Feng Miaojun’s words also served as an explanation to the Jiao people present. After all, most people were unprepared and confused about Jiao’s sudden submission to Xia, perhaps thinking she had employed some underhanded methods. Now that she had clearly stated that Jiao had sought her acceptance of their surrender, it meant the matter had been initiated by the Jiao royal family.

Feng Miaojun continued: “The current situation is not without benefits for the Wei Kingdom.” Her eyes surveyed the scene, maintaining a composed expression, yet she did not find Yun Ya’s figure. She didn’t know what her attitude should be—relief, or anxiety?

Shah Yan was so angry he almost laughed: “Oh? So Queen Changle has been painstakingly considering my interests?”

Feng Miaojun ignored the sarcasm in his words and said straightforwardly: “Even if you had broken into the palace, you might not have captured the Crown Princess and her son.” The Golden Pestle tapped lightly on the ground. “Then even if you broke through the barrier and entered the ancestral temple, you would still have to wait seven full days to retrieve the foundation stone. But the reinforcements from the Jiao royal court would arrive within two days at the latest, at which point the Wei army would inevitably face a bitter battle.” Her eyes flickered slightly. “By then, how much effort the Wei army would need to end this war would be an unknown.”

The incident at Yinzi City was too sudden, and Jiao troops from all over were rushing to aid their king. Additionally, the reinforcements sent by Prince Jin were about to arrive after crossing mountains and ridges. With both sides joining forces, if the Wei army remained in Yinzi City waiting to dig out the foundation stone, it would be a life-and-death battle!

This was undoubtedly at odds with Shah Yan’s strategic goal of a quick victory.

Shah Yan naturally understood this point and remained silent.

Feng Miaojun continued: “With Jiao incorporated into New Xia, the ground beneath your feet is now New Xia territory. According to our agreement, Wei and Xia must not invade each other’s territories, or face divine punishment. However, considering the special circumstances, as long as the Wei army immediately returns westward, I will not pursue responsibilities, nor will I send troops to chase after you.” She fixed her gaze on Shah Yan and said word by word, “Why doesn’t the Wei King lead his army back? If you depart tomorrow, you might even beat the Yan army, allowing you to make arrangements at your leisure.”

She added meaningfully: “After all, according to the Wei-Xia agreement, our two countries must not harm each other in the slightest.”

Shah Yan’s tightly knitted brows relaxed slightly as he snorted: “Queen Changle’s silver tongue is impressive, and I have witnessed it.” He turned his head decisively and ordered, “Pass down the command to withdraw.”

This place had already become New Xia territory, bound by their agreement. Now he couldn’t even touch a strand of hair on her head. What else could he do but withdraw?

Feng Miaojun smiled brightly: “The Wei King is truly decisive. Changle will not see you off.”

This smile of hers resembled that person’s—truly birds of a feather. Shah Yan glanced at her sideways and said: “Don’t be smug yet; someone will come for you later.”

Feng Miaojun’s smile immediately diminished somewhat.

The Wei army withdrew from Yinzi City.

They had come like a tsunami, determined to destroy everything; they left like an ebbing tide, decisive and clean, but leaving devastation in their wake.

Post-war Yinzi City was riddled with wounds.

However, most people had survived after all, so the city could be rebuilt, and the economy could still recover.

Scouts reported that Shah Yan and his army had retreated twenty li outside Yinzi City, waiting for dawn to withdraw westward. He appeared to be honoring the agreement, yet he had left Feng Miaojun with countless troubles.

Accepting Jiao’s surrender had been a spur-of-the-moment decision with far-reaching implications that gave even her a headache.

At this time, many Jiao people were proud and unyielding; after the war ended, she would face enormous difficulties.

But for now, Feng Miaojun temporarily put these matters aside and walked back.

The way the Jiao troops looked at her now was not just with curiosity and doubt, but also with awe and scrutiny. From now on, would she be their sovereign?

Wherever she went, the crowd naturally parted like the tide.

Inside the ancestral temple.

The crisis in Yinzi City had been resolved, but Feng Miaojun noticed that Princess Hanyue’s eyes were red, which slightly startled her: “What’s wrong?”

“Dawn is approaching,” Princess Hanyue’s voice choked.

“So?”

“This is the seventh day,” she said softly. “Fengxian… he has to leave.”

By noon today, the seven-day period after Miao Fengxian’s death would be over. In the current world, even cultivators like him whose spirit could leave the body couldn’t escape the power of reincarnation and would be taken back to the underworld.

For Princess Hanyue, this was truly an eternal separation between heaven and man. She slowly sank into a chair, sobbing as she pleaded: “Anan, you’re now a person who can cover the sky with one hand. Can you think of a way to keep Fengxian by my side?”

Parting in life and death is humanity’s greatest suffering. Feng Miaojun could empathize and remained silent.

As for ways to keep Miao Fengxian in this world…

All outsiders had withdrawn. Miao Fengxian materialized from the soul-nurturing wood and placed a kiss on his wife’s forehead, saying softly: “The crisis has passed; be at ease. From now on, carefully teach our son, and don’t let him be taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals.” After a pause, his voice finally lowered sadly, “Our fate together ends here—it is heaven’s will. I only hope we can continue in the next life.”

Princess Hanyue broke into loud sobs.

Miao Fengxian pressed his forehead against hers for a long while before finally raising his head to look at Feng Miaojun, his eyes filled with emotion: “Hanyue and our son are vulnerable and easily exploited. Even Prince Jin might have other plans. I hope Queen Changle will protect them. Only then can I rest in peace in the underworld.”

The human heart is never satisfied. Now that the immediate crisis of national destruction and city annihilation had passed, the people of the Jiao royal court would inevitably have shifting thoughts, especially since Miao Fengxian’s son was still alive—a legitimate royal bloodline heir. The old ministers of the Jiao court would only need this reason to rally support for restoring the old kingdom.

On this point, Feng Miaojun could empathize most deeply. She carried the An Xia bloodline, which was the foundation for New Xia’s restoration.

Even Prince Jin, apart from his love for his grandson, might harbor other intentions. If he were to cooperate with these old ministers of the Jiao court from both inside and outside, New Xia would face immense trouble.

Feng Miaojun looked at him, speechless for a long while.

From Miao Fengxian’s standpoint, he naturally hoped that the Jiao Kingdom could be restored one day; his obsession was probably no less than Fu Lingchuan’s. But for the safety of Princess Hanyue and their son, for his son to grow up safely, he was willing to extinguish the hope of restoration with his own hands.

In this moment, Feng Miaojun was reminded of the Queen of An Xia, who had also once loved her daughter so deeply.

But what about that scene on the riverbank at Juping Village?

She shook her head, driving out the distracting thoughts, and looked steadily at Miao Fengxian’s family of three. The young grandson, unaware of sorrow, looked at his parents with a bewildered face while Miao Fengxian was comforting his tearful wife.

The time left for the couple to be together was only a few short hours.

Thinking about the current situation, Feng Miaojun suddenly closed her eyes and silently made a decision.

“This is not my responsibility,” her voice was as calm as water. “Taking over Jiao Kingdom is already the limit of what I can do. Miao Fengxian, you no longer have any bargaining chips to negotiate with me.”

Her outright refusal stunned the couple. Princess Hanyue especially looked up at her in disbelief, momentarily forgetting to cry.