In the newly established New Xia, the customs remained frugal, and even the monarch refrained from extravagance. The original summer palace in Wusei’er City was an ordinary palace complex, unlike the Golden City of the Yao Kingdom where the climate could be adjusted at will. For the sake of economy, the palaces and wealthy merchants of Wusei’er City used underground heating systems rather than consuming spirit stones. Except for the two or three gardens that Feng Miaojun frequently visited, none of the palace gardens had greenhouses to nurture plants through winter, leaving them as snowy landscapes.

However, White Horse Lake in the south was quite an interesting place. The ground beneath it was filled with natural fire stones, and the area itself was a curved valley. While unbearably hot in summer, it was exceptionally warm in winter—snow melted upon landing and the temperature remained like spring or autumn. Wusei’er City simply placed several large windbreak formations here to block strong winds and heavy snow, creating a spring-like scene within a snowy world.

In winter, this became a recreation spot for the nobility, with commoners denied entry.

Being invited to meet here, Huyan Long was pleasantly surprised. Noticing she had no palace attendants with her, his eyes flickered slightly.

The Queen had come alone? Even if guards were hidden in the shadows, wasn’t it too presumptuous for her to meet an outside official alone at such proximity? He had heard that Queen Changle had been an ordinary person since childhood, without any cultivation.

Feng Miaojun smiled: “I’ve been too busy these days. Keep me company to relax my mind.”

The Queen’s arrival at White Horse Lake had not been announced in advance, so the valley was filled with visitors. Given their striking appearances, they inevitably attracted frequent glances.

As Huyan Long accompanied the Queen for a walk, he stayed behind Feng Miaojun, maintaining half a body’s distance, and showing great courtesy.

At this moment, however, Feng Miaojun thought of someone who had never been courteous, who always demanded embraces or kisses upon meeting, never this refined.

She unconsciously sighed.

By now, they had reached the lakeside, where rippling waves lapped at their feet. Huyan Long’s voice was very low: “Does Your Majesty seem troubled?”

Feng Miaojun softly replied with an “Mm.”

“Yesterday and the day before, I sought an audience with Your Majesty but was prevented by State Preceptor Fu.” For the past two days, he had tried to enter the palace according to protocol to see the Queen but was turned away, and told the Queen was unavailable—Fu Lingchuan was interfering.

Feng Miaojun glanced at him, with a half-smile: “You are very bold to criticize him behind his back.”

Huyan Long’s expression remained unchanged: “Before Your Majesty, one should speak honestly and justly. If even this is considered speaking disaster from one’s mouth, then Long fears not death!”

She finally smiled: “I’ve heard that Lord Huyan, though young, has achieved remarkable military exploits, once directly confronting Wei Crown Prince Xiao Jing’s fifty thousand troops at Yannan Mountain?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me about the battles you’ve fought.”

Huyan Long then selected exciting and interesting stories from past battles and recounted them one by one. Feng Miaojun listened with fascination, asking questions several times.

After he finished, she sighed deeply: “It’s a pity that I’ve been confined to Wusei’er City for years and haven’t experienced the grandeur of wild geese falling on the plain or blood-stained campaigns.”

“Such earthly purgatory, Your Majesty is better off not seeing,” Huyan Long smiled. “But the outside world is vast, and in our prime years we should gallop freely through the world; for Your Majesty to remain in the deep palace is indeed somewhat regrettable.”

He was reminding her that a woman’s youth is precious, not to be wasted in the inner palace.

Feng Miaojun said softly: “Who doesn’t understand this principle, but unfortunately I can hardly take a step.”

Her smooth voice carried frustration and helplessness.

Such poignant sentiments from a beauty touched the heart. Huyan Long couldn’t help blurting out: “Long is willing to serve as Your Majesty’s steed, to go appreciate the boundless scenery.” After speaking, his scalp tingled, and he regretted not controlling his words. His father had reminded him to probe several times before returning home to discuss, after all, the matter was of great importance.

Yet in the presence of beauty, he had misspoken.

Feng Miaojun chuckled: “You truly are bold. Tell me, how would you serve as my steed?”

She had asked this question twice, neither time with any blame. Huyan Long had to forge ahead: “Naturally, to address Your Majesty’s urgent concerns and fulfill Your Majesty’s needs.”

Her eyes sparkled, outshining even the magnolias blooming nearby: “Such as?”

“If Your Majesty has doubts or troubles, the Huyan family would certainly resolve them with all our might, easing the monarch’s worries.”

Feng Miaojun slowly retracted her smile: “My doubts and troubles, you clearly know, yet you don’t even dare to speak them—how can you talk about easing my worries?”

Huyan Long’s heart pounded, suddenly understanding: the Queen was demanding him to take a stand.

No, not quite right—she was forcing the Huyan family to take a stand.

He regretted his earlier slip of the tongue, which had also cost him the initiative. But if he didn’t speak now, Queen Changle wouldn’t give the Huyan family another chance.

With so many nobles in Wusei’er City and so many enemies of Fu Lingchuan, the Queen might have other options.

But what if the Queen was merely testing him? Or what if this was a trap set by Fu Lingchuan, waiting for the Huyan family to fall into it?

Two thoughts battled in his mind, but Feng Miaojun didn’t give him more time to consider.

Huyan Long gritted his teeth, thinking to himself, “I’ll risk it.” Even if he didn’t make it clear now, would Fu Lingchuan not know? This man’s wariness of the Huyan family far exceeded that of other powerful families.

If the Huyan family didn’t take this risk, they would forever be controlled by Fu Lingchuan!

“Your Majesty’s trouble is that despite being of imperial lineage, your power has slipped away,” he said firmly. “Fu Lingchuan, though merely the State Preceptor, oversteps his bounds, interferes with state affairs, and undermines the ancestral system of An Xia!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Queen stood still and turned back, a gleam flashing in her beautiful eyes: “Good, well said!”

She snapped a branch beside her: “What does the Huyan family plan to do?”

“Your Majesty need not make any move, just observe,” Huyan Long’s eyes also flashed with brilliance. “Until necessary, then you can…”

At that moment, a middle-aged scholar approached from the opposite direction. First startled by their appearances, he then looked carefully at Feng Miaojun for a few moments. Suddenly changing color, he hurried forward, knelt, and exclaimed loudly: “Greetings to Your Majesty!”

Finally, someone had recognized the Queen, and Huyan Long’s words were interrupted.

Feng Miaojun looked closely and saw that it was an official from the Astronomical Bureau. She smiled: “Chief Clerk Liu has also come to appreciate the flowers?”

This Chief Clerk Liu was of low rank and had always been seated at the end during major ceremonies. Thanks to his good eyesight, he was now extremely excited to recognize Feng Miaojun.

The three stood in an open area by the lake, without any cover or barriers. His kneeling was particularly eye-catching, and nearby people heard his address.

Among them were many from noble and powerful families, who now followed Chief Clerk Liu’s gaze to examine the pair. Recognizing the Queen’s true identity, they came one by one to pay respects.

The peaceful and serene White Horse Lake suddenly became quite lively.

Feng Miaojun stepped forward, handling the crowd effortlessly. At this point, Chen Dachang, who had been hidden in the shadows, also emerged to separate her from others, preventing potential danger.

Huyan Long didn’t dare to follow side by side, only silently following with his eyes.

Just then, a person rushed in from outside—a guard who often accompanied Chen Dachang. He whispered a few words to Chen Dachang, whose face turned serious as he came to inform Feng Miaojun:

“Yu Shi Zhang’s son, Yu Linlang, has been assassinated!”