This has always been the usual tactic of those in power. After all, the people of Yao dislike Wei, but don’t the people of Wei also despise those from Yao?

Looking back, Feng Miao Jun recalled the dismissive attitude Yun Ya had shown when commenting on the Wei envoy. At that time, she had wondered why Wei would send someone as unremarkable as Qi Tian Xing as an envoy to Yao. Weren’t they concerned his crude words might embarrass Wei? Now she understood: since he was only being sent to die, what need was there to select talent? A simpleton was best—his death would save the country some grain.

Yun Ya sighed softly: “What can I do when I am the State Preceptor of Wei? When one holds a position, one must fulfill its duties.” His cloud-like eyes swept across her face. “As for you, since you haven’t pledged allegiance, you remain indecisive.”

Feng Miao Jun had a breath of anger suppressed in her chest, but could only swallow it silently. From Yun Ya’s standpoint, he truly hadn’t done anything wrong—even using every possible scheme was for the sake of his country. And she was about to enter Wei with him, so theoretically, she should be pledging allegiance to Wei.

Of course, she knew deep down that she could never do so.

“What else do you want to ask? Go ahead.” Yun Ya generously beckoned with his finger. “Does Anan want to ask if I killed the Crown Prince of Yao?”

“No.” This time Feng Miao Jun shook her head decisively. “Regardless of what others might think, I believe the killer wasn’t you, and it probably has nothing to do with you.”

“Oh?” Yun Ya grew interested, sitting up a bit straighter. “How so?”

“Miao Feng Yuan was gentle, a ruler who could maintain stability, but lacked the imperial ambition for military conquest. His succession to the throne of Yao would be more beneficial for Wei’s invasion than if Miao Feng Xian took the throne, so why would you need to kill him?” Looking beyond appearances to see the essence, and analyzing the relationships between advantages and disadvantages, she could detect the pattern of Yun Ya’s actions. “With Miao Feng Yuan dead, all the influence you previously created has diminished. It has instead made the King of Yao furiously angry and full of fighting spirit. This isn’t beneficial for Wei’s attack on Yao, so…”

She shrugged: “Now the position of Crown Prince has fallen to Miao Feng Xian, so this must be the result of internal struggles in Yao. What I don’t understand is, who does Xu Wen Rin serve?”

Yun Ya said languidly: “Who else but Miao Feng Xian?”

Feng Miao Jun frowned: “If Miao Feng Xian wanted to kill his brother, wouldn’t he have to expend such great effort? Didn’t Miao Feng Yuan have any political enemies within the Yao royal court?” She firmly believed no one was perfect.

Yun Ya narrowed his eyes maliciously: “You seem particularly fond of making excuses for him.”

Feng Miao Jun asked curiously: “Why does the young master especially despise him?” This wasn’t her misconception. Every time Yun Ya mentioned Miao Feng Xian, contempt and disdain were evident in his words. It wasn’t because Miao Feng Xian had committed some unforgivable crime, but because Yun Ya particularly looked down on and disliked this person himself. As a great State Preceptor, what grievance could he have with a prince from another country? “Had he stolen your destiny or your girlfriend? Is it because he killed Huang Qiu Wei?”

She had also been involved in killing Huang Qiu Wei, yet Yun Ya didn’t treat her with such an attitude. Moreover, for someone who strategized from behind the scenes and saw the complete picture, how could he harbor such lasting resentment over the destruction of a mere chess piece?

But Yun Ya didn’t speak, only gave a cold smile, looking her up and down before snorting.

Feng Miao Jun: “???” What was this tsundere expression supposed to mean?

“He will become the ruler of Yao. Isn’t that reason enough?”

Feng Miao Jun made an “oh” sound, feeling this reason wasn’t very convincing. Fine, let him be that way. “Young master, with your flawless calculations and keen discernment, you must see through the mysteries of this case, right?” No matter how clever she was, she was at a disadvantage in not understanding the political situation at the Yao court, making it difficult to analyze. But Yun Ya was different. As Yao’s great enemy, his understanding of various aspects of Yao was far more profound than that of ordinary Yao officials. “If this wasn’t done by Miao Feng Xian, then Wei is being blamed most unjustly, and the truth will be buried forever!”

Usually, she wouldn’t persist in questioning when she knew Yun Ya disliked something. But now, she had her calculations and had to take this risk.

Indeed, if this case was eventually proven not to be Miao Feng Xian’s doing, the greatest suspicion would naturally fall on Wei. And it was foreseeable that for Miao Feng Xian to legitimately inherit the throne, he couldn’t have such a stain on his reputation. Even if the real killer wasn’t caught, he would surely place the blame on Wei, declaring that the King of Wei had sent assassins to infiltrate the palace and kill Miao Feng Yuan. This would further inflame the people of Yao and unite them for a common purpose.

This had nothing to do with his character but was demanded by circumstances.

When it truly came to that point, would it matter who the real killer was? For the sake of this war, Miao Feng Xian would have to firmly pin the crime on Wei!

Then the true killer would escape punishment forever.

Would someone as proud and arrogant as Yun Ya suffer such a slight? She was betting: no!

Moreover, although Yun Ya disliked Miao Feng Xian, he must have long ago made objective assessments of all the important figures in Yao. Setting aside his prejudice against Miao Feng Xian, his observations would certainly be more penetrating than hers.

Her opening with two complimentary sentences made Yun Ya quite pleased. Though still somewhat displeased, he finally said: “It might not be him, but it’s probably closely related to him. Don’t forget, he’s still the primary beneficiary.”

So wasn’t the finger still pointing at Miao Feng Xian? Feng Miao Jun muttered: “Couldn’t it be a crime of passion? Perhaps Miao Feng Yuan had an entanglement with some female cultivator, and she came looking for him…”

“At such a sensitive moment in the situation?” Yun Ya laughed. “You’ve read too many novels.”

“Don’t you want to get to the bottom of this?” She blinked her beautiful phoenix eyes. “If the mastermind behind this could be caught, Yao would undoubtedly undergo a major purge internally, wouldn’t that weaken their resistance against Great Wei?”

Yun Ya stroked his chin thoughtfully: “That sounds somewhat reasonable. You’re quite concerned for Great Wei’s interests.”

She responded with a grin: “Of course, I follow you.”

“If you don’t know who the mastermind is, how can you catch them?”

“We might not catch the mastermind, but isn’t there someone obvious on the surface?” Feng Miao Jun coughed lightly. “The killer was let into the city by Xu Wen Rin. Even if he’s not the main culprit, he’s an accomplice. Why not follow this thread?”

Yun Ya raised his long eyebrows high: “Xu Wen Rin let the killer into the city?”

Feng Miao Jun then explained the effects of the “Xi Hong” insect drug.

After listening, Yun Ya clapped his hands in praise: “Brilliant! Whoever thought of this method must be quite clever.”

Never mind how clever it is, just make a decision! Feng Miao Jun looked at him expectantly but heard him continue: “Fine, let’s assume Xu Wen Rin was indeed involved. Now that we’re dozens of li away from Inzi City, how do we send this clue back?” He glanced at Feng Miao Jun. “Not to mention that we no longer have suitable disguise identities to return, even if we did, how would you convince the King of Yao that his capable and beloved general Xu Wen Rin conspired against the Crown Prince’s life?”