suddenly, and State Preceptor Mo took her as a disciple, bringing her to Cai Xing City, after which the Jin King bestowed rewards. These past few years she has been living in the Jin capital, owns some properties, rarely associates with the nobility, but is good friends with Princess Han Yue.”

Rarely associating with nobility was necessary to avoid suspicion as a disciple of the State Preceptor; her friendship with Princess Han Yue was inconsequential, as the princess would eventually marry and leave Cai Xing City.

Yun Ya said softly: “The sudden death of Mo Ti Zhun’s original third disciple was always somewhat suspicious.” It happened right after his battle with Mo Ti Zhun. So Mo Ti Zhun had taken on a new disciple at that time.

With his disciple’s body barely cold, why did he immediately take Feng Miao Jun to fill his position? Was her talent exceptional, or were there some secrets that couldn’t see the light of day?

He tapped the table with his slender fingers, and Lu Ming knew this was his thinking gesture, not daring to disturb him. Then he heard him murmur: “Feng Miao Jun, this name sounds familiar, as if I’ve heard it somewhere before.”

This was something Lu Ming naturally couldn’t answer.

Feng Miao Jun had been living in seclusion in the Jin capital these past few years, really without much presence, so there wasn’t much intelligence about her. Yun Ya pondered for a moment but still couldn’t place it, so he had to set it aside for now.

Lu Ming seized the opportunity: “This news will reach the Wei capital in a few days at most. What are your plans?”

“Plans for what?” Yun Ya stroked his chin and said casually, “Withdraw the troops.”

“Withdraw?” Lu Ming was stunned. “Won’t you wait for royal orders? If we withdraw now, those officials in the Wei court will criticize you again.”

“Haven’t you heard that a general in the field may sometimes disobey the sovereign’s orders?” Yun Ya tossed a command token to him. “The beast has been dealt with, what reason is there to continue occupying these cities?” The Wei army had advanced this far under the pretext of pursuing a great beast, but to go any further would be an actual invasion, with no justifiable cause.

Yao had already issued two ultimatums, and their army had begun to mobilize, ready for battle.

The Yao King had a bad temper. If the Wei army delayed for a few more days, it might become difficult to withdraw at all, and they would have to fight a hard battle.

What would be the point? They had already obtained what they wanted, so why not quit while they were ahead?

His master was still so willful. Lu Ming responded with a pained “Yes,” then asked: “For the withdrawal route, will we still pass through Tian Shui to enter the border, and then take the road through Ju Ping Village?”

“Leave ten thousand troops at the border as a precaution against Yao retaliation, withdraw the Ju Ping Village garrison to the second line, and have the other forces return to their original areas…” At this point, Yun Ya suddenly stopped a flash of insight in his mind.

Ju Ping Village?

Of course! He had previously thought the name “Feng Miao Jun” sounded familiar, and its origin was in Ju Ping Village!