Once the valve of memory was activated, several scenes flashed through his mind like a lantern show: Sheng Long Pool, Zi County magistrate’s office, the revived Old Lady Wang, the teleportation formation on the earthen embankment in Ju Ping Village, and the peculiarity he had sensed at that time…

And right, Mo Ti Zhun as well!

Yun Ya suddenly opened his eyes, a cold light flashing in his pupils.

He remembered now. Mo Ti Zhun had set up the Mountain Moving Formation in Ju Ping Village, originally intended to seize the dragon pearl during the ascension of the giant turtle dragon, but he missed the timing and Yun Ya had claimed it first.

Afterward, he had fought with Mo Ti Zhun, confirming the formation was his doing, and hadn’t suspected anything else.

Feng Miao Jun from Cai Xing City was the young girl Mo Ti Zhun had taken from Ju Ping Village back then. What was Mo Ti Zhun’s intention? Was it truly just a recognition of talent?

At that time, the girl hadn’t seemed particularly special—the only daughter of a local small merchant, father deceased and mother widowed. When she saw him at the Zi County magistrate’s office, she had been timid, not even daring to raise her head.

Wait a moment. The criminal in that murder case had dared to stop Xiao Yan’s carriage in the street to complain, claiming—

Remnants of the An Dynasty!

“Crack.” His hand tightened, unexpectedly breaking off a corner of the table.

“Send a messenger at full speed to investigate a case in Zi County,” Yun Ya said to Lu Ming, enunciating each word. “The case of Old Lady Wang that occurred in Ju Ping Village during the summer and autumn three years ago. I remember the murderer was eventually identified as Old Lady Wang’s son. Have someone bring me the complete case files, and while they’re at it, look into the current situation of the accused party.”

Lu Ming accepted the order and left.

The distance to Zi County wasn’t far, and Grand State Preceptor Yun’s urgent confidential order was relayed by express horsemen at the relay stations. Thus, in just five days, the intelligence he requested was placed before him.

He had been involved in this case three years ago but hadn’t paid much attention to it, only now examining the details closely. Yun Ya discovered that he might have overlooked something.

With his extensive knowledge and experience, after clarifying the whole story, he found himself questioning: There was no doubt that Zhao Da Zhao was the murderer—he had personally identified him by summoning Old Lady Wang’s soul using the resurrection technique. But was the accused Feng family truly so innocent?

It seemed not, because the witness in the case, the cook Hu Ping, disappeared a few days later and was never seen again. And the accused, Feng Miao Jun and her mother Xu, subsequently left Ju Ping Village and never returned. The intelligence report stated clearly that the Feng business had soon sold off its local properties, indicating that the mother and daughter had packed up and fled.

If they had nothing to hide, why secretly slip away?

He shouldn’t have remembered a small place like Ju Ping Village. But this time it involved the giant turtle, Mo Ti Zhun, a case full of questions, and a mother-daughter pair implicated in it all.

“Where did they relocate their Feng business? Also in Cai Xing City?”

Lu Ming hesitated slightly: “This… may take some time to discover.” How many businesses in the world were called “Feng’s”? Probably more than two hundred hands could count!

Yun Ya paced back and forth in the room, feeling that a thought was about to emerge, but when he tried to grasp it, he found no starting point.

He must have missed something. Theoretically, there should be a thread that ties all these events together.

It had been a long time since he had experienced such a strong intuition. It seemed that clarifying this matter would unlock a great secret, and this secret was related to him.

Moreover, there was that troublesome thing in his dantian.

If he couldn’t find clues, then he would have to find—

Yun Ya stopped walking and turned to Lu Ming: “After we withdraw to Wei territory, I will be leaving. If anyone asks, tell them I’ve gone into seclusion.”

Seclusion again! This excuse was becoming worn out; otherwise, it would be that his heart condition had flared up and he was bedridden. Among the State Preceptors of the other five countries, was there anyone more frail than his master? “Where will you be going?”

“To clear my mind.” Yun Ya’s smile was like a spring breeze caressing the shore, but to Lu Ming, it was full of cunning. “These days I’ve been entangled in military affairs, utterly exhausted. You know my body is weak and needs frequent rest to recuperate.” For the past few days, he had been tied to the main camp by military duties. Now that the battle wasn’t happening, couldn’t he take a break?

Time and again, it was Lu Ming who had to clean up the mess and face questioning. He felt like he was about to develop a heart condition himself: “What if His Majesty asks about you?”

“Then I’m still in seclusion. Send him what he wants, and he won’t care whether I’m in seclusion or traveling.” Yun Ya patted his shoulder with a smile. “Don’t worry, Yao wouldn’t dare to attack now.”

Lu Ming said dryly: “But… but at the royal court…” With the withdrawal of troops, the censors at the Wei court would be like chickens injected with blood, waiting to submit memorials criticizing the State Preceptor. Yet his master didn’t even plan to return to court to defend himself, directly planning to disappear.

Yun Ya smiled meaningfully: “My taking this loss will bring joy to many. I’ll let them be happy for a while, and the King can also be more at ease.” In recent days, he had already attracted enough attention.

Lu Ming could only respond with a “Yes.”

After Miao Feng Xian left Cai Xing City, Princess Han Yue came to see Feng Miao Jun again.

The movements of the Second Prince of Yao were closely watched by many, and the news that he had visited the Feng residence couldn’t escape the eyes of the palace people. Fortunately, he had a legitimate reason for expressing gratitude for saving his life, and his stay at the Feng residence hadn’t been long.

Princess Han Yue was nibbling on a salt-brined peach as she asked: “What did he want with you?”

It was now the season when honey peaches larger than fists were coming to market. The mother from Feng Miao Jun’s previous life was most skilled at pickling salt-brined peaches, and having eaten them since childhood, she knew the method by heart. These peaches required a special sour plum soup, mixed with salt, water, and sugar in specific proportions to make the pickling liquid, then firm peaches were scrubbed and soaked in it, hence they were also called “washed peaches.”

The key to success lies entirely in the proportions of the pickling liquid. The peach Princess Han Yue was eating was lustrous and full, tangy and sweet, with the fresh fragrance of plums. She unknowingly finished one and was reaching for a second.

Feng Miao Jun lightly tapped her small hand: “Finish this one and you won’t need lunch. My cook will thank you.” She then explained Miao Feng Xian’s visit, without a single false word.

It was better to be forthright about such matters. If Princess Han Yue blamed her for this, there was nothing she could do.

Sure enough, after hearing it, Princess Han Yue froze for a long while, even putting aside the peach, pointing at her and saying: “You… you…”

Feng Miao Jun waited.

“You usually seem so clever, why did you suddenly act foolishly!” The princess was deeply distressed. “Such a good opportunity, why did you refuse!”

“I… why did I refuse?” This time it was Feng Miao Jun’s turn to freeze, unusually repeating the princess’s words mechanically.

The princess wasn’t following the expected script. What happened to the jealous outburst? What happened to “how could you let someone else sleep at the side of my bed”?

“Yes, why did you refuse!” Princess Han Yue was so angry her beautiful face changed color.