But what reason would Yun Ya have to help her deal with Xu Rin? The man was as cunning as a ghost. Could she use him without being detected?

That night, she thought until her head nearly split open, yet couldn’t come up with any good plan.

Early the next morning, Yun Ya saw her troubled expression and couldn’t help but pat her soft, tender cheek. “Cheer up. You’re about to return to the Kingdom with this young master. Shouldn’t you be happier?”

“Return to the Kingdom?” She froze for a moment. “We can go back now?”

“The envoys from various kingdoms came to observe the ceremony. Despite the many unexpected incidents, the Kingdom of Yao has no reason to detain us any longer, or it would turn into an international dispute. They’re unwilling to bear those consequences, which is why we can depart today.”

She made an “oh” sound, showing no joy.

Damn it! If they left now, what about her foster mother’s safety? She hadn’t dealt with Xu Rin yet!

Yun Ya bent down to meet her eyes, raising one eyebrow. “What’s this? You don’t want to leave anymore?”

She forced an awkward smile. “The fruits here are delicious. Once we leave, we won’t be able to eat them—why don’t we wait until the strawberry market before departing?” In another half month, incredibly delicious strawberries would be in season. Of course, that wasn’t the point. With an extra half month, she would have more time to figure out how to deal with Xu Rin.

“Well said. I believe you.” Yun Ya patted her shoulder. “Now hurry and pack your things.”

Feng Miao Jun could only comply with a heavy heart.

The Langyu Kingdom delegation was already prepared to depart. When Feng Miao Jun followed Yun Ya downstairs, she unexpectedly saw Tan Qing Shuang at the entrance again.

She saw clearly that Tan Qing Shuang’s eyes flashed with reluctance, yet she smiled at Yun Ya and said: “The mountains are high and the waters long. Until we meet again.”

The Kingdom of Wei and the Taoyuan Realm were thousands of miles apart. She didn’t know when she would see Yun Ya again.

Yun Ya nodded to her and was about to pass by when Tan Qing Shuang suddenly said: “Be careful on your journey back. I heard that the Kingdom of Wei has raised troops, using the murder of the Wei envoy as justification. Within two days, they’ve advanced more than eighty li and have already crossed Bayan County.”

Not only Feng Miao Jun, but everyone in the hostel who heard this news looked up in shock.

The Kingdom of Wei had sent troops!

No longer making small, half-concealed moves like when they returned through Sweet Water Village—this time they had finally found a “justified” reason. Everyone who heard this news understood that Wei was launching a major attack against Yao!

The flames of war would reignite in the Northern Lands.

One major upheaval had been brought about by Wei’s attack on Anxia, and not even seven years had passed before the King of Wei impatiently pointed his sword at the Kingdom of Yao again.

This country did not attempt to disguise its ambition and greed.

Yun Ya, however, remained calm and nodded. “Thank you for informing me.” He bowed in farewell, then led the Langyu delegation out with great strides.

The members of the delegation discussed the matter in hushed tones, wondering when their envoy had become entangled with the immortal from the Taoyuan Realm.

Feng Miao Jun already had a considerable understanding of him. Seeing his demeanor, she immediately knew he had received this intelligence early on but had kept it secret. After all, as the State Preceptor of Wei, how could he not know about his own country’s military movements?

What a petty miser! Such important intelligence, and he didn’t even inform her, his attendant.

Since serious incidents had occurred repeatedly in Inzi, civilians and merchants were still forbidden from leaving the city. Although the diplomatic envoys had special permission from the King of Wei, the procedures for leaving the city were extremely complicated.

Fortunately, the Langyu delegation was a legitimate diplomatic mission, and the shape-shifting parasites that Yun Ya and Feng Miao Jun used were genuine articles, so passing through the demon-detecting mirror inspection wasn’t difficult.

After five or six hours of hassle, the group finally left Inzi without incident. Feng Miao Jun sat on horseback, watching the ancient city grow smaller in the distance, feeling emotional.

Who could have predicted that so many major events would occur in just over a month?

That night, the Langyu delegation stayed at a small town forty li from Inzi City. Yun Ya took Feng Miao Jun to the town’s tavern for a late meal, then slipped into the forest under cover of darkness.

Two horses were already prepared there.

Just as she was about to untie the reins, Yun Ya suddenly took out a small bottle and tossed it to her, saying: “It’s yours to handle.”

He had taken away the crystal ball in Inzi City, and now he was returning it to her. Feng Miao Jun understood his meaning and acknowledged it before entering the small bottle.

Who made her his subordinate now? All these menial tasks fell to her.

Inside the small bottle were only two rooms. She opened the door to the right chamber and said to the people inside: “Come with me. The young master says you can leave now.”

The two people who had been trapped here for over a month stood up at her words—they were Chi Zhe and his maid Hong Yun.

Yun Ya and Feng Miao Jun had “borrowed” their faces, confining the real owners in the small bottle. Now that they had left the city, they could release their prisoners.

After dozens of days without seeing daylight, Chi Zhe seemed to have grown paler.

Feng Miao Jun silently recited an incantation, bringing the master and servant out. Chi Zhe glanced at her and Yun Ya, then without a word, turned and left with Hong Yun.

Being allowed to live was already something to be grateful for; he didn’t want to know who these two people were.

Yun Ya mounted his horse and said with a light laugh: “There’s a small town by the lake thirty li from here. The carp balls and silverfish noodles are truly exceptional. Why not have them for breakfast tomorrow?” With a gentle tap of his toes against the horse’s belly, he galloped westward in a cloud of dust.

With such a foodie boss, who could understand her hardship? Feng Miao Jun rolled her eyes heavenward before mounting her horse to follow.

Traveling thirty li through the night, Feng Miao Jun and Yun Ya finally reached the town as the first hint of dawn appeared on the horizon, where they ate the silverfish noodles that Yun Ya had been dreaming of.

This was hardly a proper establishment, merely a makeshift shack set up by the lakeside. The tarpaulin flapped loudly in the wind, offering little protection. However, from the looks of it, the ingredients were fresh—probably caught from the lake and prepared on the spot.

There were already quite a few people seated there, and those who hadn’t yet eaten were rubbing their hands and stomping their feet, chilled to the bone.

But when the hot noodle soup was served, Feng Miao Jun’s complaints instantly vanished. The broth was simmered to perfection, and the fish noodles and balls were springy and chewy. Slurping up a large mouthful of noodles, followed by a warming half measure of strong liquor, the frost seemed to be driven several meters away from her body.

This place was dozens of li from Inzi City, so both had resumed their true appearances, truly a pair of golden boy and jade girl. Such figures should have been pampered behind high walls of gold and jade mansions, yet now they sat in a drafty little shack eating noodles, drawing the eyes of all observers.

The two of them were long accustomed to being the center of attention and continued eating undisturbed.

So others added another impression of them: they could eat!

Those bowls, nearly as large as washbasins—they could finish three whole bowls. Even farmers would feel ashamed of such an appetite!

Finally, Yun Ya put down his bamboo chopsticks and elegantly wiped his mouth. “Enough. Savor in moderation; don’t be greedy.”

All who heard couldn’t help but be impressed.