She had once tried making Eight Treasures Porridge for Yun Ya, but the next day he told her quite frankly: there was no need to send any more.

State Preceptor Yun’s palate was extremely discerning; ordinary chefs could not satisfy him, let alone Xu Guangxiang who was unfamiliar with this art.

Xu Guangxiang realized she could not please him with her offerings—her understanding of Yun Ya was too lacking, and she truly couldn’t find any interests they shared.

Finally, she simply brought military books and war strategies to discuss with the State Preceptor.

General Xu had one quality unlike ordinary women: she neither affected delicate manners nor wore powder and rouge. Yun Ya most detested women who threw themselves at him, trailing clouds of perfume wherever they went. When Xu Guangxiang came to discuss military affairs with him, he wasn’t particularly averse to it.

Xu Guangxiang had originally just been looking for a pretext to get close to him, but who knew this man would speak about military tactics with such clarity and insight, analyzing with precision and showing strategic foresight? She often became entranced listening to him, forgetting her original purpose.

A great doubt arose in her heart. Had the State Preceptor previously led troops and fought in battles? Otherwise, how could mere knowledge from books make a battle-hardened general like herself so deeply impressed?

However, regarding her suggestion to send female soldiers to serve as his attendants, Yun Ya consistently refused. When Xu Guangxiang thought about the relationship between him and the Queen of New Xia, her heart inevitably grew heavy.

She had originally thought that the deep enmity between New Xia and the Kingdom of Wei would make it impossible for the alliance treaty to be signed. Who knew that with Queen Changle’s maneuvering, the matter would take an unexpected turn, and ultimately succeed?

Although the treaty had been downgraded to an agreement, the main objective of the Kingdom of Wei had been achieved.

Now that the two sworn enemies had promised non-interference and non-aggression, what would happen next? Would there come a day when all grudges would be resolved with a smile? Would the national hatred and family enmity between Yun Ya and Changle still exist?

She felt somewhat lost.

After leaving Wuseier City for more than ten days, Yun Ya suddenly directed the diplomatic mission to turn southwest and enter the Yao territory.

Xu Guangxiang was greatly surprised: “Why?”

“I just received important news and need to verify something in Luosha City,” Yun Ya smiled. “I see the Princess has been in good health lately. If you don’t wish to go there, you may return directly to the capital.”

Xu Guangxiang blushed. She was not accustomed to pretense; after leaving Wuseier City, she had remembered to occasionally feign attacks of her “old illness,” but later became so engrossed in accompanying the man she loved that she even neglected this pretense, forgetting that Yun Ya was meticulously observant and had seen through everything.

“We’ll go together; Luosha City isn’t far anyway,” Xu Guangxiang did not hesitate much. “However, we are Wei people and cannot openly enter Yao territory.”

The two sides were mortal enemies, so naturally the Yao people were not friendly toward the Wei people.

Yun Ya took out a document from his bosom, stamped with a bright red seal: “The mission will change its insignia. From now on, we are Jin merchants who have crossed the Chiqian Forest.”

It was just a detour, and since the Kingdom of Wei had no military conflicts recently and was quite peaceful, Xu Guangxiang naturally had no objections. So the entire diplomatic mission was further streamlined, dispatching more than ten people disguised as Jin merchants from the east, entering Yao through the “Golden Trade Route” newly established by New Xia.

The journey was extraordinarily lively. Indeed, after Yao and Xia had established border trade, the once barren land immediately burst into vibrant life.

Xu Guangxiang couldn’t help but sigh: “No wonder my royal brother is determined to ally; it brings so many benefits to the common people.”

Yun Ya smiled silently.

Luosha City was not far from the border, and the diplomatic mission took only a day and a half to arrive.

While everyone was busy settling in, Xu Guangxiang wanted to find Yun Ya to dine in the city, but she was disappointed—he had already left the inn.

Recalling that he had prepared travel permits in advance, a thought arose in Xu Guangxiang’s mind:

When he agreed to leave Wuseier City, could it have been specifically to make this trip to Luosha City?

Before nightfall, Yun Ya was already standing in front of Zhenlong Pavilion, stepping inside.

Zhenlong Pavilion was the largest antique shop in Luosha City, located on the main street with a facade that was not only magnificent but also new.

Ordinarily, he would have disdained to visit such a place. Two years ago, Zhenlong Pavilion had been just a third-rate small shop, selling goods that were thirty percent genuine and seventy percent fake. Coming here to select treasures required a good eye, and naturally, its reputation was not very good.

However, this shop had suddenly risen to fame last year because it had acquired many ancient relics. Cloud-floating Island in the Forbidden Sea had been taken by Fu Lingchuan last year, and Yun Ya had received news that the Mermaid Clan had disposed of many treasures when relocating. As a result, auctions on land have been particularly lively this year, with many sea tribe treasures appearing. Zhenlong Pavilion had also secured a supply channel, and with Luosha City’s favorable geographical position, its reputation had gradually increased.

With his appearance and bearing that dazzled people wherever he went, the shopkeeper of Zhenlong Pavilion naturally dared not neglect him, waving away his assistants to personally welcome him.

Before he could speak, Yun Ya asked: “I heard Zhenlong Pavilion has newly acquired a prized treasure, a candelabra weighing over eight thousand jin?”

“Ah, yes!”

“Was it also brought from the sea?” Yun Ya maintained the demeanor of someone willing to spend lavishly. “Show me the item; price is not an issue.”

“No, no, this is our proprietor’s secret collection, originally a divine relic. Many people have come to see it recently, but it was sold the day before yesterday. I apologize to the esteemed guest,” the shopkeeper replied smoothly.

“Sold?” Yun Ya was quite surprised. “For how much?”

“Three hundred red spirit stones.”

Three hundred red spirit stones would be nine million taels of silver, an enormous sum that ordinary people could not afford. Yun Ya pondered: “What is special about this candelabra?”

“This, no one knows yet,” the shopkeeper smiled. “But it was once enshrined in Yingshui City, which is true. Its shape is depicted in ancient paintings from Yingshui City, which can serve as evidence.”

“It’s even in ancient paintings?” Yun Ya stroked his chin. “Could it be a copy based on those?”

“The esteemed guest jests,” the shopkeeper quickly said. “This treasure is only as tall as a person, yet weighs eight thousand jin. Even if someone could create a fake, how could they manufacture such weight?”

Indeed, one might imitate the appearance perfectly, but weight cannot be falsified. Apart from divine treasures, what human-height artifact could weigh eight thousand jin? Yun Ya seemed persuaded, and the shopkeeper’s face glowed with delight: “Our shop still has other secret treasures; perhaps the esteemed guest would like to see them?” The shop’s prized treasure had been sold, making Zhenlong Pavilion famous, and he shared in this glory; moreover, recently the shop’s customers had increased not only in number but also in quality.

Yun Ya nodded and followed the shopkeeper to the incense room reserved for honored guests, where items were presented one after another.

With his discerning eye, he saw that there were indeed many fine pieces, many labeled as coming from the sea. It seemed that after Cloud-floating Island had been taken by Fu Lingchuan, the Mermaid Clan was finding it difficult to rebuild their home at their new location.

He casually purchased several items, causing the shopkeeper’s face to bloom with smiles. However, during a moment when the attending assistant went to pour tea, Yun Ya’s sleeve brushed past the shopkeeper, and his smile disappeared, his gaze becoming vacant.

“Who bought the prized candelabra?”

The shopkeeper answered honestly: “That distinguished guest’s surname was Hu, with the given name Su.”