Each fish was only as thick as a hair strand and just two fen in length, but their bodies could freely change colors, ranging from transparent to rainbow-hued.

This color-changing, however, wasn’t arbitrary. The fish tended to cluster and follow the group—simply put, whatever color the nearby group displayed, the individual would inevitably follow, so the entire fish tank’s colors were constantly changing. Most remarkably, though these fish gathered in groups, they weren’t crowded, maintaining neat formations even in their ranks, as if obeying some inherent order.

The Left Prime Minister smiled, thinking his daughter would probably like this, and finally asked on his initiative: “What kind of fish are these?”

The royal palace had no shortage of treasures, but rather, it was rare curiosities that could bring a smile to His Majesty’s face.

“These fish are called Qixia, a species unique to the coastal waters of the Mo Bo Sea. When they are present, every sunset creates a spectacle where the red clouds at the horizon and in the water become indistinguishable, making for a magnificent sight,” Feng Miaojun explained articulately with a clear voice. “Most wonderfully, they are amphibious and can also live in freshwater… Do you have a large pond here? They present an entirely different view in a pond.”

“We do.” The Left Prime Minister waved his hand, and a maid immediately led the way, guiding several people behind the hall.

Behind this great hall was a perfectly square pool with bubbling water—it was a living spring, with a few green duckweeds floating at the edges. Though the water was clear, it wasn’t meant for raising fish—this was a water cellar, where fruits would be immersed in summer for a cool spring-like taste; in winter, it stored water to prevent palace fires.

Before he could speak, Feng Miaojun had already poured the fish from the tank into the pool.

The blue-green pool water instantly turned golden, then light blue, but because the water surface was now spacious, these two colors slowly diffused in their territories, eventually coexisting without interference. Feng Miaojun picked up a tree branch from the ground and smiled: “Please watch.”

She randomly struck and waved the branch in the water, and with each impact on the water’s surface, the startled fish schools changed color. After about ten strikes, the water surface resembled a canvas splashed with paint, a riot of colors.

Interestingly, the color blocks gradually merged, as the fish were influenced by their surrounding counterparts. Eventually, it transformed into an abstract painting, layer upon layer of gorgeous diffusion, appearing profoundly mysterious, yet no one could clearly define what the picture depicted.

Yun Ya, who had followed with his hands behind his back, smiled and said: “They are most beautiful at dawn and night when they can mimic the patterns of morning glow and the starry river.”

Feng Miaojun had witnessed such scenes firsthand and, amid her amazement, had secretly kept a small portion of the “wedding gift,” raising them in a small water pond in a tiny bottle for her private enjoyment.

The Left Prime Minister’s face brightened: “Thank you for your thoughtfulness. This gift will surely be delightful to the King of Yao and the princesses of the nobles.”

With the gifts presented and pleasantries exchanged, the Lang Yu Kingdom’s delegation was to take their leave from the palace, awaiting the wedding ceremony ten days later. After all, the queue of those waiting to present their gift lists was still quite long.

The interior of this golden palace also displayed luxury everywhere, completely different from Jin’s elegance, Wei’s simplicity, or An Xia’s ruggedness. She was so engrossed in the sights that she unwittingly fell behind the group.

Not far away, another delegation passed by, led by palace attendants, but following a different route than theirs. Feng Miaojun slightly tilted her ear and heard whispers from the Lang Yu group: “Look, the Wei people have arrived too.”

The Wei Kingdom delegation? Feng Miaojun then paid attention and saw a man in his thirties with slightly dark skin walking at the front. Behind him, his entourage carried several boxes.

“With the Wei envoy here, the King of Yao might have to receive him personally,” someone ahead laughed. “Isn’t this like a weasel paying New Year’s respects to a chicken?”

“Oh, it’s Qiao Tianxing, the youngest son of the Marquis of Wu Wen, leading the delegation.”

“Shh, they’re getting closer, say no more!”

The situation was becoming increasingly complex. Feng Miaojun silently withdrew her gaze.

Turning past a moon gate covered with passion flowers, the five-colored blossoms were incomparably vibrant, attracting several pink butterflies that fluttered around.

Just as she was about to step across, someone suddenly grabbed her sleeve and urgently said: “How did you…”

The voice was somewhat familiar.

Feng Miaojun turned her head and saw Miao Fengxian.

The Second Prince of Yao Kingdom gazed at her with burning eyes, his handsome face showing a trace of urgency.

But after clearly seeing her features, his hope immediately turned to disappointment. He released her sleeve and said softly: “The back view looked so similar.”

“Your Highness?” She displayed a confused expression, standing in place waiting for Miao Fengxian’s next words, but he merely shook his head and turned away, not bothering to say another word.

That tall figure somehow exuded a sense of desolation.

She knew in her heart whom he had mistaken her for. Miao Fengxian had keen eyesight to recognize Feng Miaojun just from her back view.

She couldn’t help but wonder about the two protagonists of the wedding ceremony: Princess Hanyu was intent on escaping this arranged marriage, but what about Miao Fengxian? Whether during yesterday’s ancestral worship or today’s unexpected meeting, he showed little joy, not like someone about to become a groom.

Feng Miaojun understood that it was likely due to the unfavorable situation, with Yao Kingdom directly facing Wei’s threat.

In this world, even those born into nobility and long-enjoying privilege couldn’t achieve true freedom.

Back at the guesthouse, the group went off to settle in. While brewing tea for Yun Ya, she heard him say in a leisurely manner: “It seems Miao Fengxian cannot forget you. Princess Hanyu should be quite worried.”

She didn’t even raise her eyelids: “Having shared hardships together, the impression would naturally be deeper.”

He gave a sinister smile: “Indeed, how could I forget that Huang Qiuwei was killed by your joint efforts.”

“My counterattack was purely self-defense. In that situation, it was either the monster’s death or mine.” How annoying was this man, digging up old accounts? Why didn’t he count how she had saved his life? “Besides, you promised to let bygones be bygones,” she couldn’t help reminding him.

“You and Princess Hanyu are good friends, yet she treats you like a stranger; whereas Miao Fengxian recognizes you just from your backview. How very interesting.” The tea was ready, and Yun Ya took a sip, frowning, “Too hot!” It was far from as comfortable as usual—was this girl’s mind in disarray?

What was so interesting? Feng Miaojun couldn’t stand his insinuations and couldn’t help but say: “What’s so special about that? If it were you, Master, would you be able to recognize me?”

“I…” The word “can” hovered on the tip of his tongue, but for some reason, he didn’t say it. How could he be the same as Miao Fengxian? But could he say he couldn’t?

Yun Ya was uncharacteristically at a loss for words, staring at Feng Miaojun.

An awkward silence fell.

“Gurgle,” the boiling water on the stove bubbled again, finally breaking this mysterious embarrassment.

Yun Ya’s eyes shifted, returning to his original nonchalant demeanor: “Even if you were reduced to ashes, I would still recognize you. Trying to escape from under my nose with a shape-changing parasite wouldn’t be so easy.”