Having given away the medicinal pills, Feng Miaojun no longer promoted Feng’s business and directly steered the conversation elsewhere. She had spent many years immersed in Smoke Sea Tower, with extensive knowledge and experience. Her daily interactions were with either royal relatives or the State Preceptor, so her conversation naturally revealed her insights. Even though her appearance wasn’t striking, she possessed a steady composure that ordinary young women could hardly match.
Lu Chuanying took the opportunity to say: “We do business in Yao and Jin. This trip to the Taoyuan Territory is to establish our headquarters there. Taoyuan is a free city-state with relaxed regulations.”
Fu Lingchuan smiled: “Your business is truly substantial. Ordinary merchants would be content just to span a few counties or cities.”
Feng Miaojun shrugged: “Fortune favors the bold. Staying confined to one corner is not what we desire.”
In reality, she just hoped Feng’s business could seek peace in Taoyuan Territory, allowing her to search for a curse-breaking method without worries. However, given Fu Lingchuan’s grand ambitions, she adapted her speech accordingly.
These words truly resonated with Fu Lingchuan.
Wasn’t what he was doing now a reflection of this very sentiment? After tasting hardships and overcoming obstacles, he was finally getting closer to his ambitions. He exclaimed with emotion: “Well said! If only we had wine at hand, I would drink three cups to that!”
At this moment, Princess Changle also came up to the deck, and immediately leaned against Fu Lingchuan: “What are you discussing?” Her gaze swept over Lu and Feng, and seeing Feng Miaojun’s ordinary appearance, she simply gave her a kind smile.
Lu Chuanying lightly coughed: “Young Master Fu mentioned you’re from the north. Although I lack talent, I had the honor of meeting the Queen of An’xia once many years ago.”
This statement greatly interested both Fu Lingchuan and Princess Changle: “Oh?”
Lu Chuanying paused, building their anticipation before continuing: “In my youth, I passed through Luoma Station in southern An’xia, just as an epidemic broke out there. I unfortunately contracted the disease. That kind of illness… as you know, few survived. Even though I offered substantial money, the inn refused to accommodate me. However, when they were about to throw me into a farmhouse on the outskirts, the Queen of An’xia happened to arrive at Luoma Station with renowned physicians to treat the epidemic. She handed me the medicine and instructed others to care for me.” At this point, he sighed deeply, “Without her generous aid, how could there be today’s Lu Chuanying? This life-saving grace, I dare not forget for a lifetime.”
The sincerity that permeated his words was undeniably convincing. Feng Miaojun didn’t know how much truth and falsehood were in his story—perhaps half and half—but his reminiscence of the Queen of An’xia was genuinely heartfelt.
She had been gone for so long, yet there was still someone who remembered her with such genuine affection. Feng Miaojun wondered if she would ever have someone think of her this way.
Fu Lingchuan and Princess Changle exchanged glances, and the former smiled: “Master Lu has such a connection.”
“From my first glimpse of the Queen of An’xia, I was struck by her divine beauty. She was truly both beautiful and kind,” Lu Chuanying shook his head. “In all my years of traveling north and south, I’ve encountered countless beauties, but those who could compare with her are but one or two in number.”
Princess Changle blinked: “I wish I had the fortune to see her once.” After a pause, she still asked, “Where are these beauties who could compare with the Queen of An’xia now?”
She was indeed more interested in this. Lu Chuanying smiled: “The Yao Crown Prince recently married. His consort is a princess from Jin. I caught a glimpse of her when she went to the outskirts for blessings. She too possesses city-toppling beauty.”
Princess Changle made a “hmm” sound: “Indeed a beauty.”
This remark carried an evaluative tone, suggesting that the Jin princess hadn’t reached the level of “divine beauty.” Fu Lingchuan glanced at her with a smile. Princess Changle had certainly met Princess Hanyue before; the two women had verbally sparred by the Qingyuan Lake. Although Princess Hanyue had used a shape-shifting parasite at the time, Mo Tizhun, who accompanied her, had not.
When Fu Lingchuan brought Princess Changle into Yinzi City in Yao, the latter had seen Mo Tizhun several times and would have known this was Jin’s State Preceptor. It wouldn’t be difficult to deduce that the woman who confronted her at Qingyuan Lake was disguised as Princess Hanyue.
So how could she have a good impression of Princess Hanyue?
Lu Chuanying also picked up on this, stroking his beard as he said: “There is another—Princess Changle.”
Princess Changle was caught off guard hearing her name, and exclaimed: “Oh? You’ve seen her?”
Fu Lingchuan likewise stared at Lu Chuanying without blinking. The latter explained: “I have indeed seen her, though Princess Changle was only four years old then, playing at the Mingxi Creek near Wangtai Plain. They say a child’s future appearance can be seen by age three. She was even more exquisite and adorable than the jade boy statues in temples. Grown up, she must be of celestial beauty.”
Feng Miaojun slightly raised her eyebrows, knowing Lu Chuanying was finding ways to compliment her. Fortunately, her thick skin allowed her to accept it without even a hint of blushing. Fu Lingchuan, however, looked somewhat disappointed: “So Master Lu hasn’t seen her recent appearance.”
Lu Chuanying also expressed regret: “I’ve heard Princess Changle has established a nation in the north. We’ve long resided in Yinzi City—how could we have such good fortune to see her?”
Feng Miaojun promptly took over the conversation: “You two also come from the north. Have you seen Princess Changle in person?”
The two people opposite exchanged glances, and Fu Lingchuan finally smiled: “Of course we have. We’ve even had dealings with the An’xia army.”
Feng Miaojun showed immense interest: “What is she like? Is she truly a beauty worthy of her reputation?”
Fu Lingchuan clapped his hands: “Indeed a beauty.”
This response echoed Princess Changle’s earlier words. Her eyes dimmed slightly, but she also understood that Fu Lingchuan was somewhat displeased. She extended her hand: “It seems to be raining. Brother Fu, would you accompany me for a few rounds of chess?”
“Let’s go.” Fu Lingchuan didn’t object and bid farewell to Feng and Lu before leaving with her. Sea travel was monotonous; on this large ship, some spaces were allocated for passengers’ activities—drinking tea, resting, chatting, or playing chess.
Now with no one else around, Fu Lingchuan set up a barrier and arranged the chess pieces. Princess Changle pouted: “Brother Fu is being overly cautious.”
Fu Lingchuan looked up at her, and Princess Changle pressed her lips together, not daring to say more.
He then said: “Those two people might recognize us.”
“So what if they do?” With Fu Lingchuan by her side, she wasn’t concerned. “We’re in the middle of the vast ocean. Who would be so blind as to dare confront us?”
“That Lu fellow is no ordinary person, yet he claims to be just the steward of Feng’s business.” Fu Lingchuan spoke slowly. “As for that young Miss Feng, she kept trying to extract information from us. Both of them are likely cultivators.”
Princess Changle glanced at him: “Extracting information? She was just extracting information from you, probably attracted by your handsome appearance and wanting to get closer to you.” With their outstanding looks, who wouldn’t want to associate with them?
“I don’t think so.” Fu Lingchuan recalled Feng Miaojun’s clear gaze, showing most curiosity, but where was the admiration? He had received many such looks and wouldn’t misinterpret them.
“Could they be Wei people who have followed us?”
“That doesn’t seem likely either. We didn’t tell anyone about our southern journey. Even if the Wei Kingdom has planted spies in New Xia, they certainly couldn’t have learned of our whereabouts.”