Zhao Yun added, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Princess Changle and Brother Fu, and I’ve missed you terribly. Why not indulge Zhao Yun, Princess?”

These words carried a double meaning, and how could Feng Miaojun not understand? Noticing Fu Lingchuan’s signal, she smiled and said, “Very well. I’ve heard the crabs in Clear River are at their fattest this time of year.”

The three left the residence and took two carriages to Tianhe Tower.

The time had already exceeded Fu Lingchuan’s “one-hour” deadline, inevitably delaying their plan to leave the city. Feng Miaojun could see the helplessness in Fu Lingchuan’s eyes.

Standing on someone else’s territory without a powerful homeland as backup, she, though a sovereign ruler, couldn’t afford to offend the King of Yan, let alone the Nineteenth Prince. It was deeply frustrating.

Clear River ran through Taiping City, dividing it into northern and southern sections. Special pleasure boats on the river catered to nobles. Sitting in such a boat drifting downstream, one could enjoy the scenery on both banks and witness the spectacular sight of countless vessels competing for passage—a favorite pastime of poets and scholars.

The boat they boarded was exclusively for royal use, at least twice the size of other pleasure boats, and extraordinarily luxurious.

Feng Miaojun leaned against the railing, watching the great river flow and numerous merchant ships shuttling back and forth. She couldn’t help but marvel at how Taiping City was truly the foremost metropolis of the Southern Continent, with even its maritime commerce being so bustling.

Among the thousand sails, countless ornate pleasure boats moved slowly along the riverbanks. The gentle sounds of string and bamboo instruments, delicate female voices, people drinking and reciting poetry, others singing loudly—all vividly portraying the gentle luxury of the “ten-foot realm of sensual pleasure.”

“It’s been over a year, and there seem to be many more pleasure boats on Clear River.”

“Indeed, in recent years, many newly wealthy have appeared in Taiping City, purchasing land and boats.”

Indeed, the rich people’s penchant for luxury homes and yachts remained unchanged regardless of time and space. Feng Miaojun pursed her lips.

Zhao Yun asked thoughtfully, “Does Princess Changle disapprove?”

She murmured in agreement, casually saying, “It’s so noisy and crowded.”

The waterway along the shore was indeed busy, with vessels of all sizes queuing for passage, and the sounds of men and women laughing reaching their ears. Zhao Yun immediately instructed, “Move to the middle of the river for some tranquility.”

The large pleasure boat changed course and headed toward the center of the river. There, scattered small islands displayed lush flowering trees and fluttering water birds—a scene of serenity.

Feng Miaojun picked up a teacup and took a small sip, exclaiming, “Excellent tea!” Then, focusing her gaze, she asked in slight surprise, “Small Dragon Tea Cake?”

“Impressive,” Zhao Yun praised, giving an order to his attendants. Soon, a maid brought in a brocade tray bearing two small tea cakes.

These tea cakes were barely larger than copper coins and, though compressed, weighed no more than one liang each. Remarkably, the dragon pattern on their surface was crafted from pure gold!

Yan Kingdom had tribute tea exclusively for royal use called “Dragon Phoenix Tea Cake.” From harvesting to storage, it underwent countless meticulous processes, each extremely rigorous. Among these, the “Small Dragon Tea Cake” reserved for the king and princes was an even more advanced version, with exquisite production methods and very few fortunate enough to taste it worldwide.

Even at the annual Grand Ceremony of Heaven Worship, one “Small Dragon Tea Cake” bestowed by the King of Yan would be shared among seven or eight ministers, its value countless times more precious than gold.

Zhao Yun’s presentation of these two cakes demonstrated his honored status. Moreover, he said, “If Princess Changle enjoys them, please accept these two as a gift.”

Feng Miaojun finished the tea in her cup carefully before smiling and saying, “There’s no need. A brief taste is the most delightful.”

