Feng Miaojun understood: “Miao Fengxian?”

“Yes. It happened during Xiao’s military training season, and that army was precisely under Miao Fengxian’s command. When Liu Yue raided their camp, it was also Miao Fengxian who ordered her killed.” Yun Ya gave a soft exhale. “Tell me, if she doesn’t hate Miao Fengxian, whom can she hate?”

“All things have their causes and effects,” he said lightly. “The hero in your eyes might be an unforgivable executioner in someone else’s.”

Feng Miaojun remained silent for a long time. Whose fault was it at the root of this matter? Was it Miao Fengxian’s failure to discipline his subordinates, or was it the hatred that had festered between Wei and Xiao for many years?

It was a tangled mess that perhaps no one could unravel.

“But surely not all million souls in Yinzi City are guilty?” She turned her head to look at Yun Ya, a cold light flashing in her eyes. “How dare Wei issue an order for massacre!”

“If I told you I knew nothing of this beforehand, would Anan believe me?”

Feng Miaojun certainly did not.

“I was still recovering from my wounds in Wulin Town. During my unconsciousness, Xiao Yan issued the final ultimatum to Xiao. He was too hasty.” Yun Ya smiled bitterly. “Once an order is issued, it’s like a mountain—immovable and known to all. It cannot be changed. What use would my opposition be?”

He was, after all, only the State Preceptor, not the King of Wei. Even if Xiao Yan himself regretted it, there was no room to retract such an order. The command had spread like the wind to all countries.

Feng Miaojun’s gaze scrutinized his face.

“Since we’ve known each other, have I ever spoken a single lie to you?” he asked sincerely.

After lengthy consideration, she reluctantly replied, “No.” Indeed, he had never lied to her, though concealing information was another matter.

“I am not a Wei native. I hold no deep grudge against Xiao; I only wish to help Wei win this war,” Yun Ya said calmly. “Massacring a city violates heavenly principles and disrupts cosmic harmony. Why would I advocate for such a thing?”

Cultivators were most unwilling to defy heaven’s will or become entangled in karmic consequences. How could Yun Ya possibly wish to touch the terrifying karmic force of extinguishing a million lives?

From this perspective, he truly had no reason to recommend a massacre.

Feng Miaojun’s eyes shifted, but her words remained cold and hard: “Even if everything you say is true, you’re still implicated by Xiao Yan this time. If the massacre happens, you too will bear an enormous sin.” He and Xiao Yan were on the same side; when the latter committed an act that enraged both gods and men, how could he remain uninvolved? If heaven were mindful, it would also place a debt on his account.

Yun Ya placed his hands behind his head, gazing up at the stars: “Since I entered the world to assist Wei, haven’t I already committed many sins?”

His voice was low, tinged with faint self-mockery.

“Then why did you enter the world, and why specifically choose Wei?” Her heart stirred as she recalled what the old Wei King Xiao Pingzhang had said about Yun Ya’s past. It was Yun Ya who had chosen Wei, and his ambitions had always extended beyond being the State Preceptor.

What exactly did this fellow want to accomplish?

“Heaven places great responsibility on this person—” Yun Ya drew out his tone, but before he could finish, Feng Miaojun cut him off: “Enough, stop beating around the bush!”

“Alright, alright.” Yun Ya said with a smile, “Then tell me, why did you become both Queen and State Preceptor of New Xia?”

She replied irritably, “Forced by circumstances.” On Luofu Island, had she not revealed her identity, everyone there, including herself, would have been struck dead by heavenly punishment. Once her identity was exposed, to obtain the spiritual medicine to break the curse, she had to make an agreement with Fu Lingchuan. Upon returning to New Xia, unwilling to be a puppet queen manipulated by others, she began her power struggle.

She lived in the mortal world, where every move was influenced by external forces.

“Then I too am compelled by the greater situation.” Yun Ya sighed. “There’s a term called ‘having no choice’—Anan surely understands. People like us, who don’t have their difficulties?”

Feng Miaojun thought for a moment and didn’t object. She knew she wasn’t innocent; no one mired in such a quagmire remained pure and unblemished. Yet somehow, an invisible hand seemed to push her life along this peculiar path.

To survive, to thrive—this had always been her goal.

Yun Ya heaved a long sigh: “Let’s not speak of this anymore, let’s set aside these trivial matters.” He turned to face her, his gaze intense. “Let’s discuss what truly matters.”

“Oh?” What truly matters? Weren’t they already discussing important matters?

“When will you marry me?”

Feng Miaojun burst into laughter: “You are the State Preceptor of Wei, and I am the Queen of New Xia. Our two countries are sworn enemies, and you’ve killed my friend’s family—despite all this, you still plan for me to marry you?”

Yun Ya listened carefully to every word, and then nodded seriously: “Yes!”

Faced with this man who couldn’t be judged by normal standards, she was at a loss: “How beautiful a dream. Besides, shouldn’t it be you marrying me?” She was a sovereign; if she were to marry, it would be taking a prince consort who would “marry into” her household.

Yun Ya’s eyebrows arched, but seeing the vengeful gleam in her eyes, he let out a muffled grunt: “Let’s set aside the details for now and focus on how to make it happen.”

What seemed like an Arabian Nights fantasy to others, hadn’t he always achieved through practical means?

Knowing something was impossible yet still doing it—hadn’t he done this many times before?

Feng Miaojun looked at him steadily, unconsciously dropping the smile from her face: “My temperament is poor, my temper is bad, and I’m calculating—hardly a good companion.”

Yun Ya uttered an “oh”: “By that logic, should I fancy all women in the world with good temperaments, pleasant dispositions, and honest hearts?”

“People often say I’m vicious and affected.”

“Even better. Others say the same about me.” Yun Ya smiled. “Don’t you see? We’re a match made in heaven, a pair crafted by earth.”

Her stern face finally broke into a faint smile.

Indeed, this man was more vicious and more affected than she was. “You also have a belly full of schemes, and your heart is black.”

Yun Ya moved closer, his head lowering so he could kiss her lips: “Shouldn’t Your Majesty the Queen carry out heaven’s will by taking me in, preventing me from harming the world?”

She tugged at the corner of her mouth: “By that reasoning, taking you in would be benefiting the world, an act of boundless virtue?”

“Who says otherwise?” There was no moonlight tonight; otherwise, its gentleness would have been outshone by his tenderness.

Should she like this man or hate him? Feng Miaojun felt somewhat bewildered, and by not moving away, she ended up being kissed squarely.

His kiss was gentle, yet it scattered her thoughts. Feng Miaojun instinctively closed her eyes, hearing the crickets in the wall cracks and frogs in the pond behind them calling merrily, along with the beating of their two hearts.

The rhythm of those heartbeats quickened, seemingly in harmony.

This man was like a poppy—you knew he was poisonous and harmful, knew you should stay away, yet you were still tempted, drawn to him involuntarily.

Perhaps it was because the starlight was too beautiful tonight, but he made no further advances, lingering only at her lips like a bee gathering honey.

Feng Miaojun gently caressed his face, secretly marveling that his skin was better than a woman’s: “When you resign from your position as State Preceptor.”

Yun Ya awoke from the romantic trance, slightly startled: “What?”