Feng Miaojun’s gaze turned cold: “Southern City Guards?” During her many days in Yao, she gained some understanding of Yinzi’s military system. The security of the capital couldn’t be entrusted to ordinary city guards, so Yinzi established “City Guards” to protect the capital. The Southern City Guards were further divided into twelve divisions responsible for guarding inside and outside the city gates, as well as night patrols, firefighting, household registration, enforcing prohibitions, making arrests, and administering justice—their power was extensive. Of course, correspondingly, there was also a Northern City Guard, dedicated to palace and royal family security, but most of the time they were referred to as the Imperial Guards. So when people mentioned “City Guards,” they usually meant the Southern City Guards.

The leader of the Southern City Guards held the rank of general, currently Xu Lin.

“Correct. As the head of the Feng business, I’ve had contact with him. He first sent people with invitations, requesting the Feng couple to attend a banquet at his mansion.”

Feng Miaojun gave a cold laugh. This was like leading a lamb into a tiger’s den. If Madam Xu entered the general’s mansion, she would lose control of her fate.

In today’s world, what did a woman’s wishes matter?

“Madam Xu feigned illness and didn’t go. He then sent people to inform me that General Xu was willing to provide some assistance to help the Feng business thrive in Yao Capital.”

Feng Miaojun’s eyes flashed coldly: “Did he send you a note?”

“No, Xu Lin wouldn’t easily leave written evidence. He sent people to convey the message, and their tone was arrogant.”

Feng Miaojun asked him: “How did you respond?”

“Just a small business, we wouldn’t dare accept the general’s favor.”

This was an outright rejection. Feng Miaojun sighed lightly: “I’m afraid he won’t give up so easily.”

“Indeed.” Peng Bai’s face darkened slightly. “There have been no less than seven incidents of thugs stealing, robbing, and vandalizing Feng’s business properties. We had an inn that was doing good business when it suddenly caught fire in the middle of the night. It was fully booked at the time, and people nearly died. Madam Xu, seeing the situation was not good, quickly shut down one of our restaurants to avoid false accusations of poisoning. However, a few days ago, our supply of grain and fabric was suddenly cut off, and we haven’t found new supply channels yet.”

The Feng business had truly been affected. Feng Miaojun shook her head: “These are nothing compared to mother’s safety.” If the Feng business continued to resist, she feared Xu Lin might abandon these conventional pressure tactics in anger and directly abduct her mother, which would be a big problem.

Madam Xu was a frail woman. If he took her into his mansion and violated her at will, what other way out would there be? She would have no choice but to submit to him.

Feng Miaojun turned to Peng Bai: “Have you investigated his background?”

“Yes.” Peng Bai said in a low voice, “Before joining the military, this man received teachings from the State Preceptor. His martial arts are profound, and he fought his way to his current position with his formidable skills. After he threatened Madam Xu, I sent people to cause him trouble, but instead lost two brothers.”

Feng Miaojun fell into silent contemplation. The Southern City Guards could, with one hand, strangle the royal court’s lifeline. The fact that Xu Lin could serve as its leader showed he had the Yao King’s deep trust. Such a man had high position and great power, and couldn’t be dealt with by ordinary means, especially since he himself was a cultivator with profound skills.

Let alone Madam Xu and Peng Bai, even Feng Miaojun herself couldn’t take down this man.

“He hasn’t suspected your identities?”

“No,” Peng Bai said hatefully. “The two brothers who couldn’t defeat him took their own lives without revealing us. Besides, as the general of the Southern City Guards, Xu Lin has offended many people. We probably don’t even rank on his list of enemies.”

Madam Xu added from the side: “This man is insidiously evil. Half a month ago, the Minister of Agriculture issued a grain requisition order, collecting military provisions at fifty percent of the market price. The Feng business was among the first seventeen grain merchants to be requisitioned. Logically, a business of our scale shouldn’t have been at the top of the grain collection list.”

After the Cliff Mountain passage had been cut off, Yao Kingdom had become tense, preparing for war. Feng Miaojun understood that the grain merchants in the first batch should mostly be large businesses with stable supplies and the best grain quality, often controlled by the gentry, who had an obligation to serve the country.

The Feng business, as an outsider, indeed shouldn’t have been arranged in this batch. “Xu Lin’s doing?”

“He has good relationships with those officials, often gathering to drink together. Doing this kind of small deed is as easy as flipping his hand,” Peng Bai said solemnly. “The profit margin in the grain business isn’t thick to begin with. Selling at fifty percent to the government means a loss. In the past half month, the Feng grain business has lost more than two thousand taels of silver.”

Feng Miaojun said coldly: “With a national crisis at hand, this man is still fixated on beauty. Truly hateful!”

Beside her, the “beauty” uncomfortably lowered her head, while Peng Bai responded: “Yao’s customs are open, advocating for seizing the moment for pleasure.”

“Based on Xu Lin’s behavior, this isn’t his first time doing this, is it?”

Peng Bai nodded: “Xu Lin likes mature beauties and often entices them with benefits. If that doesn’t work, he threatens their husbands’ families and usually gets his way. He finds young girls lacking in worldliness and doesn’t have much interest in them.”

“Has it ever led to loss of life?”

“We haven’t received such news.”

Feng Miaojun gently tapped her chin. This meant that although Xu Lin was consumed by lust, he was cautious in his actions, never giving political enemies a handle against him. “We can’t bring him down by ourselves. Even if we could complain to the king, fondness for women isn’t considered a major offense.”

Peng Bai: “Yes, that’s what makes Xu Lin most difficult to deal with.”

“Small tricks won’t move him. As long as Xu Lin doesn’t give up his evil intentions, mother is in danger,” Feng Miaojun gave a cold laugh. “What can’t be had is what’s constantly longed for—all men are like this.”

Standing to the side as a member of “men,” Peng Bai was speechless, while Madam Xu’s face turned completely red.

Feng Miaojun said to him: “I will decide on this matter. You may leave for now; I have more to say to my mother.”

Peng Bai acknowledged and walked out to guard the door for them, not forgetting to glance at Madam Xu before turning away.

This small gesture didn’t escape Feng Miaojun’s notice, and she understood a bit more.

Madam Xu was somewhat apprehensive. Her daughter had grown up and developed the powerful aura unique to cultivators, completely different from ordinary people like herself. Madam Xu instinctively became timid before those bright eyes that seemed to see through everything. Even in her business dealings, she had never felt so uneasy as she did at this moment.

Feng Miaojun remained silent, first looking her over from head to toe. Madam Xu knew her daughter was about to question her and quickly said: “This was just an expedient measure…”

Before she could finish, Feng Miaojun interrupted: “Why not someone else?”

Madam Xu’s small mouth remained open: “What?”

“Why not find someone else to pretend to be your husband? Why Peng Bai specifically?” Feng Miaojun squinted at her. “Because he’s my confidant and familiar with everything about the Feng business?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.” This had been Madam Xu’s reason, but Feng Miaojun had beaten her to it, making her feel somewhat guilty.

Feng Miaojun said seriously: “To make Xu Lin give up, I think the best way is for Mother to find another big tree for support. Otherwise, with him watching from behind, I’m afraid you won’t be able to leave the city gates even if you want to escape Yinzi, let alone take the Feng business elsewhere.”