Her movements were straightforward and generous, without the half-concealed manner typical of women drinking.

Feng Miaojun lowered her head to look at Yun Ya, seeing him respond to various people at the banquet, the smile at the corner of his mouth flawless, but she could immediately tell he was indifferent.

This guy, has he ever cared about others’ impressions of him?

“Wine.” Yun Ya had just drained two cups in succession, and his cup was empty again. She bent forward to pour wine, her bright earrings dangling just in front of Yun Ya’s temples. Xu Guangxiang caught sight of this scene, and her gaze fixated: Yun Ya’s hair band and Feng Miaojun’s earrings were both made of silver inlaid with sapphires, gleaming with almost identical luster under the firelight.

Whether intentional or not was unclear.

This woman truly was a beauty surpassing flowers with exceptional charm; the State Preceptor must cherish her greatly. Xu Guangxiang sighed softly and drank half a cup.

The Prince of Wei seemed to hear this sigh, turned his head to see her expression, then followed her gaze to Yun Ya across from them, and hesitated to speak.

As the ruler controlling the entire situation, he certainly knew Xu Guangxiang’s feelings. He could arrange almost any man his adopted daughter wanted, except for the one before him.

This man… his face darkened slightly, but in the next moment, he was animated again, that trace of gloom seeming only an illusion.

This banquet was solely for pleasure, without discussion of state affairs. The gathering only ended when the feast continued deep into the night.

The Prince of Wei, thoroughly satisfied, returned drunk.

By the time Yun Ya walked back, he appeared unable to hold his liquor, leaning on Feng Miaojun’s shoulder, placing most of his weight on her.

This guy looked slim, but how could he be so heavy?

Lu Ming wanted to come help, but Yun Ya waved his hand: “Get lost.”

Lu Ming flashed a smile at Feng Miaojun and indeed ran away quickly. She gazed resentfully at his retreating figure, wondering if she had become too soft. Yun Ya was increasingly enjoying bullying her, though she didn’t know when he had developed this perverse pleasure.

Just as she was pondering, Yun Ya stumbled, and his arm stretched out, smoothly hooking around her neck.

Feng Miaojun: “…” If his hand dared to wander, she would throw him down right there!

Fortunately, Yun Ya truly seemed to only need a point of support and wasn’t taking advantage while drunk. After walking about a dozen steps, the lights dimmed, but someone called softly from behind: “State Preceptor, please wait.”

It was a woman’s voice, one Feng Miaojun had just heard at the banquet. She turned her head to look and indeed saw Xu Guangxiang following them.

Yun Ya stopped and turned to look at her. His usually pale, handsome face was flushed from alcohol, those peach blossom eyes misty and enchanting. Perhaps no one could remain composed under the gaze of those eyes, including Xu Guangxiang.

“General Mei Ji?” Yun Ya prompted her.

She swallowed, her voice slightly husky: “The Northern Pacification Army encountered multiple ambushes on our way here. The further south we went, the more fierce the attacks from the Jiao army became, clearly they didn’t want us to reach here and join forces.”

Yun Ya said nothing, quietly waiting for her to continue.

Xu Guangxiang, having weathered many battles, adjusted herself in just two sentences, her words becoming increasingly fluent: “We cannot go to Xiao Pass; the terrain there is treacherous, and there may be an ambush. The Prince is stubborn, so I hope you will persuade him as well.”

Yun Ya nodded: “Thank you for your concern, General.”

Xu Guangxiang’s gaze lingered on him, showing concern: “Is the State Preceptor feeling unwell? I have sobering soup at my quarters; I can have someone send it over shortly.”

“No need.” Yun Ya raised his hand to stroke Feng Miaojun’s beautiful hair. “We have it prepared in the tent, don’t we?”

Feng Miaojun quickly nodded.

She had indeed prepared sobering soup before the banquet. Using spiritual power to dispel the effects of alcohol was too extravagant, and most cultivators would not do so. Besides, why use techniques to completely clear away that delightfully intoxicated feeling?

Xu Guangxiang then looked at her, with a gaze so intense that Feng Miaojun felt somewhat uncomfortable. “Your favored concubine is quite capable.”

She knew Feng Miaojun was a maid, yet deliberately called her a “favored concubine.” Feng Miaojun rolled her eyes but knew it wasn’t appropriate for her to speak up in this situation, waiting for Yun Ya to clarify.

Unexpectedly, Yun Ya smiled faintly and vaguely responded: “Indeed she is.”

The person under his hand pouted so much she could have hung an oil bottle from her lips. He rubbed his temples: “I cannot handle more alcohol and must return now. Please stay, General.” He turned his body slightly, and the latter obediently supported him as they walked back, leaving Xu Guangxiang standing there, gazing at their retreating figures.

Feng Miaojun took large strides.

After walking about thirty zhang, Yun Ya complained: “Slower, aren’t you afraid of hurting your master?”

Feng Miaojun didn’t even look up: “If I’m not supporting you well, perhaps someone else should take over? I see there’s someone who would be more than willing.”

He pinched Feng Miaojun’s neck: “So you’re not willing?” His kitten was developing quite the temper as she became more familiar. The initial docility was gone.

“Is whether I’m willing or not for me to decide?” Her lips pressed tightly together. “Why did you just now…” She was only a maid, not responsible for warming his bed.

“Hmm?” He blinked.

She pouted: “Nothing.” Sensing he might have set a trap here, she wasn’t foolish enough to jump in. Never mind, Xu Guangxiang’s thoughts were none of her concern.

By then, they had reached the tent. Yun Ya casually lifted the tent flap and entered, watching Feng Miaojun pour the sobering soup while saying: “General Mei Ji paid attention to you several times.”

Feng Miaojun didn’t pause: “The person who interests her isn’t me, and what she wanted to say wasn’t just those few sentences.” He was accustomed to discerning subtleties and calculating hearts; how could he not see the undisguised resentment in Xu Guangxiang’s eyes?

She wanted to know how Yun Ya had previously responded to Xu Guangxiang, but she had no position to ask, nor should she. Everything happening here had nothing to do with her.

“Oh? You know?” He rested his chin on his hand, smiling. “Why not share what you’ve learned?”

She wouldn’t step on such a landmine and handed him the sobering soup: “How many girls dream of our great State Preceptor Yun Ya? What difference does adding General Mei Ji make?”

He raised an eyebrow: “Does that include An’an?”

Feng Miaojun just laughed: “I cultivate diligently; it’s been a long time since I’ve dreamed.”

He looked at her, holding the cup but smiling without speaking.

Feng Miaojun stared back at him for several seconds but ultimately lost to the gaze of those peach blossom eyes and honestly admitted: “Her guards spoke ill of me behind my back, so I froze all their berries into ice blocks.”

The smile at the corner of Yun Ya’s mouth widened as he stroked her beautiful hair: “Good girl.”

Worthy of being his person—eating everything except losses.

“Lu Ming said I don’t need to give a face to anyone.” Sorry, Lu Ming, that’s not what you said.

Yun Ya took a sip of the sobering soup and asked curiously: “This little fellow has become enlightened?”

Lu Ming spoke and acted with equal steadiness; how could he easily say such words about “not giving face”?

This man was too perceptive, so she quickly changed the subject: “If, as General Mei Ji says, we cannot attack Xiao Pass, what plans does the royal army have?”