White Board pondered: “Externally, is it Yan Kingdom?”

“Not just them,” Feng Miaojun analyzed objectively. “The King of Yan’s dissatisfaction with New Xia is mostly directed at Fu Lingchuan; there’s also Yao Kingdom, Jin Kingdom, and other powers with grudges against the Wei Kingdom—they’ll all be displeased. And coincidentally—” She shrugged, “Coincidentally, the one in power was Fu Lingchuan, and the one in the spotlight was also Fu Lingchuan. So as the target of criticism, he naturally took on that role.”

As they say, with greater power comes greater responsibility.

White Board looked at his mistress with deep reverence. Over the past year, she had kept a low profile in the palace, neither revealing her strength nor displaying her capabilities, even advising Fu Lingchuan on domestic and foreign affairs. She showed both intelligence and skill. He had always been puzzled why someone as clever as Feng Miaojun wasn’t in a hurry to overthrow Fu Lingchuan and take power herself.

Now he understood.

She still needed Fu Lingchuan to play the “villain,” to shield her from all rumors, criticisms, and dissatisfaction. This way, when Queen Langle took direct control, all previous poor governance would be blamed on Fu Lingchuan, giving her a fresh start.

The predicament of attacks from both internal and external forces had become evident even before Fu Lingchuan’s downfall.

His failure had been predetermined.

Now, Fu Lingchuan knew and understood this, yet he couldn’t resent her.

He knew that following Feng Miaojun’s advice in governance, each step had been correct and greatly beneficial to the nation. Signing the agreement with the Wei Kingdom ensured peace at the borders, securing a golden period for New Xia’s full recovery; weakening local powers, reducing military forces, and seizing authority all contributed to stabilizing the regime and greatly benefiting the people.

But such actions came at a price—he would be condemned by thousands. Sometimes, even if you dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to others, they might not appreciate or remember your good deeds.

White Board finally understood and murmured: “Fu Lingchuan isn’t such a bad person after all.”

“He got what he sought,” from White Board’s perspective, his mistress’s gaze was calm and profound like an ancient well. No matter how great the storm outside, there were no ripples within. “Although we’re doing good things, someone must pay the price. If not him, then me.”

White Board couldn’t understand: “Since Fu Lingchuan understands all this, why is he willing to return to the royal court?”

“Those who accomplish great things don’t dwell on minor details. That’s where his talents can be utilized,” Feng Miaojun said languidly. “Having relinquished his power, there’s no source of conflict between us. Even if emotional knots remain untied, it doesn’t prevent us from seeking common ground while respecting differences. Otherwise—”

“If Fu Lingchuan had decided to focus solely on cultivation and ignore worldly affairs, he would have drifted away long ago. Why would he remain at Songxi Retreat, stay in Wuseier?” She smiled slightly. “He had already intended to return to court but was testing me, hoping to see my sincerity. As for seeking to marry Liu Qingru, that’s also his way of showing me that from now on, he’ll faithfully assist in governance without harboring unrealistic ambitions.”

Since Fu Lingchuan wanted to marry Liu Qingru, he naturally couldn’t have improper thoughts about the Queen. By making this request upon his return to court, he eased the sovereign’s mind—truly a clever move. Even his choice of wife was carefully considered. Grand Minister Liu Wenzheng was a staunch supporter of the Queen, steadfastly protecting her just like Wang Yuan. Fu Lingchuan’s desire to marry his daughter was also a gesture of loyalty to the Queen.

Feng Miaojun, now determined to bring him back to the royal court, generously consented to Fu Lingchuan’s request. Mentioning this, her smile deepened: “As luck would have it, Liu Qingru has always had a fondness for Fu Lingchuan. I heard they even competed in a riddle contest during last year’s Lantern Festival. I’d say there’s a seventy or eighty percent chance this match will succeed.”

In truth, she also admired Fu Lingchuan for his capacity to endure what others couldn’t. This was the breadth of mind and vision that a ruler should possess. For Fu Lingchuan, though surrendering himself to rivers and seas might bring freedom, and though concern for the country and its people might weigh on his mind, he would rather choose the difficult path and brave the fire and boiling water.

In this aspect, Feng Miaojun acknowledged her inferiority.

Therefore, as long as Fu Lingchuan returned to his rightful position, the ruler and minister could work well together.

As the sky darkened, a rabbit emerged from the snowy ground seeking food, only to be spotted by an eagle swooping down from above. There was a flurry of movement on the ground, with rabbit fur and white snow flying about, soon stained with blood.

Feng Miaojun watched for a moment before averting her gaze. The struggles in the human realm were a hundred times more dangerous than these animals’ life-and-death battles. Thinking of this, she realized how deeply involved she had become. Initially, she had merely sought to find a way to break the curse, yet gradually she found herself at the center of a power struggle, taking New Xia’s security and prosperity as her responsibility.

The wonders of the world were beyond compare as if there were some arrangement in the mysterious unknown.

It was precisely for this reason that she needed Fu Lingchuan to share the burden of court affairs. What Feng Miaojun needed to do was maintain her position within the situation while keeping the clear-headedness of an outsider.

Because, once again, the world’s winds and clouds had been stirred.

Upon returning to the palace, just as she alighted from her carriage, she received urgent news: “The Wei Kingdom has invaded Yao!”

Feng Miaojun’s heart sank.

The power transition in New Xia’s royal court was an earth-shattering event domestically, but looking across the northern and southern continents, it had barely caused a ripple—because the Yan Kingdom had once again invaded Xi Kingdom.

This was the explosive news.

After a year, the people of Yan had learned from their previous lesson. They no longer attempted to cross the Qinglan River in early spring, but instead moved earlier to the twelfth lunar month, when the river was at its narrowest.

Xi Kingdom put up a tenacious resistance, but this time the Yan army was exceptionally well-prepared. The two armies battled fiercely on the riverbank for three days and nights, until the river water was dyed crimson.

In this battle, the Yan army was victorious, and Huo Yunsong, the renowned general of the Xi Kingdom who had previously stopped them at the Qinglan River, perished.

On the morning of the fifth day, the Yan army forcibly crossed the Qinglan River and, after paying a heavy price, successfully landed on the left bank. Xi Kingdom’s first natural barrier against the people of Yan was thus breached.

When the news spread, the world was shocked.

Everyone said that this time, Xi Kingdom was in grave danger.

Although this was a significant event, its impact on New Xia was minimal. What truly triggered intense discussions in the royal court were two bombshell announcements:

First, Fu Lingchuan had returned.

When the main doors of the assembly hall opened and Fu Lingchuan walked in again, all the ministers were stunned.

Wasn’t “the victor becomes king, the defeated becomes outlaw” the iron law of power struggles? No one had expected to see him here again.

The ministers’ faces displayed various expressions, all noted by Feng Miaojun, who smiled and said: “Ah yes, I forgot to inform everyone: the court has specially established a position of Ministerial Aide, to be filled by Minister Fu. Henceforth, he will carry out the duties of governance.”

Before she finished speaking, everyone exchanged glances. The Queen had finally managed to topple Fu Lingchuan, how could she possibly let him monopolize power again? When she said “governance,” did she mean that all administrative affairs would be handled by Fu Lingchuan?

Well, how was that any different from before?

Feng Miaojun paused, allowing everyone to digest this news, then continued: “Particularly difficult matters will be discussed between the Prime Minister and the Ministerial Aide, then submitted to me for final decision.”

This meant that the decision-making power for major policies remained in the sovereign’s hands.

In essence, it was merely governance, not regency. Fu Lingchuan no longer could wield power over the entire court.

Yet his return to the political arena, again taking charge of governance, caught many people completely off guard.