She shook her head: “He drank too much last night.”

“Please take good care of him, An’an. I fear you’re the only one who can approach him while he’s sleeping,” Lu Ming said with a bitter smile. “When he wakes up, please inform me. I have urgent matters to report.”

Cloud Lord only woke up as the sun was setting, his complexion much better than before.

Feng Miaojun invited Lu Ming to report military intelligence, but she left to avoid impropriety and went for a walk.

By rule, servants brought by high officials weren’t allowed to move freely around the military camp—they could only stay in the tent awaiting their master’s summons. But who could object when her backing was so powerful?

Her beauty attracted countless stares as people turned their heads to look at her.

After wandering for more than two hours, she returned to Yun Ya’s tent. Lu Ming had already left, and the great State Preceptor’s handsome face showed deep dissatisfaction: “Where did you run off to play? There was no one to refill the tea.”

The small stove for boiling tea sat right beside him, and before leaving, she had deliberately filled it with water and charcoal. This man was incredibly lazy, unwilling to do even the simplest tasks. Feng Miaojun silently thought that even if she hung a flatbread around the State Preceptor’s neck, he would likely still starve after a while.

No, that wasn’t right. He was a cultivator, not easily susceptible to starvation.

She could only swallow her pride: “I was wrong.” She stepped forward to refill his tea. Considering that he hadn’t been disruptive or troublesome while drunk last night, she decided not to argue with him today.

“Hmm.” Seeing her docility, Yun Ya’s expression shifted from gloomy to merely cloudy. “Among the news Lu Ming brought, there’s one item you might like to hear.”

Something she might like to hear? Feng Miaojun cautiously asked: “Princess Hanyue?”

“Correct.” He said irritably, “After you released Princess Hanyue, she reached Yinzi City that very night. How were you so certain she would return?” That Princess Hanyue had a capricious personality and, being in a high position was accustomed to willfulness. The fact that Feng Miaojun could make her follow her plan showed that this little girl’s skill at calculating people’s hearts shouldn’t be underestimated.

After all, this was a crucial part of her plan.

“Previously, she fled from marriage because she felt this alliance was merely decorative for the relationship between the two countries—her presence or absence didn’t matter—so she yearned for freedom. But now that the Kingdom of Wei has invaded and the Kingdoms of Yao and Jin are growing distant, her sacrifice finally has meaning.” Feng Miaojun’s gaze dimmed slightly. “In truth, Princess Hanyue has long understood this is her destiny. All she wanted was to make a grand entrance, ensuring everyone remembered her contribution. Given the current situation, she would certainly return to become the Crown Prince of Yao’s consort.”

For many royal daughters, the “meaning” they represented and symbolized was higher than their happiness, higher than everything else. That’s why Feng Miaojun never envied Princess Hanyue. At least her fate remained in her control.

“Destiny?” A ripple appeared in Yun Ya’s eyes, but by the time she looked more closely, it had vanished without a trace. “Foolish!”

This man could never say anything pleasant. Feng Miaojun pouted in displeasure, but Yun Ya had already continued: “At least she delivered the message. Miao Fengxian acted quickly. Three days later, Xu Wenlin stopped attending court sessions, claiming illness from overwork. The gates to his mansion remained tightly closed, refusing all visitors.”

She understood immediately: “Miao Fengxian doesn’t want to alert the enemy?” State law had its procedures. If he didn’t employ aboveboard means to deal with Xu Wenlin, it meant he not only believed Princess Hanyue’s words but also realized Xu Wenlin must have backers. After learning about the poison “Xi Hong,” he could certainly employ corresponding methods of verification.

But formally prosecuting Xu Wenlin would also alert this person.

Regardless, after more than twenty days of anxiety, Feng Miaojun could finally breathe a small sigh of relief.

“It seems Miao Fengxian has already secretly interrogated Xu Wenlin, because shortly after, the King of Yao summoned Zuo Qiuhu, the head of the Imperial Observatory, to the palace under the pretext of ‘discussing wartime logistics.’ As soon as he met with the king, he was seized and stripped of his official robes.”

Feng Miaojun drew in a sharp breath: “They moved so quickly?” After a pause, she added, “With the war going on outside, does the Kingdom of Yao dare to conduct a major purge at this time?” The Imperial Observatory, as the State Preceptor’s deputy, was no empty position. It served as the emperor’s ears and eyes alongside the State Preceptor—a genuine official position! Such a sudden arrest would cause at least a magnitude seven earthquake in court politics.

“The King of Yao might not dare, but Miao Fengxian appears to have some courage.” He smiled faintly. “Precisely because the great war between Yao and Wei has begun, his investigation and arrests needed to be swift and decisive, closing the net before causing an even greater shock.”

“The king entrusted this case entirely to Miao Fengxian, giving him free rein. Zuo Qiuhu’s cultivation was suppressed, and he was thrown directly into the imperial prison without going through court deliberation. Miao Fengxian simply stated that wartime doesn’t follow regular procedures, and continued to arrest the remaining accomplices with decisive force.” Yun Ya let out a sound, not without regret. “He was fortunate that so far, the only military officer involved appears to be Xu Wenlin. Now the position of head of the City Guard has also been filled by someone new.” Otherwise, the Kingdom of Yao would have faced far greater turmoil.

“So the mastermind behind all this was Zuo Qiuhu?” By the time they left Yinzi City, she had only uncovered the tip of the iceberg in this matter, with most of the truth still hidden beneath the waters. She didn’t know whether to consider herself lucky or Xu Wenlin extremely unlucky that she had found this breakthrough. “Why would he want to assassinate the Crown Prince?”

“When Zuo Qiuhu was arrested, he shouted that he was thinking of the Kingdom of Yao’s future. He claimed Miao Fengyuan was indecisive and lacked the virtue to ascend the throne. After his imprisonment, he attempted suicide three times but failed.”

Feng Miaojun frowned: “Was he possessed?” Deciding the succession for the King of Yao and eagerly trying to kill the Crown Prince—such a proactive minister was truly frightening.

“The Kingdom of Yao has a tradition of ‘policy advocacy.’ Royal decrees issued by the king must be signed and distributed by the Central Chamber to take effect. These officials can also directly criticize flaws in royal edicts during court sessions, wielding considerable power. Over time, some inevitably became arrogant and self-important, thinking they could govern on the king’s behalf and choose his successor.” He smiled slightly. “Every King of Yao has wanted to reclaim this power, but none have succeeded so far.”

Feng Miaojun shook her head: “Killing Miao Fengyuan is too radical an approach; it makes no sense.”

“Traditionally, the throne passes to the eldest legitimate son, but Miao Fengyuan is weak-natured. It’s said he wept uncontrollably when his pet cat died, and a court censor submitted a memorial stating he couldn’t distinguish between important and trivial matters. The court has long been divided into two factions—one supporting the king’s decision, the other favoring the second prince, Miao Fengxian. However, the Miao brothers’ relationship is too close to be divided.”

He already knew the Miao brothers hadn’t been divided, clearly aware for some time that the culprit wasn’t Miao Fengxian. Feng Miaojun secretly cursed him as “petty” again before hearing him continue: “Although Zuo Qiuhu repeatedly claims he acted for the Kingdom of Yao’s sake and insists he had no personal motives, his hidden calculations aren’t hard to guess, and Miao Fengxian probably understands this as well.”

Feng Miaojun exhaled: “You should have said so earlier, young master. I thought this man was so impartial that he treated state affairs as his business.”

Yun Ya smiled: “His son, Zuo Qiuyuan, is close to Miao Fengxian. Yes, the same man who caught your eye that day on the street—”