“Its efficacy cannot be measured by money.” Youth has always been priceless, and women surely understand this principle most deeply.

Speaking of this, Feng Miaojun examined her foster mother closely and found that Madam Xu’s eyes were gentle and moist, her complexion evenly rosy. Though already in her thirties, she looked even younger than she had three years ago.

Knowing that Madam Xu was doing well, Feng Miaojun felt relieved. She then handed over several more medicinal formulas and a box of purple-gold sand to Madam Xu. The uses of the formulas needed no explanation—they would give Renhe Hall more signature pills and ointments. As for the purple gold sand… this substance could increase the success rate of crafting high-level magical tools and was several times more valuable than gold. Before fleeing Jin Capital, Feng Miaojun had converted most of her assets into purple gold sand for easier transport, and the total was only two boxes.

“If my estimate is correct, Wei is about to deploy troops, and Yao Kingdom will soon be engulfed in war,” she warned Madam Xu and Peng Bai.

“We already know,” Madam Xu’s joyful expression slowly faded. “A few days ago, news arrived that Cliff Mountain had turned into an erupting volcano. The grain prices in Yinzi immediately rose by ten percent, while tea and silk fabric increased most sharply, by over twenty percent. This is partly because the trade route through Cliff Mountain has been cut off, and partly because everyone fears war is coming.”

She and the Feng business had only just gained a foothold in the Yao Kingdom, and now great waves were about to come again. Madam Xu sighed deeply, “Is there no peaceful place under heaven?”

Feng Miaojun said seriously: “Such is the world. The Feng business must plan. Once war breaks out, business will inevitably be affected. We cannot profit from war, so we should move our business to peaceful places, like the Jin Kingdom or the Taoyuan Territory in northern Yan.”

To profit from war, one needed first-rate power and connections. Such business was mostly monopolized by large financial consortiums, not something small independent merchants could do. The Feng business had seen progress, but it couldn’t be compared with those aristocratic merchant families that had operated for hundreds of years. It was better to be sensible and avoid being torn apart in the storm.

Madam Xu was silent for a moment before saying: “I’ve heard of the Taoyuan Territory. Legend has it that the place is jointly managed by more than ten immortal cultivation sects, not controlled by royalty or nobility, allowing city-states to develop freely—a paradise for merchants. But to get there from here requires crossing the ocean… why does An’an still favor the Jin Kingdom?”

Madam Xu had never been to Jin, so Feng Miaojun patiently explained: “The southern part of Jin has a humid climate and is a famous land of fish and rice. The middle and northern parts have many mountains and mines, making them rich in resources. Jin’s location is excellent, with the sea to the south and east, and the White Elephant Mountain Range to the west—all difficult-to-cross natural barriers. If enemies want to attack, they can only invade from the northern An Xia region. As you know, although An Xia has fallen, its territories do not obey the King of Wei, so the possibility of Wei’s army using it as a springboard to attack Jin is very small.”

She paused, then continued: “With such geographical advantages, Jin doesn’t need to station large numbers of troops. Therefore, it has implemented policies for recovery, with light taxes and levies for twelve consecutive years, encouraging the accumulation of private wealth. I think if we were to establish roots there, we might avoid the mainland’s turmoil and maintain our business for longer.” However, she also smiled bitterly, “Of course, these considerations are based on the current situation. In recent years, Wei has been making moves repeatedly, often affecting the world’s situation, changing policies overnight. Although Yan and Pu are at war now, they are separated by the White Sea, so they won’t affect us for the time being.”

Madam Xu remained silent for a long time. Though she was focused on expanding and strengthening the Feng business, she also knew that family and national fortunes were linked—if the country declined, how could individual families remain intact?

Peng Bai, who had been standing to one side, suddenly came forward and knelt before Feng Miaojun: “Peng Bai has committed a wrongdoing, please punish me, Princess.”

Feng Miaojun frowned. He hadn’t called her “Princess” for a long time. Suddenly reverting to this formal address meant that this “wrongdoing” was not small.

To her surprise, Madam Xu pursed her lips and said in a low voice: “What are you doing? Get up quickly!”

Her voice was somewhat anxious and displeased.

Peng Bai didn’t move, still kneeling firmly on the ground. Feng Miaojun’s eyes darted around, but she didn’t rush to ask him to rise: “Tell me, what have you done to wrong me!”

Peng Bai: “…”

Madam Xu said disapprovingly: “Child, how can you speak like that?”

Feng Miaojun narrowed her eyes slightly. This seemed a bit off. Why was her foster mother speaking up for Peng Bai? Could it be…

Her pretty face darkened, and Feng Miaojun’s tone grew cold: “Give me an honest account!”

Peng Bai bowed again before speaking: “The Feng business only entered Yinzi City earlier this year, and Madam Xu and I came along. Business is good in the capital, so we set up the headquarters of Feng business here. Madam Xu manages the business and often has to appear in public to handle matters. Over time, she inevitably encounters people with ill intentions. Three months ago, someone even put drugs in her wine.”

Feng Miaojun frowned: “And you did nothing?”

Her foster mother’s beautiful face had always brought her many troubles. Back in Zi County, it was manageable—the Feng business was influential, with good relations with officials, so while many coveted her, few dared to make a move. But Yao Capital was different; the waters ran deep here. You could throw a brick and hit the successor of a noble family. The Feng business was far from being a dragon crossing the river; it wasn’t even a sturgeon, at most a tiny shrimp. One dark current could sweep it into a bottomless abyss.

In such situations, Feng Miaojun’s approach was “If you can’t beat them, don’t play their game.” Since she had her force at her disposal, how could she stick to conventional rules?

Madam Xu exclaimed: “An’an, don’t blame him. I’m fine, and Peng Bai has already dealt with that person.”

“No lingering problems?”

Both Peng Bai and Madam Xu shook their heads.

If they hadn’t handled it cleanly, the Feng business wouldn’t have developed so well. Feng Miaojun smiled: “So you’ve improved at handling troublemakers. Then what wrongdoing are you guilty of?”

Madam Xu rushed to answer again: “This was my idea, An’an, don’t blame him. As a woman alone running a business in Yao Capital, it’s not safe, so…” her cheeks flushed red, but she continued, “so I arranged for Peng Bai to take the name Yuan Shan and pose as my… my fake husband!”

Feng Miaojun raised an eyebrow, staring steadily at Peng Bai with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes: “Just a fake husband, hmm?” Seeing Madam Xu’s expression earlier, she had a vague premonition, and now that she heard it, it was exactly as she suspected!

She didn’t show great shock, which made Madam Xu feel somewhat better. Peng Bai spoke earnestly: “I only pretend to be Feng Yuan Shan in front of outsiders, treating Madam Xu with respect, never laying a finger on her. If I speak one word of falsehood, may I die a horrible death!”

Between him and Madam Xu, everything was pure and proper. Feng Miaojun hummed in acknowledgment, her expression softening slightly: “Is there anything else?”

Was this matter settled so easily? From Peng Bai’s understanding of Feng Miaojun, she couldn’t be so agreeable. He steadied himself: “There is. Although I posed as Feng Yuan Shan to shield Madam Xu from many troubles, one and a half months ago, the head of the Southern City Guards, General Xu Lin, happened to see Madam Xu at a banquet. At that time, he spoke disrespectfully to her, and even after learning that Madam Xu was already married to Feng, he continued to harass her.”