“This man is quite handsome,” Xu Linghai stroked his face. “On this point, I can qualify. If it were the State Preceptor of the Wei Kingdom, I couldn’t imitate him. They say he’s a beauty who could make even the most gorgeous women pale in comparison.”

Fu Lingchuan’s face darkened slightly, and Feng Miaojun gave a light cough. “Continue.”

“He accompanied Princess Changle, who is now the Queen of New Xia, lobbying in Yandu for many years, disregarding public opinion. So this man can endure humiliation to achieve greater goals, has excellent eloquence, and is skilled at planning. Having become State Preceptor, he uses the Queen’s authority to control the royal court, showing extremely great ambition.”

A faint light flickered in Fu Lingchuan’s eyes, but Feng Miaojun merely smiled. “Is that all? You don’t need to analyze; everyone knows this.”

“This person has a graceful bearing with skillful tactics and is accustomed to assessing situations strategically,” Xu Linghai continued. “The Queen of New Xia has stayed in Wusel for more than two months already, with no signs of returning west. If I were Fu Lingchuan, I wouldn’t rush to take the Queen back either. Here you can take full advantage of home territory—why go to the western region where you’d be at a disadvantage everywhere?”

What he said happened to align perfectly with their thinking. Fu Lingchuan’s gaze intensified, and Feng Miaojun also withdrew the smile from her face, softly applauding. “That’s more like it. There should be some substance.”

But Fu Lingchuan asked him, “Where did you hear this perspective?”

Xu Linghai pointed to his temple. “I use my eyes to see and my brain to think, requiring no guidance from others.” At this point, he asked Feng Miaojun, “You surely don’t intend for me to impersonate State Preceptor Fu? That would be rather difficult in the southern region of New Xia. It would be better to go thousands of miles away.”

Feng Miaojun shook her head. “Not necessary. You won’t be going that far. I need someone to earn a salary here—are you willing?”

“What do you mean?” Xu Linghai was startled. “You want to recommend me for an official position?” Could such a windfall drop from the sky? Just fifteen minutes ago he was worried about his life, and now suddenly he was about to rise to prominence?

Fu Lingchuan, however, darkened his handsome face and said with displeasure, “Changle, don’t be foolish.”

Changle? Xu Linghai pondered these two characters, and his expression changed instantly. Wasn’t “Changle” the title of the current Queen when she was still a princess?

“Foolish?” Feng Miaojun snorted. “You may not meddle in other matters, but can’t I bring someone into my service?”

“I can find any kind of person you want. There are many learned and capable men in New Xia.”

“What would I do with learned and capable men?” Feng Miaojun extended her delicate five fingers, admiring her nails. Today she had specially applied pink polish, with the shimmering powder made from locally unique seashells, making her little hands appear as soft as a baby’s, too delicate to grasp.

“I am the Queen, so I should have a court jester.” With that, she pointed her fingertip at Xu Linghai and teased, “I want him.”

When such ambiguous words came from a beauty’s mouth, Xu Linghai felt neither honored nor awkward, but rather his back broke into a slight sweat because he had already discerned the identities of these two people—the Queen of New Xia and the State Preceptor.

They had no reason to deceive him, as they would soon return to Wusel, to the royal palace.

Besides, the atmosphere in the carriage had suddenly grown somewhat rigid.

Fu Lingchuan gazed at her deeply, then suddenly let out a long sigh, revealing his exhaustion. “Changle, what exactly do you want?” Wouldn’t it be better for her to be a peaceful queen, merely concerned with eating, drinking, having fun, and looking beautiful, leaving the rest of the troubles, whether from court or across the continent, to his loyal ministers to resolve?

This was the dream life of many women, so why wouldn’t she accept it? Why did she have to create such complications?

His eyes were rimmed with red, and Feng Miaojun could see he was truly exhausted. Official duties were already burdensome, and with the Queen delaying her return to Lubo City, the court was placing great pressure on Fu Lingchuan. Despite this, he could still accompany her to visit the tiger market and help her save people, already showing extraordinary patience.

If it were any other woman, encountering such a handsome, gentle, considerate, and capable man, most would have been unable to bear seeing him so tired.

However, Feng Miaojun was not moved.

She knew clearly what she wanted. Before achieving her goal, she absolutely would not soften her heart.

“What I want is simple,” Feng Miaojun looked directly into his eyes and said seriously, “Self-determination. If cousin helps me achieve this, we can work together in full cooperation, united against external threats; if not…”

She only said this much, but the other two understood her meaning.

Fu Lingchuan’s forehead throbbed with pain. Feng Miaojun had expressed herself very clearly—she would not be a puppet, a point also evident from her behavior on Luofu Island. The prerequisite for self-determination was having sufficient power, so she would not tolerate others usurping her authority.

In other words, she would not allow Fu Lingchuan to dominate everything.

This was difficult because one step forward would cross her boundary, while one step back would exceed Fu Lingchuan’s bottom line!

Fu Lingchuan poured himself a cup of tea and drank it all before slowly saying, “New Xia has just been established, facing internal and external troubles. Along this journey, Changle has also seen the conditions in Wusel. Can’t you empathize with the people’s suffering and first let your brother exercise his abilities?” Why didn’t she understand that this was an extraordinary period? If she continued to be at odds with him, to oppose him, the only ones to suffer would be New Xia and its people.

“Cousin speaks incorrectly,” Feng Miaojun’s expression remained unchanged. “Wouldn’t brother and sister working together with one heart be stronger than struggling alone?”

Fu Lingchuan stared at her intently, and Feng Miaojun returned his gaze calmly. Both saw determination and resolve in each other’s eyes.

Neither was willing to yield.

Xu Linghai, sitting to one side, felt very uncomfortable. He had just cleared his throat when he felt himself almost flattened by the weighty atmosphere, and hastily said, “We’re about to reach town. Perhaps the two of you could let me off first before discussing matters of state…” He truly didn’t want to know a single word of what they were discussing.

“Stay.”

“Get out!”

The two spoke simultaneously, causing Xu Linghai to fall silent.

Feng Miaojun turned her head slightly, pressing her red lips together. This gesture resembled a child denied candy, and Fu Lingchuan’s heart softened slightly. He thought silently, why argue with her over a con man? Finally, he said, “Fine, he can stay.”

Feng Miaojun glanced at him, and this time it was her turn to lean back against the cushions and close her eyes to rest.

As the carriage entered the Summer Palace, Xu Linghai gazed upon the towering palace walls and finally believed he had truly encountered two great nobles.

Feng Miaojun casually gave him the position of advisor, one who could offer strategic counsel to the sovereign but temporarily without real power. Even so, Xu Linghai had suddenly been transformed from a wandering con man into a royal court official. He was still somewhat dazed when led to his new residence.

After he had left the carriage, Fu Lingchuan leaned forward slightly and said to Feng Miaojun, “We’ve finished visiting the tiger market and even brought back an extra person. Now regarding the tax decree, what are Your Majesty’s views?”

“As I said before, a tax rate of one-thirtieth is too low. Agricultural and industrial production is not easy, and our collecting one-thirtieth is acceptable as we respect Heaven’s will, since the common people must also eat. However, for the merchant tax at the border towns to equal that of farmers and workers is unreasonable for the common people.”