Seeing her look of dejection, Fu Lingchuan offered some comfort: “It’s not that bad. Thanks to Changle, the southeastern region is now developing far faster than the western region. As for the income from places like Wusel and Mituo City, Yan Kingdom can’t get a single copper.”

The agreement stated in black and red that Yan Kingdom would take thirty percent of the income from the six western cities. This clause was included because since the founding of An Xia, the western region had always been relatively prosperous, while the eastern region was a wilderness with few inhabitants. Who could have imagined that the eruption of Cliff Mountain volcano would transform New Xia’s Red Cliff Forest and plains into busy trade routes?

All things considered, “Changle is truly New Xia’s lucky star.”

Feng Miaojun’s lips curved slightly upward. Her mood improved a bit knowing that Yan Kingdom hadn’t gained an advantage. Now she also understood why Fu Lingchuan didn’t oppose her plan to relocate the capital to Wusel: her plan, coincidentally or not, circumvented Yan Kingdom’s agreement.

“Also, Zhao Yun told me yesterday that he plans to attend the auction in Mituo City.”

“That’s quite unusual.” The nineteenth prince of the Yan Kingdom had seen all manner of rare treasures; what treasures in Mituo City could attract him? Feng Miaojun knew her situation well—Mituo City’s scale and prestige were far behind the former Luofu Fish Market, and there wouldn’t be that many rare treasures appearing. What business did Zhao Yun have there?

“He heard from somewhere that one of the auction items is a giant stone from the Northern Desert. He wanted to buy it directly, but the seller will only bring the stone on the day of the auction, so Zhao Yun can only wait.”

“Buy it directly?” Feng Miaojun pondered these words. “He seems quite eager. What’s so special about this giant stone?”

“I had someone look into it. It’s said to ward off evil and harm.”

“That’s not a particularly remarkable effect.” Plenty of magical artifacts and talismans could do that. For something truly rare, its properties should also be exceptional.

“Then I don’t know. Zhao Yun only said it was the King of Yan’s request.”

Feng Miaojun’s mind stirred, recalling information she had heard before about Lord Yangshan. This powerful figure had a curious interest in stones and had purchased strangely shaped rocks with unusual properties at various auctions.

Zhao Yun’s action this time was directed by the King of Yan.

Wealthy people certainly had peculiar hobbies.

By the time they finished talking, the carriage had returned to the palace. Feng Miaojun had also had a couple of drinks today, and her head was now somewhat foggy. She hadn’t enjoyed a good night’s sleep in a long time, so she decided to forego the evening meal, removed her clothes and makeup, and went straight to bed.

She slept deeply and soundly, sweeping away the weariness that had accumulated over many days.

Feng Miaojun rubbed her sleepy eyes and pushed aside the bed curtains to step outside. Beyond the window, it was still the dead of night, pitch black, with the steady, hollow patter of rain falling on the banana leaves in the courtyard garden.

She was thirsty. Gathering her loose hair, she wanted to get water from the table.

With too many secrets to keep, she didn’t usually have maids attending her, so naturally there was no one else in the great hall in the middle of the night.

She picked up the silver kettle—hmm, it was empty.

Should she collect some rainwater from outside the window? While Feng Miaojun was thinking this, a celadon cup suddenly appeared before her, filled with steaming clear tea.

The tea was a bluish-green color, its fragrance wafting up.

The hand holding the cup was steady and fair, with long, strong fingers.

Feng Miaojun was greatly startled. Without thinking, she stepped sideways, intending to move away.

There was someone else here!

But before she could complete her step, her left arm was suddenly gripped. The person’s strength was enormous; the hand holding her was like steel pincers. Feng Miaojun gathered her energy and struggled forcefully—

She couldn’t break free. The person’s fingers didn’t budge at all.

Her face turned pale with fright, not just because she couldn’t escape, but more terrifyingly, her dantian was empty, and she couldn’t draw out even a trace of spiritual power!

Where was the Star Sky Awl? She called for it several times, but this treasure that should have been connected to her bloodline was nowhere to be found.

Bare-handed and without spiritual power, she was just an ordinary girl, at most with agile movements.

She thrust her right arm backward violently, trying to strike the person’s ribs with her elbow, while simultaneously stamping down hard behind her!

With a “slap,” her elbow strike was caught by another palm. The person seemed to have anticipated her attack pattern and was waiting specifically for this, then closed their five fingers to firmly grasp her right arm.

Her downward stamp missed its target.

Feng Miaojun took a deep breath, suddenly making her arm as supple as if boneless, causing the person to lose their grip, holding what felt like a slippery fish.

Just as she was about to withdraw both hands, her arm suddenly tightened—something cold and soft had wound around it, and her wrist immediately became rigid, losing all sensation.

What magical artifact was the person using? She was terrified and struggled desperately, but the thing only wrapped tighter.

Then, the person behind her calmly embraced her slender waist, pulling her into their arms!

Someone whispered close to her temple, their breath warm on her ear, making it tickle:

“Little heartless one, where are you planning to run this time?”

Feng Miaojun suddenly froze, her blood turning cold throughout her body. After their struggle, they were now facing the dressing table, and the polished silver mirror reflected the two figures nestled together.

They looked so intimate. He moved slightly, resting his chin on the crown of her head, looking over with a smile.

The mirror immediately reflected a pair of peach blossom eyes, moist and misty like the spring rain of the third month.

Feng Miaojun stared blankly at his reflection in the mirror, not out of enchantment, but because fear surged like a tide, instantly overwhelming her.

The nightmare of the past year had suddenly become a reality.

Seeing her expression, Yun Ya smiled, appearing quite pleased. Feng Miaojun snapped back to awareness, quickly closing her eyes and trying to calm her emotions.

Before this great demon, she couldn’t have all her thoughts written on her face.

Yun Ya didn’t rush her, just quietly held her. Her body was soft, and the feel of it seemed even more wonderful than before. Her black hair carried the familiar fragrance he knew well. He could even hear her heartbeat, pounding at least twice as fast as normal.

The little cat was still very afraid of him; he was in a good mood.

Within two breaths, Feng Miaojun quickly adjusted herself and reopened her eyes, staring at him in the mirror: “How did you get in?”

This was the royal palace of New Xia. Outside the Queen’s bedchamber, there were at least seven layers of protective formations, including barriers, divine abilities, and curses. After nightfall, she would dismiss all servants, so even if someone could break in, they couldn’t possibly evade every layer of the formations without triggering any alarms.

How had he managed it?

“Have some tea?” He kindly brought the teacup to her lips.

Feng Miaojun didn’t want to comply, but the cup was already tilted, and the tea inside was about to spill onto her chest.

Between getting wet and drinking the tea, she reluctantly chose the latter.

Yun Ya seemed very patient, feeding her bit by bit like feeding a cat until she finished. Then he smiled and said: “I walked in.”

“Where are the others in the palace?”

“What do you think?” He brushed aside the loose hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate, fair ear. Last time, he had merely bitten it once, and she had fled in panic. What about this time?