“Don’t speak,” Feng Miaojun said without raising her head. “Let me think in peace.” Low pressure surrounded her, and it seemed as if a dark cloud hovered above her forehead, ready to unleash a thunderstorm at any moment.

Where had things gone wrong? Perhaps Spiral Float Fisherman had mistakenly auctioned some other spiritual liquid as Golden Branch Jade Dew? But Spiral Float Fisherman had been focused on selling for hundreds of years—how could such an oversight occur?

As she fretted, a pulling force came from the mark, reclaiming all the spiritual power she had “borrowed” and even taking more in the process.

That stingy Yun never hesitated to show his displeasure. The last time she borrowed a bit too much spiritual power on Spiral Float Island, he initially did not react, but three days later he began demanding repayment, taking away a large portion of her reserves each day until she finally cleared her debt a month later!

The thought that her entanglement with this person would continue endlessly made her mood even worse. More troubling was that she had accepted the position as Kingdom of New Xia’s ruler to obtain the Golden Branch Jade Dew, but now the dew was ineffective for her, yet she couldn’t abandon the position.

She had lost both the prize and the wager.

She rubbed her throbbing temples and sighed miserably.

Becoming New Xia’s ruler was part of her contract with Fu Lingchuan. She had even written her name in the heavenly book and marked her oath with her blood, with the celestial law as her guarantor.

If she dared to break the contract, the consequences would likely be more than she could bear.

“What should I do? It seems I’ll have to grit my teeth and continue being queen.”

“You don’t enjoy being a ruler?” White Board’s voice sounded, and Feng Miaojun realized she had spoken her thoughts aloud.

She remained silent, but the answer was written on her face.

The Liquid Metal Monster cleared its throat. “Although I don’t know why you’re displeased, once you’re crowned ruler, can’t you do whatever you want? I see humans breaking their heads over this position. Fu Lingchuan coaxes you to take the throne, yet you’re unwilling.”

She had little interest in the position. Feng Miaojun smiled bitterly, about to speak when suddenly a thought flashed through her mind:

Indeed, a ruler wields great power—finding something would be much easier, more convenient, and quicker than as a commoner!

This world was so vast, with such complex divine powers and unusual methods. How difficult would it be to find a solution to the curse relying solely on her strength? Encountering the Golden Branch Jade Dew at Spiral Float Fisherman’s was pure luck like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse—how could she count on such good fortune again? Moreover, a curse that even Golden Branch Jade Dew couldn’t break would likely stay with her for a long time. She needed to prepare for a prolonged battle.

In this situation, having assistance was crucial.

With more resources at her disposal, her search for a curse-breaking method would be more efficient, with greater chances of success.

So, would she take on the role of New Xia’s queen, or would she?

Since she was already riding the tiger and couldn’t dismount, why not ride it over mountains and across ridges?

Hmm, thinking of it this way, becoming ruler no longer seemed so objectionable.

Feng Miaojun usually carried all her possessions with her, so there wasn’t much to pack. She spent half an hour composing herself to avoid appearing dejected in front of Fu Lingchuan.

Sure enough, Fu Lingchuan soon came looking for her.

“We’ll leave separately and meet at the western outskirts of the city,” he said, producing a miniature sand table no larger than a chessboard. After a wave of fluctuation, it displayed the general outline of Taiping City, clearly showing the positions of all city gates.

“The King of Yan is displeased with our refusal and will certainly have someone watching us,” Fu Lingchuan explained. “I’ll first take a carriage to Dragon Gate Bath House, while you use your shape-shifting bug to exchange faces with a servant from the residence—you can easily slip away then.”

Dragon Gate Bath House? Having stayed in Taiping City for many days, Feng Miaojun knew it was a place where men soaked in hot springs, with private rooms reserved for nobles. Those spying on him would at most wait outside the private room.

She raised an eyebrow. “The Mustard Seed Formation?”

Fu Lingchuan nodded. He would set up the Mustard Seed Formation in the private room. After waiting for several hours without seeing him emerge, the spy would inevitably enter to check. The room was small enough to survey in a glance, and finding no one, they would assume he had quietly left. At that point, the spy would either give chase or report back to the King of Yan, allowing Fu Lingchuan to shake off his tail and escape during that window of opportunity.

In such a short time, the King of Yan couldn’t immediately arrange for people to block the city gates. Fu Lingchuan could safely leave the city, meet with Feng Miaojun, and depart on a crane.

With their plan settled, they were about to go their separate ways when suddenly a servant came to report: “Prince Zhao Yun, son of the King of Yan, has come to visit!”

Feng Miaojun was startled, while Fu Lingchuan frowned. “Trouble has arrived.”

Zhao Yun was the nineteenth son of the King of Yan—the husband the king wished to match with her.

The number “nineteen” sounded somewhat alarming, but the King of Yan was almost one hundred and seventy years old, yet had only twenty-six sons, which honestly wasn’t many. According to the intelligence Fu Lingchuan had given Feng Miaojun, Zhao Yun was accomplished in both civil and martial arts. He was the king’s oldest living son and most beloved by his royal father.

Zhao Yun had only returned to the Yan capital yesterday, and his sudden visit now was undoubtedly at the king’s behest.

With no alternative, Feng Miaojun hastily straightened her attire and went to the front hall.

The Nineteenth Prince was slowly drinking tea. Seeing the two approaches, he stood to greet them.

He was very tall with broad shoulders, a spacious forehead, and a handsome face with strong features, resembling his father.

Those bright, piercing eyes especially resembled the King of Yan’s.

Now he wore a smile as he said to Feng Miaojun, “It’s been over a year since we met, and Princess Changle has grown taller.”

The fake Princess Changle and Zhao Yun had met twice before, hence this remark. Other young ladies might find it endearing, but Feng Miaojun felt a chill.

This Nineteenth Prince possessed keen observation and an excellent memory. She had only changed her appearance—her height couldn’t be altered.

Fortunately, the fake Princess Changle was herself a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, an age where growth spurts weren’t unusual. Besides, since leaving Wufu Snow Mountain, Feng Miaojun had also grown in another area, which made impersonating the fake Princess Changle possible.

She smiled slightly. “The Nineteenth Prince appears even more vigorous.”

Now honored as a sovereign ruler, she didn’t need to bow even to the King of Yan, much less to Zhao Yun. This suited her well—previously as Yun’s attendant in the Wei army, she had to observe all proper etiquette when meeting the King of Wei.

Zhao Yun was indeed a fine figure of a man. At forty-nine years old, his cultivation allowed him to appear only in his twenties. Feng Miaojun knew he was not only politically adept but also a skilled horseman with illustrious military achievements, respected both in court and beyond.

The King of Yan had not named a crown prince, and Zhao Yun was the most promising candidate.

Fu Lingchuan interjected opportunely: “The Nineteenth Prince has invited us to dine by Clear River. What does Your Majesty think?” Behind Zhao Yun’s back, he secretly gave her a meaningful look.