These words also carried a double meaning. Zhao Yun gazed at her deeply. “Princess Changle has become more composed.” The former Princess Changle, though charming, beautiful, and well-mannered, was merely a decorative figure, with Fu Lingchuan making all decisions. Moreover, Zhao Yun could see at a glance that she was deeply in love with Fu Lingchuan.

The Princess Changle before him now had the same face but had become more dignified.

Fu Lingchuan deliberately sighed, “After returning to An Xia and witnessing the ravages of war, who wouldn’t become more composed?”

War had always been the greatest catalyst for growth. Those unwilling to grow would be forcibly made to do so.

Zhao Yun also looked contemplative: “In prosperity or decline, it’s always the common people who suffer. Come, let’s drink to New Xia, hoping that the fires of war cease soon!” He raised his cup in invitation.

Fu Lingchuan and Feng Miaojun used tea in place of wine, both draining their cups in one go.

She didn’t accept the tea cakes.

Zhao Yun continued, “I heard from my royal father that you both plan to return north?”

Feng Miaojun and Fu Lingchuan maintained their smiles, but both thought, “How formidable!” Zhao Yun’s statement was affirmative, indicating the King of Yan already knew their intentions. With this, they realized leaving the city wouldn’t be so easy.

Feng Miaojun slightly furrowed her brows: “We just learned upon arriving in Yan’s capital that the Wei Kingdom has killed Xiao Jing to quell internal unrest. As a result, the northern war situation has become tense again. We must return as soon as possible to share in the hardships of our people.” A ruler was the pillar of a nation. With New Xia newly established and its foundation unstable, her absence would cause unrest among the people.

“As it should be,” Zhao Yun nodded repeatedly, then changed the subject. “I came today with something to say.”

“Please speak,” Feng Miaojun knew the key point had arrived and braced herself.

“My royal father has already expressed his wishes, and I’m not one for beating around the bush, so I’ll speak directly,” Zhao Yun said seriously. “I wish to form a marital bond with Princess Changle, offering military supplies and spirit stones worth sixty-seven million liang as betrothal gifts. What does Princess Changle think?”

He was indeed direct, even stating the price clearly. Hearing this, Feng Miaojun raised her eyes to look at Fu Lingchuan.

The unmistakable plea for help in her eyes let both men know that Fu Lingchuan was her main support.

This girl was acting too convincingly!

Fu Lingchuan secretly cursed, but outwardly showed a troubled expression: “Nineteenth Prince…”

Zhao Yun raised his hand, cutting off Fu Lingchuan’s words: “Brother Fu, I’m asking Princess Changle!”

How would the real Princess Changle respond to this? Feng Miaojun bit her lip and asked him, “If we marry, will you return with me to New Xia?”

Zhao Yun smiled, “Of course. If Princess Changle marries me, New Xia becomes my homeland too.”

“For how long?” Feng Miaojun asked softly. “Being my husband means sharing in the joys and sorrows of New Xia’s people, day after day for decades.”

Decades? Zhao Yun was slightly taken aback. He had indeed prepared to accompany Princess Changle back to New Xia, but only for a year or so before returning to Yan. As the King of Yan’s oldest living son, he bore important military responsibilities and couldn’t reside in another country for extended periods.

This was precisely what Feng Miaojun was hinting at: “I am queen, and my future opportunities to visit Yan will be few. If the Nineteenth Prince cannot live with me in New Xia, we will spend more than half our lives apart.” Without pausing, she continued, “If the Nineteenth Prince were to reside long-term in New Xia, then after the current King of Yan’s eventual passing…”

She didn’t finish, as Zhao Yun frowned: “That’s inauspicious talk. Princess Changle should never speak like this again. Be careful of eavesdroppers.”

Feng Miaojun smiled slightly and dropped the subject.

It was as she had expected—Zhao Yun hadn’t taken her seriously. He had thought that since his father commanded it, he would marry her, taking a small kingdom’s queen as his wife to establish good diplomatic relations and contribute to Yan Kingdom, without deeply considering the future details.