Princess Changle’s small mouth gaped slightly—this question shouldn’t have had an answer. She frowned and said, “Acts of annexation and plunder are bound to invite divine punishment.”
“One hundred and forty years ago, An Xia annexed the Miaoshi Kingdom, expanding its western territory to the sea,” Princess Hanyue smiled lightly. “By the Princess’s reasoning, An Xia has also suffered divine punishment, thus bringing about its destruction.”
Princess Changle’s willow eyebrows shot up, but before she could rebuke, Fu Lingchuan had already spoken: “And who might you be?” His gaze was like lightning, continually scanning Princess Hanyue.
Princess Hanyue and her party suddenly became the center of everyone’s attention. Mo Tizhun hurriedly said, “We are not part of any delegation, just passing through and seeking lodging. She is still naive and often speaks childishly—please pay her no mind.” After speaking, he gave Princess Hanyue a look.
“What you may not know is that when An Xia took over the Miaoshi Kingdom a hundred years ago, Miaoshi surrendered, and An Xia accepted their submission. From beginning to end, both sides suffered only a few thousand casualties, showing great virtue.” This voice resounded clearly in the camp, but it wasn’t Fu Lingchuan—it was Yun Ya!
Feng Miaojun quickly lowered her head, hiding her “what the hell” expression.
Yun Ya was speaking on behalf of Fu Lingchuan and An Xia. Heh, the weasel was beginning to pay New Year’s respect to the chicken?
He continued eloquently: “When the Wei Kingdom destroyed An Xia, it caused untold suffering, leaving civilians homeless, and even burning down the royal palace! To this day, resistance against Wei Kingdom’s tyranny rises one after another, without interruption.”
Yun Ya, disguised as Chi Zhe, maintained a resolute demeanor with piercing eyes, speaking clearly and logically, immediately earning considerable goodwill from those around, with Fu Lingchuan and Princess Changle also taking notice.
Had these words come from their mouths, they might have sounded equally forceful, but would inevitably carry a sense of agitation, lacking the righteousness and solemnity of this seemingly unrelated observer.
“Thank you for your forthright support,” Fu Lingchuan cupped his hands toward him. “May I ask…?”
Yun Ya raised his wine cup: “Royal Scribe of Langyu Kingdom, Chi Zhe.”
Mo Tizhun’s face was already clouded with anger as he said to Princess Hanyue: “Stop causing trouble.”
Princess Hanyue glanced at him sideways and snorted: “Now you’re even controlling what I say?” She turned her head to Princess Changle and continued, “We truly don’t understand local affairs, so I’d like to know: in this mission to Yao, do Master Fu and Princess Changle represent An Xia or Yan Kingdom?”
If not for the many watching eyes, Feng Miaojun would have given her a thumbs up: how venomous!
Princess Changle and Fu Lingchuan traveling with the Yan Kingdom delegation put them in a somewhat awkward position. If they claimed to represent An Xia, why were they mixed in with Yan’s entourage? Moreover, An Xia no longer existed. If they said they represented Yan Kingdom, on what basis could they recruit forces from the An Xia region, and why should people fight alongside them?
Were they recruiting An Xia people to serve the Yan Kingdom?
This was a reflection of Fu Lingchuan and Princess Changle’s predicament. The surface glamour and nobility couldn’t change their essential status as exiles in a foreign land, dependent on others.
Princess Hanyue was forcibly stripping away this fig leaf. But what she asked was indeed a question that concerned many.
Feng Miaojun couldn’t help but look at her a few more times. She knew Princess Hanyue’s temperament—originally spoiled into willfulness, and now pent up with anger over her marriage, she couldn’t help but cause trouble to vent.
Her aim was truly high; ignoring others, she specifically targeted Princess Changle. Feng Miaojun estimated this was probably due to the mutual repulsion between beauties.
But Princess Hanyue wasn’t worried about her safety at all, with the great State Preceptor Mo by her side. With so many watching eyes, Mo Tizhun couldn’t easily restrain her, so she was free to provoke Princess Changle until she exploded.
Sure enough, Princess Changle’s willow eyebrows stood on end as she coldly laughed: “What concern is it of yours, a mere country commoner?”
A flash of anger crossed Fu Lingchuan’s eyes, and his gaze toward Princess Hanyue carried deep scrutiny, but he couldn’t respond as impulsively as Princess Changle. The girl before them was delicately beautiful, clearly accustomed to luxury, and certainly not of common birth, especially with Mo Tizhun beside her, whose abilities seemed unfathomably deep.
Before understanding the other party’s background, Fu Lingchuan didn’t want to offend them carelessly. Besides, he knew many people were waiting for an answer, so he still said: “We come representing the people of An Xia. An Xia and Yao Kingdom have been peaceful neighbors for generations, sharing common ancestors, and should stand together.”
“I see,” Princess Hanyue sighed. “It seems the land will be unsettled again.”
Fu Lingchuan was secretly furious. No matter how righteous the struggle to restore An Xia might sound, bloodshed and sacrifice were inevitable: “Young lady, you concern yourself with quite a lot.”
Princess Hanyue was about to speak again when she turned to see Mo Tizhun glaring at her like a fierce tiger. She couldn’t help but yawn and stand up: “How boring, I’m going back to sleep.”
With her departure, Mo Tizhun also took his leave.
After they had walked some distance, Yun Ya muttered: “Who was that arrogant young lady?”
This “mutter” was just loud enough for those walking ahead to hear. Fu Lingchuan turned his head, smiling at him: “Those people are not simple.” If they were easy to deal with, would they have tolerated Princess Hanyue’s arrogance?
Feng Miaojun let out a sigh of relief. Princess Hanyue and Mo Tizhun were familiar faces; an accidental exchange of glances might have revealed something. Now that they had left, with no one here who could recognize Feng Miaojun, she could finally relax.
Beside them, Princess Changle snorted, her slight anger not yet faded. Princess Hanyue had taken an instant dislike to her, and she found Princess Hanyue irritating as well. Among all the women present, they were the most beautiful, both of noble birth, and both raised with indulgence.
Yun Ya and Fu Lingchuan shook their heads in unison, the former laughing: “Women, oh women.” He raised his cup to Fu Lingchuan, “This wine is excellent, brewed with spiritual spring water from the Western Sea. Why doesn’t Master Fu try this Western flavor?”
Having just spoken up for Princess Changle, Fu Lingchuan felt some goodwill toward him, and seeing his handsome appearance, also felt inclined to make his acquaintance. He walked over and sat down directly: “I must try it.”
Yun Ya immediately smiled at Feng Miaojun: “Why not bring a cup and pour some wine?”
Seeing him so serious, Feng Miaojun’s face twitched, nearly breaking character.
What is “Western Sea spiritual spring water”? Wasn’t it just from a few wine jars mixed from that small vessel? It was indeed good wine—after all, the State Preceptor’s taste was evident—but when she had spent twenty taels of silver to buy it from a wine shop forty li away, she had felt the sting. However, it was excellent for making floral wine. According to the wine merchant, it was brewed from pure snow collected from plum blossoms, giving it a subtle plum fragrance.
But no matter how fragrant it was, it had nothing to do with “Western Sea spiritual spring water.” This man truly could lie without blinking an eye.