As long as the case of Crown Prince Yao’s murder remained unsolved, Miao Feng Xian would carry a stain even if he inherited the throne. At this moment, Princess Han Yue offering assistance meant he would have to accept this enormous favor.

Princess Han Yue stared at her and said, “How do I know that the so-called clues you’re giving me haven’t been distorted or tampered with?”

“Very good, you’ve learned to think for yourself, no longer just following what others say.” Indeed, hardship makes one grow.

Princess Han Yue glared at her fiercely, and Feng Miao Jun had to raise her hand and say, “This clue is just one sentence. Miao Feng Xian will know whether it’s true or false as soon as he hears it, so you don’t need to trouble yourself.”

“What is it?”

“Crown Prince Yao died from the ‘Sunset Red’ poison. This poison can lie dormant in the human body for as long as ten days, only triggered through sexual intercourse.” Feng Miao Jun smiled slightly. “This sentence, of course, has a source. If Miao Feng Xian asks, you can tell him that the original text documenting ‘Sunset Red’ is kept in the Smoky Sea Tower, in a work called ‘Records of Hundred Mountains.'”

The Smoky Sea Tower happened to be owned by the Jin Kingdom, a library for the royal family members, so these words coming from Princess Han Yue’s mouth wouldn’t seem out of place at all.

Princess Han Yue gazed at her deeply: “How do you know this?”

“By chance, I’ve read that book.” Feng Miao Jun’s lips curved. “If Miao Feng Xian truly wants to verify it, it wouldn’t be difficult. He just needs to be careful not to alert anyone.”

Princess Han Yue’s eyes were filled with inquiry: “Why are you telling me all this?”

“You were kidnapped. Although I didn’t know about it beforehand, I ultimately became Yun Ya’s accomplice, ruining your wedding.” Feng Miao Jun said with a husky voice, “Everything I’m doing now should be considered my compensation to you.”

Princess Han Yue remained silent, and after a long while finally said, “What if I don’t want to return to Yao?”

“That’s entirely your freedom.” Feng Miao Jun smiled. “Whether you live a life in anonymity or return to Yao Kingdom as the royal consort, you finally have the choice.”

Princess Han Yue’s eyes revealed a look of emotion.

Yes, this was the opportunity she had been longing for, to escape the heavy crown of being Yao’s royal consort and live the life she wanted.

But the smile that had just appeared at the corner of her mouth disappeared in the blink of an eye.

The sky turned white like a fish belly, and Princess Han Yue rode away on her horse, taking the eastern route, exactly where the warm sun was rising.

Before departing, she took a deep look at Yun Ya, her gaze complicated. In the cold, he was wrapped in a fox fur cloak, his pale complexion still unable to hide his immortal-like appearance.

Princess Han Yue looked at Yun Ya, then at Feng Miao Jun, and felt that the two of them standing together, whether in appearance, height, expression, temperament, or even their elongated shadows, were perfectly matched.

Whether viewed from afar or up close, they didn’t look like master and servant, but a pair of jade-like beauties.

Could it be?

She snorted and mounted her horse: “I can go anywhere I want, right?”

Yun Ya nodded slightly, while Feng Miao Jun said seriously, “Of course.”

Princess Han Yue’s eyes rolled: “What if I want to be by Yun Ya’s side, like you?”

Feng Miao Jun turned to look and saw that Yun Ya didn’t even blink: “You also want to be my maid?”

Princess Han Yue stared at him: “Is that not possible?”

“I wonder if you could survive even a day?” Yun Ya’s lips curled, “Why not try?”

He smiled brilliantly, but his words were full of killing intent. Princess Han Yue faltered, quickly saying, “Forget it, being a royal consort is still more profitable.” She looked at Yun Ya a couple more times, unable to help to sigh, “After parting today when we meet again, it will be on the battlefield.” Her words carried endless reluctance.

Yun Ya’s smile remained unchanged on his face, but he no longer spoke.

Princess Han Yue was still not worthy of his attention.

The princess turned to Feng Miao Jun, her voice tinged with melancholy: “We probably won’t meet again, will we?”

Feng Miao Jun remained silent, and after a good while finally said, “Take care.” From now on, each would serve their interests.

Princess Han Yue’s gaze lingered on her, as if wanting to imprint her in her mind, then mumbled, “My wish, perhaps you should fulfill it instead.”

Feng Miao Jun didn’t understand: “What?”

But Princess Han Yue had already squeezed her horse’s belly, galloping out seven or eight zhang.

A morning breeze blew past, and she suddenly stopped, turning her horse around, and called out loudly to Feng Miao Jun: “I should have begged my father to make you a princess too, to marry in my place. After all, the one Miao Feng Xian likes is you.”

After saying this, she headed east again, this time not looking back.

This lone rider soon disappeared into the sparse pine forest, with only echoes of “likes are you,” and “is you”… reverberating through the forest below.

From too far away, even Yun Ya couldn’t see the faint smile that appeared on Princess Han Yue’s face—

Feng Miao Jun, I’ll help you one last time.

In the small pine forest behind her, Feng Miao Jun stood with a puzzled expression, the sadness of parting somewhat diluted by Princess Han Yue’s nonsensical call.

She turned around, only to meet Yun Ya’s thoughtful gaze.

After he had restored his original appearance, just such a hesitant look could be deadly. Unfortunately, his eyes now were gloomy, and Feng Miao Jun, standing in the small forest in the middle of winter, felt even colder. She coughed lightly twice before saying, “Young Master, we should also leave.”

Yun Ya gave a hum of agreement but continued to observe her leisurely until she felt her hair stand on end. Then he said, “Why do I feel that your eager efforts seem not only aimed at saving the princess’s life?”

Feng Miao Jun smiled brilliantly: “Of course, I also want to help Young Master succeed!”

“Help me?” Yun Ya’s voice carried a playful tone as he unhurriedly mounted his horse, “Heh, then I await with anticipation.”

Feng Miao Jun had just climbed onto her horse when he shot off like an arrow, in the blink of an eye galloping over a hundred zhang away, not even waiting for her.

“??” This person’s face-changing skill must have been practiced since birth to be so refined now!

The days that followed passed in traveling.

They passed through many checkpoints, always crossing easily. But Feng Miao Jun could feel that the further west they went, the thicker the atmosphere of war became, and the more depressed and tense people’s moods grew.

They also passed through a city called Dan Zhuo, which was already on the front line.

This was a city that had just undergone the baptism of war, where the defenders had bravely repelled the invaders, but at a very heavy cost. The originally thick city gates were pitted, with two places collapsed, and laborers were rushing to repair them.

This time the enemy had broken through the east gate and entered, so Dan Zhuo had fought street by street, causing houses in the eastern part of the city to be smashed or burned, destroying a large area. The muddy ground was spotted with blood, frozen into ice chunks.

Feng Miao Jun also saw passing carts covered with straw mats, which couldn’t completely hide the hands and feet underneath.

Walking past one broken house after another, she could occasionally glimpse corpses inside that hadn’t been collected yet.

Listening to the faint moans and cries around, smelling the lingering scent of blood, and seeing thieves taking advantage to loot other people’s homes, Feng Miao Jun experienced for the first time the cruelty of war and the cheapness of human life.