On the two sides of the battle line, it was like heaven and earth. Looking at both, Feng Miao Jun didn’t know which one was the human realm.

Just from Jin Jun City’s location, scale, and building clusters, Feng Miao Jun knew this place was quite prosperous, with a great river at its doorstep and fertile plains behind it. Its geographical position was advantageous, and the roads were built neat and level.

The great river is divided into countless streams here, like blood vessels nourishing the Tao Yin Plain. This was one of the few large plains in the Wei Kingdom, providing about one-fifth of the nation’s grain and tax revenue.

Yun Ya had Feng Miao Jun present his token, and the Governor of Jin Jun City hurried over to receive them as honored guests.

The reason they weren’t received as “distinguished officials” was because Yun Ya, though State Preceptor, wasn’t an official.

The Governor led the two to stay in the most distinctive Spring Source Courtyard in his mansion, where even in this season, one could see winter plum blossoms when looking out the window. In the courtyard, there was a warm spring bubbling constantly, emitting misty vapors, and noble guests staying here could enjoy spring baths.

Yun Ya passed through a rockery made of lake stones and suddenly smiled: “Governor Ke, your mansion is exquisite and elegant, no less than the mansions of nobles in the royal capital.”

Governor Ke quickly laughed it off: “It was all left by the previous governor. I haven’t changed anything, just added a bit more rustic charm.”

Yun Ya smiled without speaking, but Feng Miao Jun recalled what he had told her on the way—that the previous governor of Jin Jun City had been too corrupt in taking bribes and was dismissed by the royal court. It was said that a county magistrate could make a hundred thousand silver taels in three years of honest service, let alone in such a prosperous place.

Governor Ke accompanied them attentively. Yun Ya’s status was transcendent; even without an official position, his influence throughout the Wei Kingdom was crucial. Usually, officials like Governor Ke couldn’t even get close to him.

Yun Ya didn’t need to put on airs in front of local officials. After exchanging a few words with Governor Ke, the latter thought that the State Preceptor wasn’t as difficult to serve as rumored. So he cautiously asked: “With the State Preceptor’s esteemed presence, do you have any guidance for Jin Jun City?” The royal army was now stationed in Ji Yuan, so why would the State Preceptor come alone to Jin Jun City, dozens of li away?

“I do.” Yun Ya nodded, “I’ve been here before, and now upon returning, I find Jin Jun City’s festive atmosphere lacking. Such a wonderful festival only comes once a year, yet with a change in governors, it’s being celebrated more simply.”

“Uh?” Governor Ke never expected his modest words to be met with such criticism. He was stunned for a moment before carefully saying: “It’s like this—with the frequent battles, the royal capital has repeatedly issued strict orders to simplify the New Year celebrations…”

Yun Ya snorted and strode forward. They had now arrived at Spring Source Residence, and without another word, he walked straight in, leaving Governor Ke outside.

Governor Ke stood there, his face full of embarrassment, not knowing what to do. Feng Miao Jun smiled and comforted him: “My master was just joking. Don’t take it to heart, Governor. He’s quite satisfied with this place.” The landscape, flowers, plants, and spirit spring were all arranged with great ingenuity, with rustic charm as Governor Ke had said. If this was indeed the work of the previous governor, then apart from being a big corrupt official, he was also truly a person of remarkable taste.

If Yun Ya weren’t satisfied, his behavior wouldn’t be this “gentle.”

Just as she finished speaking, Yun Ya’s rebuke came from inside the Spring Source Residence: “Why are you standing outside? Come in quickly!”

She gave Governor Ke an encouraging smile, then turned and darted inside.

The question of how to entertain Yun Ya almost made Governor Ke scratch his head raw. What fine delicacies hadn’t the State Preceptor eaten in the royal capital? No matter how abundant the materials or how refined the cuisine in Jin Jun City, how could it compare with the capital?

But he was also a person who knew how to handle matters. He secretly found Feng Miao Jun to ask for advice, and what he presented wasn’t common gold or silver, but an exquisitely crafted hairpin. If it had been an ordinary pattern of flowers, bees, or butterflies, Feng Miao Jun would have refused, but this one appealed to her taste:

It featured a theme of flowers blooming under the moon—a crescent new moon, polished from clam shell, with two flowers below it, both framed with silver threads and gemstone petals. One was a pink peach blossom, the other a blue cornflower. These three elements together gave the feeling of flowers blooming under moonlight, with fragrance lingering after the wind—cold but with a touch of warmth.

This was a bribe. Feng Miao Jun played with it a few times before inserting it into her hair without any guilt, knowing that such things would only become more frequent in the future—one of the benefits of following Yun Ya.

Having come from the war zone, she had worn her black hair. With the hairpin inserted, Governor Ke thought that the beauty and the jewelry complemented each other brilliantly, adding to her captivating radiance. He couldn’t help but stare, secretly envying the State Preceptor’s good fortune in love.

This woman had beauty that could topple cities; only by following the State Preceptor could she remain safe and secure.

Seeing his sincerity, Feng Miao Jun also gave Governor Ke a few pointers, and he followed up with: “In Miss Feng’s opinion, does the State Preceptor find the city not lively enough?”

She thought for a moment: “I suppose so.”

“Then what does the State Preceptor like? Theater troupes or elegant gatherings?” He wanted to arrange something.

“Uh, not really. Wait for my news.” She instinctively felt that Yun Ya wouldn’t like these things; he didn’t seem that refined. “What is your request?” Otherwise, why would he be so eager to please the State Preceptor?

Governor Ke smiled broadly: “Last year, the Qiao River flooded, submerging quite a lot of land. Do you think you could ask the State Preceptor to allocate more elemental power here this year to ensure favorable weather for us?”

Feng Miao Jun smiled even more cheerfully: “That’s just a small matter!”

Before the sun had set, the evening meal arrived.

Yun Ya didn’t like to dine with outsiders, so this table was just for the two of them, with all other servants sent away.

There were four dishes and one soup, made without any expensive ingredients. The most visually appealing was just a bowl of bright red cherry pork, but its sweet and sour taste was perfect, and the sweet-toothed State Preceptor picked up several pieces with his chopsticks.

His face remained expressionless, so Feng Miao Jun knew he was quite satisfied.

Then came a bowl of fish head soup with Ligusticum and Angelica, and a large pot of slowly stewed pepper and pig stomach soup. None of these were precious delicacies, but they warmed both heart and stomach, invigorating the blood circulation. After Yun Ya drank a few steaming hot sips, his face seemed to have more color.

Feng Miao Jun knew his old ailment hadn’t fully healed this time and he needed some warming foods, so she smiled and said: “Governor Ke knows how to match dishes to people. This man has a future in officialdom.”

“Is that so?” Yun Ya glanced at her, his chopsticks pointing to the last basket of raw fish. “Was this also chosen for me?”

These were thin slices of raw fish served over ice. In this cold winter month, just looking at it would freeze one from head to toe, having nothing to do with “warming the stomach.”

“Well, even horses stumble. After all, he’s not a worm in your belly.”

Yun Ya smiled without humor: “It seems more like the worm went to tell secrets.”

She blinked her eyes, pretending not to understand, but inside she wasn’t guilty at all. It wasn’t Yun Ya who liked raw fish, but her. Since Governor Ke had asked, and the local raw fish had its special preparation, why shouldn’t she use public means for private gain?